Before my house was built I wandered around the neighborhood and met a couple who had just moved into their new house. I asked them what they wished they had done differently, if anything. Their answer was a screened porch. So that’s what I have, just big enough for a small table, four chairs and a stand to let my houseplants have sun and fresh air. So picture me out there on these amazingly mild evenings watching the sun slowly travel up to the tallest trees and then leave. The other evening I wondered, if I watched a section of weeds slowly darken, if I could feel the earth turn away from the sun. Amazing! Try it!

I have kept my eyes on a Butterfly Bush, but no Hummers. So it’s okay to take their feeders down, clean with hot water and put them where you can find them next April.

Just off the screened porch is a fairly large deck and beyond that a small lawn. The other morning I was messing around with dishes in the sink and looked out on the lawn. I could not make sense of what I was seeing. Finally I realized it was a doe, and the funny little white tail that was twitching under her was her fawn nursing! As you can imagine I see a good many deer, but that is one sighting that will always stay with me.

We won’t be having red leaves because of the salt in the air, but the wild grape leaves have turned yellow so it’s possible to see how they have flung themselves onto the highest trees. Their grapes have already fallen and I wouldn’t be surprised if there weren’t a few drunken skunks wandering around at night. Neither my little hunter or I have smelled them though.

Sidney Tynan

Little Compton