Greetings on this Easter Sunday. There weren’t a lot at church this morning, but enough! There was a sunrise service at 6, which I skipped. There were also Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services, which I did play for. After church, I went to Kathy Hodsdon’s for coconut waffles, which were delicious! After having family and friends at the house last weekend, I didn’t feel a need to try to host anything today. Following brunch, we drove to the ballfield, where we parked, and then walked. It was freezing when we started off, especially by the lake. The wind was cold, and it was spitting snow.  When we passed the lake and came to a more protected area, it was noticeably warmer and of course, less windy. Same thing on the way back — as soon as we got near the water — brrrrr! It was good to get out though, and now I can settle in for the rest of the day!

I finally finished my birthday cake. I couldn’t bear to throw it out and didn’t get around to freezing it, so I just kept eating it until it was gone! It was so good. Now to get back on track with eating and moving.

Something got my feeder last night. I meant to bring it in, but forgot. This morning the shepherd’s hook was lying over, and the feeder was a few feet away. It could have been a bear, but I really don’t know for sure. I do know that I’ll be taking it down at night. The goldfinches are definitely getting their yellow back. Yesterday I had such a variety of birds: chickadees, finches, red-winged blackbirds, nuthatches, titmice, and making brief appearances were a pair of cardinals, and a redpoll (or a purple finch, not totally sure). Meanwhile, out in Porta Backyarda, the herons are regular visitors. When they land, they’re often greeted by a nesting Canada goose, who is not at all happy to share its area with the herons. The phoebes are flitting about, and there are critters swimming. The bog never disappoints, even when it seems to be quiet. Just sitting, watching, and listening, I never know what I might discover.

I did see a blackbird that had a different stripe on its wing. After some investigation, it was determined to either be a juvenile, or a non-breeding male. I never knew that was a thing!  It had a white stripe, with just a tinge of yellow, but not any red that I could see.  A cowbird also stopped by one morning.

My grandson Josh, and his dad are on a Heritage tour over vacation. This is a bus tour that takes them to numerous historic places, such as Gettysburg, D.C, NYC, and Boston. Tim has a shared photo album, which is great. Whenever he adds photos, I get a notification. They left very early Saturday morning and will return next Friday.

At the Good Friday service, it was nice to see Bob and Linda Howe. Sondra was a few minutes late getting to church, and she said she’d been chasing a chicken. I think it was a chicken — or a duck. Anyway, its name is Apple, and we had a chuckle over that. There you go, Linda!

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Road construction is in full swing here in town. This is a big project and will be ongoing through the summer and fall, I expect. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished result. I think the Main Street of Bryant Pond could really use some sprucing up. It would be nice if trees could be planted again. I remember that elm trees lined the streets of town when I was a kid. Then along came Dutch Elm Disease, and there went the trees. Trees add a lot of character to any setting.

This week is Earth Day on Friday, April 22. I plan to do my part, by taking trash bags and walking down the street. I’ve noticed plenty of trash and returnables when I’ve been out.

Along those lines, here is this:

The Woodstock Conservation Commission is sponsoring an area-wide Green-Up Day on Saturday, May 7. Meet at the Bryant Pond ballfield at 9 a.m. The Conservation Commission will have a cookout at noon at the ballfield for participants who help clean the roadsides in Woodstock. Other towns involved are Greenwood (meet at Greenwood town office at 9 a.m.), Bethel (meet at Davis Park at 9 a.m.), and Newry (meet at Newry town office at 9 a.m.). Wear colorful clothing. Gloves and garbage bags will be available.  For more information, contact Jane Chandler at 357-3524.

The Citizen has hired someone new who is in need of housing. If you know of a reasonable rent in the area, please contact the Citizen at 824-2444.

Take care, everyone!! Send your news to me at: lstowell@roadrunner.com.

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