Daybreak over the fields of E. Thetford, by Lori Harriman
Welcome to “Dear Daybreak”, a (mostly) weekly Daybreak column. It features short vignettes about life in the Upper Valley: an encounter, a wry exchange, a poem or anecdote or reflection… Anything that happened in this region or relates to it and that might strike us all as interesting or funny or poignant.
Want to submit your own Dear Daybreak item? Just go here!
Dear Daybreak:
Lola, our dog, was out to prove that "the dog ate my homework" may sometimes be true. In this case, she ate my passport. Not the whole thing, but at least a third of it—through the cover and all the pages. It cost me $225 and a lot of aggravation to complete the forms and get an expedited return delivery for a new passport. I am writing this to let everyone know that our Grantham Post Office staff could not have been more helpful and informed about the process (because nowhere in the manual or on the forms does it explain how to handle a damaged passport—among other things, you have to apply as if you were entirely new).
Previously Lola ate most of a sock on Xmas day in NYC and had to have an x-ray, costing hundreds of dollars. It took us extra long to be approved for adopting a rescue because we are old—which made my husband wonder, "Why don't they worry also about people's income," because a dog can be very expensive!
— Susan Orkin, Grantham
Dear Daybreak:
The single leaf on
A branch knows not when it will
fall. Woosh! The wind blew
— “February Haiku”, inspired by a view outside the window, by Yue Yang, Lebanon
Dear Daybreak:
When musician Lisa Piccirillo released her album, Radiate, she asked listeners to consider what energy or attitude they choose to radiate into the world. I choose to radiate appreciation, which is defined as a feeling or expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude. Appreciation to me is more active than gratitude, which is feeling thankful. Appreciation should be the act of acknowledging that for which we are grateful or that which we admire.
In that spirit, I’d like to appreciate local organizations that give amateurs an outlet for creative expression. There are many, but the one that resonates for me today is the Howe Library hosting the Elden Murray Photographic Exhibition and Competition. It is the 50th year of this competition—an opportunity for amateur photographers to share their enthusiasm over a special photo and to be acknowledged for their efforts. It’s the first year I ever submitted a photo (“Misty Marina in Early Morning Light”), and I hope to submit again next year.
I didn’t win a thing as there were much more skilled photographers than I who competed, but that doesn’t matter at all. The spirit of fun pervaded, and the judges were quick to congratulate all participants just for the act of bravely sharing their passion. I appreciate the library, the Murray family as sponsor of the competition, the judges, and the other participants. I appreciate my friend Jenn for going to the opening with me, and my family for wanting to make a special outing to see the exhibit. There are some great photos there, including a whole wall of photos taken by people age 18 and under! The exhibit on display until February 25 at the Howe Library in Hanover and is open whenever the library is open. I encourage you to go wander about and appreciate the talent displayed.
— Christine Hoskin, Etna
