West Bethel
By Lorrie Hoeh
The other morning as I started my walk in the field behind my neighbor’s house, I couldn’t help but notice the sun shining through cobwebs in the tall grass. The webs looked for all the world like little sling chairs suspended from the top of the stem, just waiting for some little creature to settle in for a comfy rest. That same morning I noticed that the trillium have started to fade, while the dwarf dogwood is in full bloom in woods and at the edges of fields.
We have been adding plants to the Garden of Eden here on Eden Lane, thanks to donations from friends, a few purchases in nurseries, and of course, the library plant sale. Said sale started out in a downpour Saturday as we volunteers put out the many plants donated by generous gardeners. The skies, however, soon relented, and most of the patrons were able to shop without getting soaked. What a wonderful collection there was! It was a great temptation to buy twice as much as I did, but common sense prevailed, because after all, I would have to plant everything once I got home.
We certainly had more than our share of wind and rain over the weekend at one time or another. Thankful we are that we didn’t experience a tornado as did our neighbors south of Bethel. That is too scary to contemplate. Global weirding continues.
As I was about to turn into our yard one morning last week, whom should I meet but Debby Luxton, out on a morning constitutional before starting her day at the beauty salon. We had a nice chat, and I reminded her that Jake’s sire was one of their dogs, while his dam belonged to Reggie Gilbert. Debby said they have a new litter of chocolate labs now. She and David are enjoying being off the highway now that Route 2 has been relocated. No more middle-of-the-night crashes into the corner of their house!
Last Wednesday Mike and I drove to Farmington to hear the Mount Blue Voices in their final concert of the year, and it was spectacular. Our granddaughter, Louisa Stancioff, is a member, like her sister before her, and she and her colleagues did an outstanding job. The group’s energy and enthusiasm are infectious and seemed more intense than usual, probably because it was the last performance of the school year, and it was a farewell to three graduating seniors. A bittersweet experience.
Tuesday, the 8th, was the 45th anniversary of Nancy and Dan Grover’s marriage. We send them our best wishes and hope they will celebrate many more in years to come.
Yesterday, Wednesday, the Pleasant Valley Grange entertained the Bethel Senior Citizens at dinner. This is a once-a-year event, always enjoyed by both hosts and guests.
Wednesday was also the annual meeting of the West Bethel Union Church ladies, who actually are the owners of the church. Jane Hosterman chuckled as she told me that she attended Simmons College, where she was assured that women were as smart as men, and she landed in this church community where the same philosophy exists. Moreover, she and several women are Grange members. The Grange is one of the first organizations in this country to recognize women’s equal rights and abilities. Hurray for the Church, Simmons College, and the Grange!
I managed to get the laundry washed, hung out, and dried on Monday while the sun shone and breezes blew. The weather report showed more rain at some point this week, but I guess that’s good for all our gardens, as long as it doesn’t come down too furiously, or in solid form. Looking forward to hearing from you: dhoeh@megalink.net; 824-2917.