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By Hermine Hull
Published: October 29, 2009

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How easily we have slipped into the cold-weather rituals. Bringing in firewood, getting the wood stove going, warming up the house. Winter clothes are hanging in the closet, summer's linens packed away for another year. Tonight, we will have macaroni and cheese for dinner. Later in the week, maybe meatloaf or stew, warming winter dinners rather than cool summer salads.

The Derby is over and Wyatt Jenkinson maintained his lead throughout to win the Boat Bonito category with his 9.71-pound fish. Congratulations, Wyatt.

This weekend we set our clocks back one hour, the return to standard time. Don't forget.

Lovely news to report, the birth of Reed Genevieve Cabot at 3:50 pm, October 24, at Martha's Vineyard Hospital. She was welcomed by her parents, Ben and Nicole, and the best big sister ever, Violet. Her grandmother, Linda Vadasz, arrived from Budapest, Hungary, last Tuesday, just in time. Grandfather Gaston is coming November 11; Dan and Nancy Cabot already live here. Mother and baby are fine and will be home settling in by the time everyone is reading this on Thursday.

Foster and Jean Owen were here last week from Chapel Hill, N.C., guests of Henry and Louise Bessire. They kept busy the whole time, as Henry said, "We did everything possible in 48 hours." A highlight was a walk at Cedar Tree Neck, where they were surprised to see Bruce Irons Path. Bruce Irons had been a professor of Jean's at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After I saw the Owens, they were heading up to Alley's before being whisked to the boat.

Sarah Dexter celebrated her birthday on September 19, the beginning of "40 days of birthday," as a friend told her she was entitled to this year. Sarah, Ginger Magnuson, Melissa Lawry, and Laura Caruso all met in Boston, where they stayed for a couple of days. They attended a Red Sox game, shopped, ate at the Cheesecake Factory, and did all the fun things friends do when they get together. Many happy returns, Sarah. Enjoy every minute.

Rachel Salop turned six on October 26. Ben Saunders will be three on Sun., November 1. Wishes for happy birthdays and happy everydays to you both.

The library's Halloween party begins at 3 pm Saturday, Oct. 31. It will have all the fun and festivities you expect: the hayride, crafts, delicious treats. The Saturday craft is mask making, so come earlier to make your mask. Then get into your costume and come back for the party.

Beginning on Sunday, Nov. 1, tapestry artist Julia Mitchell will be exhibiting her work at the library throughout the month. Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 4, at 3 o'clock, there will be a reception for Julia. Please come. It is an easy opportunity to meet the artist and talk about her work.

I have been meaning to write for some time about Sue Silva. Everyone who attended the recent open house at the Town Hall commented on the beautiful bouquets set around the building. They were made by Sue, an amazing gardener, creative flower arranger, artist, and genuine lady bountiful. For many years, Sue has delivered flowers to the library, Howes House, and Town Hall, week in and week out. Her arrangements always combine colors in beautiful and imaginative ways. One week, there will be enormous dahlias of fire-engine red and the darkest purple imaginable; the next week, the palest cream-colored roses with filmy plumes of grasses. It is a remarkable gift in all ways to everyone in town. Thank you, Susan.

It's still warm enough to have our doors open most days, letting in the air and reflecting color into the house from the bright foliage outside. Every time I walk into my front hallway, I am blown away by the hottest pink-red burning bush across the lawn. It's on the north side of the house, so the sun hits it all day. Our hallway is painted a pale yellow. The combination of pale yellow with those pink light-strewn leaves is outstanding. I can't seem to get enough of it. It will be gray before we know it.