Hershey Gardens Butterfly Atrium
Hannah's and my trip to Pennsylvania is ending - just one more day before we return to Maine on Saturday. Our only agenda item for this trip was a visit to Hershey Gardens. After days of rain, the weather finally cooperated today. The trip's...
The Little Brown Bat
Inspired by the Halloween decorations in the stores, I designed the Little Brown Bat - an often requested pattern. I'm on vacation with my folks in Pennsylvania and don't have my felt supplies at hand, so the prototype for this guy is in Halloween...
The Majestic Mountain Lion
The presence of mountain lions in Maine is often debated. In 2018 federal officials declared the Eastern Cougar extinct. However, every year there are reported sightings that leave us wondering. Friends shared that they spotted one outside their...
A Late Afternoon Linger
Hannah and I had a late afternoon linger on the beach today. And it's my favorite time of year - shorebird migration season. We spotted common plovers, sandpipers, yellow legs, and a great blue heron. #summertimeinmaine
August Visit to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
A visit to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens was part of our punch list for this summer. We checked that one off the list - my fifth visit to the gardens in Boothbay. From a distance, the view colors were glorious. Looking closer, it became clear...
Muddy Bald Eagle
Close to low tide this afternoon on the Pleasant River - a muddy Bald Eagle enjoying a sea worm. Just the two of us and a couple of crows.
#23 Birthday Woes
Hannah's birthday was on Friday (Happy 23!). Given that she's adulting and had to work both Friday and the better part of Saturday, we planned to celebrate Saturday evening. Unexpectedly, our 18-year-old oven stopped working on Friday. An early...
Evening Dragonfly
Dragonflies - fascinating little flying machines that bring such delight. This one likes the volunteer cattails that sprouted in the pond this year.
Twenty-five Years With This Man
Twenty-five years.A quarter of a century.The best years of my life have been with this man.Thank you, Paul, for your love, your patience, the adventures, the quiet times, the crazy times, and a wonderful child who is more like you every day.I love...
Long-awaited Disappointment
When I was young, my maternal grandparents lived in Montgomery, Ohio. From my earliest visits to their home, I have snapshots of memories; no great detail but hazy pictures. My grandpa's radio. Going to school with my grandmother. The Hadley potter...
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Today we celebrate my dad's 86th birthday. It's been a rough year for my family, with mom in the hospital twice. I've made four trips to Pennsylvania so far to visit with mom and dad, and I've treasured every one of them. The older I get, the more...
Magical Moments
Early this morning, I was enjoying my coffee on the porch. A rustle in the woods put Gidget on alert. No barking, yet she was standing at attention at the edge of her fence. I looked up and caught the hint of a White-tail doe. And then a tiny...
A Busy Day in the Garden
If you don't look too closely at my garden, you won't notice that the grass is as tall as my milkweed. While I love flowers, I'm not such a great gardener. Weeds and grass grow exponentially to the time I have to tend the garden. Thankfully, the...
Moments of Joy
Hannah worked Saturday and ended up with today off. So, I worked a half-day and then lured her to the beach. Believe it or not, it's our first beach chair, toes in the water beach day of the season. I think Hannah's finding that adulting and...
Father-Daughter Banter
Our text with Hannah as Paul and I drove home from the Augusta VA.
What I Didn’t Miss
The Broad-winged Hawk has been a frequent visitor to our yard all season long. This morning my work day started from home. Working from the porch, I heard the bird's loud, high-pitched call. It took a few moments before I spotted him perched in a...
Downeast Thunder Farm Owl Sign
Some time ago, Paul asked me to convert my Downeast Thunder Farm logo owls into an image file he could use with his X-Carve machine. His first test run with that simplified design was on the garden trug he made for me a couple of weeks ago. Last...
The Lure of Chives
The chive blossoms were the most popular flower in my yard this weekend. The lure of these dainty purple flowers is strong. 'Tis pollinator season!
My New Garden Trug
Each year, Women for Healthy Rural Living has a raffle auction - except for the last two COVID summers. I've often been able to talk Paul into making and donating an item. In the past, he's built a rowing dinghy and a child's pedal Bugatti car,...
Goslings
Every year about this time, Hannah and I venture out in search of goslings. Tonight we enjoyed watching two Canada Goose families noodling about the shore on Beals Island. A lovely evening with my girl.
May in Bloom
As May comes to a close, I thought I'd share how Maine has come to life this last month. Although my gardens are just emerging, the wild blooms have nourished the pollinators and my soul. Ferns are emerging. Ash tree (maybe?) in bloom. Wild...
The Foraging Blue-headed Vireo
Some of my backyard birds you have to go searching the edges of the woods for; otherwise, you can only hear them. The Blue-headed Vireo is one that I've been recording daily on Merlin; I've yet to spot this guy. A challenging part of this bird is...
The Familiar White-throated Sparrow
The White-throated Sparrow may be the unsung hero of my backyard. Unassuming, always around either at the feeder or rustling around beneath the lilac bushes. I'm past due creating a felt pattern for this guy. Enjoy! If you are reading this post via...
Wild Blueberry Blossoms
It's amazing how something so tiny can yield fruit so delectable. Blueberry blossoms up close.
The Belligerent Black-and-white Warbler
Black-and-white Warblers have been singing and keeping me company from the edge of the woods these past few days. This design was a happy way to spend the afternoon on the porch. Enjoy! If you are reading this post via email, click Continue Reading...
