Day: May 25, 2012

Linda Janidlo called me over to say she had found a book in the debris. Bit of a surprise. I’ll put a Facebook album up later.

The volunteers are boarding up all of the open windows and doors to protect the building from any further deterioration.

The Bedlam Corners General Store was heavily damaged by fire more than two years ago, and it was deteriorating rapidly, the windows open to the rain and pigeons, and the waste and debris rotting. Last week two residents of Hebron, Thom and Linda Janidlo decided to do something about it, and this morning a score of volunteers from the town descended on the historic building – the heart of the town – to clean up the waste and debris, clear and inside and outside of garbage and seal up the windows until the future of the building is deciding. I’ll be putting up a photo album on Facebook later today, but it is so that people power is the most stirring kind of power to see.

The number of people grew throughout the morning and people also brought muffins, donuts, coffee and water. A tremendous amount of work was done and people driving by were shocked at the improvement. I’m going back this afternoon to check on things and the album will be up later today.

This old farmhouse and sign – it is close to our new home – called out to me yesterday as the sun and showers traded places. I am looking for some parades to go see, maybe Salem on Monday and take some photos. Memorial Day parades are especially touching to me. This morning I’m going over to the Bedlam Corners Store to take some photos, and I plan to do a lot of reading today. I’ve come to some important new places spiritually and I want to share that also. Mostly I want to hang around for three days with Maria and read about a half-dozen books. I am plowing through the new Robert Caro book on Lyndon Johnson and loving it very much. Next, Jamie Lee Burke.