WELCOME TO MAINE

Yes, Maine.....the way life should be, has been and will be again in the fall when you come across the pond. You remember this guy? It's our Brit after too much work and too much beer. Julian and gardens just plain go together, do they not? Well, Uncle Peter and I arrived in the dark of night and were greeted with mowed lawn (thanks to Don who said he just had to do it or we could have had the first haying!)and a huge vase of lilacs on the kitchen table , courtesy of Diane. I doubt if you could find better neighbors. I got up early unable to resist seeing what damage our winter intruder hath wrought. Not too bad considering. He was not a raccoon, but a large gray squirrel! He ate the window frame and a slipcover, put his little paws all over the place as he romped through the rooms in search of an exit. Alas, he could find none, and in desperation curled up in the library chair and "went to sleep". It must have been pretty cold in the house, because he was still there (in pretty good shape as dead squirrels go). He was laid to rest with much fanfare in the orchard along with several of Pat's cats, assorted sparrows and a hawk. That accomplished, we have turned ourselves to putting in the screen doors, opening windows, moving the VWs out of the barn and getting out the lawn mower. The pond is full to the brim. No cattails. No goldfish either, BUT do we have frogs!?! It is like listening to the Croaking Chorus from the Frogs of Aristophanese. What a symphony! I bet you can hear them down at Lincolnville Beach! So much for the quiet of the North Woods. The strawberries are ripening in the garden and if you want me to send fresh dandelion greens, I can gather up several bushels! That's the extent of my organic garden. It is good to be back. Such a change from the lala land of St. Thomas. Had an email from the Pastor of our church requesting donations for a certain young lady whose dog met up with a porcupine. He lost the battle and needed 40 stitches. Ouch! Costly adventure to the tune of $300. Might the community help out in these difficult economic times? You betcha! It also seems that old Joe who lives up on Rte 52 is moving, but he's too old to do much. Might some people who have pickups give him a hand tomorrow? You betcha! I'll wager that about 20 show up and make light work of it. Who needs Allied Van Lines and a $2000 bill. And that's Maine. And that's community. It's the simple things that bring such fullness to life....it's the way life should be.