We send our sincere condolences to Forest Stroup on the recent loss of her mother, Helen (Pat) Stroup.

The Point has become cold, windy and sleeting today, which means we are the edge of a freeze. That is not surprising, considering that it's nearly Thanksgiving Day.

If you have had personal losses during the year, as so many Ocean Point families are experiencing, my heart remembers the unrest that these holidays may evoke. Therefore, I wish you all peace and comfort, whatever and wherever your holiday celebration may be.

Since it will be The Day of the Bird, I have an adventure that I will relate. Two days ago I left home to go to a 9 a.m. meeting, and got as far as the end of Van Horn Road. A huge bird the size of a very large goose was sitting in the middle of Ocean Point Road (Route 96). It did not move from my pathway, so I braked and jumped out of the car to see what was the matter. It looked at me with bright blue eyes and did not attempt to run or fly away. I assessed the situation - it had a sharp spear-like steel gray beak four to five inches long and webbed feet the size of my hand with my fingers spread. The feathers were thick fluffy white, with black wingtips and a slight tint of yellow on the back of its head. I had no idea what it was, other than a beautiful bird in trouble.

I couldn't abandon it to the traffic or the foxes, disabled as it was, so I threw my favorite jacket over the bird. It struggled and fought the jacket and tried to find me to stab. I was able to close the beak with my left hand, rewrap the bird into the jacket, climb into the car and drive as far as the East Boothbay General Store. The staff there was a great help by getting it into a secure box. Still no one had a clue what it was at that time.

When I got to the Boothbay Animal Hospital they too were very helpful. They x-rayed it for injuries and said they would deliver it to a Wildlife Rehab Center if necessary.

As I drove away from the clinic, it dawned on me - I had just seen a gannet close up and personal, instead of watching them from the shore dive bomb straight into the ocean to spear their dinner from high overhead. Its pleading blue eyes were the reason I stopped and improvised. Unless you carry a large heavy quilt in your vehicle, as I do now, do not attempt a similar rescue. Along the way I heard that birds go for the "shiny things," a category that includes our eyes! I have interesting experiences, and as many people have told me, I somehow am responsible for them!

I finally got to the Garden Club workshop that day to help make wreaths for the public buildings and lovely handmade crafts for the Festival of the Trees at the Opera House on Friday, November 30, through Sunday, December 2, during the Harbors Lights weekend. All the festivities seem to put the community into the Christmas spirit! Come and see for yourselves.

You may contact me at: (207) 633-3669 or e-mail: waldman1@ roadrunner.com .