Things that matter

I don't even know how to write about the past  weeks since I last wrote - and even before, since my last trip to Connecticut.  The overarching shadow over all has been stress:  stress at work, stress about taking on the treasurer role at the synagogue, stress about my daughter's life and stress about the plight of the world.

I think I may have been made gun shy about posting to (or at least about what I post to) this "blog"  during my last visit to Connecticut.  While I sat with friends one evening, personal "blogs" came to be the subject of some gentle mocking by friends.  Of course, I don't think the friends' intention was to mock me specifically - several didn't even know about this "blog" -  but nonetheless, the ribbing made me look and think with a more critical (and hesitant) eye at posting here.

I don't think I've been a poster of "I got up, and had this and this for breakfast, went to the grocery store, took a shower, ate lunch..." type posts - but on the other hand, what if I have on occasion?  Perhaps I need to remind myself that although I am pleased if/when any friends (or even others) read anything I've posted here, my main purpose for writing here is for myself (and perhaps, someday, for my children and grandchildren).  This so-called "blog" has never aimed to provide highfalutin spiritual, political or ideological commentary on the meaning of life nor is it based on the belief that anyone - even me - is interested in documenting a daily/hourly journal of my daily thoughts or activities.  

When I began here, I wanted to record what it felt like to uproot my life (yet again)  and move to a new place, and specifically THIS place - a  city of 7,500 on the coast of a largely uninhabited state (all of Maine has 1,500,000 residents; Queens, NY had more than that; even Connecticut - a much smaller state - had about 4,000,000 people), to own a house for the first time since 1977, to join a new Jewish community,  living with David, putting down roots - real roots - for the first time in my entire life, growing old here and facing whatever the rest of life brings.

If giving a sense of life here gives rise to smiles - well, good, can't we all laugh more?  For example, another example of a sequence of events from this week's Free Press calendar of events:

 •  Mutt Scrub in Boothbay Harbor, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Two Salty Dogs, 22 Mc-Kown St. DJ Meow Meow hosts a doggie talent show at 1 p.m. Doggie Musical Chairs at noon and 2 p.m. Dog washing, raffles, treats for humans and dogs, nail trimming and face painting. Donations go to Lincoln County Animal Shelter.
• "Unleashing God: Ezekiel and the Northern Lights," 3-4:30 p.m., Old Professor's Bookshop, 99 Main St., Belfast. The free presentation is given by the Old Professor himself.
• "Front Porch and Log Cabin: The Presidents' Homes and the Presidential Image," 2 p.m., Rockland Library. Architectural historian Esley Hamilton gives the free presentation.

Perhaps conveying some idea of what it feels like to live here - like this - walking Ella at just after sunrise, through thick Maine fog.

And always, if my eyes are open, finding beauty in small things - like the dawn sun on the water, turning it golden, a flock of ducks zigging through the glowing sea, another day beginning, breathing deep, and finding hope:

Peace.

Foggy morning, vacation over...

Not a lot of time to write this morning, so I will just post some photos from our "vacation" days and the visit of the Benjamin's.  Then back to work.

 Light house at Point Clyde from where we took the ferry to Monhegan Island.

Along the way, the ferry captain slowed down so we could see Harbor Seals sunning themselves.

View from the hill on which the Monhegan Lighthouse stands, looking down at the harbor, Mañana Island behind the harbor.  The large building is the Monheban Inn.  We had lunch there.  Delicious fish tacos, spinach salad and portabello mushroom "burger".

 The Monhegan Lighthouse.

We hiked across the island (which is one square mile, but has 12 miles of trails) to the cliffs on the eastern side.  Here's the view.  Pretty spectacular.

On the cliffs, we had a visitor - this gull who plucked up some grass and seemed to want to trade it for a bite of granola bar.

Several places on the island had do-it-yourself "bulletin boards" like this, announcing events.  It is useful to know that one can find a meditation group, a yoga class, ultimate Frisbee game, inter-denomination worship, and chili contest.

 Leaving Monhegan, this is the entrance to the harbor.

And Monhegan fades into the foggy distance.

A good day.

Peace.