Sort of garden report: I was making deliveries when a friend showed me purple and yellow pansies in bloom in a pot in the garage. The temperature that day was over 50 degrees. Monday, we had snow.
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Linda Smith of Amherst sent me this email. “ I learned of a delightful community effort in Yarmouth, Maine, where many of the houses were sporting yard signs with a big red heart. Seems the initiative started before the election and has continued afterwards, in an effort to promote good neighboring and healing, bringing the community together. I wonder if this might be a worthy effort in Amherst.”
She sent a photo of the lawn sign that features a big red heart on white background. She has one in her yard.
It seems like a good idea. We could use good neighboring. You can probably make your own with paper and crayon or marker.
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With the weather cooperating, lots of tree work continues. The huge tree that fell and covered most of the Pam’s yard on Amity Street has been removed. In addition, a long row of pine trees on South Pleasant Street near the DPW building were cut down and the roots removed. That was a major operation with lots of equipment involved.
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Winter officially begins Dec. 21. While the UMass Sun Wheel is not holding public Solstice viewings, you can view sunrise at 7 a.m. and sunset at 3:30 p.m. on your own on the 21st. The circle of sun wheel stones are by the UMass stadium off Rocky Hill Road. You have to hope the weather cooperates to see the sun doing it’s astronomical magic.
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If you can’t make it to the Sun Wheel, the Mill District in North Amherst is hosting a variety of events outdoors to celebrate the Solstice Dec. 20.
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