Come Set A Spell

 A porch, simple, yet timeless. Once common, now becoming extinct in a more streamlined and hurried era. Perhaps I'm idealistic, but I believe life would be better if more people took advantage of the gifts a porch has to offer. Shall I go on, rolling out the reasons I feel the common porch should be held in such high esteem? Or maybe I should ask you to reflect on times you spent on a glorious porch, simply because the more I think about it, I believe I could fill the pages of a book with mine.

 This particular sweetheart of a porch can be found at the Southern Vermont Dairy Goat Association clubhouse in Marlboro Vermont. The holiday dinner was a lovely gathering of club members, the last event before winter sets in. Always so much fun to chat and feast upon a variety of dishes folks bring to share. With so many demands pulling people in a multitude of directions, clubs, committees and many volunteer organizations find themselves with fewer people than in the past. "Back in the day" if people wanted to have some fun and be social they had to participate. Today we are flooded with opportunities and instead, usually have to choose between the many things that pique our interest. Thankfully the SVDGA members are committed to keeping the club going as intended; a place to promote the dairy goat, share information, continue educating ourselves, make connections and enjoy the company of others  that are also passionate about dairy goats.

Speaking of getting out and about, finding yourself in a social situation... here is my 95 year old Grandmother after we returned home from voting in the election, still exercising her civic duty! (isn't she adorable?) Voting day in our small town is a pleasant affair, you know nearly everyone you see. The Town Hall is also the main fire station. Part of the building is a meeting place and also holds the Friendly Meals each Tuesday and Thursday. The other part houses emergency vehicles, but for voting day they move out some trucks to make room for a huge bake sale that helps fund the Friendly Meals.

Out and about cruising back roads and main roads, always something to catch your eye as well as your imagination.

Alstead Center
There are fantastic sculptures all over town.

Morning sun on a frosted soccer field, shimmering gold.
Home of the NH Dlll State Champion Girls Team

This fella is fairly predictable, I enjoy seeing him/her on a regular basis - although I'm a bit surprised it hadn't yet left for winter. This one is quite brave and tolerates a fairly busy area with vehicles and people passing rather close by. Other individuals are timid, and take flight quickly. They seem to stick to their own territory, making it easier to identify individuals. With the pond nearly dry, this small rock has become a favorite resting spot. I watched it catch breakfast, then hop up to the far shore for a walk around to stretch out.

Overall it has been an enjoyable November thus far. Always fun to explore while trying to improve photographic skills.