Sounds of the town

In Chatham, when the air is clear, crisp and cold you can hear the sounds of the town.  Around any corner you may hear old men laughing in the street, and high-spirited talking between them.  Laugher abounds and time passes slowly like the dripping water freezing at the end of the downspout.  It's as though a wave of happiness and freedom came through riding the wave of no more lawn mowing, no more gardening, no building decks, or plant boxes.  Just time to pass, laughter to expend.  Time to blather on about nothing much.  There's chatter about the weather and thanksgiving meals to enjoy.  Time to show pictures of the grands and the grander.  Time to listen to the pulse of the town.  You can hear the Postal Carrier's keys rattle against the mailbox as he retrieves the days deposits.  Boots clack as they hit the cold, hard concrete.  In Chatham, where the air is clear, crisp and cold; you can hear joy, if you just listen.