Call of the Wild

Inspired by his cousin, Oliver's, move to Western Canada, young Finn decided to "camp out" in his room in County Middlesex, Wild Thing style. Oliver's "stuff" has not arrived on the big moving truck from Ottawa yet, so he and his mom and dad are living in their tent, which is pitched in their Victoria, BC home's living room. They have a fireplace, too! Nice.

Sugaring Off

Speaking of the pace of things Vermont, yesterday Finn insisted on bringing a large, pristine, ice-snow chunk into the house after our shoveling activities. I told him to take a seat at the kitchen table, while I prepared him a surprise.

I mushed the corn-snow iceberg into a large bowl, then--in front of the lad's eyes--poured generous amounts of Vermont Pure Maple Syrup onto it--sugaring off for the first time!

Needless to say, we ruined our appetites for supper, but it was worth it!

Face, baby!

Finn of County Middlesex blasts into action on the court! Look out!

Top Chef

Finn of County Middlesex snuck out of his crib last week and caught his mother and I being naughty--he found us watching the finale of Top Chef!

The show had an effect on the lad, and we've signed him up for Top Chef 2025 when he'll be 18 and ready to compete.

Return of the Young Gruffalo

Belated, yes. But all present and accounted for.

We give you one Gruffalo's Halloween in Witch Country.

All materials chosen, assembled, and fitted to the Gruffalo by his mother.

Rainbow week at Somes Sound, Maine

Liam, Lucy, and Paul invited us to share a week with them in Maine. We stayed at a cottage Lucy's family's been going to for decades, so it felt like home through that connection. Somes Sound was right at the bottom of our driveway, and the property owner--a second-generation lobsterman--had "live wells" of lobster on his dock--$3.75/lb. Wow!

Liam and Finn were perfect buddies--They're so close in age and temperament so we pretty much kicked back and watched them build pillow forts, read books, push the "wheel barrow," snack, bathe, and generally hang out together. It was brilliant.

Thanks for a great week guys!

Prelude to a Gruffalo

Finn and his dad are spotted atop the highest peak on the Eastern Seaboard shortly before Halloween. They share an oxygen-deprived, euphoria-based howl together.