the best things in life are

 free.

(oak street, brattleboro)

bird song

 birdwatchers

move so quietly in their search...

always listening,

eyes seeking the sudden rush of feather,

 the soft breast swelling with song.

the farm manager's office

does your desk look this tidy?

talk about old-school typewriters...

(billings farm)

got milk?

taken at the billings farm in woodstock, vermont

dearest julie

may your flour and sugar bins always be filled with the finest ingredients.

and may the food you make be as sweet and satisfying to your lips as it is to ours.

happy birthday, beloved friend.

at the billings farm

this path divided the oxen from the cows and horses.

do you suppose this would have been as peaceable a kingdom without the fences?

the balloon girl

when our daughters were young,

every now and then mr. brattcat would leave an inflated balloon

at their seat at the diningroom table.

they'd find the colorful, simple gift waiting for them when they toddled down the stairs for breakfast.

we told them the balloon man had come during the night.

they were always dazzled.