Mainelife...thru the eyes of someone from away

On the Water in Port Clyde

They are right.  In fall, the light makes everyone an artist.

We spent Sunday, Monday and Tuesday up in Cushing, caulking the windows that had come loose in the aftermath of Gustav, repairing the portion of the drive that had washed out over the spring and during the rainy August. To be precise, RG caulked did all that while I worked at the job that pays the mortgage. 

When we arrived, we discovered that someone had stolen a planter (a christmas gift from our daughter) and our antique camp stool from the deck.  They took the plants with the planter and the $3.99 cent gerber daisy that was on the camp stool.  They left the expensive LLBean table, our deck chairs and the grill. Nothing that was taken was worth enough to bother to call the police....

On Monday, we realized that they'd also taken the door mat from the front door.  We figure that whoever took this stuff clearly has a place for it all and we hope that they enjoy it as much as we did. 

Oh and the lobsterman who lived next door?  They're gone.  Moved out.  Skedaddled.  We're not sure why or where, but they are definitely gone.  And they didn't even leave a note for us. 

Mid-Coast Fall

Yesterday's Boston Globe had an article entitled Prime Time in Midcoast Maine and it opened with this

The air has a freshness . . .
The mornings are cool . . .
The light . . . well, it makes everyone
Want to be a painter or photographer
This is autumn's love song

and it goes on to sing the praises of this area in the fall.  In addition to the attractions mentioned in the article might we also suggest some other fall activities:

1) The Common Ground Fair: organic, crunchy, sustainable, it's almost a trip back to 1968....definitely worth the visit.  It's best to go early on Friday--easier in and out and fewer crowds.  If you go Saturday, be prepared for a long back up waiting to get into the parking lot. 

2) Primo: sit in the bar and order from the dinner menu.  This time of year most of the tourists are gone and it's an more authentic Maine group of diners. 

3) Monhegan Island: it's a gorgeous time of year for hiking on the island.

4) The Dip Net: Same great menu as during the summer, but with fewer people.  They are closed on Tuesdays this fall. 

Off To the Land of The Buckeyes

Tomorrow, I'll be surrounded by 500 conservatives at my Uncle's Memorial Service.  I will not bring the topic up, but I am deadly afraid that someone will say some glowing things about Sarah Palin and her faith and I'll freak out and drop a eff bomb--which my father, an all around good guy and Preacher man--HATES.

Then there's the little matter of the Ohio State/USC game and Beanie Wells' big toe.  I have a very, very bad feeling about this game, as in it's going to be another annihilation of the Florida type. 
So, prayers and karma on both accounts would be greatly appreciated. 

UPDATE: The weekend is off to a rough start.   My flight to Cincitucky was cancelled and air travel being what it is today, there was no way for me to get to Ohio in time for the memorial service.  My favorite Delta gate agent was her usual charming, and oh so very helpful self....I bet she'd be much more cheerful if they paid her a dollar for each time she says "No!" or "I can't do that" or "that is out of my control"

From today's New York Times

Oh My

You must go see what Marie can do with a circular polarizer.

New Blog

Indulging my Sarah Palin obsession over here. 

And trying to decide who's scarier: me or Sarah Palin. Let me know what you think.

Remember the tale of rescue by the lobster man?  Since that day, we've learned a little bit more about the man who helped us out.  He's John Olsen, son of the last Olsen to live in the famous Olsen house.  His father John, still has a few pots and hauls lobster most of the summer.  He's 82 and he'll still sell you some lobster right off the pier if you catch him before he goes home.  John, Jr. fishes out of Maple Juice cove, at the end of the road where the Olsen house still stands. 
All we know is that we're glad he's a good Samaritan and we still appreciate his help.

As for the light posting lately? It's a combination of my Sarah Palin obsession (not a positive obsession), a binge on reading good books (which I think is symptomatic of the need to slip into fantasy to avoid what's happening with the election) and a wicked busy time at work.

I'm considering funneling my Sarah Palin obsession into a companion blog site......

But the toys are fine

For the first in this series of posts, scroll down to a post in multiple parts.

Thankfully, all is well. We covered 247 miles, one leaky window and avoided one eroded culvert all in five hours. Home just in time for the Patriots kickoff.

The Third Part

All around is the sound of rushing water. Our brook is full and has created a huge waterfall--the kind that we usually only see in spring.

The Second Part

We find that the first culvert on the lane has eroded even more than it had this spring and once in the house, discovered that the giant windows in the living room had leaked. A lot. Rug, chairs, floor all soaked. Not too bad, allinall.