July 20, 2009
Three tractors circle the fields as I write, teddering and raking in anticipation of baling later today. Accordingly, the weather is clear and dry, the sort of New England summer day that has caused generations of artists, vacationers, and musicians to go weak in the knees and wax rhapsodic on the beauty of the world. I have an ongoing debate with a Maine-based friend: whether hay-making weather in pastoral New Hampshire is more beautiful than the Maine coast on a day when the wind blows northwest and the water sparkles an improbable lapis lazuli. Words fly; opinions vary, but one matter is settled: that human beings tend to get along with one another and enjoy a measure of harmony that is otherwise unavailable when rain clouds scowl and shower down upon us. So! A perfect opening to the start of our second session: candle-making with the Foxes in the Sugarhouse; a lively performance class in the Barn involving improv; low ropes challenge games with the Otters in the woods; swim lessons and water games at the waterfront for the Deer; dodgeball in the meadow for the Raccoons (and another group of Raccoons in the ceramics studio); Eagles are in nature class, tromping through the verdant ferns; and Falcons went shopping this morning for their upcoming paddle later this week and will start carving their canoe paddles later today. The health room stands empty; all fingers crossed!