Hello again – don’t know where the time has gone but here we are almost to the end of this year. Many of the calls were varied- lots about inconsiderate drivers and speeding, but my thanks to the boaters out for an evening’s ride while the weather is still nice. Their conversations are in a lower tone. Also thanks to those either gathering up the garbage that’s been blown into the water or telling others not to do it. I’ve had much less junk floating up to my dock.

Had a call the other morning from a nice lady who said she had just gotten a call from her sister who was driving down Davit and said she could not see the swan’s head and was afraid it had been injured and to please call and tell me. I explained to the lady to let her sister know that when the swans sleep – whether on land or in the water – they tuck their head under a wing and I was sure it was fine. At that moment I looked out from my balcony and the swan was coming over to my dock, so I told her to say many thanks to her sister for watching out for the swans.

I also had a call from a nice lady, Sue, who had read that I had “lost” my Cockatiel. She said she had a friend who had just gotten a Cockatoo from a Vet friend who couldn’t stand it’s continually talking and now the friend was going stir-crazy also. I would love to have had it, but being 3 or 4 times larger than my Cockatiel I wasn’t sure I could handle it. My daughter gave me a great suggestion – that I passed on to Sues friend that perhaps there was an assisted-living facility or a Senior center nearby where I’m sure they all would love to talk with the bird. Haven’t heard back yet.

For the past few months I’ve had a very nice gesture from someone: my morning paper is being tossed over my gate near my front door. Being disabled this has really been great as it is only a few steps away and also whenever the weather has been bad the wrapper is tightly knotted around the paper. I left a very nice ‘thank you card’ the person took so I am waiting to find out just who is doing this generous thing.

In the event you are wondering why our median signboards have been blank it’s because refurbishing them is going on. I’ve had a number of calls and e-mails about up-coming events from those wondering if I didn’t have anything to put up. I’m very happy to hear that you all do read them! And by the time you receive this issue of the Pilot the signs should be finished – hopefully in time for the Halloween Parade notice to get up, then for the Christmas decorations and Santa’s coming.

Since daylight savings time ended on the 1st of November, it is dark earlier – both morning and evenings – so please use care in driving – slow down, use your signal lights and remember if it is raining, when your windshield wipers are on your headlights MUST ALSO BE ON – don’t get a ticket. And, if you’re out walking or biking – please carry a flashlight of some kind. Even now in mid October at dusk I see people walking in dark clothes without any kind of light on them and it really makes it difficult for drivers to see them. Just be considerate – on both sides.

Have a great Thanksgiving and see you in December.

By Pat Dixon, Swan Lady, 591-5455