blogger profile

Alison Skirtboston

Skirt! Boston editor

Skirt! is evidence that the universe is paying attention: I spent the last six years at mach speed, whether finishing college (Emerson) while writing full time for Boston Globe West (2001-2004) or editing the Boston Parents’ Paper during the day while holding down the steady gig writing for Globe ...

READ MORE

Guilt-free dining

alison, editor

There was a rule in my family that the car didn’t stop unless it was out of gas. Unfortunately, we learned to live that way every day...

We drove to Chicago to see my grandparents, 1,000 miles, with 9 people in the station wagon, and only stopped for gas maybe three times along the way in 20 hours. We drove frequently to New York to see my brother at school... and didn’t need to stop for gas! 

I’ve tried to change that mentality. Do you know anything about a place from the stuff you can see along the interstate? Of course not. So, when my husband and I moved from Alabama to Texas to Alabama, I did the unthinkable and scheduled some stops. I mean, how can you drive by New Orleans without stopping?? The scenery and the impromptu stops we learned to make turned out to be great memories.

We’ve driven down I-84 too many times to count. First, my brother was in school in New York, then I met my husband there. It’s been the route to my sister’s house in Pennsylvania for nearly 20 years. Do you think I ever stopped during those 4-hour drives? Not until recently, when Andrea and I detoured for a bite to eat at a place I’ve passed countless times. It was great, and definitely allowed on my guilt-free diet. Because I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if this place that advertises BOOKS along with FOOD were to close and I’d never been inside.

Yes, that’s what they offer: Books and Food. Get lunch and take a stack of books home with you. No kidding. If it sounds familiar, it’s because the New York Times, Charles Kuralt and others discovered this quaint rest stop on the Connecticut/Mass. border several years ago. Or because you’ve seen its iconic yellow roof during one of your nonstop trips through the area.

That’s my partner in crime, browsing a selection from one of the many shelves around the dining room. The books weren’t the sort you’d clamor for ... I got one called “Ocean Vu, Jog to Beach” that was published in 1988... but it’s the philosophy of the place that I’d like to support. It’s a mindset that you don’t have to rush from one place to another, and books are a great reason to slow down or stop altogether.

Another thing I like about the Traveler is that you get the idea that anyone can publish a novel. Really. When you see the multitude of books there you realize everyone really does have a novel inside of him/her, and persistence is likely the key to getting it published. Food for thought.

What sort of detours have you allowed this summer?