This is the time of year when people of a certain sensibility cower before the looming specter of the holiday season. They just aren’t ready for the intense good cheer, for the relentless advertising, and for the daunting task of fulfilling the expectations of so many friends and family for a happy Christmas and New Year. They would like a little more hearth time before they cast themselves into the crush of holiday shopping.

I’ve got one thing to say to them: Sorry time’s up!

It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but the Christmas shopping braggers are out already, telling everyone around the water cooler that they are just about done with their holiday shopping. Don’t you hate those people? I usually wait for the arrival of winter –– it’s on December 22 this year ––before I get started. But I’ve got to say that I’ve already got a pretty good idea for gifts this year for those people who like something with a local flavor. Justin Scott’s new mystery Frostline is out now (you can get it on Amazon), and once again it features the adventures of that savvy investigator Ben Abbott in his hometown of Newbury, Conn. Newtown fans of the Ben Abbott mysteries know that Justin Scott has based Newbury on his own hometown and ours, Newtown. I just got the book this week and haven’t read it yet, but I’ve heard from a couple of people that it’s the best Ben Abbott mystery yet.

Poisoned Pen Press, the publisher of Frostline, has also re-released two other Ben Abbott mysteries, Hardscape and Stonedust. (A picture of Trinity Church appears on the cover of Hardscape.) All three books would make a great set for any mystery fan.

Fire trucks will be stationed outside the local supermarkets this weekend but not because of any fires. The local volunteer fire companies will be collecting for the FAITH food pantry. Shoppers at Big Y will have a chance to donate on Saturday between 9 am and 3 pm. The firefighters will be at Super Stop & Shop on Sunday from 9 to 1 for the annual “Fill the Fire Truck” campaign.

Has anyone noticed a general malaise lately, surrounding the home and the workplace? Seems like every other person we know is suffering from some sort of cold, flu, virus, or whatever is going around. Not even dentists’ children are immune. Dr Mark Renzi at Dental Associates on Church Hill Road said recently that his 3-year-old daughter had been sick and was asking for something to eat. Rushing to oblige, he and his wife brought her whatever it was she wanted. “She took only one bite of peanut butter, and then fell asleep on the couch with the spoon dangling from her hand.”

Talk about feeling sick, even the waterways are turning green. Donna Ball of Sawmill Road called The Bee Wednesday morning to report that the stream flowing from Taunton Lake over the waterfall at Nichols Mill has been “bright green, both today and yesterday.” She said the neighbors and Newtown firefighters have been out looking at it, wondering what was going on. A call was placed to Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Pond and Fisheries expert Ed Machowski, who said that water turning green was a “natural phenomenon” caused by algal bloom after changes in weather and temperature accompanied by high winds. I guess we had better start praying for snow and ice, and be glad that winter is one month away.

Newtown increased its population of lawyers this month when Bruce H. Jacoby was sworn in by the Connecticut Supreme Court in ceremonies that took place at the Bushnell in Hartford this month.

Belated congratulations to Lee and Barbara Field of Sandy Hook, who celebrated their 30th anniversary by renewing their wedding vows last weekend. The Fields were joined by dozens of friends and family members for a late afternoon ceremony last Saturday at Newtown Congregational Church. Their renewal was at times touching, sentimental and –– like the couple themselves –– funny and unpredictable. The American colors –– red, white, and blue –– and all things related to motorcycles was the theme of the day. Lee and his groomsmen and Barbara and her attendants all wore jeans and bandanas, but don’t get the wrong idea; the couple took their vows seriously. More than a few guests were seen dabbing at their eyes when Lee and Barbara spoke to each other. The ceremony, which was officiated by NCC lay minister Edwin Corfey, was followed by a reception at Stony Hill Inn, complete with a motorcycle-shaped cake. Best wishes for another 30 years.

Has anyone else noticed that there aren’t as many wild turkeys around this year? I guess they’re waiting until after Thanksgiving to show themselves.

It’s time for me to go into hiding for another week, but I’ll be back, so be sure to…

Read me again.