9/1/25

What a delightful weekend with many visitors to our area. Since today is still part of the Holiday weekend, it seems that many people are enjoying one more lovely day here. Still quite dry, so I spoke with Jim Allen, our fire warden, who indicated that he is not issuing burn permits at the moment.

An update on my snake visitor. I had left the basement door ajar for many hours following our encounter, hoping he would find his way out. Alas, the next time I did laundry, he was curled up in front of the door. Since he was so slender, I was able to open the door over him and flip the mat to cast him out. He actually tried to come back inside! I did notice an orange ring near his head. Apparently he is a harmless ring-necked snake.

We had a stimulating conversation about Leaving Coy’s Hill at our Book Group meeting on Wednesday evening – five of us in my dining room and one participant on the zoom. We had barely started when someone noticed the bear sauntering down my driveway, so we all went to the window to observe him. My driveway happens to be a bear corridor, so it is not unusual. I don’t feel the need to chase him unless he wanders into my yard.

We discussed several books and chose the following for the next three months selections:

September 24 – The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict
October 22 – Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
December 3 – The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore

In my opinion, the Shakespeare Alive performance was the best yet and I have been attending for many years! At one time I would take the picture of the actors outside Union Christian church with my iPad to send to the VT Standard. This year Rick Russel photographed inside and out, so I will be anxious to see his pictures.

I attended the Sunday Folk and Blues concert and was amazed at the number of people and furry companions in attendance. Many seemed to be from afar. Woody Guthrie’s grandson, Krishna sang This Land is Your Land and we all sang along.

I did want to mention that Bethany Mennonite Church will be having the Annual Community Picnic on Sunday, 9/7. Feel free to join us for the morning service at 10:45 that will include a labyrinth walk and communion. If you prefer, just come at 11:30 for lunch, games and fellowship.