Thanksgiving + Hanukkah

Long time, no writing here.  I apologize to anyone still checking in from time to time.  After my trip to Connecticut, I was busy with work and getting ready to go to Atlanta for a visit.  Then came the Atlanta trip, and I came back bringing a bad cold.  Ten days of recovering from the cold - working while doing so - and I had no energy for much of anything not connected to eating, sleeping or working.

The visit to Atlanta - apart from catching the cold (for which I blame the flights on the virus-incubating flying metal cylinders) - was very lovely.  My daughter, Corinne, my grandson, Cachao, my brother, John, and I all went with my son, Sam, to the showing of the film Sam edited (Knock Around Kids) at the Atlanta-based BronzeLens Film Festival.  A very appreciative if not huge crowd enjoyed the film, and Sam answered questions from the audience at the end.

I also got to go with my daughter-in-law, Cachao and his little brother, Cello, to see Cachao play his last soccer game of the season.  His team "lost" - although no one seemed particularly stressed by that fact.  Each kid on both teams received a trophy with his/her name on it.

I had a lovely breakfast with both my kids and both my grand kids, and then we sat in my sister-in-law's front yard (my daughter is living in one of the 2 duplex's apartments), watched the kids play, listened to Corinne's chickens clucking, and did that old southern thing, "visited."  It was lovely.  I also got to enjoy a lot of reading with Cachao - me reading to him, him reading to me, books by others, books that Cach has written (he's written several entire series!).

A few photos from the trip:

           













Now it is erev (the eve of) of the conjoined falling of the first day of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving, a highly unusual event that has caused more national media attention to Hanukkah than I recall in my lifetime, even in "Jewish" New York.  I'll light candles tonight, and tomorrow David and I are making Thanksgiving dinner here for David's niece, Sara, and her husband, Ed, and son, Christopher.  We have a very large 16 pound turkey to cook (smallest kosher turkey they had locally).  Sunday we volunteer at the local soup kitchen and it will be December.

We already had a dusting of snow yesterday morning, already melted away in today's rain.

Ready to cook turkey, ready to give thanks for family, friends, food and life generally.

Peace.

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!

A weekend in the early fall sun

We spent much of this past weekend outside.  One day we took Ella to what I think is the Rachel Carson Salt Marsh Preserve down Pemaquid Peninsula.  We specifically went at low tide so that we could explore, only to learn that "pets" are not allowed.  Makes sense I guess if they are trying to protect the wildlife.  David and I took brief turns walking a little while the other held on to Ella.  I took a couple of photos.

From there we went to Dodge Point where we hiked the "Old Farm Road" down to the shore.  It was a beautiful day.  Ella enjoyed what she, at least, thought of as putting the fear of God/Ella into a number of chipmunks (although no wildlife was actually harmed in the exercise).  

We drove from there down to Boothbay Harbor just for a look.  David showed me a couple of boat launches he'd gone kayaking from with one of the kayaking groups.

Yesterday Ella stayed home and we went kayaking on the Pemaquid River.  Beautiful day, slow and lazy river between banks turning lovely autumn colors.

We paddled up river.  A relaxing and easy paddle, light breeze, warm sun, then under the shade cast by the trees on the bank into suddenly chilled air.  Just lovely.




We came upon a drowned canoe.  Nothing apparently wrong with it, just capsized.  Spooky but kind of beautiful.

And we shared the warm early fall sunlight with other creatures.

A peaceful afternoon.  

Now back to Congress holding health care hostage, a pending government shut down (actually that doesn't sound that bad to me except they'll shut down the wrong things - let's keep the national parks open and shut down Congress).  All this, taking place on the same planet as the photos above.  

Sometimes hard to keep it all in perspective, but trying.

Peace.

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.

A New Year ... in several ways

This week marks the one year anniversary of our closing on our house.  In mid-October we will have been present for an entire year's cycle of seasons in Midcoast Maine.  I am still loving it, grateful every morning I wake in the "hotel." (We named our "master" bedroom "the hotel" because it's the room David did the most work on, starting with the objective of repairing a bad spot of plaster, ending up removing all wallpaper, putting up sheet rock rather than repairing the plaster, painting and then sanding and refinishing the floors.  Here, right before we moved in:

When we began sleeping in there, David said it felt like we were in a hotel, ergo...)  Grateful every morning Ella and I walk down to the water.  Grateful to watch the seasons pass.  Last fall, as a new Mainer - learning the neighborhood, watching the trees color and drop leaves, then winter - bringing blizzard Nemo, spring - watching the lobster boats head out and finally, late spring - planting our garden, summer - seeing the seasonal tourists' sailboats launched, watching the schooner parade, harvesting our first cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, now summer past full bloom - chestnut trees the first to brown, the sun swinging back down the horizon, in the early morning a hint of autumn chill.  Turn, turn, turn...

Yom Kippur services at Adas Yoshuron - http://www.adasyoshuron.org - were ... I'm searching for a one word or even brief description to capture the 26 hour experience (not all 26 hours in the synagogue but quite a few ... 8 or 9 hours, from Friday evening, Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon into evening) ... they were ... meaningful.  Attendance varied from 25 to 125 or so ... up and down the way we Jews feel free to come in and go out of on-going services as we feel the need.  Between Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur, I began to have a better feel for the whole local extended Jewish community.  Now we head to Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah over the next 2 weeks.  I renewed my membership.  In October I have offered to "lead" a challah baking workshop.

Meanwhile, as mentioned in a previous post, my boat-shaped-object is safely tucked to bed in our garage, and David has applied a coat of epoxy to the interior.  Here are some photos:

 I wish you could reach out and touch the smoothness of the outside hull - yes, like a baby's bottom - David's work from last year before we moved.  We're thinking a white exterior and creamsicle hued interior to highlight the rub rail, breastplates, and seats to be left "au naturel".

You can see our kayaks hanging on the wall to the right.

.  

Next comes more epoxy and more sanding and more ...

I'm beginning to think a home built boat, like peace, could be a long-term if not life-long goal.  No, it shall be done - the boat at least, possibly even this fall, but certainly by spring.

May we hope and work ... and hope and work ... so that Peace may come as soon - if not sooner.

Peace.

September ... a new (Jewish) year

It's been so long since I've posted - weeks and weeks - I'm trying to remember WHY it's been so long.

Let's see... David and I finally made a trip to Connecticut to visit Richard and pick up the boat-shaped object.  It was a good albeit very fast trip and the boat is now safely tucked in our garage on saw horses, with the brand new trailer locked to a heavy concrete block in our back yard.  This past weekend I vacuumed out the inside of the boat (it had collected much dust over the last year in the refuge of Helen's garage) and yesterday David added another coat of epoxy to the inside.  I saw it shortly after he applied the epoxy and it looked very nice.   Of course we still have more sanding and likely still more epoxy and still more sanding.  And then we paint.  But progress...  I'll post photos before long.

Our garden has exploded with tomatoes - huge numbers of sweet yellow heirloom tomatoes and quite a few plump red plum tomatoes.  Our few cucumber vines are still spreading out but producing fewer cukes.  Those that they do produce are sweet.  This past Sunday we had a shared dinner with our next door neighbors, Melissa and her son Tobias.  They grilled on their tiny charcoal grill, and so did we.  We had local halibut steaks, fresh sweet corn and onions from our CSA, a zucchini grown by Melissa and Tobias, tomatoes and a huge sweet green pepper from our garden.  Delicious.  Yesterday David pulled our first carrots and we had those for dinner.

Here they are, seconds after being pulled from the soil (and maybe 2 hours before being eaten):

When we got back from our CT trip, Ella got sick - her stomach again but this time a serious bout of vomiting, serious enough that I took her to the vet.  They did test after test ($610 worth), which was good in that they ruled out all kinds of extremely serious stuff like tumors and so forth.  Apparently she has a very sensitive stomach that was very inflamed.  As a result she was on a 6-7 day regine where we fed her rice in small amounts every few hours, and gave her 2 different medications 3 times a day.  She did well, and a week later was to be back on her regular food without medications.  The first day - which was this past Saturday - she threw up her breakfast again.  Back to rice.  After consulting with the vet, we're going to try giving her Pepcid AC before every meal and see how she does.  Two days so far, and she's doing okay.  Here's our girl, resting with her head on a pillow on the couch:

Although it's only early September, Rosh HaShannah - the Jewish New Year - has already come.  I attended services at the local synagogue and found the experience particularly meaningful, I think, in part because of the gratitude I feel about living here, the community, the visiting rabbi was friendly, down to earth and even uplifting.  David and I were invited for a meal at a couple's home the second day; unfortunately David had to work, but I went and enjoyed the meal and the company of the hosts and other guests.

Meanwhile, Ella and I keep up our morning walks, and as the seasons turn and we swing toward fall, the sun moves across the eastern sky in the mornings a little more each a day so that the sun now begins to rise again behind the sea toward the breakwater.  A couple of pictures from this week:

The Rosh HaShannah liturgy says that on Rosh HaShannah it is written, and on Yom Kippur, it is sealed... who will live out their full life span and who will not.  The prayer book we used suggested that one way of thinking of this is - who will live their life to the fullest and who will not.  Of course we each should try to live life to the fullest - but what if we can't.  I've been thinking a lot about Syria and Obama's beating of war drums.  Yet another Middle East war?  I've been thinking about the 2 million Syrian refuges - what about their lives being lived to the fullest?  What about the lives snuffed out by chemical weapons?  You look around you at what happens in the world today and you have to ask the same question that the Jewish prayer book asks:  What are we human beings?  On Rosh HaShannah we say that man begins from dust and ends as dust.  The possibility of magic is found in between - in life.  Why do we treat each other so abominably?  Rodney King asked "Can't we all just get along?"  Apparently not.  At least, not yet.

Still, as I head toward Yom Kippur to fast and "confess" my "sins," I will be praying for peace, for justice and for compassion by each of us for the other.

Join me?