Frost crystals

From: Caroline
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2003
Subject: Frost Crystals

Such extremes of weather – yesterday morning every tiny flower and leaf were ringed with beards of frost crystals – this morning the temperature was a mild gray 60. So I am in luck as I had planned to cut down all the perennials outside the living room and mulch. Can’t do that in the walled garden yet as there is still purple-blue monkshood and white snakeroot with its fluffy bottlebrushes. AND just poking slender lavender snouts are the saffron crocus – not in a clump as originally planted, but spread around by industrious squirrels. The ghostly lavender Colchicum, which look like giant crocus are withered and collapsed by now, but what a surprising treat they are in October’s fading landscape.

I think I am turning into a turtle. Today I am so relieved that I don’t have to go out and do anything or see anyone and it is such a comfort to be able to be inside my own shell. It will be over a year until I am rid of community obligations and I don’t think I will take on any more. I really want to settle down, read early New England and Southern history and write the family stories. Of course this is all very well to say, but the reality may be quite different. Will keep you posted. However, being a Gemini, travel will always be as big a part of my life as I can manage. Right now I am debating taking another Elderhostel trip – Dijon, 7 day small barge trip, Paris – and then meeting up with Phyllis and Lane and exploring the northern coast of Spain, ending up in Celtic Gallicia.

The hunting season has arrived and I saw orange hatted and jacketed men starting into the big reserve just a mile away. There was a deer just on the other side of the fence last week. There are so many that our chief of Police is thinking of extending the bow and arrow season because deer are causing so many accidents. However, help from a totally unexpected quarter may be on the way. Panther – or Puma – pugmarks were seen here in Little Compton and at the horse farm in Tiverton. I certainly hope some hunter doesn’t see it and bring it home to put over his mantle. I shudder now to think of the tiger hunts in India.

Hope this finds you well and not too discombobulated by the change in time.