ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL APPLEFEST, AND THE BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

LAST YEAR'S MEMORABLE ENTRY

PARADE LINEUP

CROWDS ALONG THE ROUTE...

...AND AT THE END

Monday, 8:00 AM.  50 degrees at the ferry dock, 46 on the back porch.  Wind SSW, calm with light gusts.  The sky is partly cloudy and somewhat overcast, the humidity 84%.  The barometer continues its slow slide towards a possible shower on Thursday, but it will be, generally speaking, a nice fall week ahead.
   Joan and I did not go to the Applefest parade yesterday afternoon, I still not quite up to it and she ailing with sciatica.  We were satisfied with memories of previous years' parades, including the very beautiful entry of our decorated truck last year.  We couldn't participate this year, and in any case last year's effort could not have been surpassed.
   We did get to the Blessing of the Animals at Christ Church Episcopal in the morning, in celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  I could take no photos, as my camera was suddenly out of juice.  Shucks!
   Most saints are depicted looking up to heaven; St. Francis looks down, at the earth with all its life, our precious gift, in trust from a gracious and loving God.
   Buddy behaved himself well, except that he smelled a church mouse or something under the pews and was determined to track it.  In any case, he was solemnly and properly blessed by the visiting priest, as were two other dogs and a very large cat.
   This marks the fifth season that our otherwise dormant church has been available to visiting priests from various locations, who receive a week's free lodging in Bayfield in return for a Sunday service. We have been busy since Memorial Day. It is a good mission for our little church.