Three Blind Mice ~ See How They Run

First there was one ~
Two nights ago we were watching TV in the living room when a little grey mouse slips out from a crack in the stairway runs back and forth across a stair before returning whence he came. So fast and quiet we questioned whether we saw what we saw.

Then there were two ~
Last evening we were enjoying a movie, again in the living room, and two little grey mice slip out from underneath the closed stairway door, scamper across the living room floor, around the entertainment cabinet and back again. No question we saw the brazen little fur balls.

No, they weren't blind and I did not cut off their tails with a carving knife...save that for the farmer's wife. However, my best friend did set the traps immediately and emptied them this morning.

And then one more ~
We replaced the battery in our station wagon today. A joint effort, as are most projects we tackle around here. And there underneath the hood of my car is a little grey mouse curled up in the hoses for a long, long (and then some) winter's nap. Sweet dreams little mousey.

Did you ever see such a sight in your life?

Topo Gigio, the only little rodent I tolerate.

The field mice are raising a ruckus in my house and vehicles. Well guys, the party's over!

Never Far From Home

It's uncanny when away from the Mad River Valley we often cross the paths of friends and neighbors from home. While having dinner out with my family last evening, at Owen's Fish Camp in the historic Burn's Court district of downtown Sarasota (Florida), a pretty women walks in and I think to myself, gosh she looks familiar. Not knowing her I assume she just reminds me of someone I know. It isn't 5 minutes later she approaches us (my sister in-law and me) and asks, "Are you girls (how thoughtful) from Vermont?" Karla Bove introduces herself, her daughter and her friend Dana (whom I immediately recognize). I had not met Karla before and find out she is an artist with a studio on Bridge St just minutes from my doorstep back home in the valley.

Not Just Black Boards is a treasure trove of colorful hand painted decorative blackboards Karla creates for home and business.  True to the name, she paints not just blackboards.

I like this one.

And really like this one.

Our valley villages all total approximately 6000 faces. Not all well known to each other, but most certainly familiar. Next time you're out in the world and you think you recognize a face, go ahead ask them, "Are you from Vermont?" 

Chances are...

familiar in Sarasota

Take Your Pick

 I'm in the mood for pie.

All The Leaves Are Brown

And the sky is grey...

Stick season is here. It's cool today and the stove is fired up. My best friend is filling up the barn with the last of the seasoned firewood. Storm windows are on, garden beds are tucked in and the valley is quiet.

Source

Perfect for a Sunday afternoon and a good book.

"The leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools."-   Henry Beston, Northern Farm