Panoramic Blueberry Barrens
Despite the fact that it was a hot and muggy day, I talked Hannah into helping me load and haul months worth of recycling to the bins in town. The ac in the car felt so good that we opted not to head straight home. Three hours later we'd covered a...
A Favorite View Revisited
This morning, I played hooky. Rather than plugging away at my work to-do list, I took a class on paper collage with a local artist. Tearing and gluing paper was fun and even a bit therapeutic. My inspiration was a picture snapped of one of my...
Field of Gold
We made a whirlwind visit to Massachusetts this weekend to visit the last of the colleges on Hannah's list of schools. She now has one big yes and a few backup schools. It's been fun watching her explore the possibilities and learn more about what...
Buttercups!
Here's little pop of beauty on this otherwise cold, damp, dreary summer day (I think we hit a high of 60 degrees F). At first glance I thought this was a field of dandelions, but it's actually millions of tiny buttercup flowers.
Heirloom Reinvented
I have this leather-topped writing desk built by the Maddox Table Co. of Jamestown, NY. It was my grandmother's desk, a piece that came from the furniture store my grandparents owned when I was a child - The Jordan Store. In my mind, I can still...
July 4 at Eagle Hill
This 4th of July found my family at the top of Eagle Hill in Stueben. We hiked the network of trails with Gidget scampering along. Gidget was a trooper, scaling all but the largest of rocks and steep climbs. Then curiously, a branch across the pass...
Downeast Thunder Farm 7 Grain Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
Eighteen months ago, Paul turned over a new leaf - he adopted a plant based, low-oil diet. Now that's totally counter-intuitive for someone who loves meat and raised meat chickens, but here we are. Part of this new paradigm is eating only whole...
All’s Well that Ends Well
This morning I bounced back and forth between working at my desk and helping Paul work on the new chicken run for the hen house. While I was outside, I turned on the soaker hose in greenhouse. Unfortunately, I forgot about it until Paul came in for...
Osprey Sighting
I've passed this nest many times over the last few months and finally spied an Osprey perched there today. Given the gray overcast day, the photo isn't as spectacular as that of last year's nesting pair, but the sighting made my day nonetheless....
Bold Skies Over a Solitary Tree
I so enjoy this solitary pine standing tall over the blueberry barrens. This morning, while the sun was still low, the sky looked so bold and so close. Other solitary tree posts: 16 January 2016: Sunrise Over a Solitary Tree 29 October 2015:...
Early Morning Lupines
Lupines at 5:30 am. Although they're fading, they're still beautiful. I can't get enough of them and they'll be spent for the season in a manner of days.
A Favorite View
This is one of my favorite views heading east on US Route 1. There's something about that road rambling through the barrens and over the hill going to who knows where. Although, if I knew where it led, I might not find the vista so appealing. Save
A Ride on the Downeast Scenic Railroad
Paul is bit of a train enthusiast so for Father's Day Hannah and I took him for a ride on the Downeast Scenic Railroad. Yup, we played tourist in our own backyard. The 90 minute excursion likely covered all of five miles and the scenery was mostly...
In The Garden Today
It was a stupendous Maine day - warm weather cool breeze, and a chilly night. There was lots of activity in the garden. There were all manner of hummers. Hummingbirds... Hummingbird moths - or clearwing moths... I love the way you can see her...
Picturesque Pleasant River
The tide was high and the waters still as I headed into work this morning. It was so pretty out that I made quick a detour down to one of my favorite spots along the Pleasant River. I could have spent all morning admiring the view and listening to...
More Lupines
Today I was fortunate enough to discover a stand of Lupines edging a field with the river as the backdrop. I want a field of these in my front yard! Save Save Save
The Energetic Belted Kingfisher
I often spy these energetic little birds sitting on telephone lines that run along the river. When I'm lucky, I'll see one swoop down, diving into the water with a splash to scoop up a meal. Hope you enjoy him! Right click here and select "save...
Lovely Lupines
Hannah offered to be my chauffeur when I wanted to photograph lupines. Her ulterior motive was to rack up more driving hours so she can finally apply for her driver's license. I may have waited a bit too long to capture the lupine this year -...
Magnificent Morning on the Barrens
I'm not sure if this front over the blueberry barrens this morning was moving in or moving out, but the expansive barren in bloom with bees a buzzing was a beautiful sight! It was a magnificent morning after a night of torrential rain and thunder...
The Common Raven
This bird is inspired by the huge Ravens that have been visiting the farm this last week. In flight they're so big that I first thought they were eagles. Enjoy! Right click here and select "save target as" to save this free Raven printable PDF to...
Days Like This
It's days like this that reward us for surviving seven months of heating season (aka winter). We're officially off the wood boiler for the season. It's days like this that require me to pause along the side of the road and watch geese meander the...
Lupine Leaf Patterns
A flat of lupine seedlings ready for planting present the most compelling picture - pattern upon pattern.
Goslings on the River
I found a flock of Canada Geese loitering on the riverbank at the end of our road. I parked and scooted across the road to snap some pictures. They didn't appreciate my presence and the adults promptly led the goslings to the river's edge. The...
Bears Among Us
Yesterday I was sharing about our squirrel issue. Today it seems as if we have a bear issue. Twelve years at Downeast Thunder Farm and we've never had a bear "problem". We know they're on the property because we've seen signs - footprints, scat,...
Not To Be Outwitted By A Squirrel
We've had a bit of a squirrel issue this last week. One of these cute little red squirrels took up residence in the garage. This is not a good thing! He (or she) was making a nest of fiberglass insulation in the overhead. Paul discovered this when...
