Even Baby Likes to Cool Off!

I should have mentioned that my Lil Buddy was not the only one cooling off these days. Here's our little granddaughter catching some waves. Loves the water! Can't believe she is going to be a year old next month.

Cooling Off!

Update on my new little buddy. He not only enjoys a full tummy, but on these hot and humid days he takes over the bird bath for a nice relaxing place to cool off. He still comes with Mama and siblings ... all five of them ... but as soon as I open the door they all run back to the woods. He just remains and looks at me as if to say this is a mighty nice place. Look below to see him chillin ... Pretty cute.

A Daisy Summer!

This was a banner year for the daisy beds! I have daisy beds everywhere around the yard. I make my husband mow all around them until they have completely gone by ... and then he can mow right over them. The nice thing about the daisy is if you let it take hold, you really have no maintenance. They literally come and go on their own schedule. I love that kind of gardening! They are such a happy flower, they can withstand the brutal winter, sea spray and don't require the greatest soil - which we don't have seeing as most of this town is on ledge. While they are here, they are thick and look joyous and colorful! They leave me alone and I leave them alone - that's great gardening!

The Rest of The Harper Family

I found another great old pic today. From left to right are Eleanor, Edith, Raymond, Dorothy, Stuart, Richard, Mary and Clara. Dad is the sailor in the middle. His little brother Richard also grew up and joined the Navy ... but was tragically killed in an aviation accident. How normal that room looks with them all sitting there as a family. Many years later when I came along ... that corner was filled with Parakeets. Oh how I used to love all their squawking! Funny the things you remember.

Memories

Dad turns 86 this year. That's him in the sailor suit ... back in 1942 ... standing next to his Dad, Stuart. That was way before I was born - even before he married my Mother. I haven't seen that house since I was a teenager, but I can still picture it quite clearly in my mind. I guess you don't forget too much about your visits with grandparents when they were always a big deal, long car ride and a big to-do when you got there. Wherever we lived - and we pretty much hit all the East Coast Navy towns - he always made sure we got back to see both sets of grandparents - in New York and Maine.

It Started Out With Promise ...

Another day that while starting out with promise ... slowly deteriorated into yet one more gloomy and dismal day. We seem to be in a rut without any hint of a break out! Tomorrow's looking to be darker than today! I know other parts of the country are being battered - so I don't want to complain too much -- but so far this summer has been nothing more than short fits and restarts. It's been a slow day at the Cove ... so back to indoor projects!

One very good thing happened today! My husband, a diabetic, has been dieting hard to lose weight and take control of his health. He's lost quite a bit so far ... and the doctor has been weaning down his medications each visit - relative to the percentage of weight loss. He used to take two pills a day ... and had now been whittled down to a half pill a day. We started going the other way where he can't keep his sugar high enough now ... so today they took away all medication period! He's doing the happy dance! We'll test carefully the next few days and see how it goes!

It's Time for a Break!

Every so often, I need a day get-a-way. Just to unwind, relax and clear out the cobwebs. You ever have that need? I have my own favorite haunts ... close to home but not so close you would be there all the time. That's what makes them remain your favorite's I think - the fact that you aren't there but every so often. My most favorite is Boothbay Harbor. It contains all the elements of perfection for me. Water, wind, nearby great food and drink, friendly, and obviously beautiful. We have appointments coming up the next few days ... but after that, I think you know where you will find me.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Pop's Gift from "GW"

I forgot to mention that we went to see Dad today in Limerick. I try to get there at least once a week to see him, take him out to lunch and visit for a while. I had a little extra incentive for him today. His stimulus check from GW finally came, so I took it up to him to cash and spend. He thought it was a great day. Lunch out ... and money to spend! What could be better!! I think he couldn't wait for us to leave so he could get to the bank! Too funny.

A New Buddy!

Of course as most of you know, I live in Maine. It's not unusual to see wildlife in the yard. Anything from a fox, coydog, wild turkey, pheasants, occasional moose, and far too many deer come to mind right off - along with assorted other smaller animals. I am an avid birder, too, with many feeder stations located around the house. Seed has gone up considerably the last couple months ... but still I buy it. I just tend to shop around for it. I was passing by the kitchen window the other day and glanced out to see a mama raccoon with four babies sitting on the rails of my deck. Actually, Mama raccoon was quite comfortably relaxing in the bird bath cooling off a bit, while all four of the little ones were at each of the feeders. Having had dogs, I have never welcomed raccoons anywhere near the house. Recently we lost our beautiful dog and I think wildlife know when they are no longer nearby. Well there were the baby raccoons each with their own sunflower supply. I am just too tender hearted so I let them eat a little while ... but with the cost of seed I finally went to the back door and shooed them away. Mama raccoon ran off quickly while making some sort of snort sound which presumably told the babies to run along as well. Three of them followed. The fourth one just turned around and looked at me as if to say "Are you bringing more?" He didn't run off. In fact, you couldn't budge him out of there if you tried. He thinks we are pretty nice ... and has been back daily to get his fill. I step outside to tell him to run along, but he just stares at me. He's just too darn cute. I know he is wild and believe me I don't get close at all ... but he does have the sweetest face.

Slow Going Sunday

No posts for the last few days ... but that doesn't mean no progress. We've been moving the rooms all around - so for a bit we had no access to the computer. I've moved to the far end of the house with a computer room of my own. You don't even want to know how much junk (pardon me, "good stuff") was all around my desk. Unfortunately, it got boxed up and moved, too. Now to try and make a home for it in here. I keep saying I should throw this away ... or retire that, but I don't do it. It's all moving in here with me to make a comfy niche. As soon as I get all these boxes opened and put away - some sort of order to the madness - then I will be back to learn how this blogging goes. I did make a playlist today. I guess that is about all the progress I am going to manage for today. I have a zillion chores to do and between them, unpacked boxes, errands to run and whatever else comes along today ... that's all I am going to pack in today. First thing I did do in this room is find room for all the cameras and chargers! So see you later if the boxes don't get me first!

Riding the Rails ~ AGAIN!

Last month my husband and I decided to try train travel ... as an alternate to air. Arriving at the airport two hours ahead of time, high fares, little amenities, grumpy and grouchy people, taking off your shoes, getting wanded, pulling out your change or pins, throwing away anything you might have accidentally brought, extra fares for your bag or bags, sitting on runways for a LONG time, arriving late as a matter of course ... and many other things ... just didn't seem all that "vacationy". I'd never been on a train in my whole life ... so we thought we might give it a try. We had a blast! We had so much fun, in fact, we are going to do it again next month. Yes, the ride was long ... and we were novice riders ... so we didn't know that we should have brought our laptops, dvd player, food, etc. The first thing we noticed on the train was that everyone was pulling out pillows and blankets. We had none, but I wasn't worried about it as it was 8:30 in the morning! Soon, I realized why they had them. That train was air conditioned to about 20 below! People were pulling out clothing from their suitcases to throw over them. I saw a lady huddled under a skirt she had pulled out of her bag. The pillows were just a comfy item for later on.

I was truly envious when I saw people breaking out their own food, coffee and drinks. I know we had a cafe car about 3 or 4 cars back, but the fare was simple and not terribly plentiful. The cafe car would close many times during the train ride for supplies to be loaded in at the next stop.

Each seat set had their own electrical plugs for the electronics, camera recharge, dvd, or laptop! Who knew? There were mp3 players and IPOD's everywhere! The seats were large and comfy with much more leg room than a plane. Restrooms were clean and seemed to be 2 per car on the train. We noticed right away - a train absolutely takes you through the more "industrial side" of America! Often times the sights were not pretty ... some times they were. When we ran alongside the interstate, it was fun to see we were faster! The train didn't care what we brought with us ... but everything you do bring - you have to tote yourself. So be wise and keep it to a minimum. Keep your ticket stub handy, too, as it seemed every few stops along the way we might change Conductors ... and the newly boarded Conductor wanted to see your stub again. All in all the train ride was a pack of fun if you have the time. We were the "Milk Run" I am sure so we made a ton of stops ... but many of them were interesting. I've included pics of the trip in the Slide below.

Virginia Beach was a blast, too. We went to the pier and I longed to fish ... but had to settle for a couple new pairs of flip flops. The Boardwalk was immaculately clean and spilled out either way as far as we could see! Hotels and little hideaway places to get a snack or drink were plentiful. We were almost talked into going here and there by a cute gal hired to promote the local businesses - but we resisted much to her dismay. She gave it her all though. The sand was an odd color gold - but it was sand and it looked good to me. Winters in Maine are often long and hard and our spring was fairly dismal, too ... so sand of any color pleased me! We're going to try out the train again next month and head on down to the Outer Banks in NC. I'll be sure to take my camera along!

Maine to Virginia Beach on Amtrak!

Check out my Slide Show!

Christmas In July!

The other day my sister and I were heading home from visiting Dad at his summer digs in Limerick, Maine, when we came upon an interesting shop. While it was new to me, my sister said she had been there many times. As I am never very far from my camera, I asked the owner if it was okay to take pictures. She reassured me that it was fine! What a wonderful spot to find ... SUNRISE CORNER ... in Standish, Maine. The first large old home is mostly a Christmas shop with the last few rooms fully decorated in fall and Halloween! It's a visual treat ... almost magical as you leave there feeling really good. The second building is an oversize garage, perhaps once used as a fire department. Large items in there and jam packed full. It takes a while to see it all. The final building next door was once a school house with slates still on the wall. Every room is packed with color, design, aromas and fun, and homemade fudge, too! She told us she is trying to put in ice cream soon. If you are anywhere near Standish, you should drop in. There is something there just waiting for you - from a hand painted rock ... to the most elaborate forever florals. From pumpkins with silly grins to Santa's with ample chins, they have a lot to see!

View From The Cove

Here we are at the mid way point of July and it seems like summer has only just begun. After a dismal June and a rough start to July ... the heat of summer has finally arrived! The golden privet outside the door will knock you over for the sweet smell ... and the bees attending to it can be heard in the house! The small pool has warmed to about 80... cool enough to be refreshing, but warm enough not to give you a shock. It's been a few days since rain, so now when a car goes flying past the house, we get the accompanying dust cloud that follows. Ah, dirt roads of Maine. Gotta love 'em.