Tempe and I are both eager for the ski season to begin.
Christmas 2023
Dear Folks,
The rapidly approaching holiday season signals it’s time to write the annual Christmas letter and reconnect with family and friends. In a time of turmoil around the world, the bonds of family and friends are precious.
Climate change gave us stretches of warmer weather than usual. We had a bumper crop of wild flowers (otherwise known as weeds) in the field. Bob left the field unmown until the pollinators had their fill of nectar and pollen. Early one bright morning I looked out the window to be dazzled by patches of jewel-like colors spread across the field like dozens of oriental rugs. Some weeks later I looked out on a misty morning to see a ghost army advancing up the hill. The dead stems of the flowers beaded with moisture creating the illusion.
In September and October Mother Nature also gave us a prolonged period of warm weather with few biting insects – a delightful interlude to be out-of-doors.
We saw a variety of animals: deer, mother bear and cubs, fox, mother and baby skunk. Our dog, a black lab, suffered the indignity of the consequences of pursuing momma skunk. We hear coyotes and Bob saw two up close. My most astonishing encounter was when I walked by a garden bed with herbs and a rabbit popped out of a bunch of sage at my ankles. This native rabbit was Vermont’s varying hare whose coat changes colors with the seasons – brown in the summer and white in the winter.
I did more traveling this year than any time in recent years. In April I visited college friend, Karen, in Fort Myers, Florida. This was the locale that a major hurricane had targeted the previous fall. Karen had planned several excursions, a few of which we could not do because of ongoing cleanup and repair. However, there were plenty that we could do. My favorite was following an extensive boardwalk through a cypress swamp observing the flora and fauna. I also waded in the Gulf of Mexico. Thank you, Karen.
In June members of my college class gathered on the Middlebury College campus to celebrate the 55th anniversary of our graduation. The weather was perfect. We enjoyed reconnecting, learning about on-going changes in campus life, and basking in the beauty of one of the most beautiful college campuses in North America.
This summer I flew to Dallas- Fort Worth, Texas and to Phoenix, Arizona. Yes, I was in Phoenix when the temperature was 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The dry desert air moderated the heat to some extent. Both of these ventures were a result of my involvement with DKG Society International for the past 47 years. DKG is committed to promoting professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. What a pleasure to interact and to work with women from many locales around the world.
As much as I am glad to remain connected to a profession that I love, it was a pleasure to return home and enjoy rural living once again with Bob.
Wishing you a joyous Christmas and a bountiful New Year
Mary Ann
Last updated 12/12/2023