Dear friends,
Here’s an attempt at explaining what it’s been like to actually live in the 1805 Richs Hollow Tavern ( ie the Moore’s house for 50 of these 318 years of its existence). My husband Erik has written a wonderful historic description of it’s rich history, which we’ll put on this Singing Bridge blog soon.
Gosh, to think this house was born just after Vermont declared its statehood and the very same year Montpelier became the state capital. And that it was fully functioning during the war of 1812 etc. etc. And ! It’s very much still standing! (no matter how many thousand mouse holes all around its foundation, fashioned carefully aimed toward the old kitchen by the skilled mouse families in 1805).
Which brings me to the purpose of this story and the various rich assortment of furry co-inhabitants in and around this house. Besides from the many cuddly (actually, not always) dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, chickens and occasional smarty pants young goats (!!) who found their way into the house and trunks of our cars.
And don't even get us started on the mice! Oh, the mice!! They seem to have absolutely no shame as they sit on top of some delicious leftovers near the sink and pose for my grandson's camera. But, as we all know, every ecosystem needs its predators. Last winter, a little white ermine came and ate up the most recent installment of the mouse population before exiting through a hole big enough to fit her large tummy through. If you happen to know her address, my daughter is trying to invite her back to the Inn! Even though we all love Ratatouille, his band of brothers tend to be quite the rowdy party animals and we are hoping they will find other accommodations soon.
We've also had a few unexpected visitors. One terrified squirrel once sprinted in through the back door and ran straight through the house all the way up to our three-story attic, which luckily had its window open to air out the winter musties! We all watched in amazement as she/he flew out and scrambled down the side of the house to freedom. I guess even squirrels need a little adventure now and then!
Of course, there have been many other animals that have called our inn home. We've had a barn full of sheep (lots of sheep), one very naughty goat, horses (eight to be exact), pigs (Sally the pig stories coming soon), cows (too much work but lovely eyes!), chickens, and even a mean old turkey. Oh, and let's not forget about Rosa, the pregnant miniature burro! It turns out she'd been impregnated by her father (yikes!). She was a necessity for completing a successful Children's Christmas Pageant (but that's a story for another day!).
But it's not just land animals that make our inn their home. We have many bird feeders near our windows, and my daughter Celina is even writing a blog post about them today. But I’ll tell you one little story. Urrr, we've had a new and rather scary addition this past winter: a small visiting hawk we've named Putin (we pronounce Putine, the Canadian version). He happily lurks above the feeder and snatches our poor little sparrows. I guess he's just doing his part to balance the ecosystem, but it still gives us quite the scare!
Well, I could go on and on about all the creatures great and small, furry or feathery, that have passed through our doors over the years. Mmm so many stories!! But, for now, it is a beautiful sunny day is I am signing-off to go out and enjoy it!
Celina, Mum
Dear Celina, Mum
It’s easy to see why your namesake daughter is such a beautiful writer! We, the readers and inhabitants of Singing Bridge, are in for a wonderful double dose of Celinas!
I loved reading about all the four-legged inhabitants of the old Inn. It is so fascinating to watch survival of the fittest in action.
Please keep contributing. You have much to teach us.
Xo, SC
The non-resident readers are loving it as well...even the animals are nicer in Singing Bridge.