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It turned out to be a very busy weekend for me. Of course, if I have one thing on my schedule each day, that makes for being "busy" for me! Not that I'm complaining, but somehow my days seem to fill up quickly with all kinds of unimportant stuff, so if I have one important item to prepare for, I'm loaded up for the day. This past week was pretty busy, and yesterday, a memorial bench was dedicated in memory o
f our co-author, Dorothy Larrabee. (See photo, right.) That was at the Danville Historical Society, and in spite of the miserably wet, chilly, drab weather outside, it was cozy and very pleasant in Choate-Sias House where Dot's family and friends met to honor her. This photo by Greg Prior is of Dot's family with the bench that will be in the garden outside of the Danville Historical Society.
One of Dot's wishes was for the doors at the church in West Danville to be repaired or replaced. Unfortunately, that has not happened yet. When contractors were called in to look at the project, it was found that a substantial amount of work needs to be done before working on the doors. The church was built in 1893, and while it was strong and substantial, I expect the years have taken a toll on the foundation as well as some of the wooden beams and siding. It will cost considerably more than expected to accomplish Dot's wishes, but there is an on-going fund raising effort, and the community is rallying to the cause. On October 21, there will be a 
spaghetti dinner (see poster) and on Saturday a fun "run" on the Rail Trail. Both events are fundraisers for the church project. If you cannot support the effort in person, you can send donations directly to:
West Danville United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 55, West Danville, Vermont 05873.
Any amount will be most appreciated.
Today my lawn was mowed for the last time this year! That is always a marker for beginning to really button things up in preparation for winter. Today has been very chilly and damp - very little sun, and I don't think the temperature got out of the 40s all day. I am resisting putting my porch furniture away, telling myself there could still be nice days when I'd want to be out there! I did get my lighted tree set up a few days ago. It is like last year's only this one had fall leaves on it. I expect they will eventually be blown off and I'll have to sweep them off the porch, but when I cut them, it seemed like a fantastic idea to have the fall leaves and the twinkling lights. It makes the porch look less empty and deserted, and I find it very pleasant to be able to see the lights out there every night. It doesn't take much to amuse me.
S
peaking of being amused - on Saturday I celebrated my birthday - a great lunch and
afternoon with all the family at Bob and Theresa's in St. Johnsbury. I couldn't resist sharing this picture of Bill, Jamie and Bob being goofy. If you think they look like choir boys practicing a song, you would be way off the mark. Choir boys they never were - but we always have great fun when we all get together (or even one-on-one). Each has a great sense of humor and even when they were younger and giving me a hard time, there were often times when I had a hard time keeping a straight face, trying to be stern. I'm not sure what prompted this pose, and I think Jamie was laughing and didn't drop his jaw on cue, but I got the picture.
One of the highlights of the day was Tangeni and Uncle Bob doing a very jazzy duet on the piano. That was very special for me, and to see her keeping up with Bob and enjoying every minute was wonderful. She is still taking piano lessons, but also has tried violin which led her to the cello. And she painted a picture for me for my birthday. I love that she has so many interests. She will never be bored.
Community Wind project shows plainly along the ridge of Lowell Mountains, stretching for about four miles above Albany and Craftsbury. There are 21 turbines in that project, 
each about 450 ft. tall. That's Jay Peak in the background. On the right, Camel's Hump shows off nicely above the autumn colors.Below, the Walbridge School that sits across the road from where the first schoolhouse in Cabot was located, in the 1790s. The 
Walbridge School was originally located on what is now Route 215 from Cabot to Walden Heights. Richard Spaulding purchased the building from the town probably in the 1970s, after it had been closed for a number of years, and had it moved to his property on the Plain in order to preserve it. It contains some old school objects, but was also used as a guest house with sleeping quarters in the basement level and a sitting room on the ground floor where the classroom was. In that same field, above the Walbridge School, 
the iconic Foster Covered Bridge, built by Richard Spaulding in honor of his mother's family. All of the Spaulding farm is now preserved in Land Trust and is well cared for each year - with the fields being mowed and the maple orchard tapped. It is a lovely spot and the bridge is often photographed. The bridge spans a man-made pond (locals call it "the bridge over nothing) and it was built to certain specifications just like the old bridges years ago, to honor Spaulding's grandfather, A. M. Foster who at one time owned Maple Glen Farm where Burtt's Apple Orchards is now. The setting where the bridge is located is spectacular any time of day or night, any season. Mary also sent me a link to an very interesting article in Seven Days Magazine, and the cover of that issue is the Foster Bridge. Star gazers often pick the Plain, near the bridge, to do night studies and take photos. The bridge has also been the setting for numerous weddings, family reunions (the Spaulding, Walbridge and Foster families), and of course leaf-peepers. Enjoy, be well, stay safe.
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