On a gravel road I frequent, someone has left pumpkins, placed them carefully along the shoulder at intervals just distant enough from one another that by the time I happen upon the next, I’ve nearly forgotten about the last. The pleasure I derive from the them is amplified by the knowledge that someone thought to do this, because I can think of no other reason for placing pumpkins by the side of the road if not to tickle the fancy of passersby, and therefore it seems to me an act of kindness and generosity of the purest sort, with no chance for recognition or reciprocity.
Shortly after the last pumpkin I pass a lake, now frozen over, the ice covered by a dusting of new-fallen snow. A yellow dog is running across the frozen water, tail and head high, no human in sight. Just the dog, the snow-covered ice, the orange orb of that final pumpkin disappearing into the rear view mirror, and I know that I am lucky to have come this way.
It is almost the end of another year, and I would like to thank you for reading here. Thank you.
Ben Hewitt 
Indeed! ….and we are lucky to have come *this* way.
A Blessed Solstice Season to you and yours.
Thank you Ben, For writing here! All the best to you and your family!
Right back at ya: Thank you for writing down your beautiful ponderings and observations and putting them into this form!
And thank you for continuing to show up in this space. I can’ tell you how many times I refer to one of your books in thought or in conversation and how many quotes of yours are written in my personal and our family journal. You have influenced us very much which I think is a very wonderful gift that flows from your writing. Peace and Blessings to all! 🙂
The pleasure is ours!!
I too feel like I am lucky to have come this way. It was my Mom that got me hooked on your writing and its really been…well real. Its been real. So thanks for that.
Guy.
Thank you too! I appreciate your sharing of experiences and words, humor and knowledge.
Sending “Thanks” back to you Ben. It’s been a joy for me to read your post here.
Thank you and Merry Christmas/Blessed Yule/Happy Holidays !
I greatly enjoy your writing, & I often receive much food for thought from you even though I am old enough to be your mother. May you & yours have a meaningful & peaceful Christmas & Holiday Season. Thanks. Mary Ann (down in GA)
Yes, it is almost the end of another year, and I would like to thank you for Writing here. Your readers are blessed!
i love this. 🙂
I am thankful to have had the good fortune to read your sharings here, to enjoy your writings in book form, and to have seen John Moreland because of your mention. Thank you.
you got to see Moreland? Damn. We keep hoping he’ll venture this far north, but so far, no luck.
Thank you for sharing your journey. Happy trails to you in the New Year.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts….it helps to keep some of us sane (cough cough), which isn’t an easy job. It’s also helped encourage me to eat ice cream sandwiches, damn you.
Thank you for writing about life in rural Vermont, you live it, you know it.
Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and safe 2018!
May there be many more punkins along your ways and many more of your writings along ours.
I love what you write. Period. Returning your thanks . . . .
Ben- best holiday wishes to you and your family and as always, immense thanks for your writing. At the risk of assumptions, I think many of your readers flock to you because you remind us we are not alone in our ways and choices. GT
Thank you sir. I look forward to the posts
I’m so glad you write, man. It feels like home.
That’s a tremendous compliment, thank you.
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