Postcard from Cambridge, Mass.: Whispering arches

Of Sever Hall, Harvard Yard (next to yesterday's library). If you whisper directly into the bricks on one side of the arched doorway, you can hear it on the other side of the arch, 12 feet away.

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Fun Sever story: Writer Gertrude Stein once took a class from psychologist William James (Henry's brother) and during a final exam in Sever, wrote in her exam book: "Dear Professor James, I am so sorry but really I do not feel like an examination paper in philosophy today.” She received a response the next day: “Dear Miss Stein, I understand perfectly how you feel. I often feel like that myself.” James gave her the highest mark in the class.

Postcard from Cambridge, Mass.: Widener Library

Harvard Yard: Walk through yesterday's photo and say hello to 'the mothership' of Harvard's enormous library system, named after a student who died on the Titanic. There's a Gutenberg Bible in there + 57 miles of bookshelves so labyrinthine you could put a minotaur in the middle and no one would notice.

Postcard from Cambridge, Mass.: Enter to grow in wisdom

On a winter's day last week: One of many gates leading into Harvard Yard (where a few years back, one professor exercised his 200-year-old right to graze cows). The arched walkway runs under a freshman dormitory, Wigglesworth, once home to Leonard Bernstein and other famed former students.

Rush hour

On Princeton University campus. I'll be taking a break next week - enjoy your weekend, see you soon!

From a private collection

Two Alexander Calder works are on loan to Princeton University through June, "The Kite that Never Flew" (left) and "Man." Both were installed on a rare snow-free day in January, below. (Doesn't the wrapped-up "Man" look Trojan horse-y? Open at your own risk, Princeton.)

Snow fun

Who needs man-made playgrounds when there's snowy fields? No more melting - the cold is back, brrr!

Snow Man

In mid-melt, I'm afraid, but still rather life-like!

Sunny afternoons

It was 1C/30F late Sunday, heat wave! Fields and woods are still snowy, but this bench looks ready for 'benchwarmers' soon.