Goodbye October

I came back on Friday from another trip to CT.  Beautiful weather, the height of fall foliage and perfect driving conditions both directions, and the two days of meetings at work went well, too.  Also had a lovely visit with Helen.  The only disappointment was that our friend Susan was unable to join us from NY because she became ill.  

On coming home, I began preparing for the Challah Workshop that I offered to lead at the synagogue, which took place on Sunday.  Apart from an hour-long delay due to the burglar alarm going off - turned out to be a failure of the keypad - requiring multiple calls to the alarm company, help from other synagogue members, etc., in the end those who attended each left with a lovely brown baked loaf and their own dough, rising in a bowl to bake at home.  But, whew, am I glad that's done.

David spent his day off today building a composting bin -  very impressive, 3 separate compartments in one long bin, with chicken wire sides.  It's not quite finished yet - still needs front and top panels.  It looks like it will be able to create enough compost for us, our neighbors on both sides, and a few other gardeners besides.  But hey, can you really ever have too much compost?  And it is time to start composting.  The dregs of our garden are looking pretty scraggly and sad.  Of course, as soon as I get off my butt and rake the yard, we'll have a slew of leaves to add, too.

Synagogue services this weekend - Judaism and Buddhism is the theme - and on Sunday, we volunteer at the local soup kitchen.  David and I are signed up to make green vegetables.  Hmmm... green beans?  zucchini?

Meanwhile, a few more items from our local weekly paper give at least a sense of what's happening around here:

"Ladies Night" Shoppers' Showcase, Fri., Nov. 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Medomak Valley High School cafeteria, 320 Manktown Rd., Waldoboro. Bring the family for fun, food and fabulous merchandise. Benefits 2014 Project Graduation. FMI: 542-3822 or 691-8402.
Chainsaw Safety Course Level II, Sat., Nov. 2, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Hidden Valley Nature Center, 131 Egypt Rd., Jefferson. Students will get practice felling trees in an applied setting. You must be proficient with modern directional felling techniques and demonstrate safe habits. Small groups will work closely with instructors. FMI: hvnc.org, andy@hvnc.org or 200-8840.
"Fish, Wind and Tide: Maine's Future Resources?" The Penobscot Marine Museum's 2013 History Conference runs 8:15 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Nov. 2, at UMaine's Hutchinson Center, 80 Belmont Ave. (Rte. 3), Belfast. Panelists and lecturers include professors and researchers from New England schools and institutions. FMI: PenobscotMarineMuseum.org or 548-2529.
Have You Ever Met a Saw-Whet?, Sat., Nov. 2, 10 a.m., Warren Library, Main St. Wind Over Wings brings a variety of birds, including the smallest owl in Maine, the Saw-Whet, and the largest, the Great Horned Owl, to the library. Free, for all ages. FMI: 273-2900.
Pickleball Drop-In Clinic, Mondays-Thursdays, 6-7:30 a.m.; Mondays, 10 a.m.; Tuesdays, 1 p.m.; Thursdays, 10 a.m., Central Lincoln County YMCA, 525 Main St., Damariscotta. $2/free for Y members. FMI: 563-3477.

I don't meet the prerequisites for the Chainsaw Safety Course, and besides, I sort of want a lot of other people to take that course (like everybody who HAS a chain saw).  I haven't met a Saw-Whet, but pickleball sounds like it might be fun.

Peace and pickleball for all.

  

One year anniversary

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of our move to midcoast Maine.  It's been a good year.  A year of health for me - for which I'm supremely grateful -  a year of David working first as a "seasonal" employee, and now as a permanent (but part-time) employee, a year of making our house into a home, exploring the area, joining a synagogue, growing a first little garden, participating in community events, making new friends.  A good year.  Here are photos from this morning's walk with Ella.  

We were "late" this morning, about 6:45 am (usually we're an hour earlier), so the sun was just over the horizon.  

A sign that it is truly autumn:  the schooners are being dry docked.  Here's one pulled up on land:

and others winterized with tarps and left in the water at the docks.  If this winter is like last, they'll stay there all winter and as the holidays approach, their shrouds will be decorated with strings of lights.  Last year one had a Christmas tree perched at the top of its highest mast.

It's been a hard few weeks at work, really busy, deadlines and stress.  Yesterday David had to work. Ella and I went to Camden State Park and hiked for 90 minutes or so.  There's something about strenuous exercise requiring deep breathing and exertion that releases stress.  Today, however, is to be a lazier day (with breaks for a little vacuuming).  We may go see the new movie, Gravity.  Meanwhile, Ella takes her relaxation to a higher level:

I think Ella joins me in saying:  Peace!