Halloween in Gamboa

started with making bat and owl cookies--Simy eating up the M&Ms as soon as Gwen and her friend Isa put them on.

Gwen trying on her toucan princess costume

 

and Simon his Tortuga. 

Then a grand party at Gwen's school--her favorite was the craft table,

followed by trick or treating with the neighborhood kids in Gamboa.

David, the Viking, stayed home to pass out the candy.

Here in Gamboa!

 

I arrived on Sunday, changing my plans to avoid Hurricane Sandy.

Immersed in sweet Gamboa life now and the Page/Bethels' everyday routines:

 

 

 

Graciela comes every weekday morning and is greeted with hugs.

 

 

 

At the local school, Simon's still too young for pre-k, so we go before class begins and call it pre-pre-k.  He loves it.

 

 

 

And the teachers love him, and I love the artwork.

 

Gwen goes to a very grown-up school called The Met.  She wears a uniform--some days a red dress, some days shorts for gym.  She's not too fond of the half-hour plus commute, but she loves the school.  Addison, her best school friend, looks on while Rachel and Gwen high-five.

 

 

 

Walking to R&D's new house, we passed this baby ocelot, gorgeous and a little fierce-looking, on a leash, all set for his day at the zoo.

 

 

 

Then in the evening, eager hands for the computer,

 

 

 

and my containment policy.  

Happy, bubbly kids--so glad to be here!!!

Swing State

New Hampshire being a small, but maybe important, swing state in the upcoming election, Toby and I decided to help Obama by canvassing potential voters in the area.

We found out lots of things:

That most people have horses or chickens and, most certainly, dogs.

That, unlike Barrington, it takes about 6 hours to go to 40 houses because the driving distances between places is huge. 

 This little cabin was way up a mountainside and, of course, like most of our stops, no one was home.

That  there are some spectacular places around here,

And everyplace has a fabulous view (but none has a doorbell).

.

That some people, like Tom, will stubbornly vote for Romney even though he desperately needs health insurance.  He does make beautiful saddles.

That even the vet who lives here (where everything is black and white, including the cows) and knows how important health care is, isn't sure who to vote for.

We finished with these thoughts:
We don't know which way NH will go;
the people here are really nice; 

we need to cut for our view.

 

If only the Republicans and Democrats could get along as easily as these guys.

This Week

 

I attended a shower in Boston for baby Rubin, due soon now-October 28th!  Proud, hopeful, expectant parents and grand parents.

The milkweed has bloomed and is busily distributing it's seeds.

 

 Toby's grass is incredibly green and gorgeously thick.

Tulip is feeling better due to cooler weather and a new diet. Love this rug against her black and grey coat.  We re-arranged the kitchen area so we could better bask in the warmth of the wood stove which Toby dutifully lights up almost every morning now.  It's heaven to come down to a cozy kitchen and sip my coffee in front of a blazing fire in the stove.

October Projects

Toby and I have been doing outdoor work this month--with help from a friend,  Ned.

 

Ned regraded the parking lot, put in logs to make it level.

Toby reseeded the grass here, moved the gate.

 

I've been making steps out of stone.

 

This melon's own project: arising spontaneously from the compost heap.

Sweet ladders found leaning against the barn.

My colorful rubbers in the wet grass.

Opening

Over the Columbus Day Weekend the Tamworth Art Gallery opened under a new name (Artworks) and in a new location (on Rte. 16 just south of Chocorua village).

It's now in an old but beautifully refinished farmhouse, lots more space and light.  Many people came--there's Alan Phenix who's silver jewelry is on display.

Among other things, I put in this child's chair.

And Myles--one of the two people behind this gallery and gala--with stacks of good food.

October Surprises

Biggest surprise (which I didn't get a photo of) was seeing a feral-looking, boldly stripped cat with a short, curled tail crossing the lawn the other morning.  Not Jackson, our neighbor's wily cat, but a wild bobcat!  First ever seen by us.

 

Toby's been seeding a part of the lawn this last week and discovered this little creature--a small and very shiny salamander.

Finally, finally after waiting all summer, one absolutely gorgeous, rose-red dahlia blossomed.  Others are on the way--but will they make it before a deep frost?  I have to figure out some way to encourage these dahlias to bloom earlier.  Happy to report that this is the only mouse we've seen in the house for several months!