The clocks have been set back an hour, and the dark now comes at 4:30 p.m. Most of the yard work has been done, and we are finishing up the last of it this week. Our son-in-law Mike has been a wonderful help, accomplishing in two days what it would take us a month to do.
Our hearts are still heavy because of the mass shooting in Lewiston. Winthrop was hit particularly hard—three dead and two wounded. The support has been tremendous. Very heartening. However, it hardly needs to be said that it would have been far better for everyone if the support was not needed. Sigh.
As the title of this post indicates, I’m going to be taking an extended break from blogging. Nothing serious is going on, thank goodness, and it may it stay that way. Rather, it’s because of holiday and family hubbub, and the older I get, the more time it takes me to accomplish tasks that I once would have zipped through. Also, I’m halfway through writing book number 5—Darcy Dansereau, an expansion of The Dog Angel, which some of you might have read. I’ve begun referring to the novel as a “slice-of-life fantasy.” Darcy is entirely set in Waterville in the late 1970s, and while there is fantasy and mystery in the story, much of it focuses on Darcy’s everyday life, her sorrows and her triumphs.
I’ll leave you with a photo I took at Absolem Cider Company when we were there the end of October to celebrate Dee’s birthday. It was a beautiful day, warm enough to sit outside with our drinks and watch dusk settle over the countryside.
A very happy November and December to all. See you in January 2024.
Notes From the Hinterland 
Wishing you peace and good times with family and friends, Laurie and Clif. I am also looking forward to your new book! I enjoyed your Dog Angel story very much.
Thanks so much, Lavinia, and for your lovely support.
Laurie, I will miss your regular posts, but I appreciate you letting us know you’re taking a step back for a bit. I’m saddened that gun violence reached your quiet corner of the world. It shatters that sense of “it could never happen here,” and of course the senselessness of it happening anywhere. I know you’ll enjoy your family and the cozy times that come with cold winters. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and most importantly, I sent up my hopes for peace in our troubled world.
Thanks so much! I will miss reading your wonder, creative posts. No state, regardless of how rural it is, is immune from mass shootings. A horrible aspect of modern life in this country. But, yes, I will definitely enjoy the cozy time with my family. And happy holidays to you and yours.
Happy holiday!
Enjoy your time. I so understand as I say everyday about how slow I am and how long it takes me to get things done! Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Thanks, Linda! Boy oh boy, can’t accomplish what I once did. Happy Holidays to you and yours, too.
Have a good break with your family Laurie and see you in 2024.
Many, many thanks!
Sending warm wishes to you Laurie. A lovely image.
Thanks, Rupali.
Have a great break away from the blogosphere. I’ll miss you
Thank you, thank you! I’ll miss you, too.
You shall be missed, Laurie. Take good care of yourself. 💕
Thanks, Jane! I already miss reading your posts and the posts from my other blogging friends. But it was the right decision to make.
Enjoy your time. May it feel productive and lacking in negative serious stuff. Heck, may it feel fun!
Yes, yes! Many thanks!
Thanks for the photo! We’ll miss you, but it is always important to keep your priorities and energies sane!
💕❤️
I’ll miss your down-homey hinterlands posts, but a break for the holiday season is good for you! What a stunning picture that is, I love silhouettes! See you in January, stay healthy and safe.
Thanks so very, very much! I, too, love silhouettes. See you in January.
Many thanks! I will miss reading your posts.
We will all miss you Laurie but enjoy family time and good luck finishing the book!
Many thanks! I will miss reading about your adventures in New Zealand.
Enjoy your break, Laurie. Family time is precious, and while we’ll miss you here, you’ve got things to do. Best wishes for the new book!
Thank you, thank you! I will miss reading your posts, too.
Enjoy the upcoming holidays with your family close by, and the many blessings you share. 🧡🍁🦃🎄
Thanks so much, Eliza!
Enjoy the time with your family and the holiday season!🙂
Many thanks!
I will miss your posts. I hope that the new novel unwinds smoothly.
Many thanks! I will miss reading your posts, too. Because of you, I’ve learned a lot about life in Scotland.
It is good to have younger people nearby to help with those big jodbs!
It is good to have younger people nearby to help with those big jobs!
You bet!
Best wishes for a productive time Laurie, I agree it takes longer to do everything when you get older. Have a happy Christmas with your family..😁😁
Many, many thanks! A happy Christmas to you and yours.
You will be missed, but we can’t let life get away from us. You enjoy this time, and we’ll see you in a few weeks. As for what happened in Maine, well, it is a sad, sad time, and I pray that all the families find peace to make their way through their loss and grief.
A-w-w-w, thanks, Judy! I will miss reading your posts, too. Such a sad time. The grief will be with us for quite a while.
Hi, Laurie – I am a big believer in blogging breaks. I hope that yours is everything you want it to be. See you when you’re back!
Yes, sometimes blogging breaks are necessary. This one felt very necessary. Thanks for the kind words.
What a wonderful picture to leave us while you take your break. I’m sending love to you and yours and wishing you peace and quiet so you can concentrate on your book.
Thank you, thank you! I will miss reading your lovely posts.
Your cheerful poss will be missed and yet you owe yourself a complete break. We will be here when you return 🙂
Such kind words! I will miss reading your posts, too. Such a wonderful community of bloggers.
Enjoy your break, Laurie. I hope the writing progresses smoothly.
Many thanks!
Until then, lots of love, Laurie. A lovely image to keep s going
Thank you so very much, Derrick.
It sure doesn’t look like your break will involve any slacking! I’m sure it will be full and productive, and I hope joyful as well with your family, friends and activities. The sadness of the horrible shootings that plague this country will never go away. Hugs, happy holidays, and I look forward to your return!
No slacking but mostly manageable. 😉 So true about the sadness never going away. And I can’t help but wonder which will be the next community to suffer this terrible loss. None, I wish, but sadly I know better.
Looking forward to the extended version.
Have a good break. Strangely, I was thinking this morning about the length of time things now take. 🙂
Thanks, Quercus. My younger self would be astonished to see how long it now takes me to do things.
Yes, another of those things we never really realise until we experience it. I am actually growing to resemble my father in so many ways – deaf, bald, blunt (OK, rude), can’t sleep . . . Even my hands are starting to look like his. 🙂
Good luck with the writing. See you in Spring! 🙂
Have a wonderful break Laurie, we’ll be here when you get back 🙂
Many thanks, June!
Have a lovely break and peaceful holidays, Laurie. ♥
Thanks so much for the kind words, Robin.
May your break be filled with goodness and healing. I will miss you til you return.x Michele
Enjoy your break, Laurie, the holiday celebrations, and the time to work on your book. 2023 was a hard year, I think. Let’s look forward to a safer, more peaceful 2024. Happy Thanksgiving.
Gorgeous photo, Laurie. Big hugs to you in your ongoing sadness from the senseless tragedies around you. How we still put up with this, I have no idea. SO glad you are writing! No need to respond. I know I am late. xo