Looking Like Christmas

With no snow on the ground and extremely mild temperatures it has been difficult to imagine that Christmas is just around the corner here in Midcoast Maine. Getting our Christmas tree has made the imagining a bit easier.

We stopped at a lot, less than a couple miles from the house, and located one we could all agree on in less than five minutes. I think the fact that it was sprinkling accelerated the choosing process and made us more agreeable to compromise. Tell stood near it and made sure we didn't lose "the one" when Jim went to get the seller.

   

He gave himself this job a few years ago and takes it very seriously.

Nolan had stayed home but helped steady the tree during setup, which also happened in less than five minutes. 

It only took about twenty years of experience and replacing our less expensive stands for an L.L. Bean cast iron one but Jim and I have finally mastered quickly setting up, and KEEPING up, a straight sturdy tree. 

With "A Charlie Brown Christmas"  playing and eggnog to sip we enjoyed the memories that so many of the ornaments brought back as we placed them on the tree. 

We missed Jubal just a little bit as we placed his special ornaments on the boughs in his place. Some reminded us of the little toddler of a thousand faces.

And some reminded us of the man he has become.

When the tree was decorated I put on one of my favorite Christmas albums, Bryan Duncan's "Christmas Is Jesus", and sat on the couch with Jim enjoying the peacefulness.

 No snow. No Jubal. Picking our tree out in 50 degree weather....It's a little melancholy to be sure, but these things don't make Christmas, they only enhance the celebration of the One who was born to bridge the gap between God and us. Christmas is Jesus.

Sampling

We occasionally enjoy sampling new foods as part of our school day. Havarti cheese from Denmark and Korean pears were on the plate today. The Havarti reminded us of a cheddar taste but the texture was much softer. The Korean pear had a high water content with a texture closer to an apple than our local pears. Both items received a thumbs up from Atira, Tell and I.

No Vegemite for Me

Atira and Tell are currently indulging in some melted cheese on toast with a thin underlying layer of Genuine Vegemite from the beautiful land of Oz. I will take Atira's word for it when the words "Mmmm. This is SO good!" roll off her tongue. I have no desire to verify her statement. Australia has many wonderful culinary delights to partake of: lamingtons, meat pies, roast lamb and pumpkin, pavlova, Tim Tams, Cherry Ripe and crumpets......but notice Vegemite is absent from this list.

When Atira queries, "Why don't you like Vegemite?", the answer is simple. Because I've tasted it.

2015 Wreaths

Thanks to the hard work of Terry Safford, the nearly 40 year tradition of our wreath-making night at WWBC continued this evening. Our front door, now encircled with boughs of evergreen and a pine cone bow, shouts "Merry Christmas!" to those passing over the threshold. 

Atira attempted a chocolate truffle candy wreath this year and it turned out delicious. I mean divine. She has hung it on the inside of her door away from any wandering fingers that may pass by.

The accomplishment of the evening may have been making Sue Johnston's lovingly lopsided wreath door-worthy but I never doubted it could be done. Some scissors, a bow and well-placed Christmas bling goes a long way. I may have also filled in with some greenery here and there but that's all hush hush. What matters is in the end the Johnston's wreath was worthy of the porch spotlight.

Pie Wife

I've always told my family that they haven't REALLY had the full experience of watching The Princess Bride until they've seen it with me and my best friend from high school, Beth. During our years of teenage angst, this movie was a staple, I mean it. Anybody want a peanut? If you desired to be driven insane with the dialogue of every scene quoted to you in stereo right along with the actors, we were your pair. THIS was the experience I wanted to give my family and so I took the opportunity of Jubal's leave to make it happen.

I have a few meals that I can make that rank higher than edible on the taste scale. This was a special occasion, so I provided one, Ziti and meatballs. After supper we all settled in the living room for the main feature. Beth had brought her dog, Sookie, and Tell made sure to squeeze in beside me and the good-natured canine. I know he misses having a dog around since Aunt Suci's Romi died.
It was such a fun night and my prediction that we would drive my family up the Cliffs of Insanity with our quoting was spot on.

Only slightly better than watching Inigo find the six-fingered man was the enjoyment of eating Beth's Key Lime Pie during our intermission. Her cooking skills have come a long way from the days when we set fire to her mother's oven. It was so perky. I love that.



After tasting the delicious dessert, Jim asked Beth if she would be his pie wife. As most of you know, in Jim's world this is a completely natural question. Beth is a good sport who did not completely decline the offer, so I see more movie nights with Beth and more pies in Jim's future. If only he could find a cleaning wife as well.


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Bookending the Week With Airports

Last weekend our exciting event was at the Brunswick Executive Airport, which everyone around here still calls "the base". We attended the Great State of Maine Airshow, checking out many types of aircraft before the actual performances, including a huge military cargo plane capable of carrying tanks and helicopters that opened from either end.








The Coast Guard out of Cape Cod had one of its helicopters available for people to get up close and personal with.











We ran into several people that we knew, including a favorite of mine, Nancy Seeley, who was only two people ahead of me in the pizza line. What are the chances of that?

Jim spotted the Marine booth where they were giving away items in exchange for pull-ups. To the surprise of many (but not me) the "old man" did 15 and earned a small backpack.




About noon we settled down with our food to enjoy the show.





A variety of performers ran the spectrum from the very modern F-22 to some WWII era planes, at one point flying together.




There were also some aerial acrobatic acts ranging from "sky dancing" with Ave Maria playing to landing on a moving vehicle.








The finale was the performance of the United States Navy's Blue Angels.










It was a good weekend.
This weekend at Logan Airport in Boston was better though. Jubal arrived from Hawaii for a week of predeployment leave. I'll take that over an airshow any day.









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Cops and Donuts

The old cliche of a cop and a donut going hand in hand, we chuckle when we hear it but I had no idea how true it would be today.

Atira, Tell and I had far too short a visit with the Brunks and Pendletons at Tell's favorite swimming haunt, Sebago Lake State Park.



On the way home, I bought one treat each for Tell and Atira at the Raymond Dunkin' Donuts. Unfortunately that was not the day's donut quota. I got MY donut a few hours later traveling up to Waldoboro to get Nolan from school. It wasn't a Boston Cream but I'll take it. Mine was much bigger and harder to chew but it got me home when my regular tire went flat on Route 1.
Thanks to Deputy Chad Gilbert of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Quick Turn Auto Repair for getting me back on the road in no time. All that was missing was some coffee.



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The September Surf

In-laws from overseas, parents AND grandparents moving house, VBS and camp and not an insignificant amount of rainy days crowded out my usual summer frivolity of weekly beach days with the Buxton Crowd.

Today, unofficially the last of the season, I finally managed to feel the salty breeze on my face, dig into the smooth sand with my toes and fling useless verbal warnings and foreign objects at the local gull population.





















Although just a small crew of Annah and Heather at Crescent, still we managed to attract the local WCSH reporters who were covering the shortage of lifeguards on beaches this time of year. We politely declined our television debut but somehow, Atira, Tell and I managed to get our ten blurry backside seconds of fame as we wandered across the beach.




Thank you, Newscenter, for not using a zoom lens. We'll save those for our faces.




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Holliday Party

Carla's annual trek back up to Maine always brings the old CYIA and CGN friends out of the woodwork to reunite. I love old friendships. This year: Ollie, Carla, Ramsey, Greg and myself with lots of added family. I would include Annah in our alumni but I'm pretty sure that she was only a Kickapoo during our teen years.






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Mother's Day 2015

I wore a bead necklace yesterday that Nolan strung for me and it reminded me that I had not done my Mother's Day post. He made the necklace while my friend Naomi was at our house helping her granddaughter Kingsley make a one for her mom for Mother's Day. I would not suggest he make a living as a jewelry designer but when your 16-year old takes ten minutes and strings some beads for you, that says "love" to a mom.





The day before Mother's Day, Jubal had called Jim from Hawaii and asked him to get flowers for me from him. I knew because Jubal texted ME to remind JIM not to forget them. I think Jubal has made it his mission to remind Jim of all the"special" calendar days while he's away from home. Along with the flowers, I received a sweet text from my firstborn which woke me up at 5am. ".....you have a 95% approval rating in the mother's book..." was part of his sentiment. I'll take that percentage.





My gifts were rounded out by floral artwork from Atira......





And from Tell......





It's good to be a mom.

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Trail Half

The hikers accomplished 6 miles south to High Point Shelter while Greg and I moved vehicles to their southern parking spots for the week and then hiked about a mile and a half north to High Point Shelter. This was my first time involved in the vehicle juggling at the beginning of the hike for the very good reason that it normally means a fast and far hike to catch up with the rest of the pack. The shortness of this trek allowed me to participate even if I was the slowest partner Greg has ever had. Approaching a fallen tree across the trail made me miss my fellow Turtle hiker, Liz. She would have understood my dilemma as I straddled a tree the same height as my leg in an attempt to navigate the trail.

A vista platform afforded a sweeping view of the area surrounding High Point Monument and was a beginning to the downhill that ended at High Point Shelter.








It was a tougher and more emotional day for some than for others but all teens accomplished the goal. According to Peg, Atira with her top heavy pack, only fell over three times and only one of those was near a cliff. I call it a satisfactory day.

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Travel Half

4:30 AM we began the trek to Jersey. Some, like Riley, kept their feet comfy and free of hiking boots as long as possible.




As we drove further south the grass was greener, trees were budding and we heard the sound of splatting insects. As Mike Gabriele said, "Nothing says spring like bug guts on the windshield." (Photo courtesy of his grandson Josh who hijacked my phone)






Last call for flushing toilets and comfortable seating was lunch at Cracker Barrel in Fishkill, NY.






Next stop, the trail...



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Pack Weigh In

Weighing in the packs for the 2015 April Vacation AT Hike commencing at 4 AM tomorrow:

Rachelle with tent parts and full water: 36.9 lbs. Higher than I would like, but Don knows I've got to have that phone recharge on the trail. And those chocolate covered espresso beans aren't light either.






Atira with full water but no tent part yet, on her first hike: 26.2 lbs. Wait for the verdict on whether there will ever be a second hike for her.

Nolan didn't bother to weigh his pack because he's a man. It is what it is. We simply pick it up and get it to the destination.




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Because it's Maine

It was snowing on my drive home tonight. Why is this, when according to all my criteria, Spring has arrived in Maine? Kids are jumping on the trampoline. (It required some hands on snow removal for that to happen, but so what?)





The Spring Equinox is yesterday on the calendar. The temperature has briefly hit 50 degrees. I have smelled a skunk. I have run the mud gauntlet on our road.





In other states this would add up to Spring. So, why was it snowing on my drive home tonight? It's a simple reason:
This is Maine. The way LIFE should be.....not necessarily the weather.


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Imprinting On Film

I walked into the house this afternoon just as Westley was declaring to Buttercup in the Fire Swamp that he did not believe The Rodents Of Unusual Size exist. While Tell and Atira continued to watchThe Princess Bride, I was unable to stem the flow of the scene's dialogue as it rolled off my tongue almost word for word. I almost instantly missed Beth Boyden sitting beside me as we recited the characters' lines in unison. Our high school years clearly involved far too much time watching this film. Between the two us we could recite nearly every scene. It was time well wasted.

Unable to stop blurting out the script, I had to remove myself from the living room to allow the kids to watch their movie in peace.

After I left I began thinking how some movies are singularly imprinted with certain people or events in our life.

The Man From Snowy River: in my childhood home, the moment I decided I was going to go to Australia someday

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure:
many New Year's Eves in Eastport

Star Wars: housesitting for the Redlons and finally being able to watch it a decade after its release

Dances With Wolves: only slightly shocked with Mishe as EDC commented on the quality of Kevin Costner's bare backside

The Scarlet Pimpernel: thanks to Amy Shields, a perfect Saturday afternoon spent with my WOL Aussie mob in Wiseman's Ferry. The love of the movie lingers on

Aladdin: in Australia laughing with Jim and our generous friend, Cindy Kruss, whom we will not see again this side of heaven

The Hobbit: getting through 2/3 of the 3-D flick with Jim, Deb and Don before realizing that my glasses were missing a lens. That last third was SO much better!

So many movies, in so many situations with so many people...What causes certain memories to be cemented and others forgotten? Memory is an interesting thing. I'm thankful for it.







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A Normal Person Would Say...

It's been a long time away and tough to get back into the habit of posting to my blog so I'll start with a quick insight into the lovable oddness of Nolan. This morning, while sitting at the dining table, Jim and I heard Nolan talking to, presumably, himself in the living room. Not surprising. Jim is always muttering to himself and genes have a tendency to be passed along to the next generation. When Nolan entered the room, I asked my rhetorical "Who were you talking to?" question, expecting the normal response of "myself". Instead I was told, "My bandaid." If you know Nolan, you're chuckling. I love that weird kid.


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