NOVEMBER 2023

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Oh My Soul! Here at “The Mill” several sluiceway boards have been pulled to lower the pond water level and avoid any flooding this spring. Petah usually uses the old Stickney family pick ax and after hooking a board just right has grand success.

In celebration of the Hunters Moon on October 28, we had a large bonfire to burn brush from clearing 20 acres for more pasture land. It was amazing! Naturally I got to howl with gusto and, voila, there was a response of a cacophony of sound from coyotes, terrifying the cattle. If you have never heard howling coyotes, simply imagine high children’s screaming voices bouncing off a mountain. This can be quite unnerving!

The Grand State of Maine is now healing from the ghastly tragedy in Lewiston, about an hour from “The Mill.” Evidently Petah becomes dewy-eyed much easier these days. “NO! NO LIKE IT!” Thank you for all your phone calls, emails and prayers. Please use your power and continue your intercessory prayer offerings. In an effort to render healing to our community, the Newfield Community Church will hold a service of “Lament, Comfort and Hope” on All Saints Day, November 1. We will sing a lovely chant that I learned by rote with the text, “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well,” by Julian of Norwich, interspersed with adaptations of Psalm 13. It would do us all a good turn to set aside some time to reflect on this powerful affirmation. Perhaps use your sacred gift of music to create your own melody to the text and make it a part of your daily devotion. As a welcome change of mood, several minutes ago I received a call from a friend who was going to host our “Friendsgiving” this Saturday at her house. Evidently our dear old friend Pepe Le Pew has left his calling card and her home is uninhabitable at the moment -- could she host at “The Mill”? Naturally the answer is yes. Might we all have friends that feel free to contact us in their hour of distress and we can say YES! How we treat and love our neighbors is how we treat and love God. I hope that you will choose to share that same amazing love with the people in your life.

In closing, do remember that “ALL SHALL BE WELL.”

As Always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness!

Your Chaplain,

Petah

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney

**Sluiceway photo by Petah

**Heart in Lewiston Maine-Unknown