I went to Thicut today to meet the DHMarvin man who dropped off the newly refurbished J. Deere lawn tractor. It seems it's had a hard workout these past several years! But it's back in shape and ready for next summer.
When I arrived, I noticed that the tree that had fallen over the road had been substantially cut up! There's a neat stack of wood along the road near Nick's cairn. Who did that? Was is Rene or Steve LaRosa? As I was wondering, Matt Saunders stopped by. He's Rene's friend who also hunts the property. He seemed like a nice man (didn't know anything about the tree). Interestingly, he came to use his Leaf Blower (!?) to make a path into the woods along the stone walls behind the house. I'm not sure of the purpose. Maybe the deer will use his path, he thought. He welcomed us to walk along it if we are out tramping in the woods. Not my idea of quiet afternoon activity (the leaf blowing, I mean). He said there should be a lot of well fed deer this year; there are a LOT of fallen acorns to munch on.  I hope the rhododendrons will be spared this winter! He also said that he'd found a 'private road, no trespassing' sign somewhere and was wondering if we would like him to put it up on that empty sign post across the bridge? Aunt Sandy, what do you think?
Around behind the barn is what looks maybe like a deer cart - an over-sized metal grocery cart looking thing. I didn't notice it until Matt was in the woods, so I don't know who left it or what it's real purpose is. Who has permission to hunt this year?
All's well inside and out. Wind has blown most of the leaves off the lawn, so it looks good.
Every time I drive down the hill, around the corner to Sexton Hill Road, I think how lucky we are to have such a place with so many family memories. Happy Thanksgiving all!

Bob and I went down over the weekend. Bob cut up some of the maple. There'll be some great firewood next year! I wandered through the house, putting down the storm windows upstairs, turning off the water heater and then the water, brought in the calla lily and put it by the fireplace. The leaves are pretty well down in the yard, but most everywhere else still has colorful trees. I'll try to post some pictures. We did get a hard frost on Monday night: the tender plants are done, but the hardy mums are still colorful in people's yards.

Another season has started. The house is empty of people, fridge emptied and clean, windows closed. I couldn't resist and went down the day after Aunt Sandy and Eric left to soak in the quietness and let the rolling on of time and changing of seasons wash over me.
The house and lawn are fine and as I was walking around, the oil man arrived to top off the tanks. He said to tell you hello, Aunt Sandy, and he'll be back again later in the winter.
I picked up the rest of the trash and emptied the garden hose of water since it is supposed to FREEZE overnight on Saturday and Sunday.
Bob and I hope to return soon to chop up the maple on the road. The fall colors are really pretty this year!

Happy June 1st!
We had a lovely Memorial Day picnic in Glastonbury with Katie, Carlie, Aunt Sandy, Anna, Mom, Betsy, Bob!
Carlie made a vegetable garden during their visit, out towards the fire circle. 'Where Poppa always had his garden'.
Bob mowed this past Saturday. We haven't used the little mower to do edges yet, so hopefully I can do that this week after the rain stops. We're getting 3 days of it! Finally the front yard will fill in with new grass!

It was a chilly sunny day, perfect for the quiet that is this place.
To catch up with recent events:
Bob mowed the lawn last Sunday after a quick overnight from Rick and Katie last Thursday.
Today I turned the water back on and the water heater and the refrigerator for the upcoming visit by Aunt Sandy, Carlie, and Katie this weekend. I hope Katie had a wonderful time in Craftsbury!
I did find 2 fat stalks of asparagus this time! One already gone to seed. The rhododendrons had another hard winter, some may not make it.
Inside, the calla lilies have sprouted!

Spring has sprung at Thicut!

 The magnolia is just beautiful. See the cedar tree trunk in the background? Still there

 Lenten Rose on the left side of the patio towards the barn.

This is the patch in the front yard where the asparagus have 'always' been. I don't see any. Is it too early? or have they finally given up the ghost after all these years?

Happy 120th birthday Nanny

 And SUCCESS: I found 2 pictures of Aunt Sandy in her wedding dress. I took the one on the dresser in the twin bed room. I also brought home the smaller one of Carlie, just in case you need another for Leah's wedding!

 Road is clear, not muddy this morning because we had below freezing temperatures last night!

 The pond is still covered with snow and ice

 Surefire evidence of spring.

 Happy birthday, Nanny, and thinking of all of you who have gone before us...