The Coolidge Corner Box

[mabfan]

On my way to work this morning, I ran an errand, and discovered the following box sitting on the Beacon St. "island" between Pleasant St. and Waldo St. in Brookline:

Coolidge Corner Box Photo copyright ©2008 by Michael A. Burstein.

It appears to be a rather large wooden box. Inside it's lined with what appears to be aluminum foil, and there's a wooden log just sitting there.

Inside the Coolidge Corner Box Photo copyright ©2008 by Michael A. Burstein.

Anyone have any idea what's going on? If I had to guess, I'd say someone is doing an experiment with using sunlight to set the log aflame. But who is doing this, and why? Did they have to get permits? There was no sign explaining this at all.

Comments

[aunt-becca.livejournal.com]

my first thought was that it was a homeless person's makeshift shelter. But at closer examination, it looks like that may not be the case. Good rule in general is not to go looking inside a random box on the street, because if there is someone using it as a shelter, it could get weird.

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

Given the sturdy construction of this box (wooden panels nailed together), I wasn't concerned that someone would be inside. Also, the windows were wide enough that the inside was visible without having to step too close to it.

[aunt-becca.livejournal.com]

that's why I assumed it wasn't a makeshift shelter.

[chanaleh.livejournal.com]

But if it *were* (or had to be) a makeshift shelter, I would love to see a little makeshift fireplace log like this in it. :-}

[530nm330hz.livejournal.com]

Was it bigger on the inside than on the outside?

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

Isn't it always?

[sorek.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's some kind of incomplete manger display?

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

Hm. I hadn't thought of that. It makes sense.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Sukkot was months ago!

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

I think the top of it would have needed to be more open to the sky for a proper sukkah.

[llennhoff.livejournal.com]

What's the name for the day the Jews take down their sukkahs?


Chanukah.

[arib.livejournal.com]

What's the plural of yenta?


Hadassah.

[scottedelman.livejournal.com]

My guess is that it's the beginning of some kind of performance art.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

I'm entertained that your first hypothesis is that it's science, and mine is that it's Art. Don't misumnderstand me, I'd prefer it to be science, now you mention it, it's just that so much of this stuff is Art.

[lucretia-borgia.livejournal.com]

I vote "art" too -- isn't there a First Lights celebration coming up in B'line?

As to the creche idea: I'm pretty sure the Bethlehem Barn & Grill didn't have a fireplace.

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah. First Light is tomorrow night. I'm actually reading at Booksmith at 5 pm.

I'm guessing you're right, that it has something to do with First Light.

[caryabend.livejournal.com]

First Light? It looks pretty odd for a telescope, but maybe the foil needs smoothing.

[ron_newman]

I've heard of First Night, but what's First Light?

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

It's an event that takes place every late fall in Brookline, where many of the stories sponsor activities and giveaways. People can check out the schedule, drop by events that interest them, and have fun.

[violetcheetah.livejournal.com]

"Bethlehem Barn & Grill" made me cackle.

[shsilver.livejournal.com]

The problem is that putting in the windows breaks the aluminum foil lining, allowing the brain control waves access.

[caryabend.livejournal.com]

My stressed-out and sleep deprived brain just flashed on the scene in Ghostbusters where the team discuses the supernatural architecture of Dana's Building: "I guess they don't build them like they used to, huh?"

[elul-3.livejournal.com]

I must be really out of it...I walked right past there today and didn't notice anything!

[rivkaesque.livejournal.com]

I suspect it will turn into some sort of 'family Xmas' display - but fairly slowly.

[ron_newman]

On Universal Hub, someone posted a link to this recent Globe article: Taylor Davis's wood sculptures hammer home a spare poetry. Do we have a winner?

(p.s. why are my comments being screened?)

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

That sounds like it may be it.

Your comments are being screened because the default for my journal is to screen comments from anyone not on my F-list. I had to do that a few years ago when I started getting excessive spam (and personal attacks) from people with LJ accounts.