Through Sukkot, under the harvest moon and into fall

Happy Sukkot - the Jewish holiday known as zeman simchateinu - the season of our joy.  It is the holiday in which Jews build sukkahs - temporary shelters, 3-sided sheds sometimes covered with canvas or plastic sheeting and with roofs made of natural material - pine branches, bamboo, or in our little synagogue's case, with corn stalks (and not too covered - one must be able to see the stars through the roof covering).  During the 8 day Sukkot holiday we are to take meals in the sukkah.  Some even sleep there.  As always the case with Jews, there are multiple interpretations as to why we do this (2 Jews, 3 opinions, 4 synagogues).  The one I cotton to most is that the fragile, temporary nature of the sukkah is a symbol of the fragile, temporary nature of our lives, reminding us not to take the gift of life for granted.

David and I went off for a day trip to Pemaquid Point.  It was a crisp, clear and sunny day.  A couple of photos:

Meanwhile, back at home, we've passed the 1 year anniversary of closing the purchase of our house.   One year ago last night I spent my first night in the house.  Now it is a home.

As increasingly is the surrounding area.  Last night we went to Belfast to "open poetry reading" night at Bell the Cat.  There was quite a group - 7 or 8 poets. Each read 2 poems, including me.  Mine may have been a little too serious and political for some, I think.  Ah, well...

Here are 3 more random notices from the Free Press - another good example of what's happening in midcoast Maine:

Community Seed Swap, Sat., Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-noon, Merryspring Nature Center, Conway Rd. off Rte. 1, near Camden's Hannaford. Bring your collected or favorite packaged veggie and flower seeds, seed-saving tips and seed stories. Merryspring will provide some seeds, too. Free.
• First Annual Maine Chicken Coop Tour, Sat., Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. An array of backyard coops, from those made with recycled materials to custom designs, will delight people planning to start a backyard flock, those who want to know why backyard chickens are so popular and the merely coop-curious. Free and open to the public. Locations will be posted at www.deliciousmusings.com.
• Free Kantele Workshops, Sat., Sept. 28, noon-1:30 p.m., Finnish Heritage House, Rte. 131, South Thomaston. Learn how to play the wooden lap harp. Instruments provided. All ages welcome. Additional workshops will be held noon-1:30 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 5 & 26. Attend one, two or all three. FMI: 594-4506.

I'm thinking seriously about the Chicken Coop Tour.  In Connecticut they gave tours of homes and gardens, but I think there might be more going on in chicken coops.  Did I mention that the house 3 doors down from ours on our street has backyard chickens.  Cluck.  Cluck.  

Peace.