Washington D.C. Days and Nights

The fitting.

A zoom shot and crop...a little grainy, as if blinking through sand in my eyes. A lump in my throat.


A few stolen days of summer; planning, wishing and waiting for autumn beginnings. Unforgettable D.C. days and memorable sunsets from a rooftop garden.

Today's link from "You Must Remember This."

Marking Time With Crabapples

For JCB. See you soon!

Images for a Stormy Day

Light and color for all those under gray skies.

Today's link from "You Must Remember This."

Calm Before the Storm

Heat haze on Casco Bay.

Osprey nest on the dock. Upper Goose Island, Casco Bay, Maine.

The coolest place in Maine today was out on the water. We aren't used to ninety plus degree temperatures in Maine, especially in September! Some schools canceled classes yesterday and today because of the unusual heat, very likely a first in a state that usually keeps students home after snow storms!

Earl has been downgraded to a tropical storm for coastal areas, but we are stocking up on water and batteries for likely power outages. Right now, it is still and hot. A few of the boats have been hauled as a precaution...and we wait in this strange interlude.

Today's link from "You Must Remember This."

PSP

Games on tiny little discs the size of quarters! Note the silly bandz!

The conventional wisdom is that you should write what you know, so I will offer a disclaimer, right now. I had never seen a PSP, or Playstation Portable, until my young friend, Ben, proudly introduced me to his and asked me to write about it. It started with a discussion on blogging and my Silly Bandz post and the curious notion of writing and publishing anything and everything online. Heady stuff for a ten year old boy....grownups too, for that matter.

Ben, all bone and muscle with a burr haircut I can't resist ruffling when he streaks past on his boyhood missions. There is only one speed; streak. He can get more mileage on a peanut butter sandwich with the crusts cut off than anyone I know! This complicated little soul who raids my refrigerator for feta and fruitpops stole my heart a long time ago. Oh right! The PSP! Here is a list of questions from Ben I was supposed to ask, but didn't before the summer's day moved on at warp speed, Ben's speed.

1. "What does the PSP do?"
2. "Can you buy movies?"
3. "Does it have internet?"
4. "Can you download movies?"
5. "Can the PSP type?"

So, in the end I googled! Imagine a ten year old with that much media in his pocket in a device smaller than a pack of cards!

Btw, Ben, thanks for sending me that awesome ringtone for my cellphone!

Today's link from "You Must Remember This."

Celebrations

Birthday by the sea, Mere Point, Maine.

The kiss in the sky. Spruce Head, Maine.

Summer: fast forward...August, the busiest time of year in Maine. The last opportunity for small businesses to succeed. Make or break August. It is, typically, the best weather all year. Friends and family arrive in earnest to savor, once again, the rocky coast, the islands, the scent of pine and the music of boats on their moorings. August; with its weddings and birthdays and arrivals and departures. Will there be fog to delay a flight? Was the traffic backed up in New Jersey or Connecticut? Eyes on the clock, August ticking away until a car door slamming shut signals a safe homecoming. That sound of car tires on a dirt road, one visit after another, is one of relief and joy. It is a celebration every time.

Today's link from "You Must Remember This."

Impressions from a Seaside Wedding

Wheeler's Bay, Spruce Head, Maine




Planning any outdoor event in Maine carries an element of risk; our weather is capricious and can change in a blink. This day, however, was perfect from start to finish. Classic Maine...Maine at her most memorable.

You can see more pictures on my Flickr stream here. Just click on the images to view larger.

Today's link from "You Must Remember This."

Pig and Sow Islands

This is one of my favorite destinations by boat. The narrow inlet between Pig and Sow islands is only accessible when the tide is at its highest point and even then, we watch carefully for underwater ledge. At low tide, one could easily wade from one island to the other. The atmosphere here is magical. Light shimmers and the island reflections on water are vivid and very beautiful. On one occasion dozens of blue heron soared from the treetops in protest at our passing, sun filtering through their outstretched wings. We were surrounded by monarch butterflies beginning their improbable journey south on another visit. Goldenrod was in bloom, hardy roots clinging to the rocks, on the day these photos were taken.

Six weeks til frost.

Today's link from "You Must Remember This!"

Bounty ~ Random Memory #19 ~ Iran

Beth's Vegetable Stand, Warren, Maine.

One of the great pleasures of summer is the bounty found in the many roadside vegetable stands in Maine. It's true, there is an abundance of year round produce in the grocery stores, but February offerings can not touch the intense taste we enjoy from our local farmers.

Random Memory #19 ~ Iran

The seasons and artificially created shortages dictated our menu in Tehran, although bread (nan) and rice were always available. I loved the markets with vegetables on display in high precarious towers and the profusion of colorful beans and dried herbs. I didn't have the slightest idea what to do with most of them, but gradually many crept into our diet with delicious results. I miss the nan and the harbouzay melons the most. There is nothing like harbouzay in this country...that solid yellow melon with its crackling crisp texture and a flavor that bursts in your mouth like a spoonful of honey. Eggs were often scarce and we could go for weeks without them. They were invariably sold from small carts on the street; crates of them swaying dangerously surrounded by veiled women pushing, shoving and reaching for their fragile prize. When we found a vendor, we always bought multiple boxes and distributed our find to friends. Who knew when we would see them again! The eggs were caked with bits of straw, mud and chicken excrement. I still remember washing those eggs and then filling the sink with water and disinfectant, throwing away the bad ones that floated to the top. And the caviar! We consumed countless tins of it, carelessly ladling mounds of the precious fish eggs on small blinis sprinkled with onion and chopped egg. I take it all back, that is what I miss the most, those gorgeous pearly globes from the Caspian Sea.

Blast Off!

All week long the little house on Mere Point has been bustling with family activity. JCB introduced the gentleman to Maine, cottage life and her niece and nephew. Together, we swam, 'messed about with boats', went on excursions to islands and celebrated a seventh (!) birthday. It was the gentleman (often in danger of being loved a little too much!) who came up with the perfect present and the children's first chemistry lesson. The experiment was entrancing! Assembled; one plastic rocket ship, four small spoonfuls of baking soda in the base and a jigger of white vinegar in the nose cone...some judicious timing and a gentle shake and blast off! The sturdy little craft soared into the air. Pure magic!

Forgotten; the television, the computer games, the cell phone, i-pads and pods and even the well stocked freezer full of fruit pops. Oh yes, "he is a genius!"

Today's link from "You Must Remember This!"

Flight Risk

Perhaps it was the feisty squirrel that terrified the young blue jay chick in its nest high above in the pine tree. Not yet ready to fledge, it nevertheless made a leap to earth where a neighbor found it with both the squirrel and a dog ready for some sport with the tiny ball of fluff. The mother circled, squawking and scolding; it's what we do when our chicks are in danger. The dog was secured in the cottage, the squirrel shooed away, but the nest was unreachable.




We knew the defenseless chick wouldn't last an hour on the ground. A new nest was fashioned from an old berry box filled with packing materiel and placed in the crotch of a nearby tree while the anxious mother flew from limb to limb above us. Our hope was that she would accept our intervention and feed her baby, but the little chick hurled itself, once again, to the ground and wobbled off through the grass. "A flight risk" my neighbor, a former Naval Air pilot, said. We replaced the chick in its nest, but a little while later, the berry box was empty. "Maybe the parents lifted the chick back to its nest" the pilot offered. Yes, I thought, that's exactly what I would do.

Crabapples

The freshness of a Washington, D.C. spring has long since given way to sweltering heat and humidity. JCB's delicate crabapple blossoms seem like a dream after this oppressive summer that feels like it will last forever.

On Mere Point, the crabapple tree has produced tight clusters of unripened fruit. Take heart, dear one, they are evidence of time passing.

Today's link from "You Must Remember This."

Pink Petals ~ Random Memory #18 ~ Iran

A beautiful spring day in Washington, D.C. and the sight of a child in her wondrous world of softly drifting petals recalled another spring, long ago.

Last night: It was late, my finger was poised over "shut down computer", but instead I clicked over to twitter and saw that little augury had a new blog post. It would have been so easy to miss. I have neglected both blogger and Flickr with summer activities which always proceed at a furious pace up here in Maine.

little augury with her agile mind, keen eye and crisp prose has awarded this newcomer in the blogisphere a "Beautiful Blogger Award." It comes with conditions and I need to give those some thought. I am stunned and touched and, for now, I will simply say "thank you." little augury, if I could, I would sprinkle pink petals over your beautiful blog. This post is for you.

Random Memory #18 ~ Iran

I have a memory of a day in the mountains, far outside the dust bowl of sprawling Tehran. There were many such excursions, but the beauty of that day of exploration surpasses them all.

Friday was our weekend and we always set off with friends to a new destination. We drove to small towns and villages, often over rutted tracks to seldom visited points of interest. We saw architectural gems and lovely traditional gardens. We strolled through bazaars and markets and our children ran and played with the local youngsters wherever we went. We brought baskets of food and packed a Coleman cooler and often shared our picnics with the villagers. They, in turn, offered tea and hospitality and gave the photographers in our group access to the flat roofs of their homes with views I will never forget. We were welcomed with humor, curiosity and affection. The women wondered why we were all so thin and had so few children...where was our gold jewelry....didn't our husbands like us? Our children were given candy and kisses. In return, we gave our hearts and I know I and all our friends still miss these lovely people.

But on that spring day in the mountains...sun so warm we didn't need a sweater...the sky was the color of turquoise. There was snow on the ground and the cherry trees were in bloom with their pink petals scattered on a white landscape. Pinpoints of light reflected off tiny shards of ice in the mountain stream. Although the scene remains a bright memory, some of the details are gone. I was so young and the young so often think there will be time to return....to see this sight again, but, of course, I never did.

Something New... and a group of my own #1

I recently launched a Flickr group called "You Must Remember This" with the help of my son, John, who kindly wrote the html for my comment code. For some time I've been tossing around the idea of putting together a collection of images that reflect the personal views of the photographer...of something they feel is irreplaceable. I know there are already thousands of groups covering every aspect of photography, but I always wanted a group of my own to showcase unforgettable moments, places or objects. I'm thrilled with the response and the stunning work; you can see the group here. From time to time, I will provide links on my blog, chosen randomly, because all of the photographs are excellent.

Today's link from "You Must Remember This."

Water

We turn on the tap and clean water fills our glass. We do this dozens of times a day and we do it mindlessly, letting it bleed from its underground source to sluice down our drains. People have fought for water, many starve from the lack of it. Blood water, water and oil....more precious than oil.

The cottages in our area are precariously perched on the shoreline. Our shallow wells slowly recover and we all know the sound of a pump sucking air and debris. Some have water that turns brackish as the water table drops from heavy use. We have a rusty vein that produces water the color of tea. This summer we installed a complex filtration system and the water immediately turned crystal clear. It is a miracle and every drop is a gift! Beautiful water.

On a small Maine island...#4 ~ The Osprey

There have always been nesting ospreys on the island for as long as I can remember. We have watched them fishing and have seen them soar with their catch high above the boat. Once, we observed a dramatic aerial battle with a lazy bald eagle trying to steal a large fish from the osprey's clutch. The incredible scene lasted for quite some time. The two raptors circled and looped and performed dizzying dives until the more agile osprey finally eluded the larger clumsy would-be thief.

Even though the island is inhabited, we are always careful to leave no trace of our presence, but the ospreys know we are there and swoop and circle high above with their familiar squeaky "cheep cheep." After taking a few photographs, we climb aboard the boat and leave them in peace.

On a small Maine island...#3

It is so peaceful and I feel like time is standing still, but it's only the island playing a trick. I see the rugosa hugging the bank with fragrant blossoms ripening into rosy hips. It's already mid-summer.

On a small Maine island...#2

There is no one here as we walk the length of the island. Overhead we hear the chatter of birds and the "cheep cheep" of the osprey in its nest. There is no one here at all...until we unexpectedly spy two small guardians. A very rare capture with my camera, indeed.

On a small Maine island...#1

With a view of Mere Point from a small Maine island in Casco Bay.



The fog from the previous week has lifted and in its place is the kind of classic Maine day we dream about all winter long. Summer..."Maine, the way life should be" and the way it isn't after howling wind and thick ice and a house that is dark and cold after the power has been out for hours. But today is perfection. We pack a picnic and jump in the boat leaving thoughts of winter far behind in our wake.

Banned in School

The unicorn.

The phoenix.

Sorry to be so behind in reading and commenting on everyone's blog posts. I've missed it more than you can imagine, but it has been a busy (delightfully so!) week at the cottage with family and grandchildren.

When the children arrived, I noticed all three had a collection of the silly bandz that have been banned in schools across the country so I thought it would be fun to post a perspective from an insider's point of view.

I remember hula hoops and pet rocks, but in terms of popularity, the silly bandz craze has left those fads of yesteryear in the dust. The brightly colored bandz come in a variety of themes and forms and can be stretched to wear as bracelets. They instantly retain their original shape when you take them off. Here are a few details provided by my pint size entrepreneurs:

Twelve packs cost $3.00 and come in a myriad of colors as well as tie dye, glow-in-the-dark, sparkling and plain. Some of the shapes are quite rare and set off a frenzy of trading. For example, a unicorn or phoenix would demand at least five bandz in payment and one of the techniques of a good trade is to negotiate with a much younger child (I'm sure there must be some lessons in capitalism here!)

Beware of knock-offs such as "Crazy Bands" which have a slightly different color, are thicker and don't stretch as nicely.

I was curious why such a simple item had acquired the kind of notoriety that it has been banned in so many schools across the country. My small connaisseurs said the boys flick them in class warfare and unfair trading practices cause conflict in the classroom. While I was pursuing this line of questioning, a regional dispute broke out across the picnic table over a phoenix which required swift parental intervention and stiff sanctions against the offending parties. I closed my notebook, the interview was over!

July 4th

Departing for the July 4th boat parade.


A cottage full of family and lots of celebrating on July 4th! I'll be (slowly!) catching up with everyone soon. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Online in Maine ~ Random Memory #17 ~ Maine

Both Peter and our daughter, JCB, have an eye for all things tiny and intricate. It is as if their vision has a built-in zoom lens and I have been the fortunate recipient of countless miniature gifts. Sometimes their offerings are opalescent shells, frosted sea glass, smooth pebbles, doll sized bouquets of bluets and lily of the valley and many other treasures too numerous to count. The little presents rarely come with an explanation, there is no need.

Random Memory #17 ~ Maine

Wordlessly, a bit of pine lands on my laptop while I am online in Maine...