-
2 weeks ago | 
bostonmagazine.com | Steve Calechman
Welcome to “The Salty Cod,” a monthly column in which humorist Steve Calechman grapples with uniquely New England dilemmas. Dear Salty Cod: What should be the official rock song of Massachusetts? We already have songs in seven categories: generic, patriotic, folk, glee club, ceremonial march, ode, and polka, none of which anyone could hum. So do we really need a rock song? Eff yeah, because Ohio can’t be the only state to have one.
-
1 month ago | 
bostonmagazine.com | Steve Calechman
Humor From Watertown to Wenham to Winchester to Whately and Worthington, we've got a healthy showing of the only three-syllable letter. Welcome to “The Salty Cod,” a monthly column in which humorist Steve Calechman grapples with uniquely New England dilemmas. Dear Salty Cod: What’s with all the W towns? You mean 46 out of 351—13 percent of the state—seems a bit much?
-
1 month ago | 
superage.com | Steve Calechman
What We Can Learn from the World’s Best Longevity CitiesWe all want to live longer, healthier lives. While diet, exercise, and social connections play major roles in longevity, where you live can also make a significant difference. Some cities and regions consistently report above-average life expectancy, thanks to clean air, strong healthcare systems, walkability, community support, and a focus on well-being.
-
Mar 6, 2025 | 
bostonmagazine.com | Steve Calechman
Welcome to “The Salty Cod,” a new monthly column in which humorist Steve Calechman grapples with uniquely New England dilemmas. Dear Salty Cod: Why doesn’t Connecticut ever really feel like part of New England? First off, it’s not like any of us are super tight to begin with. We’re a collection of states that tend to be crabby, independent, and suspect. None of us wants to belong together. From a geographic perspective, though, Connecticut got hosed.
-
Mar 3, 2025 | 
bostonglobe.com | Steve Calechman
I’ve never been quick to adopt technology. Latest proof? I’m 57 years old and finally decided to give Apple Music a try. Before you judge, it’s not like I’ve been doing nothing. For the last few years, I’ve been using Amazon Music. OK, now you can judge. Amazon has the cred of Hotmail. I knew I needed a shake-up. My playlists are incredible. Seriously, Social Distortion into the Indigo Girls? That’s a person on fire. But I was becoming less and less surprised by my own choices.
-
Feb 19, 2025 | 
bostonmagazine.com | Steve Calechman
So I gotta keep at it, maintain, be an inspiration for people. And as much as I love the gym, I’ve come to accept that certain annoying habits will never end. People who treat a bench as their desk. Guys who check their golf swing in the mirror. Guys who shave naked. (I don’t know what happens in the women’s locker room, but from what my wife says, it’s also kinda gross.)My biggest issue? People who listen to music on their headphones.
-
Feb 7, 2025 | 
bostonmagazine.com | Steve Calechman
You certainly could, because it’s just another relationship that we didn’t ask for, and your neighbor might be a jerk for any number of reasons. Not keeping their lawn neat and green. Playing music too loudly and having it be Bob Seger. Owning a hot tub and never extending an invite. Snow always ups our orneriness because it’s unlike all other yard work. Raking and pruning can wait. Snow has to be dealt with, like, right now. The problem is we don’t want to go outside.
-
Sep 13, 2024 | 
bostonmagazine.com | Steve Calechman
Humor Innovation can be great. Just keep it out of my kid's white bread. I can’t deny that I’ve got major skills, all of which have zero marketability. I can identify a Springsteen song two seconds in. I can always find parking in Charlestown, and I can always annoy the crap out of my wife and kids trying to find parking in Charlestown. But I know jack about running a restaurant.
-
Aug 21, 2024 | 
bostonglobe.com | Steve Calechman
I didn’t grow up with Thanksgiving Scrabble battles or monthly pie nights, so I’m clueless about family traditions, but I think my wife and I might have stumbled onto one. For the last three years, we’ve taken our kids out of school in early June to go up to Maine and see how many doughnuts they can eat over three days. This year brought a wrinkle. COVID hit the house and Jenny wasn’t clear to go, so I decided to take them on my own. Milo’s 12 years old. Levi is 9.
-
Aug 15, 2024 | 
bostonglobe.com | Steve Calechman
I’m parked curbside, waiting to pick up Milo, my 12-year-old son, and I’m early, enjoying the alone time. A live version of “Jungleland” comes on the radio and I’m 16 again, feeling confident and badass, even though I’m sitting in a CR-V, trying to get Wordle in less than four so I can send my wife yet another gif that conveys, “How ya like that . . . boom.”Milo gets in and immediately changes the song. I could ask him not to, but I already end enough of the fun in his life.
