"The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep". ~Paul Strand
Good Grief! Another late September beach day in Southern Maine? What gives? It just seems like we're getting payback for the miserable June and part of July. I thought I'd post this last summer-like shot of Willard Beach today and think a bit about strange coincidences of the human spirit. As you might remember from previous posts, while growing up, my Mom took us kids to Willard on countless occasions. I know it was one of her favorite locations near home and ocean-site of choice. When I finally met my sister D- on Monday evening, during dinner at the Saltwater Grill, she mentioned in passing that Willard was a beach that she and her family visited often too. It was a favorite of her mom and dad's also. This connection between our families was not lost on anyone at the table. Sometimes our lives work in small, mysterious, yet poignant ways.
It's the first full day of fall, but a look at the temps around here wouldn't give you a hint of that. Heading to the 80's today, with still a lot of green everywhere. This home at the corner of Danforth and Vaughn Streets is bathed in late morning sun. There won't be many more days like this for awhile. Enjoy!
To say that yesterday was a 'life altering day' for me would not be close to an overstatement. Mom always told me that certain events in life are 'worth the wait', and I'd readily agree with that. It's not often that one gets to mid-life with a close, loving family and suddenly have it grow by one. Lucky us! Throughout the day, the most frequently asked question of me was "Are you nervous?" My reply was always "No, I'm excited." I really was and still am. I thought it was especially poignant, that after meeting at a local hotel, we proceeded to the Fort Allen Park for photos at the bandstand. My 'new' sister, D-, grew up in a home nearby, actually where the Portland House now stands on Eastern Promenade. A wonderful family of four is now five, with lots more nieces and nephews in the wings. How can you beat a last day of summer that brought such an marvelous occurrence.
Today, my wish is for a smooth, glass-like lake surface here. It's a special day for me. I meet a part of my life that I've never seen. She's a part of my past, a part of my 'today' and surely part of my future. Nine years ago, my brother and sisters learned we had a half-sister. Simply put-- today, we'll all be together at last. I'm excited! Stay tuned for the book...?
It never really was September til, we kids got packed away in the creme Chevy station wagon and were on the road to Cumberland. Terrison's Apple Orchard was the destination. It was always an afternoon of pure, unadulterated fun, racing around the trees and finally finding a 'loaded' one to climb. Most times, it was my brother and me doing the climbing and the tossing, and our sisters at the bottom doing the catching. I do remember a couple of times going there with the baby, Jojo, in Mom's arms walking through the orchard watching all the action. Dad was either filling the bushel wooden box or off at the barn talking to old man Terrison. Did he know everybody? It sure seemed so at the time. Back home, the bushel box was stored in the cool, dark dining room closet and every morning before heading out the door for Lincoln and every afternoon on return a visit to the closet for a tasty Mac, Cortland or Golden delicious, was a part of my routine. Ah, September!
These small training skiffs are ready to roll at the Portland Yacht Sales marina. While walking along the water here, I spied a huge black and white cat walking along the railroad tracks. He let me walk right up to him, seemed pretty interested in me too, but as soon as the shutter clicked, he took off like fired from a rifle. We're cat people and have had quite a few: Wiz (Wizard), Micky (Mick Jagger), White Sox (white paws), Eclipse ( always have liked the sound of the word), and Nutmeg (liked saying the word and his coloration). Molly (unsinkable? Molly Brown... Titanic) and Sophie (she looks like a Sophie...princess) are with us now. They all have been wonderful family 'friends', have kept us company through long Maine winters and helped keep the 'critter population' down too. We have loved them all!
The sunflowers are alive and well in the garden these days. They face sunshine, rain, the moon and stars with an indomitable spirit. As we enjoy the last flickering days of summer, the 'sun' is always out with these flowers around. Ah, Sun-flower, weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the Sun,
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the traveller's journey is done:
Where the Youth pined away with desire,
And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow
Arise from the their graves, and aspire
Where my Sun-flower wishes to go.
~By WILLIAM BLAKE~
J- and I took in the movie "The Hurt Locker" recently. Going into it I didn't think I'd really care for it, but I was pleasantly surprised. Quite entertaining, and I hear it's quite true to life. My son says it might be up for an Oscar nominee. After leaving the theater, we headed back to the parking garage to pick up an ID before dinner, and when I turned to leave the building by the back exit, this site met my eyes. It's a back view of buildings on Middle Street. Brick buildings and afternoon sun--- a lethal combination, at least for me. I'm here, enjoying fall sunlight and my dwindling garden.
Yesterday, I spied this on the back walkway. It's true! The season is ready to change around here. We were sitting, enjoying the fading afternoon sun, in our adirondacks nearby and noticed that the huge maple at the end of the driveway was still 'green' at the top. Usually, by the middle of August, we'll begin to see some 'yellow' at the peak, but not this year. The late warm weather has had an effect to at least this big beauty. Don't know where this 'red one' came from, but soon, I know, this tree will 'get busy' with color, and our Maine's blue highways will explode with out of state license plates. It's the way of the world. Ain't no stopping it!
Surf's up! Higgins Beach... Well, no. It's not the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii, but around here it's just about the best place to hang 10. It WAS back in high school, and by the looks of the weekend activity it still is today. Saturday in the showers and Sunday in the sun found lots boards being carried either on foot or on racks on trucks. Now, I was never a partaker in wave-riding, but from the layman's point of view the waves looked big and active both days. Looked like fun, but I'll pass and leave that 'stuff' to Zack, Bruce John and JoJo.
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.
The 2nd Annual Picnic Music+Arts Festival at Lincoln Park was held in the drizzle yesterday from 11 AM to 6 PM. It included lots of crafts, jewelry, homemade items and surprisingly lots of people. Even with the precipitation, the mostly young crowd milled their way from tent to tent. Although the rain eliminated most of the picnicking activities, smiles and lots of laughter were abundant among the the attendees, and after all, isn't that what festivals are all about?
It's Lighthouse Day along Maine's rugged coast. Pemaquid Point Light is one of my favorites lights in our state. A few weeks ago, we had an evening picnic along the water's edge here in Bristol, Maine. This picturesque beauty is located at the entrance to Muscongus Bay and John Bay. On a showery Saturday, around here, it might not be a bad way to spend an afternoon. It's too early in the season to watch college football, anyway. Why not 'light' up your day!
There was a time when you had to 'fight' railroad tracks and cobblestones along Commercial Street, weaving, sliding, bumping. Those days are long gone for the most part around the city, except for Boothby Square. These days beer trucks, laundry vendors, food distributors and their ilk are what you attempt to maneuver around. They get to park in the the center of the wide thoroughfare. Here's my query this morning: with all the great Portland microbrews around, what's this NY State beer truck doing 'obstructing' the middle of Commercial? Just 'the way of the world', I guess.
"Watercolor is a swim in the metaphysics of life... a mirror of one's own character. Let it be unpredictable and colorful." (Anonymous)
Seen from the Fort Allen Park bandstand, the tranquil harbor lies dormant awaiting the busy traffic of the day.
This beat-up Chevy pick-up was parked near Bayside last week. It caught my eye, because back in the old neighborhood Mr. M- always was tinkering in his garage restoring some sleek Lincoln or Caddy. Out in the field behind his house, he had an old abandoned car of the same make that he was constantly pulling parts off and dragging them into the garage. If he was in a good mood, he'd let us kids come watch him work. I think he just like to show-off a bit. At one time he had a real fine pickup similar to this one. It was jet black, and he kept it immaculate; giving it a wax job every Saturday. I'm always impressed and even a bit envious of those classic car owners at car shows. Varooooooom!
An early fall morning finds the sun throwing shadows at the falls. Just before the Stroudwater River empties into the Fore River near the Tate House, this small, yet picturesque scene can be found. One 0f my first memories of this place was when Grampa took me fishing. We parked along the old airport road and fished off the bridge. It was a fun, sunny afternoon, I remember. I had always wanted to try fishing and time spent with this guy was special to me. He had better luck then I did, but I did hook an old black boot. Honest! He got a good laugh out of that. During the winter, our family, on one of our 'rides', often stopped at the frozen river and watched men cut ice here. There was even an old ice house off to the left in this photo. With four kids to entertain, car rides were always a part of our weekends!
Yesterday morning, the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Explorer of the Seas (3,114 passengers) dwarfed vessels around it, as it made its way up the harbor to the International Marine Terminal. We were up early and on the Eastern Prom by 7 AM(a Saturday? Don't ask!). It slowly crept in through the distant sea fog and docked at about 8:45. We left the truck at the Prom, walked down one of the Portland Trails walkways to the jogging and bike path below and made our way to the Terminal. It was a beautiful morning, and the ship looked majestic against the early, blue-slate sky. Why see this ship? Five summers ago, we sailed the Caribbean aboard the Explorer's sister ship the Voyager of the Seas. What a wonderful time we had. GREAT memories!
This afternoon, we're off to the beach! To the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom to be exact to take in the 'end of summer' concert by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. We've seen them many times, and SSJ and the boys always put on a great show, bringing that Jersey Shore sound north. They love playing this venue every summer, and by the end of the evening it shows. What I love about the concerts is, besides their setlist of 'hits', they are constantly throwing in the 'surprises' like:"Hanky Panky", "Twisting the Night Away", "Under the Boardwalk", "Doo Wah Diddy", and River Deep/ Mountain High". Here's a peek into me. I love Dusty Springfield! Three summers ago, my brother and I went to the show and stood 15 feet from center stage. The band kicked off the night with a rockin' version of her hit "I Only Want To Be With You". I couldn't believe it! What a start! What a night! Have a super, satisfying Saturday! I know I going to have one!
Took a quick day trip down to Perkins' Cove recently and walked along Marginal Way. There are a couple of places with actual water access that are called 'beaches'. They are basically all rocks, with no sand recognizable to the human eye. What you are looking at here is the entire 'beach' population on this August afternoon. However, near the end of our walk, there are picturesque views of Ogunquit Beach off in the distance. This afternoon the beach there was packed! It got up to 85 inland around here today; A real end of summer day for us. One thing about an August in Maine-- summer ends very abruptly, often with no warning. So we try to enjoy every single warm afternoon. Why? It's a long time til May.
The old Chestnut Street Church dates back to before the Civil War. Architect, Charles Alexander, was quite popular in Portland in the 1850s and 1860s, but because of the great fire in the city, this is his only surviving piece of work. Today, the church has reopened as a restaurant called GRACE. I haven't eaten there myself, but I have a friend who has 'broken bread' within the walls, and she said, "I'm not a religious person, but I did feel a little strange eating dinner on the altar". She went on to say that the restaurant was quite beautiful inside, but that the entrees were a bit overpriced but delicious. I've seen photographs of the inside, and I must say the architecture is quite stunning. I guess you could say that eating here is truly a 'religious experience'!
Be creative!
Today, September 1, is Theme Day in the CityDailyPhotoBlog community around the world. So what REALLY is Freeport, Maine's claim to fame? Is it, as many believe, L.L. Bean? How about the Desert of Maine(heard about this?)? Some residents of the town might side with the Big Indian on Rt. 1. Since the 60's, when it first made its appearance, many have called it the BFI. That's affectionately the Big Freeport Indian. While for others, the the F stands for something else all together. But since this is a family show... However, in the parlance of the day--- the Big Native American might better fit the bill. Regardless, it certainly fits the adjective BIG, alright!
Say goodbye to August... say goodbye to paradise! It's a lethal combination: blue skies, strong sunshine and money to burn. As summer wanes, tourists and locals alike are still frequenting the many shops in the Old Port, cruising the harbor and lining up for a last lobster dinner at a dockside restaurant. It's just after 11 AM, but here on Moulton Street Mexicali Blues, The Old Port Tavern and, up the hill a bit, Bull Feeney's are open for business.
'Art Happens'.
I took a casual stroll through Eastern Cemetery the other morning, before my second cup of coffee. Located on the Hill looking out upon the harbor, Eastern Cemetery is Portland’s oldest historic burial ground. Just a short walk, through the sometimes knee-high grass, tells you that it holds the remains of many politicians, early military heroes, those that chose a life on the sea and other early inhabitants of 'the city by the sea'. All interments were ceased here in 1858, and in 1973 was it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. A local preservation group, Spirits Alive, was formed in 2006. It conducts tours throughout the spring and summer and works on upkeep of the grounds and restoration projects. This group has plenty of work ahead of it. That's the old North School in the background. It's a rainy Saturday around here as Danny passes nearby. Good day to clean the attic!
E. Klaman Bottles was one of my favorite places in the Old Port to stop and take a look in the windows. Into the early 90s, this shop was always cluttered, wall to wall, with rare and common bottles of all shapes and sizes. I can remember often walking by the windows here and saying to myself: why, why, why? It's a store filled with empty glass bottles! Want a piece of rare Portland glass? Items from this longtime city icon are still available via eBay; otherwise you'll just have to say 'life is good' and deal with it.
Whenever I smell hot, buttered popcorn, I think-- the Expo(Portland Exposition Building). It all goes back to those Friday night high school basketball doubleheaders... in Portland, attending them was close to a 'religious experience'. My Dad started taking me there when I was about 8. We'd always park in Hamilton Filling Station's parking lot and head to our seats. He seem to know just about everybody, as we made our way to the top row of the bleachers with a box of popcorn and and a Coke. As soon as the games were over, zoom-- we'd be out the door. However, on our way, we always paid a visit to Terroni's Market on Park Avenue for a bag of chips and a soda. Friday nights were wonderful times for me and Dad together. And speaking of basketball, professional basketball comes to the city this November in the form of a NBA Developmental League team, the Maine Red Claws ( developing players for the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Bobcats).
