We've been having a wonderful weather pattern for the past few days, but looking at the reports of snow in some of the western states like Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana - we could have a radical change really soon. I'm surprised it's held off this long. When Fred and I were living at camp in the 80's, we could count on snow during the first week in October almost without exception. I guess we did get a few flakes a week or so ago, so perhaps that counts. Right now it's beautiful and we better enjoy it while we can. (Picture above is from Diane Rossi, taken from her house.)

Liz and John Randall were at their place here on W. Shore Road for the weekend and came up to see us yesterday afternoon. Liz brought us some of her peach jam - she makes it every year and it's wonderful. I like it on toast - especially good with a cup of strong coffee. They came up on John's old Farmall tractor - he loves any excuse to use it. Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture.

Evelyn Richer sent the following to me yesterday:

Check out our neighbor Jack and what he’s been up to lately! This is in today’s NYTimes…

Hope you are enjoying this gorgeous holiday weekend! Blessings, Evelyn

Jack Dowd

Thanks, Evelyn, for sending that along. I was struck by the similarity between the art and the artist . . . ! Unfortunately, the Dowds have their cottage on Sandy Beach Road up for sale. They've done a nice job of updating the place and it should make someone a very nice summer home. (See it listed in our Real Estate section.)

Diane Rossi has lots of Ice-Out Contest tickets available now, so if you want some to include in your holiday greeting cards or as stocking gifts, let one of us know. I keep a supply on hand, too, and will mail them to you. You can also print them from the web site. You'll find "Ice-Out Tickets" listed on home page, and that will take you right to the printable version.

I picked up some lovely note cards at Hastings Store the other day. They have a very nice picture of the W. Danville church on them, and I think they replace the ones we used to get that were a pen and ink drawing of the church.

This is the count-down for Cabot's Apple Pie Festival - it's Saturday, all day. I won't be working there this year. I'm in the middle of a bout with shingles and can't be sure of how they'll be behaving on any given day. I think I'm over the worst, but others who've had them tell me you can't predict that, so I'm taking everything one day at a time. I'll sure be glad when my energy returns, though. In the meantime, I am still enjoying the beautiful foliage and great weather.