Debra LaValley's Blog

We have a hatch! Yesterday at lunch, I took a drive to the nest to see if I could tell if there had been a hatch since it was due around 3/28. I was thrilled to see an adult bald eagle standing in the nest, and it appeared to be feeding “something.” 🙂 I let the NH Audubon biologist, and he said it was the first reported hatch in the state. Yeah! I can’t wait until I see a chick or two or three. 🙂 Happy Spring!

Introducing – Maisey! I newly adopted her from the local SPCA. My Molly had cancer and “went to college” on January 26th. She was a good kitty and greatly missed. The apartment was so quiet. I was missing the pitter-patter of little fur feet. I have always wanted a Calico. Yesterday, I received and email with “Jessi’s” photo and giving me information about her personality, (loves to give and get affection – likes to be picked up and that she was a year old), etc. I emailed back immediately and had her home in about 2 hours. She is so sweet. I renamed her Maisey. She didn’t know the name Jessi since the SPCA just gave her the name recently. I am very happy! She has been exploring the apartment. She is a climber 🙂 More to come.

2020 is winding down. What a year it has been. I am hoping that 2021 will become more normal. The Covid vaccines are now starting to be distributed. Hopefully, by summer the virus will be more under control everywhere in the world. 2020 has resembled a bad sci-fi movie! A year ago, we would have never thought 2020 would have become such a challenging year.

One good thing about 2020, people have really decorated for the holidays – all of the holidays and especially Christmas. You can drive around almost any neighborhood and see so many decoration and stunning light displays. Elm Street in Penacook is exceptional this year. I took the above photo on Elm Street.

This is the first year, in many years, that I have not put together a desk calendar to give out to family and friends. I would have 150 printed professionally and most were distributed in person; but with Covid that just would not be wise – so I decided to pass on the calendars this year. Maybe next year, or I may come up with something else.

Also people are being creative on how to connect with friends and family. Love finds a way.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year! Take care everyone!

On this All Souls Day, I have to mention that my most favorite eagle, Orange A/4 passed away October 1st. He was found in bad shape at the end of September and died in care. I have been watching this eagle for several years. He and his mate, Orange C/K have a local nest that I have also monitored for years. Orange A/4 was always a good boy – making sure I could get a good photo of his bands every year. He was 14+. I will miss you!

I have been seeing a new adult eagle in the area (not-banded). I am hoping it is a new male and that Orange C/K will hook up with him and continue at at the local nest. Time will tell. It won’t be the same without Orange A/4 – but life goes on and the local nest has produced several new bald eagles to the population.

ALL HALLOW’s EVE

A giant phantom
floats across the sky,
its round-white heart
shines from the inside out.
Its breath tears the leaves
off the trees and sends them
scurrying across the road
like rats.
The spirit world awakens
and sends a wave of murmurs
through the empty streets
cresting toward my door,
shaking it from its hinges.
A shudder and a distant bell
echoes across the eerie night.
Voices are heard –
muffled behind creaking trees,
a chill enters the room –
the sound of footsteps
shuffle across the grass and crisp leaves.
No one is in sight.
Only shadows reaching out across the lawn
and up my front steps.
There is a knock at the door.

“Trick or Treat!”

by Debra LaValley

October – my favorite month! I love the the burst of colors! Peak came about two weeks early this year. We are in an extreme drought – perhaps that had something to do with it.

I took my lens ball (glass sphere) out yesterday and took a few shots. The above was my favorite. I have been decorating for Halloween which is going to be very strange this year with the Covid. It is still such a weird and unsettling time! I would have never guessed we would still be in the midst of a pandemic here! There seems to still be a long way to go. I am trying to be safe and make fun where I can. Jackie and I decorated my mom’s house too.

I treated myself to 2 new Vermont Teddy Bears! They are Halloween special editions – a Black Cat (I named Salem) and a Bearwolf (I named Wolfy).

I was going to forgo giving out treats on Gate Night (10/30) this year – but decided I will (weather permitting). I will put a card table at the bottom of the steps and place the treats on the table. This way, social distancing can be maintained. This is as long as Boscawen is still having Trick or Treat. So far, I believe they are.

Stay safe and well everyone!

Debbie 🙂

Happy Labor Day!

A Socially Distant Vacation

My Mom, Aunt Mary Jane, and I rented the cabin on Newfound Lake again this year. Mary Beth rented the one behind us for one week. We rented for two weeks. In this COVID world – we did not know if we would be going. Luckily, we were able to go. We were able to socially distance from others and had our own private beach. The cabins were cleaned with special spray etc. Other precautions also taken.

It was a bit warm the first two days – especially with no AC in the cabin. It was 90 on the inside – UGH! The rest of the time was much better. The lake was 79-80 decrees which is pretty much unheard of most of the time. It is known for being cool.

A tropical storm came through which gave us a lot of wind one night and a little rain – but we luckily did not lose power.

It was a relaxing vacation and good to see something different than the four walls of our houses, etc. We don’t go out much because of the pandemic. We were glad to see a lot of mask wearing and social distancing in Bristol.

We saw a very faint Comet Neowise, and we loved having a campfire right on our private beach most nights too. FYI – the French Minion in the top photo was found standing on our fire pit when we arrived. I placed him on the lighthouse on the beach. He was our private lookout 🙂

I hope you have all had a healthy and happy summer. Keep Safe and Well!

Sunrise at Newfound Lake

Debbie 🙂

Happy Independence Day!

Last night, I came across a post on Facebook about a 4th of July “Not a Parade” of farmers and tractors that would be coming through downtown Penacook around “10:00 AM” on the 4th.

Just before 10:00, I went through town and saw small(socially distanced)groups starting to spread around the downtown and along Village Street along the cemetery wall (like days gone by when Penacook had its Fourth of July Parade. I picked up my mom, and we headed for Bonney Street (aka Church Hill) and faced downtown Penacook. It was about 10:20, when I was caught off guard by a rescue vehicle coming heading north. I thought they were heading on a mission, but they were really the head of the Not a Parade. I was thinking the parade would have been coming up through the downtown and heading south!

It was great fun and reminded me of all those years ago when Penacook had great parades, not only on the Fourth of July but on Memorial Day. Penacook is such a great place. I live right up the hill in Boscawen (also a great village and local Boscawen farmers, etc. also were in the Parade)!

I have been told that Rob Morrill of Morrill’s Farm in Penacook organized the “not a parade” to celebrate not only Independence Day but the Farmers of America! Great job Rob! A huge THANK YOU for you and everyone who made up the parade as well as all the spectators who were safe and kept socially distant.

Happy 4th of July!

Debbie 🙂

Let’s Start with a “Rabbit-Rabbit” – for Luck

There has been a lot going on in the country – much of it very concerning and scary. But this entry isn’t going to go into any of that. I want to post something positive! So let’s start the month with a lucky “Rabbit-Rabbit.” I called my mom early this morning to say “Rabbit-Rabbit.”  It is supposed to be good luck! We could use a change of luck. Here are a few relaxing and pleasant things to start off the second half of 2020:

I came across a Jack-in-the-Pulpit flower.  I don’t see them very often.  They are so unique.

Pink Lady Slipper

Eaglet eating some of Parent’s food 🙂

Great Blue Heron at Hot Hole Pond

I wish everyone one a better second half of the year.  I pray that you all will stay healthy and happy.  Please be safe out there too and wear a mask in public (And – keep washing those hands for 20 seconds often)! 🙂

Debbie 🙂