In October 2012, I bought a 152 year old house in Rockland, Maine and moved here "from away." Now I walk to the harbor at dawn every day and wait to see what life will surprise me with next.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Okay, Susan, I have been poked... and this will be a LONG post!
I have no real excuse for how long it has been since I posted here. Time passes. Things happen. Winter slowly, slowly, slowly drained away. Huge piles of snow evaporated or melted leaving ugly grimy smaller piles of icy muck. Days began warming, with nights staying below freezing. Yet March in Maine is mostly winter. Windjammers still in their shrink-wrap winter coats. Ice in the harbor breaking up, but not gone:
Nights began warming. We wake to an occasional inch of snow fall. Finally our compost bin emerged from the snow. The backyard cleared enough to permit walking to the bird feeders. The raised bed garden was clear of snow, although the soil is still frozen. It began to feel like spring might come. Down at Ulmer's Point, the first windjammer was pulled from the water into dry dock to prepare her for summer work. That means - notwithstanding the lingering piles of slushy ice, April is here:
Then came April 9th. Here's what our backyard looked like that morning last week:
Even though David had to drag out the snow blower to clear the driveway, and we both shoveled around our cars and cleaned them off, within 24 hours most of this new snow was gone.
And so it goes.
Meanwhile, a quick trip to Connecticut and time with Helen, giving back a little of what she gives to so many. Getting, suffering and recovering from a bad cold, with David's kind support, then supporting him through the same. Ukulele ensemble classes continuing (last one this coming Monday night). David completed a wood carving class and he's now finishing his carving of a green-backed heron. I submitted a poem to the Rockland Library's poetry contest; not particularly hopeful of being recognized this year, but it helps motivate me to keep working on poems. David and I attended an evening of poetry and jazz sponsored by the new Belfast Poet Laureate. Passover came - (and ends tonight. The synagogue had a wonderful community seder. David and I both volunteered at the Community Easter Dinner organized by the synagogue. The room was beautiful, the volunteers hardworking and fun. The food - donated by local restaurants and volunteers - seemingly endless. We served about 120.
And so life in Mid Coast Maine goes on. Here's my current selection of samples from The Free Press's "Calendar of Events."
I must say, I am very tempted by the Women's Chainsaw Safety Class as well as the Joy in Everyday Life. I'll bet there are some women who find joy every day in chainsaws!
This morning the sun is out. Ella and I went down to the boat school's dock. They've put the first piece of the floating dock in the water and their small sailboats are out. That means Community Sailing classes are starting. That means Spring is here.
Coming up: David's niece, Sara, graduates from nursing school first weekend in May. Rock on, Sara! My 5 year CT scan is scheduled for May 11th back in Connecticut. I hesitate to write the next thing I'm thinking, because, I guess, of some deeply held and instinctual superstition about "tempting fate," but I'll do it. According to my doctor, if this CT scan is clear, that's it - no more CT scans! Five years, NED - no evidence of disease. They don't say "cured" with cancer, at least not often. Knowing those who suffer so much harsher outcomes than I have, even the very worse, like Helen's dear Kim who lost her battle with late stage ovarian cancer last week - may Kim's memory be a blessing for Helen, for Kim's daughter and the grandchild she got to meet and spend time with, and all Kim's family and friends, now and always - and a colleague whose 20 year old son has a tumor wrapped around an artery in his leg - thinking of what so many others must deal with, I feel so grateful for these past 5 years, for my past and current health, for the beautiful place I live, for my family, for my friends.
Every day is a gift. So I think ahead to that 5 year CT scan, but try not to dwell on it. This day, this one, right now, here, today - that is all there is. And it is beautiful.
Peace.
Nights began warming. We wake to an occasional inch of snow fall. Finally our compost bin emerged from the snow. The backyard cleared enough to permit walking to the bird feeders. The raised bed garden was clear of snow, although the soil is still frozen. It began to feel like spring might come. Down at Ulmer's Point, the first windjammer was pulled from the water into dry dock to prepare her for summer work. That means - notwithstanding the lingering piles of slushy ice, April is here:
Then came April 9th. Here's what our backyard looked like that morning last week:
Even though David had to drag out the snow blower to clear the driveway, and we both shoveled around our cars and cleaned them off, within 24 hours most of this new snow was gone.
And so it goes.
Meanwhile, a quick trip to Connecticut and time with Helen, giving back a little of what she gives to so many. Getting, suffering and recovering from a bad cold, with David's kind support, then supporting him through the same. Ukulele ensemble classes continuing (last one this coming Monday night). David completed a wood carving class and he's now finishing his carving of a green-backed heron. I submitted a poem to the Rockland Library's poetry contest; not particularly hopeful of being recognized this year, but it helps motivate me to keep working on poems. David and I attended an evening of poetry and jazz sponsored by the new Belfast Poet Laureate. Passover came - (and ends tonight. The synagogue had a wonderful community seder. David and I both volunteered at the Community Easter Dinner organized by the synagogue. The room was beautiful, the volunteers hardworking and fun. The food - donated by local restaurants and volunteers - seemingly endless. We served about 120.
And so life in Mid Coast Maine goes on. Here's my current selection of samples from The Free Press's "Calendar of Events."
• Blade Shearing School, Fri., April 17, 1-4 p.m., and Sat., April 18, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, New Gloucester. Sheep-shearing experience recommended. $120 includes manual and lunch both days. Spectators welcome. FMI: UMaine.edu.
• Women's Chainsaw Safety Class, Sat. & Sun., April 18 & 19. Hidden Valley Nature Center. 16+. All levels. $150/$130 HVNC members. Scholarships available. FMI: andy@hvnc.org.
• "Joy in Everyday Life," Tues., April 21-May 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Brunswick Shambhala Center, 19 Mason St. FMI: shambhalabp.org.
• "Rightsizing Your Stuff," Weds., April 22, Picker Family Resource Center on Pen Bay Med Center campus. Free talk by organizer Diane Smith. FMI: 921-8950.
I must say, I am very tempted by the Women's Chainsaw Safety Class as well as the Joy in Everyday Life. I'll bet there are some women who find joy every day in chainsaws!
This morning the sun is out. Ella and I went down to the boat school's dock. They've put the first piece of the floating dock in the water and their small sailboats are out. That means Community Sailing classes are starting. That means Spring is here.
Coming up: David's niece, Sara, graduates from nursing school first weekend in May. Rock on, Sara! My 5 year CT scan is scheduled for May 11th back in Connecticut. I hesitate to write the next thing I'm thinking, because, I guess, of some deeply held and instinctual superstition about "tempting fate," but I'll do it. According to my doctor, if this CT scan is clear, that's it - no more CT scans! Five years, NED - no evidence of disease. They don't say "cured" with cancer, at least not often. Knowing those who suffer so much harsher outcomes than I have, even the very worse, like Helen's dear Kim who lost her battle with late stage ovarian cancer last week - may Kim's memory be a blessing for Helen, for Kim's daughter and the grandchild she got to meet and spend time with, and all Kim's family and friends, now and always - and a colleague whose 20 year old son has a tumor wrapped around an artery in his leg - thinking of what so many others must deal with, I feel so grateful for these past 5 years, for my past and current health, for the beautiful place I live, for my family, for my friends.
Every day is a gift. So I think ahead to that 5 year CT scan, but try not to dwell on it. This day, this one, right now, here, today - that is all there is. And it is beautiful.
Peace.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
From snow to mud...
Since last post here we have turned some kind of corner. It's March. The 10 and 12 foot piles of snow along both sides of the driveway have turned to ice and, like the Wicked Witch of the West, are melting away, inch by inch, day by day. Our little back porch is clear, other than a two foot long icy mud-specked smear. The entire top of the compost bin is visible. The Adirondack chairs again are poking wooden backs and arms through the gritty slush. More interesting, birds are singing everywhere. They know - spring will come. And, of course, mud is the early spring harbinger. With the amount of snow we had this winter, I envision mammoth amounts of mud to come. It's 32 degrees but tonight we're supposed to get a mix of snow and rain. That is March in Midcoast Maine.
The Intermediate ukulele class that David and I were attending has ended. The Bay Chamber Ukulele Ensemble class I am in has 4 more classes to go. We're discussing where we will perform the pieces we have been learning when class ends. David is half way through a 6 week course in wood carving, making a Green Backed Heron. Already he has managed to bring its lovely curves out of a hunk of wood. The Rockland Public Library's annual poetry contest deadline for submitting poems is April 7th. I'm thinking about it. It seems unlikely that I could repeat the surprising luck I had the first year we moved here (when I was given 2nd place) but it keeps me thinking poetry. I am half way through reading a book of the collected poems of Wendell Berry, alternating with other books, including right now "Dreaming Me - From Baptist to Buddhist, One Woman's Spiritual Journey" by Jan Willis, who is just 2 years older than I, grew up in segregated Alabama, went to Cornell and is a scholar and professor of religion at Wesleyan.
As I approach my 65th birthday this summer, I have begun to receive Medicare related mailings from what seem like hundreds of companies suddenly interested in my health, physical and financial. In fact, assuming no untoward events, I AM counting down days to "retirement," although I have not made this known at work. For the first time in my life since age 18, I intend to spend at least weeks and months, if not years, without the obligation to get up 5 days a week and and work for a pay check. It is both thrilling and scary as hell. After decades of working 9-5 (and often 8-8) to take care of my children and myself, pull out of debt, and eventually actually save money - to buy a house and put something toward "retirement" - now I am face to face with an entirely new stage of life in which I will be spending the money I worked so hard and so long to save instead of saving it... and that is bone-chillingly frightening.
But meanwhile, here in Midcoast Maine, as we head into spring and toward our beautiful if brief fling with summer, and here's what's happening. I am posting more items than usual this time, because ... well, because they seem to so represent to me what it's like to live here. (Does it seem we have a population fairly equally divided among the elderly, hippy-back-to-nature types and working farmer-fisher persons? I think that's about right!)
The Intermediate ukulele class that David and I were attending has ended. The Bay Chamber Ukulele Ensemble class I am in has 4 more classes to go. We're discussing where we will perform the pieces we have been learning when class ends. David is half way through a 6 week course in wood carving, making a Green Backed Heron. Already he has managed to bring its lovely curves out of a hunk of wood. The Rockland Public Library's annual poetry contest deadline for submitting poems is April 7th. I'm thinking about it. It seems unlikely that I could repeat the surprising luck I had the first year we moved here (when I was given 2nd place) but it keeps me thinking poetry. I am half way through reading a book of the collected poems of Wendell Berry, alternating with other books, including right now "Dreaming Me - From Baptist to Buddhist, One Woman's Spiritual Journey" by Jan Willis, who is just 2 years older than I, grew up in segregated Alabama, went to Cornell and is a scholar and professor of religion at Wesleyan.
As I approach my 65th birthday this summer, I have begun to receive Medicare related mailings from what seem like hundreds of companies suddenly interested in my health, physical and financial. In fact, assuming no untoward events, I AM counting down days to "retirement," although I have not made this known at work. For the first time in my life since age 18, I intend to spend at least weeks and months, if not years, without the obligation to get up 5 days a week and and work for a pay check. It is both thrilling and scary as hell. After decades of working 9-5 (and often 8-8) to take care of my children and myself, pull out of debt, and eventually actually save money - to buy a house and put something toward "retirement" - now I am face to face with an entirely new stage of life in which I will be spending the money I worked so hard and so long to save instead of saving it... and that is bone-chillingly frightening.
But meanwhile, here in Midcoast Maine, as we head into spring and toward our beautiful if brief fling with summer, and here's what's happening. I am posting more items than usual this time, because ... well, because they seem to so represent to me what it's like to live here. (Does it seem we have a population fairly equally divided among the elderly, hippy-back-to-nature types and working farmer-fisher persons? I think that's about right!)
• Talk on Wild Bird Rehab, noon, Tuesday Talks at Merryspring Nature Center. By Laura Suomi-Lecker of Avian Haven in Freedom. $5/members free.
• "Diet and Dementia: What Works and What Doesn't," noon-1:30 p.m., Lunch and Learn Series at The Lincoln House, 22 River Rd., Newcastle. Registered dietitian Louise Spate speaks. Free lunch provided. RSVP: 563-3038 or Kacie@one2one.org.
• "Permaculture: A Vision for Regenerative Food Systems," Belfast Library. Belfast Garden Club biz meeting 1 p.m. Talk by certified permaculture designer Jesse Watson 2 p.m. Free. Open to all.
• Free Laundry 101 Workshop, 5 p.m., Clean Bee Laundry, Camden. Learn laundry basics and stain removal. If you have questions or topics you want covered, mention them when you register: 236-2530 or info@CleanBeeLaundry.com.
• "Invasive Forest Insect Outreach," 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Knox-Lincoln Cooperative Extension, 377 Manktown Rd., Waldoboro. Learn how to ID, report on and spread info about invasive insects. Free. Registration: 596-2040 or hildy@knox-lincoln.org.
• "Using Herbs to Find Comfort in Aging," 1 p.m., Camden Library. Jillian Kelsey-Rose presents the free program in the Quarry Hill's Adventures in Living Well Series. You must register: 921-6116.
• 11th Annual Maine Grass Farmers Network Grazing Conference, Sat., March 21, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Kennebec Valley Community College, Fairfield. FMI: 568-4142 or umaine.edu/livestock/mgfn/conference.
• "Poisonous Mushrooms in Maine and How to Avoid Them," Sat., March 21, 2 p.m., Camden Library. Talk by Greg Marley, hosted by Maine Mycological Association.
• Beginning Blacksmithing Course, six weeks on Tues. & Thurs. starting Tues., March 24, 6-9 p.m., Curran Homestead Living History Farm and Museum, 372 Fields Pond Rd., Orrington. Limited to six. $385. Registration: 745-4426 or irv@BangorLettershop.com.
• Free Varicose Vein Screening, Weds., March 25, 5-7 p.m., Picker Family Resource Center on Pen Bay Med Center campus. Registration: 921-5744.
• Finnish for Beginners, Sat., Apr. 11 & 25 and May 9 & 23, 1-4 p.m., Jura Hall (beneath the Finnish Church), Rte. 131, South Thomaston. Ages 10 and up welcome. Marja-Leena Bailey teaches. $120; $100 for additional family members. FMI: gifford7tree@gmail.com or 989-1971.
• Camden Shakespeare Festival Seeks Volunteers, to help with performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream and Macbeth in Camden Amphitheatre, July 30-Aug. 16. FMI: info@CamdenShakespeare.org.
Every morning I awake and say "modah ahi... thank you ... " To whom do I say this? I suppose to the God of Abraham who is the God I choose not to believe in mostly (except for moments I find I do or at least may believe). I say thank you for the grace that is my life. For my children, my partner, my family, friends, community, for health, for birdsong, for sunrise, like this one from this past week:
And I ask for peace. Peace. Peace. Far and near. May the memory of Tony Robinson be a blessing for his family and his community. Peace be upon Tony Robinson, his family and all of us.
Friday, February 20, 2015
What's happening in Mid Coast Maine AND 10 Days in Photos
Here's what's going on up here (can't imagine why you don't jump in your car and come for a visit) - I'm including more events than usual because I just couldn't help myself:
Although I wouldn't mind being younger, I'm glad I'm not 22. There would be so much pressure to apply to be the Maine Sea Goddess. I just couldn't handle it.
And here, in photos, is a glimpse at our last 10 days:
These last 2 are from this morning:
Finally, people ask me how much snow we've gotten. Here are 2 photos that tell the story. First, the beautiful compost bin that David built - photo taken in the summer.
Second, the same bin, photo taken 2 days ago. Since then, we've had 6 more inches of snow so that right side of the bin peeking through the snow in this picture is now completely buried.
• Open House at Apprenticeshop, Fri., Feb. 27, 4:30-6:30 p.m. The Rockland boat school celebrates its renovated space and more. Refreshments. FMI: 594-1800.
• "Multi-Generational Communities: Aging in Place," Fri. & Sat., Feb. 27 & 28, Baptist Church, Damariscotta. Day-and-a-half training session with experts. $125 includes coffee breaks, lunch and materials. Scholarships available. FMI: CommunityInstitute.org. Public talk Fri., Feb. 27, 7 p.m.,"Living Longer and Better" by Nick Buettner of The Blue Zones Project.
• Vermiculture Workshop, Sat., Feb. 28, 9 a.m.-noon, Merryspring Nature Center, Camden. Led by Jock Robie of Mainely Worm Bins. $30/$25 members. You must register: 236-2239, info@merryspring.org.
• "Multi-Generational Communities: Aging in Place," Fri. & Sat., Feb. 27 & 28, Baptist Church, Damariscotta. Day-and-a-half training session with experts. $125 includes coffee breaks, lunch and materials. Scholarships available. FMI: CommunityInstitute.org. Public talk Fri., Feb. 27, 7 p.m.,"Living Longer and Better" by Nick Buettner of The Blue Zones Project.
• Vermiculture Workshop, Sat., Feb. 28, 9 a.m.-noon, Merryspring Nature Center, Camden. Led by Jock Robie of Mainely Worm Bins. $30/$25 members. You must register: 236-2239, info@merryspring.org.
• Identifying First Editions: The Treasures You Might Find on Your Bookshelf," Tues., Mar. 3, 7 p.m., Camden Library. Craig Olson of Artisan Books & Bindery gives the talk.
• 2015 Bee School, six Tuesdays starting Mar. 3, 6-8:30 p.m., American Legion Hall, Thomaston. Knox Lincoln County Beekeepers offers instruction, demos, hands-on learning and weekend visits to member apiaries. $50 includes textbook and one-year KLCB membership. Registration: BeeSchool@klcbee.com or leave a message at 273-3937.
• 2015 Bee School, six Tuesdays starting Mar. 3, 6-8:30 p.m., American Legion Hall, Thomaston. Knox Lincoln County Beekeepers offers instruction, demos, hands-on learning and weekend visits to member apiaries. $50 includes textbook and one-year KLCB membership. Registration: BeeSchool@klcbee.com or leave a message at 273-3937.
com.
• Maine Sea Goddess Applications Available, for 68th annual Maine Lobster Festival Sea Goddess Pageant. Coronation July 29. Must be under 22, high school or GED grad., and Maine resident. FMI: 594-4559 or MaineLobsterFestival.com.
• Maine Sea Goddess Applications Available, for 68th annual Maine Lobster Festival Sea Goddess Pageant. Coronation July 29. Must be under 22, high school or GED grad., and Maine resident. FMI: 594-4559 or MaineLobsterFestival.com.
• Sunday Night Salsa, Sundays, 7-8:30 p.m., Studio RED, 143 Rankin St., Rockland. With Nohora Estes and Heuris Matos. All welcome. FMI: 593-7914.
• Tapping Group, first Sunday, 3-4:30 p.m., High Mountain Hall, Camden. Suggested donation $8-$25. FMI: 975-5325.
• Tapping Group, first Sunday, 3-4:30 p.m., High Mountain Hall, Camden. Suggested donation $8-$25. FMI: 975-5325.
And here, in photos, is a glimpse at our last 10 days:
These last 2 are from this morning:
Finally, people ask me how much snow we've gotten. Here are 2 photos that tell the story. First, the beautiful compost bin that David built - photo taken in the summer.
Second, the same bin, photo taken 2 days ago. Since then, we've had 6 more inches of snow so that right side of the bin peeking through the snow in this picture is now completely buried.
More snow tomorrow night into Sunday. It's okay, I moved to Maine, not Miami, and in July - during our week of summer - it will be gorgeous here!
Sending warm thoughts out to away and back. And, in particular, sending love to Helen.
Peace, peace, far and near.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Cold... how it feels...
I've been thinking about the weather. It's hard not to, there's been so much of it here in Mid Coast Maine, and it's been so intense. We must have more than 35 inches of snow on the ground just from the last 2 weeks, and it's stayed cold, so many of the streets - other than the main roads - although plowed, still have a layer of snow on them.
Right now, at 8:30 in the morning, it is a balmy 15 degrees. Earlier when Ella and I went for our walk, it was 11 degrees, and I was surprised to discover that 11 degrees could feel pretty good. That's in comparison to last night, when it was -4.
So here's what I've learned so far about living with cold weather in Mid Coast Maine:
I promised my grandson I would make him and his brother snow men after the recent snowfalls, but the first two big snows were too light, powdery (made shoveling easier!) and wouldn't stick together. Then we got the latest 5-6 inches and it was heavier and wetter. So, I made Snow Ninjas for the boys - red for Cello's favorite Ninjago ninja, Kai, and blue for Cachao's, whose name I forget right now. But they were tired Ninjas, so I caught them resting in our Adirondack chairs:
Peace from sunny double-digit Mid Coast Maine.
Right now, at 8:30 in the morning, it is a balmy 15 degrees. Earlier when Ella and I went for our walk, it was 11 degrees, and I was surprised to discover that 11 degrees could feel pretty good. That's in comparison to last night, when it was -4.
So here's what I've learned so far about living with cold weather in Mid Coast Maine:
- Invest in companies that make wool socks;
- Invest in companies that make good creams for rough, cracked heels;
- Invest in companies that make cleat thingies that attach to the bottoms of shoes/boots for walking on ice;
- Be prepared to wear long Johns from the winter solstice until the ides of March;
- Be prepared to wear a fleece hat every single damn day; consider one with ear flaps for single digit days with wind, for below zero days and in the event of blizzards;
- Have at least 3 pairs of warm fleece/wool gloves, maybe 4 - one for fall, one for normal winter, one that is waterproof for shoveling snow, and leather mittens lined with wool inserts for almost every day from December 21-February 28;
- If the temperature is in double digits - from 10 degrees to 30 degrees - three layers on top - long sleeved shirt, fleece with hood and winter coat - and two on bottom - long Johns and pants - will be adequate; warm gloves should be enough (mittens not needed), and a scarf isn't really necessary, unless the wind is blowing;
- If temperature is in single digits or if wind blowing, add scarf and mittens;
- If below zero, add another top layer - think Michelin Man - and consider two pairs of long Johns, especially if below zero AND wind is blowing;
- Anything over 30 degrees feels downright warm so don't over dress (okay to wear the long Johns when walking or working outside, otherwise leave them in the drawer);
- Don't forget to have your mud boots ready - we might slide right from -4 to 38 and Maine mud is deep, dark and dank!
I promised my grandson I would make him and his brother snow men after the recent snowfalls, but the first two big snows were too light, powdery (made shoveling easier!) and wouldn't stick together. Then we got the latest 5-6 inches and it was heavier and wetter. So, I made Snow Ninjas for the boys - red for Cello's favorite Ninjago ninja, Kai, and blue for Cachao's, whose name I forget right now. But they were tired Ninjas, so I caught them resting in our Adirondack chairs:
Peace from sunny double-digit Mid Coast Maine.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Punxsutawney Phil...
We made it through Winter Storm Juno (the Blizzard), after which Winter Storm Kari was more or less a non-event. Now we are looking ahead tomorrow to Winter Storm Linus (I think that's the name the media have assigned.) A few photos. First, a photo from mid-storm. The blizzard winds - up to 50 mph - kept piling snow on our back porch. We shoveled it three times during the storm. This is right before one of those times.
Next, David shoveling his car, which the drifting snow buried. It turns out the blizzard blew snow INTO his engine compartment. His car wouldn't start that day. He had to open the hood the next day and let the sun dry it out.
The scariest part of Winter Storm Juno was BEFORE it, when I got home that evening from a synagogue board meeting and David pointed out that although our thermostat was set at 66, the temperature was 57 and going down. I couldn't believe we were heading into the storm with a malfunctioning furnace. I called the emergency line of our fuel oil company - with which we also have a service plan on the furnace - and a human being answered. Amazing. More amazing, they said they'd send a technician. About an hour later, he showed up. He did his thing, worked on the furnace and bled all the radiators (the one radiator we have upstairs is now working - for the first time since we moved here!), installed a new thermostat that David had bought just that day. Amazing - actual customer service on the night before a blizzard!
It's February 1st, and the forecast is for 8-12 inches of snow tomorrow during the day, with another 1-3 tomorrow evening. That would be okay, but I'm not sure where we are going to PUT it. When I thought about moving to Maine and specifically when we bought THIS house, I knew we would get cold weather, I knew we would get snow, but I didn't really think about where we would pile the snow. Anyway... the mechanics of living in Mid Coast Maine in a house on a SMALL piece of land and getting multiple 12 inches snowfalls.
A few photos from around the neighborhood: First, my next door neighbor's back porch with the snow drifts. Next, Maverick Street, the main street leading from our street, Birch, down to the water, where Ella and I walk every morning, at dawn the morning after the blizzard. The sidewalk with a wall of piled snow on the right. Finally, the sun coming up over the water that same morning.
I know anyone still checking in to this blog from time to time just has to be waiting to hear what's going on in Mid Coast Maine, so here is your sample for the day:
•Search for Snowy Owls, Scoters and Other Waterfowl, Mid-Coast Audubon's annual all-day field trip to south coast of Maine. Meet at Damariscotta Hannaford 7 a.m. FMI: 563-8439.
• English Civil War Game in Belfast, 12:30 p.m. Game Loft, 78 Main St. Players and spectators are invited to a miniature battle gaming event using miniature soldiers. Limited to 10 players, for whom registration is recommended: 338-6447.
• English Civil War Game in Belfast, 12:30 p.m. Game Loft, 78 Main St. Players and spectators are invited to a miniature battle gaming event using miniature soldiers. Limited to 10 players, for whom registration is recommended: 338-6447.
• "Portland's Black Abolitionists: The Story of the Abyssinian Meeting House," 2 p.m., Maine Irish Heritage Center, Portland. Historian Amy Smith gives the talk. $5. FMI: 780-0118 or MaineIrish.com.
• Talk on Edible Sea Vegetables, noon, Tuesday Talk series at Merryspring Nature Center, Camden. Talk by expert Sarah Redmond. $5/members free.
I wish the Black Abolitionist talk was in Rockland and not 90 miles away in Portland.
Well, that be the news for the day. Keep your fingers crossed for us tomorrow.
Peace.
Friday, January 16, 2015
A new year and a fixed computer
We're back, me and my Mac. I can't believe my computer wasn't working for 4 months and I didn't deal with it. 4 months!! It wasn't until my iPod had problems this past week that I was driven to get my Mac looked at. Turned out not to be a big deal. There's a lesson in that, but likely I ain't gonna be learning it.
Anyway, it's a new year. It's been cold as hell. (What kind of a metaphor is that?) To start the blog year off, a couple of pics:
Anyway, it's a new year. It's been cold as hell. (What kind of a metaphor is that?) To start the blog year off, a couple of pics:
This was Ella and me on January 1st - below zero morning. The photo was (I can't believe I'm going to use this term) a "selfie." I had on a turtleneck, a fleece, a sweatshirt, a hat, a scarf, long johns, jeans, wool socks, boots, mittens and a coat - while Ella went out in her birthday suit. Now that's a real Mainer!
Another from our morning walk a day or so later:
More soon. A lot to catch up on: new Belfast Poet Laureate, 2 ukulele classes at Bay Chamber Music School, trudging along in my synagogue duties, and always dark, dire and dastardly world news to make you weep and beat your breast. More than one pent up rant waiting to be let out ... but not tonight.
Tonight just glad to be typing on my good (and not that old!) Mac again!
Peace. Peace. Far and Near.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)