I am sure you all rejoiced with me for our Pats win Sunday. Now on to the Giants Thursday night. Look out, Marilyn Van Tine!

We had a lovely birthday party for Bill Maciel at our house last Thursday night. The jokes and camaraderie abounded. The menu was Bill’s favorite, chicken parmesan, and his special birthday cake. Here’s to your new year, Bill!

I had the great pleasure of meeting my friend, Ross Swiriduk’s sister, Lynn, on Saturday in Oak Bluffs. Lynn hosts bus tours to the Vineyard in the shoulder seasons. We caught her at the Steamship Authority in Oak Bluffs as she lined up her charges for the trip home. Lynn lives in Maine. She is something of a Renaissance woman there —knits, sews, chops wood, is a caregiver, no task is impossible for her. I think I’ll hop the bus on her next tour and listen to her storytelling.

I brought my little Silvio to the Blessing of the Animals at St. Augustine’s parking lot at noon on Sunday. Father Nagle has blessed many of my pets over the years. I’ll never forget the time I brought three dogs, two cats, one hedgehog and my pet snake, Baby. Anyway, at Sunday’s blessing, Silvio did not disappoint. He was the only dog who relieved himself while Father was saying the prayers. My little Sil has always been an attention getter.

This paper had a glowing review of my friend’s new book. I hope you saw it. Fred Waitzkin has recently published Deep Water Blues. My mother and I always find his work exquisite.

Speaking of writers, we are so fortunate. Program director Anne McDonough at our library is offering a fantastic opportunity on Monday, Oct. 27. Psychologist and writer, Caroline Joy Adams will present a two-hour free workshop at 2 p.m., The Power to Memoir, writing from your life experience. Bring your favorite notebook and pen.

Bobbie Jo Sears and I stopped by the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society on Sunday for photographer Paul Doherty’s opening reception. Paul has an interesting series of photos from dinghy scratches. I believe he has worked on this theme for over a year. Do stop in to see it.

We also stopped at Island Art Gallery to bring a treat to Fletcher, the dog in residence. Alas, Fletcher and his Dad, Doug, apparently have every Sunday off together so they can bond while watching the Nascar races. Uta Kloss was holding down the shop alone. There were many new works, from paintings to photos to collages. This is one of my prime places for buying gifts. It is like going into a small museum.

The first play that really captured me when I was a teen was Our Town by Thornton Wilder. I am so pleased that our Vineyard Playhouse will be presenting it from Oct. 11 through Nov. 3. I’ll see you there.

I cannot say enough nice things about Alex Trebek. Thirty-five years of grace, kindness, humor and professionalism. I know you all join me in wishing him well on his journey.

The birthday bandwagon pulled along Karen Zucks on Oct. 6, and on Oct. 7 Tammy Morrison Glenn took the cake. Many happy returns.

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