Gratitude

Good morning! It is a lovely day out. Current conditions look like 50° and 76% humidity. That humidity is a bit high (okay, a lot high) but the temperature is just about perfect for the time of day.

In all honesty, I was afraid I may have jinxed the day earlier when I looked outside and seeing blue sky responded with a sarcastic comment rather than gratitude. I would like to send some of the rain we’ve gotten up to Alberta. I read that the fire is likely caused by people and that it has already engulfed 210,000 acres and forced the evacuation of 88,000 people. That’s twice the population of Siskiyou County and almost half the population of Worcester. Alberta can have our humidity, too. It might help.

I am grateful. I am grateful that most of the people who live in this state (MA) have never had to experience a wildfire up close and personal like that. I am also grateful that there are some people who live here who do understand.

Changing gears.

One of the many.

The boys and I took a friend out letterboxing last Friday. While we were out, we met a couple of older women who were out walking their dogs (in spite of the fact the area we were in had a sign that specifically said, “No Pets”). The first one was very nice. The second one was very garrulous. My guess is that she doesn’t get to talk to other adults much. Or she is shut down too often when she would like to speak. She was nice enough but she said, “And you must be Grandma.”

Say what?

Examining from a distance. She did actually hold one, as well.

Grandma?

Well, yes, I am a grandmother, but not to Seth and Joseph.

Porcupine.

I don’t remember exactly how I responded but, you know, when your oldest child is about to turn 30, it stands to reason that you might have a few grey hairs (I know, I have more than a few) and you might quite possibly be a grandmother. Still, people assume too much.

Burnshirt River.

Since then, we’ve been out letterboxing and hiking several times. Yesterday we went out and hiked for either three or four miles, depending on whose phone you believe, to plant two boxes, find one, and record one of our previously planted boxes. I’m not overly fond of the hike back up the hill but still, if you can take your time with that (because, you know, I’m a grandmother), it’s all good. Emily West and her little ones, Adelaide and Caitriona went along and it was a lot of fun.

Looking across from where one end of the bridge would be to the other across the Burnshirt River.

We saw a porcupine yesterday and fifty-two salamanders as well as a bagful of cans and bottles that we picked up on our way back.

A gap in the rock wall. I love the stories that could be told about this place.

Pretty good day. I’m not sure what we’re going to do today. We’ve found all the boxes out at Barre Falls Dam and have planted out there all those I want to. We’ve still got the vampire series to go but I’m waiting for Dracula to come in at the library for the beginning clue. I’ve got another couple as well but am waiting until later to plant them so I can list them on May 24^th which is the 10^th annual letterbox planting day. I would like to go find five of ten Peek-a-Boo boxes of which we’ve already found five. They don’t require a hike, though. There are still some at Dunn Pond we haven’t found; perhaps we can go take a look and get a mile or two in.

Joseph examining one of the salamanders. He discovered that if you stroke their backs, they will pee on you.

Anyway, have a fantastic day.