Iced Coffee

Lots going on here: Moody Blues, St. Christopher, iPhone, or a summer drink? Where do I go? On warm summer afternoons on Stevens Avenue, I often found Mom in her favorite reading chair in the den with a ice-beaded glass of her favorite summer beverage: iced coffee. Many times, I do recall, she asked if I wanted a sip. It always looked so icy and refreshing. I never turned down the opportunity, but my facial reaction(some sort of visual contortion) and the comment, "ewwww" was always the same. "Mom, how can you drink that crap?" I'd say. My!!! How things have changed!

Morning on Deck

It's a Sunday AM on the deck. A cup of coffee, a good book and plenty of sun has been a pretty good combination this summer. Better enjoy today; I hear showers moving in the first of the week. We're off to the final show at the Maine State Music Theater: SPAMALOT! I must say, I've been looking ahead to this show all summer. Love Monty Python's Flying Circus!

Birdhouse

We had a wonderful Sunday. The sun broke through about 9 AM and stayed around all day. It was a day with the family at a cottage at Higgins Beach. My sister and her husband are here from Oregon and staying there. Lots of their friends showed up to sail and surf. They were coming and going most of the day. We just sat back and took in the 'sights and sounds'. And, of course, I sampled the bar-b-cue and fixings. Wonderful day with friends.

Some Remains

These rocks, along with a stone wall that runs pretty much the width of the backyard, is what remains of a huge barn that was once stood on the property. We know this, because we have an actual photograph given to us by the previous occupants. We've traced the history as far back to find that it all started as a 100 acre plot of land. The two story house was built by Jacob Hamblen (b 1756), "an honest man, successful farmer and a good citizen"(History of Gorham). From our research, we do believe that the house was built around 1820, with the barn appearing soon after. We have accumulated an awful lot of history on the house and all the occupants who have ever walked these floors. If I do say so, quite an interesting linage. But of the great barn, that stood just up the hill a ways? All that remains are these solid granite stones in their final resting place.

Irises

The irises are up too everywhere. Got to be one of the most beautiful flowers. These purple ones keep this tin birdhouse company next to the driveway. They are strikingly purple these days, but are gone way too soon. They really need to hang around a couple of weeks longer.
“But blueflags are blossoming
in the reeds
which the children pluck
chattering in the reeds
high over their heads
which they part
with bare arms to appear
with fists of flowers.”
“The Blueflags”
By William Carlos Williams
(1883-1963)

Rhododendrons

These rhodies wait out another dreary morning, but, rumor has it, ol' man sun will make an appearance in the not to distant future. For me, when the rhododendrons burst around this backyard, it signals the start a beautiful garden season. E-'s flower gardens are magnificent. If you took a look at a snapshot of what this place looked like back in '77, you REALLY wouldn't recognize it. Landscaping and color all over! I must say; however, they get this way not without lots of work... oh ya and lots of blood (sometimes), sweat (duh!) and tears( in private moments). Every year, we sort of take on a 'little' summer project, and most times it involves the flower gardens. Last summer it was the area to the left of the garage, behind a stone wall and up the rise near an old apple tree. Now, to be perfectly honest, it still a work in progress, but when completed (soon?), I think it will be a 'draw to the eye' from the road. Always working against us around here, though, is a strain of granite that runs diagonally through our land and makes most areas to dig in an added pain. Can you say rocks, rocks, rocks and more rocks? I know you can! But hey, this is New England, and this must be a part that old 'ethic' they talk about around here. Work!

Backyard Blossoms

It's apple blossom time around here. The backyard trees have exploded this past week. This beauty is fleeting though. Soon after the trees appear fully-ladened, these beautiful, soft, pinkish petals begin to 'twinkle' to the ground and dot parts of my newly tilled garden. Back on Stevens, our baseball diamond had three apple trees that created our 'outfield fence' in dead center. Hit it over the tops, and it was an automatic 4- bagger! I got few of those as I remember, but many a shot whistled right through the branches, this time of year, sending many a delicate petal ricocheting to the ground. Ah, backyard baseball... the best!

Birding

Here's a Shakespearean Garden I enjoy visiting and viewing a lot these days. In another week or so, if I'm out here, I'll best move with caution. Birds building nests do not take lightly to humans moving around in 'their space', while they're building homes. One cool project, that kids that hang out here do each year, is constructing lots of colorful and neatly designed birdhouses. There are many, that find their way out here in the garden, sprinkled among the many plots and crabapple trees. It's just a wonderful, quiet space to gather my thoughts on one of those frenzied, crazy-like days. Today, find your spot and enjoy.

*By the way, want a reason to celebrate? Happy Odd Day! The calendar date (as written by people in the US) will be 5-7-9. Whoopie!

Morning Breaks

This Morning
By Raymond Carver
This morning was something. A little snow
lay on the ground. The sun floated in a clear blue sky.
The sea was blue, and blue-green, as far as the eye could see.
Scarcely a ripple.
Calm. I dressed and went
for a walk -- determined not to return
until I took in what Nature had to offer.
I passed close to some old, bent-over trees.
Crossed a field strewn with rocks
where snow had drifted...
All the things I hoped would go away this morning.
The stuff I live with every day.
What I've trampled on in order to stay alive.
But for a minute or two I did forget
myself and everything else. I know I did.
For when I turned back I didn't know
where I was. Until some birds rose up
from the gnarled trees. And flew
in the direction I needed to be going.
* Raymond Carver is a favorite of mine. I thought this one poignant this morning.

Birdhouse in Snow

OK, my friend, the weatherman says we're getting anywheres from 10-16 inches of new snow today, lasting into tonight, with maybe some ice and freezing rain thrown in for good measure. Well, I'm home with a pot of coffee on, a woodstove loaded with seasoned wood, MPR is tuned, the birdfeeders well stocked with sunflower seeds, the snowblower loaded with gas, one of our cats curled up next to me, and some work to catch-up on. I'm not going anywhere. Worried about a few snowflakes? Bring it on!

Gone South!

Since my dad showed me how to dig up potatoes at our house on Washington Avenue, I've always been intrigued by gardens and the growing cycle, even living in a state with such a short season. So when we moved into our house in '77, besides a woodstove, a garden plot was something that just had to be found. We have two areas set aside for vegetables and such, not huge, but as they say, good enough. Surrounding the gardens and throughout our backyard are numerous birdhouses of all shapes, sizes and designs. Along with birdfeeders for the winter months, I just can't help adding them to the grounds, even though, as you might imagine, there's not a lot of activity at the 'houses' on a frigid January morning.

Frozen Apple Branches