The Dogs are Milling

The photos above were taken in August, but they could have been from any year, or any Maine summer's day in our little colony. One of the great pleasures of the this place is that the dogs can run free; the way they used to do in our childhood memories. Cottage doors open first thing in the morning and out they go! It is not unusual to have an old friend, grinning, tail wagging, waiting patiently on the front walk for a favorite playmate to appear. Incredibly they all get along and can determine property boundaries better than any surveyor.

Shortly after opening our cottages, too many years ago, my dear friend and neighbor, Mary, breathed in spring scented salt air. Felt the unaccustomed warmth of sun on her face and in a moment of pure happiness, said

I love it when the dogs are milling.