There are certain things that people associate with Maine- blueberries, lobster and
moose.  
Since I am allergic to lobster, and  don't like  blueberries, I was looking forward to seeing a live moose.   Even though I'd lived here for awhile, the only moose I had seen  was stretched out on a trailer behind some hunter's truck on I-95.  
    A couple of weeks ago, I left my house at 5 am to drive up to Presque Isle, the other end of the state, for a meeting at 10:00.  The day ran long, and I was tired while driving back at dusk.  Unusual motion ahead of me caught my eye, but I didn't register what I was seeing enough to really slow the car.  The moose came up quickly from the left embankment: head first, massive shoulders rising,  moving into the highway, where it slowed to plod across the pavement.  I hit the brakes hard, and hoped that space, time and angels  were on my side. 
    As it went by, it didn't look like a deer or a horse, but a centaur. Once it reached the grass on the other side, it galloped up to the treeline.  Finally, I thought, I've seen a moose. Or a centaur. I pulled up my phone and snapped a picture for verification.  Despite the photo, I still wasn't sure. My uncertainty convinced me that  I was done driving for the day and should spend the night in Bangor.   So the above picture is of a moose - or of a centaur.You decide - it's all possible in the wilds of Maine.

"How's learning the alphabet going, Farmer Small?" I asked.
"I'm not doing that anymore." said Farmer Small.
"Why?"
      "Did you know that there are 26 letters in the alphabet?  And some of them are extras. That's too many to learn!"
I thought about it. 26 letters could be a lot to learn if you have a little plastic brain, but I  wasn't sure about the "extras."  
"Really?" I asked. "There are extra letters?"
"Yes." said Farmer Small. "Do we really need the letter "C?" Don't "S"  and "K" cover it?"
I hadn't really thought about it. Personally, I'm fond of the letter "C."  Also, the thoughts in his little plastic brain were giving me a headache. But then, I had an idea. 
"How about if you only have to learn 6 letters?"  
"Maybe," he said, suspiciously, "what are they."  
B-I-N-G-0.
"That's five," he said.  Are you trying to make me learn "C"?"
"No, no, forget "C." I said . The sixth letter is "X"  so you can sign your name in case you win." 
"Win?"  asked Farmer Small. "What do I win If I learn those letters ?"  
"Money." I said.  
Farmer Small smiled. 
"I can learn those letters!"  
That's the attitude everyone should have toward learning the alphabet, or at least some of it.  Good luck Farmer Small!

"Where are you going with that pencil, Farmer Small?" I asked.
"I'm going to vote," he said. 
    "I didn't know you were registered to vote." 
    " I did it when I was trick or treating. The lady at town hall helped me." he said. 
    "So why do you need the pencil?" 
    "The lady at town hall said I could write in anyone I want if I didn't like the choices."
     "Who would you write in?" 
      "Me," he said, " I'm not doing much this winter so I thought I'd hold office." 
    I could see where that might appeal to him. The zumba classes hadn't worked out  and other than tend to a few potted herbs, there wasn't a lot for him to do around the house.  
     "Ok," I said. 
    "Can you help me?" he asked. 
    "With what?" 
    "How do you spell Farmer Small?" he asked. 
    "G-R-U-M-P-Y F-A-R-M-E-R." 
    It took him a long time to work out the letters.  I think I found a winter activity for  Farmer Small.  
 
    
     
       
    

"What are you doing,
Farmer Small?" I asked.
"Getting ready for Halloween tonight," he said.
"I have some bad news, Farmer Small.  Halloween was last night." 
    "There were no trick or treaters that came to the door, and our house was dark. You're wrong!"
" Actually, Susan and I had to go out last night, so we didn't  turn on the lights or give out candy." 
Farmer Small's little body jerked and twisted.I think he tried to stamp his little plastic foot but I couldn't really tell because of his costume.  
"You people are lousy! What is the point of living inside if you don't celebrate the holidays? Are you also skipping Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Farmer Small Appreciation Day, and Christmas? " 
    "Farmer Small Appreciation Day?" I asked. 
    "YES." he said.   
     "I've never heard of it," I said. 
    "Well, how about the rest of the holidays?" he asked.  
    "I promise we'll celebrate those." 
    "Fine." he said as he turned to leave. 
    "Where are you going now? 
    "I'm going to trick or treat anyway.  I bet people will still give me candy. And if they do, I'M NOT SHARING." 
    Usually I'd lecture him about yelling and  sharing. But honestly, I think he has a point.