I hope the kids like this. I’m trying to put my walk descriptions down in some more detail. First one is about a walk I took by myself in early May, 2018. I usually take Appa with me, but during mud season she gets so messy I walk by myself. I was headed out from home, on the road near the barn on Culver’s property, when one of the Traendly boys stopped me (Kefe?). I could tell he was upset.
With some tears in his eyes, he told me that Blake had passed away the previous night. Blake was a good natured, hard working man who lived about a mile and a half down Miller Pond Road. He was always very nice to us, about 10 years junior; Diana taught his kids early on at Newton, and Rachel was in Tom’s class growing up. He was one of the handsomest men I ever met, even into his 60s. Blake had several bouts with cancer and was doing ok, but had clearly gone downhill the last few years. It wasn’t shocking that he died, but it was a surprise. I talked to Kefe for 15 or 20 minutes, and then just turned around and headed home. Kefe was glad he ran into us, because otherwise we wouldn’t have heard about the service the next week.
I’m sure Blake expected to live as long as I do. Just last week I stopped at Aleta’s store in Fairlee. Both Aleta and Rachel were there. I was in a good mood, and I spoke with Aleta about a walk I had taken the day before, and how there were so many flowers on the trip. She said it was always the little things that got her, not the big things. Blake loved his lawn, and it was a mess. I couldn’t volunteer due to the hernia surgery, but she said her boys finally did it. I don’t think Aleta really expected him to die either.
But Rachel was fine. She has a little one to care for.
Tom's Walks 