It's Bill, 11/1/26: Counting 100

Nov 3

3 min read

I just received a surprise thank-you note from Siena of Haskell Digital Services. She and her husband, Desmond, webmaster, operate Haskell Digital Services. She informed me that Sunday, October 25, 2026, was my 99th published blog. Every week I send Siena my blog text and photos. Siena does her magic by formatting them for posting on the web, going to 600+ It's Bill!! followers. Siena and Desmond are a pleasure to work with.

A Toast to Big Al

We participated in two separate events of 100. Saturday, at 4 PM, we attended a 7-toast testimonial dinner for Alvin, “Big Al,” our postman for over 25 years, recently retired from the Post Office due to an unexpected, lingering disability. He is no longer able to work. 100+ of Big Al’s friends attended his testimonial. Approximately $10,000 was raised for Big Al.

Big Al is a Mason. Frankie T and his Masonic brothers led us through the toasting ceremony and dinner at Lubec’s American Legion. Tickets were $40. We were all tightly seated at long tables and were immediately informed that there would be no pictures or any sort of recording. 100+ guests gathered to thank and recognize Big Al for his years of service with the Post Office. All guests were given long shot glasses [thunder glasses, when banged on the table after each toast and cheer]. The thunder glasses had the date and event on the glass, a fine souvenir.

The Ladies Auxiliary served as both our kitchen staff and wait staff. The ladies provided excellent service, enjoying the night with us as we rolled along. Our thunder glasses were filled with either white or red wine. Frankie T and his brother Masons were stationed around the room. Rotating toasts roared along as we thundered around the room. The main course was corn on the cob and chicken. At the conclusion of dinner, there were door prizes and raffles. Everyone left smiling!

Two frosted shot glasses featuring a lighthouse illustration and the words “7 Toasts to BIG AL” sit on a table beside a vase of flowers. — Commemorative thunder glasses from the seven-toast tribute to Big Al.

Planting 100+ Bulbs at West Quoddy Station

Patricia and I planted 100+ bulbs in about half of our 15 gardens during midday Sunday. We had purchased the bulbs online in the spring from Brent and Becky’s Bulbs in Gloucester, Virginia. We ordered the bulbs in early spring to receive free shipping and a discount for fall planting. The recently arrived bulbs were excellent, with planting guidelines.

Here's a brief list of bulbs we ordered: Allium, Anemone, Crocus, Daffodils, Galanthus, Dwarf Iris, Muscari [mixed], Narcissus, Rudbeckia, Dwarf Tulips, Tulips [50 mixed].

I quickly discovered it’s a lot more fun to buy bulbs than to plant bulbs. It was great to have Patricia with me; otherwise, I might have wandered off and gotten lost. I am grateful that Patricia had planted many bulbs over the years. And, yes, I was sore in places I hadn’t remembered. The weather was beautiful but started cooling off mid-afternoon. We called it a day and went in and had some wine. We still have about 50 more bulbs to plant in the remaining gardens. Later, before frost. Enough for one day. Later.