Reprinted with permission from The Vermont Standard

4/26/20

As I write on Sunday, the rain has begun to fall and snow is expected a bit later. I hustled to get out for a walk before lunch and I met others trying to beat the approaching inclement weather, too. Such a change after that simply beautiful day on Saturday. I was glad to have worked on outdoor tasks, but I admit my ambition has waned for indoor projects today…..

We had a strange occurrence the other day and perhaps some of you can shed light on what this ridiculous creature was doing. We began hearing an occasional thumping noise outside that quickly increased in intensity & frequency. Slipping on shoes, I tromped down the steps off the deck toward the corner of the house where the dining room addition meets the main structure. I don’t know who was more startled, but suddenly a female turkey flew up from there and took off across the driveway. Any thoughts? By the way, spring turkey hunting begins May 1st.

Thanks to Rose Vetere for hosting our first Zoom Reading Group meeting last Thursday and to Tim Sink for providing and making sure we could all participate. We had a delightful time discussing Girl Waits with Gun, which actually has some basis in history.  It was fun to see folks in their own homes. Nancy Hagge even showed us the sunset from her mountaintop vantage point. Our next book is Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes, which we will discuss Thursday, 5/21 at 6:30 PM, probably via Zoom.

I had previously mentioned The Woodstock Area Relief Fund (WARF). This volunteer effort has a dedicated leadership team that includes Alison Clarkson, Ana Dinatale, Barry Milstone, Carolyn Kimbell, Charlie Kimbell, Daphne Lowe, Geraldine Fowler, Jill Davies, Jill Rose, John Endicott, Jon Spector, Karim Houry, Liza Deignan, Mary MacVey, Mary Riley, Meg Seely, Sally Miller, Seton McIlroy, Wendy Spector. Anyone interested in making a donation may do so on the website or by sending a check to Woodstock Area Relief Fund and mailing to: Woodstock Community Trust (WARF), PO Box 802, Woodstock, VT 05091.

The group has submitted the following: Asking for help isn’t easy—we all know that. But these times are unlike anything we’ve ever seen. That’s why (WARF) has made getting money for household necessities as simple as possible. More than 160 neighbors and 50 friends from other states have contributed over $215,000 so far to help those in the Windsor Central Supervisory Union (which includes Plymouth). All the money will go toward grants of up to $1,000 for those needing help with rent, groceries, and other household expenses.

To apply for aid: www.woodstockarearelieffund.org

To ask questions: woodstockcovid19@gmail.com / 802-281-9902

To donate: www.woodstockarearelieffund.org

To see regular updates on Facebook: @woodstockarearelieffund

I hope that everyone is continuing to be prudent and safe. VT has done a good job of containing COVID 19, so I pray we can proceed slowly to open back up, which seems like a sensible approach. Little steps like buying plants at the WUHS plant sale on 5/1 can help to bring a renewed sense of hope.

Ponderings: Watching the stream, swollen from recent rain as it flow fearlessly over rocks and branches. It does not stop to ponder, it simply rushes by. Where is it going so frenetically – pushing obstacles from its path? I can be that way, but for now I choose to move more slowly and to observe the beauty that is so often missed when I dash furiously on my way.