November 2023 - Halloween; Photo Gallery

Halloween

Yesterday was Halloween, a holiday that has morphed from "All Hallows' Eve", the night before the Christian holy day of All Saints Day.  The holy day itself is somewhat intertwined with ancient Celtic traditions marking the end of harvest and the beginning of the season of darkness. (More at this LINK).  It's also linked to astronomy, as one of the four "cross-quarter" days of the year, as explained in this video from Earth & Sky.

In Mexico and other parts of Latin America, the days surrounding November 1 are celebrated as the Day of the Dead.   Similarly in Poland and other parts of Europe, the holidays are observed by visiting the graves of loved ones.  I don't know how generally widespread the tradition is here in the U.S., but it remains very strong in New Britain, Connecticut, specifically at Sacred Heart Cemetery.   

On the days leading up to the feast day, folks decorate their loved ones' graves with flowers and votive candles.  The lights remain for several days until the candles burn out, and in the meantime a Mass is celebrated at the cemetery on the Sunday prior to All Saints Day.  

Sacred Heart is where my parents and sister are buried, so I paid a visit this past Saturday afternoon, decorated their site, and returned with my nephew in the evening to walk around in the moonlight.  With scores of other people there, the feeling was one of peace.

 

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Photo Gallery

Nothing more in particular to write about this month, so I'm simply sharing some photographs I've taken this season.  

First, some early morning shots: our house is on the eastern side of a hill, so we get some great sunrise views....

 

October 9

Just before 7 AM - October 25....

.....same view, about 30 minutes later.

....and there are always scenes that catch my eye on my morning dog walks:

October 27 - Morning valley fog, and sun peaking through the trees

"Stick Season" in Vermont

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Peace and Happy Thanksgiving until next month!

 

 

October 2023 - Vermont's Busiest Weekend

Sleepy Hollow Farm, Pomfret, Vermont

 If you were planning to spend this weekend in Vermont and haven't booked a room yet, you're probably out of luck.  We can't even offer you any space at our house because we'll be hosting one group of five Thursday night until Sunday morning and another group of four Sunday night until Tuesday. 

Tourism is one of Vermont's primary industries, and Columbus/Indigenous People's Day Weekend (also Pulaski Day Weekend) tops the list, bringing leaf-peepers from around the country and even around the world.  

I'm not complaining. I welcome the occasional bustle and/or chaos of house guests.  I also love that tourists in general choose to visit, enjoy - and spend money in - our beautiful state.  Sure, we have to put up with additional traffic as buses and out-of-state SUV's clog the main streets of our charming towns, but I remind myself that we're pretty much free of that congestion most of the rest of the year.  Memories of rush-hour traffic in and around Hartford help me put things in perspective.   

Most of the visiting hordes are happy just to see a general store or two, take a few pictures, pick up some souvenirs, and sample some local cider, cheese, or maple whatever.  

Some, however, get weirdly caught up in the experience (too much pumpkin spice?) and lose all sense of time and space.  I have personally witnessed vehicles stopped in the middle of the road, engines running, doors open, while their passengers jump out and race to snap a picture of a covered bridge as if it was going to float away if they hesitated.

But then there are always those who push things even further.  One such example that has actually made the national news this year is Sleepy Hollow Farm in Pomfret, Vermont.  Sleepy Hollow Farm, with its its winding driveway, red house and vintage barns is not unlike so many other quintessentially New England-y scenes in Vermont.  Thanks to Instagram and other social media, however, a few pictures of the farm have gone viral in recent years, even earning it a discussion on Tripadvisor. 

The notoriety would all be great for any commercial enterprise, but that's not the case with Sleepy Hollow .  As described in THIS LINK (USA TODAY), the leaf-peeping hordes can be a relentless group, jamming up the roadway, and tromping on the lawns for that perfect selfie (some have reportedly even complained that there should be port-a-potties available for the public).  As a result, the town has closed the road to Sleepy Hollow Farm to all but local residents for the duration of leaf-peeper season, September 23 to October 15.  (Related story about another popular spot, the Jenne Farm in nearby Reading: CLICK HERE.)

Jenne Farm, Reading, Vermont

The Internet being what it is, the news has been misrepresented and exaggerated by some to claim that the entire state has shut down.  So, let me reassure you that Vermont remains open - if you can find a room - and we welcome all tourists who come in peace.  Even if Sleepy Hollow Farm is off limits this year, there are hundreds if not thousands of equally photogenic locations throughout the state.  Tread lightly, take lots of pictures, and enjoy that cider, cheese, and maple syrup!