by Susan | Jan 30, 2026 | On My Mind
Looking back at my photos from January, I realize it was a quiet month for pictures. Still, two moments stand out as highlights. My first beach walk of the year with Hannah was brutally cold, but the lack of wind made it bearable—although our walk remained short. Two...
by Susan | Dec 24, 2025 | On My Mind
I’m sitting here watching the birds at my feeder in the woods, a gentle snow falling. Christmas Eve and I’m feeling a bit subdued. I’ve got the week off, so there’s been time to clean house, tackle a few projects, and prepare, but I’m not...
by Susan | Oct 7, 2025 | Family, On My Mind
I am so excited for Hannah (and proud of her!). Tomorrow, she will deliver her artwork to Rising Tides Downeast Artisan Collective, located in the Schooner Gallery on Main Street in Millbridge. She has long donated and gifted her art, but this is the first time she...
by Susan | Sep 30, 2025 | On My Mind
September is a month of change that often brings a bittersweet feeling. The sunny days of summer begin to shorten and warm days morph into crisp nights. In reflection, September was a time of herons and hummingbirds. A time of butterflies, bumblebees and blossoms. A...
by Susan | Sep 1, 2025 | On My Mind
August has flown by quickly, likely because it has been such a busy month. Hannah returned home from her summer work in Brunswick, and we celebrated her birthday. Although my creativity has been low, I’ve enjoyed watching Hannah’s “art”, as we...
by Susan | Aug 30, 2025 | On My Mind
In late July, we said goodbye to our kitty, Snape. He had cancer and had been failing for a while. Yet just like with Cinder Kitty a few months ago, we knew it was time to let him go in peace. Purfessor Snape joined our family, along with his sister, Cinder, in 2007...
by Susan | May 2, 2025 | On My Mind
Where did April go? It has flown by in a whirlwind of new beginnings, travel, and garden hopes. I spent some time dabbling with my new basket-making skills with this garlic basket. And this basket that wraps around a jar for posies, pens, or whatnot. Our culvert...
by Susan | Mar 30, 2025 | On My Mind
We had to say goodbye to our Cinder Kitty yesterday after 18 years of love. Just when I thought I had the emotions under control, this morning the sadness bubbled to the surface again. Her pillow. Her empty dish. A scratch pad. The absence of her comforting presence...
by Susan | Feb 14, 2025 | Family, On My Mind
This is my grandmother’s dresser, and my memories of it are as old as my memories of her. As a young child, I enjoyed exploring her jewelry and keepsakes stored in the dresser top. When she passed away in 2011 at the age of 96, she left the dresser to me. Since...
by Susan | Dec 24, 2024 | On My Mind
The days leading up to Christmas have come with a bit of anxiety. Dad took a tumble on a curb. Thankfully, my brother and his family were with him and he’s okay, besides being sore. Yesterday, Dad’s emergency alert alarm went off, and I got a call from the...
by Susan | Dec 22, 2024 | Cats and Dogs, On My Mind
Winter Solstice dawned with the promise of a white Christmas. Five inches of snow dropped overnight, with more predicted on Christmas Eve. I relish the silence of the solstice as I shoveled out and wandered down to the mailbox. There’s lots to take in along our...
by Susan | Nov 30, 2024 | Backyard Birds, Family, On My Mind
Thanksgiving dawned wet and dreary in Downeast Maine. It was a quiet day filled with baking and birdwatching from the sofa. This Thanksgiving was particularly poignant for me because it was also Mom’s birthday—the second one we’ve spent without her. She...
by Susan | Sep 22, 2024 | On My Mind
The long days filled with sunshine have flown by, leaving me wondering where the summer has gone. In some ways, I feel the summer has passed me by, busy with work and life, but visiting my photos reminds me of the wonderful moments had. A June visit with Dad. My...
by Susan | Aug 5, 2024 | Hannah, On My Mind
Hannah spends much of the summer in Brunswick for work. She’s made it home a time or two, but I wouldn’t say I like the idea of her spending her birthday alone. She has to work on her birthday (a Monday this year) so I made the trip to Brunswick for the...
by Susan | Jul 22, 2024 | On My Mind
Each summer, Women for Healthy Rural Living (WHRL) holds a dual auction–a raffle (which runs in person July 26-27) and an online silent auction (running now through July 28th). The fun thing about the online silent auction is many smaller items can be shipped so you...
by Susan | Mar 23, 2024 | On My Mind
I love colors. Now and then, I pour over the felt color swatch book, dreaming about what new color to add to my bulk felt order. If I could afford them all—or had space for them—I’d be in trouble. And then there are the hours I’ve spent in the craft store,...
by Susan | Mar 17, 2024 | Family, On My Mind
One Year. Three hundred sixty-five days since the most challenging time of my life ended. Only to usher in a new ache. Watching Mom deteriorate so quickly from cancer, caring for her for weeks with hospice’s guidance. She left us before she took her last...
by Susan | Mar 15, 2024 | On My Mind
It’s hard to believe that a year ago this week, we lost my mom. A year ago today was the last time we spoke – the last time she told me she loved me. It’s been a tough time, but the arrival of our new pup has pushed aside some of the heaviness in my...
by Susan | Feb 24, 2024 | On My Mind
Hannah has been spending time on Petfinder, dreaming of a day when she can have her own pup. She texted me a picture of a pup, and I looked but wasn’t inspired. Yet I dared to linger on Petfinder and scrolled to peek at the other pups. (Dangerous, I know!) And...
by Susan | Dec 26, 2023 | On My Mind
It was a quiet and peaceful Christmas Day at Downeast Thunder Farm – which was good as I’m still feeling a bit out of sorts. There was a bit of fun when Paul and I realized that we gifted each other the very same electronic tire gauge/inflator gadget...
