Ed Atkinson might think he is being sneaky, but his neighbors know that he is the one responsible for (not so secretly as he thought) replacing a damaged mailbox in the Westwood Terrace neighborhood, while the family was off to church on Sunday. Ed, you are definitely a Good Egg!

Speaking of good eggs, the heat wave seems to have brought out the scientist in everyone. How many people have tried to fry an egg on the a) sidewalk b) car hood or c) roof top? Let me know…

Music lovers know that one half of the Brown Bird duo, MorganEve Swain, is from Newtown. You might also be aware that MorganEve and her partner Dave Lamb are facing up to a year hiatus from their touring, due to a diagnosis for Dave this past spring of acute mylogeneous leukemia. We hear now that in late summer or early fall, Dave will undergo a stem cell transplant that the dynamic duo hopes will lead to a full and cancer-free recovery. Without the transplant, MorganEve’s mother tells me, the leukemia will return within six months, and survival rate is just five percent. The stem cell transplant has a survival rate of 70 to 80 percent. The post-transplant recovery, though, requires that Dave not work for a whole year, and return frequently to the hospital for monitoring and bloodwork. Being out of work that long is going to be a true hardship on MorganEve and Dave (and they will equally miss entertaining their many fans). They are most appreciative of the support they have received to date, but if you care to help, a donation button can be found at www.brownbird.net to help offset the many costs they have and will continue to incur.

I have to say, I’m curious as a cat as to the “Doggie Tails” link on the Reed Intermediate School website. There are some adorable photos of dogs involved in summery activities — but who are they?! I’m certainly hopeful that the next link I find is “Kitty Tails.” What could be cuter than a collection of photographs of napping cats — that all-time favorite summer activity of felines?

In case you have been wondering, the Labor Day Parade Committee is meeting regularly and nailing down the final details for the September 2 parade. You can expect to see your longtime favorite entries and a few newcomers to the parade this year. Rumor has it, first responders will lead the way when the parade kicks off, with a total of 26 vehicles in procession. Marchers and bands will accompany the first responders, so don’t be late to the start of the 10 am parade. It is always a fabulous summer send-off. I’m marking my calendar now.

Venture Crew 70 left Saturday morning for a five-day, ocean kayaking trip in Maine. No doubt the high adventure group, for young men and women between the ages of 14 and 20, will return with tales to tell, a couple of sunburns, and big smiles on their faces. The surprise this year is that the kayaking trip is made up entirely of women! I guess they’re singing “Michelle, Row The Boat Ashore.”

I’m going to remind you that one of the best ways to eat local/shop local is to support the Newtown Farmers Market. Held each Tuesday at Fairfield Hills, from 2 to 6 pm, it is an opportunity to meet lots of area farmers and sample their wares. Weekly music and children’s activities are an added attraction while you shop for the freshest food around.

That sound you heard at high noon this past Wednesday was the collective sigh of volunteers at the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library as another successful book sale came to a close. Volunteers worked hard not only during the five days of the sale, but for weeks beforehand, moving books, categorizing, and organizing the truckloads of books, CDs, DVDs, and other book-related items. The sale proceeded like a finely oiled machine, thanks to the efforts of these folks. I think I would not be remiss in handing out a second Good Egg Award this week: Friends’ volunteers, you are ALL Good Eggs!

Proud mama Carol Sims visited The Bee’s editorial office this week, beaming with pride over an exhibition currently on view in New Haven. Carol, an assistant editor for The Bee’s sister paper, Antiques and The Arts Weekly, was sharing news that her son Billy’s work in “How Simple Can You Get?” received a good review in The New Haven Register. Donna Doherty called Billy’s work, “For Wait Button, Push Walk,” a “compelling [piece] … that transforms a simple image into a richly textured work.” Juror Robert Storr wanted artists to submit works in which “complexity has been reduced to its most essential and visually arresting expression,” and it sounds like Billy’s digital and sound work did just that. The juried show offers works by 40 artists from around the world. The opening reception for the exhibition was last Saturday, but the collection remains on view until July 26. CAW is at 80 Audubon Street in New Haven. Call 203-562-4927 or visit CreativeArtsWorks.org for gallery hours and other details.

Math anxiety affects many people both young and old. Newtown resident and author W. Charles Paulsen will discuss his book Math Anxiety Relief for Nearly Everyone, as well as offer some helpful tips on overcoming math anxiety, Saturday, August 3, at 2 pm, at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore, located at 15 Backus Avenue, in Danbury. I suspect it will add up to an informative afternoon. (For more information, call 203-730-2733.)

The only anxiety I am currently experiencing is whether to nap early or late. Whichever I choose, you can bet I’ll still pop up in plenty of places this coming week. You’ll know where I’ve been and what I’ve overheard, when you… Read me again.