The Roof Rake

There has been plenty of snow this year but the image as I look at our 1770 cape, is that of classic old New England and I want to enjoy it as it is. I was talking to my brother Timothy who lives in New Hampshire and he told me I should get a roof rake, something I never thought of or wanted as I liked the look of it not wanting to spoil it. After another recent snow storm it began to pile up and now there was the fear of weight on the roof and I got to thinking I better get a roof rake. Well, many others thought the same thing..... there were none around anywhere here in Glastonbury. There was another snow about to come and along with it freezing rain making everything heavier. I had to place a special order as did many hundreds of others on a Sunday for a delivery Tuesday morning. I must say at Katz Hardware store in town the ordering system was very well organized with two people taking orders all day when I went there in person . Sure enough Tuesday morning they had a couple of pallets that arrived from Canada and were only for those that had placed a paid order in advance.

I did try shoveling a little above the back entry and the snow kept piling up. I later knocked away some of the icicles which is another concern when a soaking rain may come.

It was a lot of work but I felt I accomplished getting most of the snow as I could off the house and barn.

I did manage to make a house cut out of pine and wondered if back in the "old days" there were roof rakes?

Painting Class at the Wayside Inn

On January 22nd and the 23rd, the snow finally ended allowing for easy traveling to the Wayside Inn and spending the day creating "Summer Wagon Rides" for 36 students. Before the class began, I sat in the window seat in the Ford room gazing out toward the gardens with a cup of coffee and a pumpkin muffin thinking about the enjoyment of the rest of the day to come.

After all the preparation of the pine board we finally start to paint and to use the different patterns. I give everyone attention but I want the finished piece to be their own.

We break for lunch in the old kitchen of the Inn but at the tables everyone has gotten to the same point to later continue.

Twenty-one people enjoy the wonderful experience of having lunch and relaxation before getting back to painting......it's sometimes hard to get the energy though.

Everyone did finish this pine board, "Summer Wagon Rides" with their own individual touches. I am amazed that out of 16 in the class on Sunday, seven never painted before and all did very well, as did Saturday's class too. It will not be until next year most likely that I'll give another weekend of classes. I know some are thinking already of what the project will be, but I don't know yet. If you want to suggest an idea, write and tell me.

I hope that you will have the opportunity to visit the Inn and enjoy this historic landmark of New England where even George Washington stopped by on his way to Cambridge. You can even visit for breakfast which is open to the public from 7:30 am to 10:30am and then go to the gift shop and take home some famous muffins and pastry.

Secret Drawer Society of the Wayside Inn

Longfellow's Wayside Inn is such a beautiful place to visit. If you are ever able to spend the night in one of the inn's ten rooms it will be a wonderful memory forever. Janice and I have stayed at the Inn many times since 1995 when I hold my classes in January. It's always a special time ....getting lost from the everyday goings of life and stepping back in time. There is no television but there are plenty of letters to read with the Secret Drawer Society where you'll find yourself reading hours away.

I woke up early after a late night setting up for the Saturday class and noticed smoke coming from the chimney nearby. The fireplace was on in the Ford room where we'd soon be.

I couldn't resist reading a few of the letters and even left something myself....in room number 3. There are letters of happiness, reunions, wedding nights, anniversaries, travelers from far and nearby experiencing this special place in New England. Janice and I enjoyed reading to each other some of the letters we found. In one drawer I even found a long silk glove with the bride's poem written on it, but there are many other "finds" as well. Try to spend a night at the Inn and you too can write a letter and become a part of the Inn's history as a member of the Secret Drawer Society.

Winter Christmas Tree

I wondered at Christmas if there would be enough snow depths later to put the tree outside for the rest of the winter. Well, on January 12th here in Connecticut there was quite the storm with over 25 inches. The weather vane by the barn that was repaired after the tree fell on it last summer, now looks like it was walking on snow! Now there is plenty of snow to plant the tree where many birds can enjoy the shelter and natural feeling for all the daily seeds I sprinkle around. This way the Christmas tree can have an extended enjoyment well after Christmas by our feathered friends as well.

This change from the snowfall of winter and the Christmas tree will finally disappear to a memory. All the birds will still be fed and a delightful summer begins again. Some of my collectors have already mentioned their desire to visit the gallery when it warms up from this January winter experience and I look forward to seeing you as well.

Icicle Accents

What a change to Main Street and everywhere here in Glastonbury after an old New England blizzard visited January 12th,'11. The snow cleans and simplifies the familiarity we all see in everyday living. In many ways there is a special beauty in it's cozy image ...... but then a transformation after a cleanup with all the shoveling and plowing. The icicles magically grow one drip at a time to greet you in the morning. I stepped out the back door yesterday but I forgot to take my camera when I later went down town but came hurrying back to get it so I could capture some "icicle accents" for me and you to enjoy. .....Spring is coming!

I seldom have painted snow scenes with icicles but maybe next time I will.

Field of Flags

I read in the our local paper, the Glastonbury Citizen, that the "Field of Flags" was going to be displayed on the front lawn of the Church of Christ on Main Street. I wondered what this might be like and thought I'd share this story with you. Saturday morning October 9th a group of parishioners were going to place the thousands of flags on the lawn and because of so many there was a need to use the parsonage area as well. Each flag represented a fallen U.S. service member killed in Iraq or Afghanistan ........ all 5710 as of that date! The most recent at the time was a young man from Glastonbury.

It was going to take 80 people working in shifts and about four hours to place all the flags. This idea was first generated at the Somers, Connecticut Congregational Church in October 2005 and Glastonbury is the 42nd community to display the flags. Churches in other states including Florida and Virginia have also displayed the flags.

The front lawn wasn't large enough so the parsonage next door also had to be used.

As the sun set, I paused thinking what this represents and to think that unfortunately there will be more flags added in time. The "Field of Flags" will be on display until October 30th.

Saturday morning walk

The old apple tree limb that came down in June, is going to be firewood once I split some of the logs later in the fall. I was pleased to be able to restore the pig enough so I could put it back. I missed not seeing it in the early morning amber rays of the sun each day. I still have some soldering that needs to be done but that's some other time. I hadn't taken a walk down back for a while so thought I would Saturday morning.

After walking through the forest of white pine trees I came to the overgrown vines along the road. Later this fall, there are the sheep, horses and cattle that will have a lot to graze upon.

I like the gnarly old willow trees that still survive each year. The public is welcome to hike around the farm roads next door to the studio/gallery and enjoy the scenery. The trails even lead over to the bird sanctuary not too far away.

The peppers are just about ripe and will be harvested for the local markets along with many other vegetables. Janice and I enjoy taking a break sitting on the other side overlooking rows of beautiful peppers. So if you are in the area, you too can sit down and soon can have some cider while relaxing for a minute or two.