When I see this very short video Im reminded of why New Hampshire is quintessential New England to me. The mountains, seacoast, rustic villages, covered bridges, white church steeples, and exquisite foliage. Yes, busy Massachusetts is seeping into the southern part of the state, but our charm persists. The further north you go, the quieter it is. We may live in one of the smallest states in the country, but we live in a great state. A place where the personality of the land seems to be reflected in its people. Yes, the winters can be long some years, as Im reminded by looking at the thermometer this morning. Several recent days of snow flurries (with little settling) and ice is already forming on lakes and ponds making it seem like this will be one of the long ones. Its a month early. The cold weather is fine for Atticus and me. Then again thats not news to you if you read about our first few winters hiking in the White Mountains in our book. Although we love all four seasons, and have been active in each of them, now that Atticus is twelve the thick, hot days of summer are no longer to his liking. In this cold and fresh air Atticuss bounce is back as we move over leaf covered rock and root and peer up at skies either bright and blue or dark and gray through topless forests. Soon, when the bears head off to sleep, well put our bird feeders out again and keep company with our feathered friends. When we lived downstairs in this same house I used to sit by the backdoor and do my writing there. There was a suet feeder hanging from the door and it was open. Eventually the woodpeckers grew bold enough to come to it, some of them anyway. My favorite was Amelia, who was distinctive because after she finished eating shed go to fly away but would end up going in the wrong direction and find herself inside instead. Shed be thrashing against one of the windows. Id take a clean, small plastic trash container and place it over her, then slide a piece of cardboard between it and the glass and carry her outside in it to set her free. It happened so often I wondered about her sense of direction and named her after Amelia Earhart. But it also allowed us to get to know each other. As time went on and she flew inside instead of out, she no longer thrashed when she went the wrong way. Instead shed perch on the window sill and wait for me to come and get her. Eventually she let me gently pick her up and carry her outside. Shed come to rest on the door and watch Atticus and me and she would allow me to pet her and Atticus to smell her and occasionally she would rub up against his nose when he was close enough. There have been a many benefits to moving upstairs here, but the one drawback is that interaction ended. The set up isnt the same as it had been and cannot be replicated. But when the woodpeckers come up to the suet feeders attached to our windows I remember Amelia fondly. Were off to walk, then home to write. Im told there are a couple of cases of paperback versions of Following Atticus at White Birch Books to sign this week so well get there in the next few days. The hardcovers will be coming in next week. Laura Cummings, the owner of White Birch Books, tells me that there are hundreds of holiday orders for autographed and pawtographed copies. Its always fun to sit and sign them and see many names I recognize from this page, and where they are being shipped to. Although Amazon is a reality every writer must deal with, we favor our independent booksellers, and every writer should be fortunate enough to have their very own White Birch Books. Because I know someone is about to ask, their number is 603-356-3200. Enjoy your Wednesday, everyone, and enjoy this short video of our beautiful state. youtu.be/Q4l8XR9X-YU
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 12:31:35 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015