Entering last quarter

Well, I have made it through three quarters of a century and today I start on the last quarter. It has been a wonderful ride so far. My two wonderful children have given me seven (yes, that's 7) great grandkids and above all I have three great grandchildren. What more could one ask except to have a loving husband? I certainly have that and have had him for over 54 years.

And as I thought about entering that last quarter, memories took me back in time to the fun we had with our tent camper forty years ago. We have years of wonderful memories with family and friends. Why not take a few more spins out in nature?

So, Tom and I found this used Coleman 2003 camper for $1500. We could't resist. There are National parks out there that have yet to be explored.There is so much Maine that holds new sights for us. We haven't lost our sense of adventure and I think when we lose that, we will have lost much of what makes us who we are.

Tom and I are like two young people, as we check out the heater, three way refrigerator, fans over the king size beds, crank up top and unique features that make this camper so much more user friendly than the wheel camper of the 19 65 era. Now all we have to do is wait until spring comes.

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.

Garden produce in abundance

Yes, the rain has helped some of the crops, but the squash are beginning to rot. There is still enough for everyday use , but no extra. That, of course, keeps me from setting up a fruit stand on the street. I did pick several green peppers this morning.
The one tomato I picked may be bad inside. Farmers are pulling plants up and destroying them by the hundreds because of a blight. I'm not sure if my plants are affected. They look okay, but the fruit isn't.

The Kentucky wonders are just coming in and I may can some by the end of the week. I picked nearly a bucket full today, but we will eat on them awhile. At least I don't have to bend over to pick.

Carrots are such fun. I just love to see their bright orange bodies come out of the brown earth. It's like magic.

My ears were humming as the bees were all over the corn and bean blossoms as I picked. They left me alone. It was nice of them to share.

I'm sorry the pictures are all up top, but my Mac doesn't allow me to move them as they come up with numbers instead of icons and the strange formula doesn't move. I could do my blog on Beth's old computer she brought over, but it takes forever to work, so I just send my photos at the top. There can be no artistic placement. Enjoy anyway

Tornadoes don't come to Maine

I have often said in my blogs that we don't have all the extreme weather other states have, only snow.
But by the grace of God, many people could have died last Friday and many homes destroyed. The tornado was striking while I was telling Tom that something was happening that wasn't good.
The thunder was a constant roar, and the tornado was so close, I couldn't tell the difference except something wasn't right. He was on a conference call with the EMA director for the county talking about 'Bill' and I kept running into the office from the deck saying, "Tom, something is going on. I think we are going to have a tornado." They laughed!!!
Soon after, damage calls started, roads were closed due to hundreds of downed trees and still officials said,"It's not a tornado." They changed their minds when they saw the damage. Tom was out for eight hours on Saturday directing traffic and several hours on Friday.

The tornado struck not 3 miles from our home as the crow flies and nearly destroyed a selectman's home. It did considerable damage to his rental cabin. I can't believe how many homes were spared but by a few feet though many suffered damage. I'll try to send a few photos that show some of the damage.

The aerial view shows where it first touched down, then hit again a mile or so away.
The volunteer fireman sawing is a young lady named Brianne that I know from Canton because she used to play with our grandson all the time. The load of logs just shows how big the trees were.

Summer continues

Yes, Summer came and stayed. No more flannel PJ's or windows left open. The AC is running. I think we may have hit 90 degrees today and yesterday as well.

The garden didn't know what to do with the heat, so it just exploded in growth. I can't find the tomato plants for the weeds but today I picked enough beans to can 13 pints. I don't do quarts just for the two of us, so pints work. I've actually been picking beans and giving them away for a couple of weeks now, but there is still more. And to add to the misery of too much produce, the row of pole beans is full of tiny beans already.
Baby squash are showing their bright yellow bodies in the giant bushes that cover two rows in width. I pulled several carrots for supper tonight. We will have lots of carrots!!! But, enough about the garden.

As you recall, I am Dump Diva to the Transfer Station Swap Shop. I recently sent in a grant requesting $5,000 for closing in the containers for winter. Actually it will be a room connecting the two containers. I received a grant for $2,000 and the town fathers are meeting tomorrow night to get me the rest of the money. We plan to start construction in September. I'm excited about this because it is such a help to so many people who come and get clothing, appliances, dishes, books, toys, etc. Now they will be able to "shop" without completely freezing this winter. And my many helpers will be more comfortable.

We are missing Beth and Charlie as they are on route to Latvia where they will be looking for paintings by Charlie's great grandfather. I believe Charlie has made arrangements for going to all the churches where the paintings are located. Then they will be meeting Sara in Sweden for a visit.

Before Beth left, she and Tom checked on the bees. I thought you would enjoy this picture.

The daylilies are about gone and we are enjoying the phlox.