Memorial Day

Remember and honor those who served...

Harpswell Meetinghouse, Harpswell, Maine.

Rainy Frigid Maine This Morning

Stonington in Black and White

Maine's traditional seaside towns have changed with rising prices for waterfront properties. Stonington, on Deer Isle, is one of the few towns left where one can see the fishing industry and old way of life. I have photographed Stonington many times; I chose monochrome for this visit to enhance the feeling of old Maine.

It looked like this fellow arrived by boat to pick up his mail. If you look closely in the next photo, you can see the packet under his arm as he leaves. You can click on the images to view them larger with more detail.

Artists and photographers have always tried to capture Maine's beautiful light on the old houses. My attempts can be seen in the series below.

I loved the strong shadow on the huge outcrop of rock next to this lovely old cottage

This house is partially hidden by rock!

The Skateboarders and the Puppy

I like to take a different lens whenever I walk around our small town. I never know what I will see and I often find I have limitations with the one I've chosen...and that's half the fun and a learning experience too. On this particular day I had a wide angle when my zoom would have been more helpful.

It was a glorious warm day with daffodils appearing and the bright splash of forsythia everywhere. I noticed two skateboarders down at the town dock. They were very good and I seriously wished I'd left the wide angle at home. They didn't mind if I took pictures, in fact, they seemed to take riskier gravity defying jumps. I thought of all the kids with skateboards and how very few of them have views like the two boys I met down at the dock.

I would have moved in closer for the above shots if not for the puppy. It was a Heinz 57 variety, huge at eight weeks old. I think there is even some boxer in its lineage. One of the boys had brought it home the day before and it crept into my lap for a cuddle while they practiced.

Sound asleep on the skateboarder's camera bag.

...and awake in an image I called Camera Bag Theft. I'm a poor puppy sitter, the photo op was just too good!

We hung out for awhile talking about the puppy, upcoming graduation, future plans and photography under a bright blue sky and a warm sun.

Life in a gentle town.

A Time for Cherry Blossoms

A recent trip to Washington was timed perfectly with the cherry blossoms. We've made frequent trips to D.C., but we have not witnessed the blossoms' magical transformation of the Tidal Basin for nearly forty years. There is always speculation on when the trees will flower and peak. Many a visitor's hopes are dashed by the unpredictable blossoms and uncooperative weather.

The day was unseasonably hot...so tempting to spend several hours in the cool galleries of our favorite museums. We decided to brave the crowds and the heat because the odds of seeing the cherry blossoms at their peak again are probably fairly slim.

We were startled by the look of the scaffolding in preparation to repair earthquake damage making a slow ascent on the Washington Monument on the photo above.

A strong thunderstorm rumbled through the Washington area early the next morning. A few days later, our departing plane circled around the Capital giving us another glimpse of the Tidal Basin. The flowers were gone. Below, some captures of those sweet fragile blossoms here for such a short time.

One of the oldest cherry trees.

Cherry blossoms with a suggestion of the Jefferson Memorial beyond.

Bouquets of pink cherry blossoms for all moms on Mothers' Day!

Loss and Small Gifts

Our dearest Eric left us in April, beloved husband to Mary, beloved friend of ours. He left this world with his children's arms around him, wrapped in love in the peace of the early morning hours. It was the kind of passing all should celebrate and welcome with gratitude. Yet, I will miss Eric with all my heart and I will, for the rest of my life, yearn for one more afternoon in his company, one more smile and the laughter that filled thirty years of Mere Point summers.

Eric was a handsome man, courtly, a New Englander to his core and deeply spiritual. He was a 'giver' who gave to his country, family, friends, neighbors and colleagues, always helping and mentoring others all his life. He made everyone in his orbit feel special, valued, prettier, smarter and capable of great acts and ideas.

Eric spoiled a long line of German Shorthair Pointers...one in particular and it seems like yesterday when we heard him call,

Zeus come!

Zeus never would, finally turning up, in his own 'Zeus time'. Every other dog, ours included, simply wanted to be near him.

Eric was a beautiful sailor and a tolerant and gracious captain which was a novelty in my experience! Over the years he taught Peter the tides, the channels, ledges and winds of the bay we call home. He was a sailor who read the sky and water, grateful for the sun on his face and a good tack. That was Eric. He was grateful for all life's blessings and he knew the value of each and every one. Whenever I saw him, he always said,

every day is a gift.

He left us in early spring as the earth was warming and new life was just beginning to stir. I offer the following gifts in his memory.

Peter hikes up Blue Hill Mountain with new green grass at his feet, trailing dogs...he will miss Eric in ways I can not fathom.

Tiny lupines have appeared in the meadow with the promise of tall peppery indigo blossoms...yes, indigo...the name of Eric's Tartan 34.

Pussywillow matures into soft green in mountain sunlight.

Forsythia sways in a soft sea breeze.

Daffodils loudly proclaiming spring is here!

Gifts! Thank you Eric xo.