This and that

Two items of personal news:  First, I just passed my 1 year anniversary of retiring.  Although I was aware it was approaching, the actual date would have passed unnoticed but for a call from a former colleague, checking to see how I am doing.  That was nice. (I am doing fine!  Have learned some interesting things about myself, but more on that another time/post.)  Second, I just made a "flying" (actually, driving - 6 hours each way) trip back to Connecticut for a joint birthday celebration with my friends Helen and Susan F. (as all 3 of us have birthdays in July), and we were joined for dinner by Karen and Jerry.  It was a lovely evening, and reminded me how much I miss these good friends.  

On to local happenings...   Fair Days have started.  No, I don't mean weather-wise; I mean ... fairs ... like agriculture--cows, goats, sheep, chickens, pies, oxen and tractor pulls, etc.  The first two I'm aware of (which we won't make):

Northern Maine Fair, July 29-Aug. 6, Presque Isle. FMI: NorthernMaineFairgrounds.com.

Bangor State Fair, July 29-Aug. 7, Bass Park/Cross Insurance Center. FMI: BangorStateFair.com.

But we will be looking to attend a couple in August and September, maybe Topsam and certainly Common Ground Fair.

In a small sample of other local "events": 

• “Drone Aircraft,” 7 p.m., Boothbay Railway Village, Route 27. Illustrated talk by retired industrial engineer Larry Stevenson. $5 suggested donation. 
• Annual Port Clyde Fisherman Doll Fair, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Port Clyde Baptist Church. Traditional fishermen, mermaids, King Neptunes and other dolls. Craft table, flea market, baked goods including blueberry pies. 
• Maritime-Themed Spelling Bee, Union Hall, Searsport, 6-8 p.m. Carver Memorial Library hosts the lead-up to Heritage Weekend. Teams of 3-5 can register ($25) at 548-2303. Benefits library. 
• Author of “Lessons in Censorship” to Speak at Left Bank Books, Belfast, Fri., Aug. 5, 7 p.m. Free, public talk by Catherine Ross on her new book that defines speech rights in public schools. Save your seat: 338-9009. 
• August 6 Deadline to Apply for 2016 Maine Wild Blueberry Queen Contest, set for Fri., Aug. 26, at Union Fair. FMI: UnionFair.org. 
• Aquatic Bug Wade in Camden, 11 a.m.-noon. Biologist Paul Leeper points out whirligig beetles and voracious dragonflies at Bog Bridge boat ramp. Details: megunticook.org. 
• Hope Haitian Choir to Perform, 6:30 p.m., Celebration Life Family Church, 3 Cross St., Rockport. Choir of 15 kids and 5 accompanying adults from Haiti perform original songs and other pieces. Free-will donations taken. FMI: HopeHaitian.com. 

Mid coast Maine really does have something for everyone!

On the personal front - we have been kayaking several times, most recently off Pemaquid Point.  David is back to building his strip-plank kayak - it's going to be beautiful. Photos to follow at some point.  Also, we finished updating the guest room.  Here are "before," "during" and "after" photos:

Room as it looked during showing before we purchased house.

During wallpaper stripping & before carpet removal.

After

After

Now some wonderful personal news - my new custom-built Mya-Moe ukulele is finished and on its way to me via UPS, due to arrive on Friday.  I am very (!) excited, and determined to live up to such a beautiful instrument and to deserve it every day:

Finally, our changeable weather has brought us periodic thunderstorms much to Ella's consternation.  She often seeks comfort and safety in what I call "the slot" - a 12 x 30 inch space between the radiator and David's tool box (used as an end table).  Here she is (she's so skinny, you don't really get a sense from this photo of how narrow the "slot" is):

As Bugs Bunny would say, that's all folks.

Peace.