Waltham Wildlife In My Yard

You wouldn't think that there would be much wildlife in Waltham, considering it is super close to Boston. But you would be wrong.

If you've never been to the Boston area, you would be pleasantly surprised by how green it is and how close it is to forests and farmland. This is mostly thanks to town and independent preservation efforts. Let's take the neighboring town of Lincoln, for example. It's so woody and green and so close to Boston. Preservation efforts generally mean there's less land to build on, which drives housing prices sky high (the median house value in 2006 was a meager $1,062,000), but it sure is pretty!

Anyway, even when I lived in downtown Waltham I would see a skunk every so often.



Now that we've moved across town, I feel like I live in the country. I still see lots of skunks (which I love...they're so cute), but my yard also features groundhogs, coyotes, and some massive groundhog/woodchuck/possum hybrid. This monster ate my whole damn garden this year.

A few weeks ago I was having dinner with my boys and my friend in Cambridge, when I got a call from my SO. He asked if I had heard about the coyote......I first thought maybe he was telling a joke. Turns out that one of our neighbors whose yard connects with ours called saying they had seen a coyote in our yard that morning. Oh yeah, and the coyote was devouring one of the aforementioned beasts. I hope it was the monster. Too late for the garden this year, but there's always next.

Awesome Saturday Brunch in Watertown/Waltham

photo from: visitingnewengland.com

So close to Waltham, just had to include it.

My kids love going to Friendly's...well known for the fribble, but not particularly well known for its ambiance or creativity. A good friend stayed over with us on Friday night and on Saturday we all went to the Deluxe Town Diner on Mt. Auburn Street in Watertown.

There was a substantial crowd outside waiting to get in....mostly cambridge-y looking 20 and 30 somethings. It was only a 15 minute wait (and in the meantime, we crossed the street to check out Fastachi. This totally cute store had mounds and mounds of fresh salted nuts, plus chocolates to die for, licorice, etc. I bought caramel lollipops for the boys since we were waiting to have brunch. I think I'll buy xmas gifts from here.)

So we get into the Deluxe and were presented with this menu. Drool drool. It took me at least 20 minutes to decide what I wanted. I ended up getting a rockin western omelette with home fries, homemade wheat toast and endless coffee. My buddy got ployes. (click previous link for more info). Yum! This place is totally original and totally awesome. Go here!