Fred and I went in different directions today. We both took pictures, and I'll begin with his story.

He decided today it would be interesting to go to Bothfeld's turkey farm since it's coming up on the holiday season. I didn't think I'd enjoy my turkey dinner very much if I had seen the likes of the turkey I'll serve walking proudly only a few days before or seeing the bodies of freshly killed birds laid out for shipping or whatever they do, so declined to go along. Fred asked Bill Rossi to go with him. They took pictures of the cattle at the Burtt farm and then went on to Cabot.

At the farm high on West Hill overlooking Cabot Village, they found Walter "Skip" Bothfeld and his crew hard at work processing the turkeys. Fred said Skip told him they get the chicks in June from a hatchery in Massachusetts. Skip's wife, Rose, told me recently they switched breeds because the birds they had raised for a number of years simply grew too big and hardly anyone wants a 35-40 lbs. turkey, I guess. From these pictures, they look about the right size for the table, I'd say. Skip said Tuesday before Thanksgiving is the best time to pick up a turkey, and they are $2.75/lb. at the farm. You can reserve one by calling 563-2715.

If you are unsure of how to get there, you take Elm Street out of Cabot Village and follow the road bearing right onto Bothfeld Hill Rd. before you get to the Village Cemetery. The farm is at the top of the hill. It's a winding road, but perfectly good, and not far at all. Coming back the view is really nice, too. West Hill Cemetery is opposite the Bothfeld's "Dunstable Farm."

Here's a slide show of their trip to "Dunstable Farm" - click here: Turkeys

I should mention - that mailbox with the stuffed crow sitting on it belongs to "Woody" - many of you know him from his being chef at the Creamery.

The pictures I took probably aren't as interesting ad Fred's, but I enjoyed getting outside in the sunshine. I was mainly interested in seeing how the water level was, and as near as I could tell, it is lower than it was earlier this week. It seem it's on the way down since there's been no rain and none in the forecast. I could see where the water had been at least six inches higher on the sea walls in front of the cottages.

I walked down Sandy Beach Road and then onto Meadow Lane. Some of you will recognize these pictures. The weather today was bright but there was a nip in the air. I bundled up in my bright red wool shirt in case there were any hunters in the area.

You'll see Walter Ruf put his garden to bed nicely. Some of you who have benefited from his vegetables during the summer can see what it's like after the growing season is over. There's probably lots of good mulch under there, and the soil will be well warmed and ready to plant when Walter gets back in the spring. That's the Allen's, Walter and Mimi's next door neighbors. Their place is very different from when the Raymonds owned the cottage.

Up on the road again, Jeff Downs was putting out his Christmas lights as I came by. Gracie, his faithful pooch, was lying in the sunshine on the lawn nearby. Jeff said he figures this will be about the last chance to work outside when the weather is agreeable.

I was almost to Randall's drive when someone hailed me from behind. I couldn't tell right away who it was, but it turned out to be Kate Chatot, out for a walk, too. We continued together up to our driveway, chatting. Kate said sometimes she walks all the way to Cabot Village, which from her house is about six miles. That's a long hike.

Fred and I are both back home now. The fire is nice in the stove, and Woody, our cat is curled up in my chair in the living room. It's getting dark, but there's an eerie pink glow to the sky, so probably the sunset on the Plain is beautiful. It would be gone before I could drive up there, though. Tomorrow is going to be another nice day, I think.

Someone sent a "forward" message to me today about using #77 to reach law enforcement on the road if an unmarked "police" car tries to stop you. Apparently there are instances where this will work, depending on where you are, so you may want to read about it. I don't usually post forwards, but this one seemed important, if true. I checked on "Truth of Fiction" and found this: <#77>