Elderberry Farm

Today we took drive up a long dirt road in Sumner
to a beautiful farm. It is a working farm with goats, a donkey,angora rabbits and three beautiful collie dogs plus another one I didn't recognize.

There were flowers and vegetables growing everywhere, but the highlight of the trip was a walk into an acre of elderberries. Some were blooming, some almost ripe an some still green.

The view from the farm was breathtaking with mountains all around. A retired orthopedic surgeon and her contractor partner do all the work around the farm and John has built the house himself.

It has sunporches, rap around verandas and windows everywhere.

It was a warm and happy place. You never know what you may find in the Maine backwoods.

Labor Day parade

Every year I get to attend the Labor Day parade in Buckfield and write a story for the Sun Journal. I enjoy meeting people and watching the children react to the parade.

The weather was perfect with a clear blue sky and temperature in the 70s. Hundreds of people lined the street as bands, floats, fire engines,horses, antique cars and such rolled along.

After the parade we ate pulled pork sandwiches and pie,but we could have had Polish sausage lobster rolls, or hot dogs. It was a festive time.

My own favorite fireman rode the Sumner Engine and threw out mardi gras beads to the crowd.

Paving Field's Hill

Today was a special day for us folks on Fields Hill Road. We all watched as a new layer of asphalt was put on our potholed road. The last time this was done was shortly after we moved here nine years ago.

Our road is not heavily traveled, so to have big trucks, pavers, etc. was a big event. I walked out to get the paper and felt intense heat coming from the new surface. This coating may last longer than we do, but we might live to see another coat go down.

September and fall are really here. Fall follows summer as you recall, but summer was only about 10 days long. I finally felt brave enough to put on my summer night gown, but before the week was out, I was back into the light flannels.

The garden produces more than I can use and I think next year we will just plant something to make the soil healthy. I don't think it is worth all the work. The pole beans are heavy on the vines, but the squash had too much rain. The tomatoes don't have the dreaded virus, but are just barely producing. The carrots however, are still growing and are delicious.