Premium on the Letter H

Kenneth Oates here, checking in from Northampton, Mass, not much going on here. The weather here sucks. It’s in the 30’s and raining. Actually, the only thing I don’t like about the 30’s is that it’s not cold enough. To be snowing, that is. It’s coming down, the moisture from the sky—but too warm to snow. Just wasting good precipitation—right down the gutter. I kind of expected to be snowed in up here, but it’s not even very wintery. I’m still at the North King Motel—just kind of exploring the town (easy to get lost, walking, for a small place). I really like it!

One thing weird about this town—why is it spelled Northampton? Just a clever way to get extra milage from that “h”? I looked at a map—there’s a Westhampton and an Easthampton—so wouldn’t it be Northhampton? Otherwise, it’s like “Nort Hampton”—see what I mean? Though, admittedly, Southampton does the same thing. They must have got together when naming the towns.

I wondered. Is this “The Hamptons?” No, of course. I knew that. That’s Long Island—which is—glad I’m not there. I always found Long Island kind of weird in a way I can’t explain. Happy to be here with this weird spelling, the mild weather, and more time to explore. So far, my recommendation for moving here is… yes. I’d recommend it.

—Kenneth Oates 1.24.24