Newry July 8

Good Thursday morning to you all. It’s been quite a week, hasn’t it? This weather change has taken a bit to get used to, but I will say that we have really enjoyed the warmer water temperatures at the river. The humidity is always tough to embrace, as the air seems to cling to your every move. The same way it might feel if you were trapped inside a giant Jell-O mold (anyone watch Cloudy w/a Chance of Meatballs?).

I love living here in the valley, there are so many options for swimming destinations. Step Falls was positively packed. I have never seen so many vehicles there in all my years. Cars overflowed the parking lot, spilling out onto the roadsides and adjoining fields wherever flat ground would allow.

We had a cookout at Grampa Owen’s house with Mum and Dad, my family, Amber, Maya and Aunt Susie. Aunt Gail and Uncle Bill came from North Whitefield and Uncle Tom, Aunt Edith, Rick, Marion and Daniel were also up from Massachusetts.

After lunch Freeman, the kids and I went to Leslie Robertson’s. While Freeman gave Les a hand in the field, the kids and I felt greatly honored because we had the opportunity to borrow his 4-wheeler. We followed the guys across the river and while they were loading hay bales we parked the 4-wheeler and went swimming! The kids and I came back with beaming smiles breaking across our faces.

On Monday, after we finished building the fence for the cow, we chose to relax with a soak in the brook behind the house. There were kids and dogs splashing joyously for hours, followed by a cookout with friends. We concluded the evening with one final dash to the brook before calling it a night.

Hope all of you had freedom-filled 4th of July Weekend too!

Last Thursday, Freeman and I attended a reception at the Brew Pub that was held for all the local artists. Anyone who’s had work shown there since they began their “Feast for the Eye’s” gallery endeavor was invited. We enjoyed the live band and company. While we were there we visited with Brooks Morton. I was very excited to learn that his son, Joshua, was going to be coming home soon for a visit. Josh will be home on the 19th for a few days before he and his girlfriend head to Vermont for a big Cheese Festival. I’m jealous! They currently live in San Francisco and are cheese buyers— sounds pretty cool. I can’t wait to see him, it’s been years!

I plan on making some mozzarella and herbed string cheese for Josh to try while he’s home. I’d like to have a pro offer their opinions; hope he likes it. My kids love my string cheese, it’s a big hit and fun to make.

I was happy to see that Grafton Notch Campground was loaded this holiday weekend. I really enjoyed driving past, seeing the haze from the campfires lingering through the trees and delighting my senses with the belly-growling aroma of campfire cooked suppers. Congrats to Mo, keep up the good work! I do still watch the house though, hoping to see someone practicing “early-retirement” like Mark used to.

Bobby and Laura Lowell have an abundance of manure. They are eager to have it gone, so if you call ahead Bobby will load your truck or trailer for you. It may be ripe but it would be a great start for composting of “tea-bagging.” To “tea-bag” you simply fill an onion or grain bag with manure and soak it in a bucket of water. Be sure to slosh it around plenty to fully release its goodness. After an overnight, remove the bag, and the dirty water left behind is a nutrient packed “tea” to give your existing gardens an organic boost. Take that Miracle Grow, who needs you anyway!

Bruce Pierce tells me that Outward Bound is back up and running courses out of the “Bean” with a full agenda after it had been closed for two years. There are high hopes that it will stay open. Both Bruce and Suzanne are working there this summer while Hannah enjoys all the fun of MKA and Reese, who is growing up so fast, plays at Bethel Early Learning Center, run by Jefrae Alford.

Alan is making hay while the sun shines, so this past week has been a blessing for our local farmers who cut hay and for those of us who can hardly wait to buy it. I know my “girls” are pretty sick of last year’s leftovers and Heather Vail’s goats are doing their best to drive her nuts until they find fresh hay in the rack.

That’s all for now, hope to hear from you soon. Be sure to stay cool, swim often and keep weeding the garden! As always, you can reach me- sabcart@gmail.com or the good old fashioned way at 824-0836