Category Archives: Loving

A Two-lighthouse Day

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Owl's Head Light

We headed out Sunday to see the ocean and a light house. Since Kelly hadn’t ever been to Maine and the Maine coast being my favorite thing, it was a cinch to decide to head eastward.

First stop, Owl’s Head Light near Thomaston, Maine. Thomaston, by the way, is one of my favorite childhood memories. We used to visit this adorable vintage Maine town with the white homes on either side of Route 1 and where the Maine State Penitentiary used to be. Connected to the state prison, there was the prison store. My brothers and I loved visiting there to purchase some little trinket carved by the inmates (and there were real inmates at the cashier’s desk with armed guards). A bit of wonder and a bit of fear made this a great place to visit. They’re open every day but Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day (a couple of days in January and Maine snow days.)

Owl's Head LightBut I digress… the land for Owl’s Head Light was purchased in 1824 by a Congressional appropriation of $4,000.  Owl’s Head marks the entrance to Rockland harbor and the light was first lit by it’s first keeper in September 1825 (the project was completed for a cost of $2,707.79 … way under the appropriation. Bet that wouldn’t happen today!)

Today, you can visit the lighthouse (the keeper’s house is still standing but not open to visitors. It’s a bit of a climb into the tower but the view is worth the effort. The lens of the light is simply amazing.

A 1,000 watt hallogen bulb lights the light today

It’s a Fresnel lens which replaced the original in 1856 and it’s simply amazing. It was originally designed to turn (and has wheels) but they decided to keep it a stationary light as all the others in the area were blinking. Did you know that each lighthouse had it’s own pattern of blinks? Ayuh, they did.

From the Foot of the Tower

From the tower, the Rockland Breakwater was pointed out to us by the volunteer at the top of the tower. (It was a beautiful sunny day and it was hot up there!) She said we could walk out the mile long “jetty” (made from rubble granite) and visit the keepers house and lighthouse. SO, who could resist? Off we went.

View from the Lighthouse over the Breakwater toward shore

The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is going through a major renovation and it’s going to be a beautiful place to visit. Well, it was a beautiful place to visit and I could imagine living there as the keeper (all lighthouses in Maine today are automated.) While I think the volunteers could have designed a more professional display of the history of the lighthouse, it’s a fun visit and it’s a treat to see the keeper’s house as well as visit the tower. My camera died so I can’t share with you the views other than the two I took. One above is toward the shore over the breakwater (wear sturdy shoes for this hike) and another looking toward the Owl’s Head light across the harbor.

A visit to Rockland after our lighthouse adventure for a bit of lunch at the Rockland Cafe … where we shared a cup of their seafood chowder (yummy, especially with a dash or three of hot sauce) and ordered a couple of lobster BLTs and a “small” plate of whole belly fried clams. The BLT was tasty (the bread/roll was unoriginal) and the clams were delish. Rockland is also home to some great shops, an excellent (new location is quite a step up) coffee shop and book store (Rock City Cafe) and the fabulous Farnsworth Art Museum, home of many of Andrew Wyeth’s paintings and always a good visit!

Fun day with friends, good food, a bit of exercise and we learned a bit, too. Not typical for us but a great day in Maine!

In Consideration of the Wooly Bear

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I was walking some dog poop up the driveway in the poop shovel this morning and practically tripped over this guy (or gal!). Well, I didn’t exactly “trip” over it, but I nearly stepped on it and since I was carrying a shovel full of … well, you know … I tried hard NOT to step on it and nearly dumped the “load” (so to speak) all over the driveway.

I was thinking, though, these guys have a difficult life, don’t they? As I was standing over it with my camera (and every time my camera made a noise, the caterpillar stopped moving … but it never curled itself into a ball) I was watching it navigate the grass and rocks and other detritus that is part of the Maine landscape and was realizing that it’s kind of similar to me climbing a mountain but I don’t have to worry about somebody stepping on me or picking me up to play with me! What a brave creature to come out of its bed daily and climb mountains (even though by my eyes, they’re pint-sized mountains), taking the risk of being stepped on by who-knows-what because just about anything’s bigger than he/she is!

My next thought was about people and, more specifically, me. I always considered myself NOT to be a risk-taker. I think I’m changing that perception, though. I’ve left an unhappy and unfulfilling marriage, a comfortable home and community to live somewhere new where nothing was certain (and it’s still not on some days). That was very brave! I’m learning and re-learning daily and hitting bumps in the road on occasion – sometimes taking those bumps in stride and sometimes, not so much! I’m like the Wooly Bear!

I guess the moral of the story, if there is one, is that I’m stretching just like the Wooly Bear caterpillar, and while I am so in awe of how brave he/she is, I could take a little time to consider (and be proud of) how brave I am, too! In this big adventure called life, I’m stretching and growing and it’s all good.

Gone knitting!

 

Lake Living – Part of the Reason I love Maine

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Fuzzy Caterpillar - It Must be Fall!

This morning my nose was freezing cold when I woke up. I was even cold last night under a down comforter. Good sleeping weather.

The main reason, though, that I love it here is the nature. When I was up reading (and sniffling) last night, I could hear the loons calling. I love that sound – and somehow it makes you feel like you’re not alone.

This morning, I was sitting in the sun on the porch and watched a king fisher catch two fish … well, I didn’t exactly watch the darned bird – it was way to speedy for me! I saw it flash back up to the roof of the front porch after I heard the splash (twice!) and there was definitely something in it’s beak. They have a unique call so I knew it was on the roof above me but even as I watched, it moved more quickly than my eyes!

And last night on our cruise, we watched a couple of flocks of sea gulls over the lake. I’ve seen them flock over the ocean but never on the lake … well, at least I’ve not noticed it before. They were eating bugs. I didn’t know they ate bugs. Learn something new all the time!

Right now as I type this, a loon is fishing in front of the house … the wonders of nature!

We’re endeavoring to eat more vegetables and more locally. Here is lunch today …

Local tomatoes, basil from our garden, Maine-made mozzarella and freshly baked baguette from the Green Spot in Waterville. Delicious!

Going to watch the lake!

Goodnight (hurricane) Irene …

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Hurricane Irene is heading toward the east coast of the United States as we speak. The press would make one believe that it’s the worst storm to hit the world in the last hundred years. People are in a panic mode from the Carolinas to Canada.

I was kind of looking forward to witnessing a hurricane – albeit not from the coast – before I leave Florida but it seems like it’s not going to make landfall before the Carolinas. Seems it’s not going to happen this time!

So, while everyone else is stocking up on batteries and water … and they’re evacuating lower Manhattan and stopping all mass transit in New York City tomorrow late morning … I’m going to head to my bed with knitting in hand and relax and knit in peace.

On the needles … hexipuffs, baby hat #1 (re-designed version), Maine sweater vest (almost there!) and the dreaded two socks on one needle which will be going back to Maine for help from Betty the wonder-knitter so that I can learn how to turn the heel!

Baby hat #2 is in process. My “old” (former?) au pair – I was her local coordinator when she was an au pair in Ohio ten years ago and now she’s married and a local coordinator herself – is adopting a baby boy in October and I’m knitting for her baby boy. What a wonderful way to celebrate a magnificent event in her life!

I’m so grateful that my family and friends (well, most of them anyway) are all out of the way of Irene. Praying that Irene behaves and lives are saved.

Life is so good!

Gone knitting!

Home?

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Back in the land of heat and humidity and the yard weeds are taller than the plants that we dug holes for. Go figure! At least the pots in the front yard aren’t dead and my (now) puny “jazz hands” palm tree is still alive and growing after a near death experience.

I’ve had a fun day today and am going to continue having fun when my girlfriend comes for dinner but I thought I’d take a few minutes to show you what I’ve been working on while I wasn’t blogging … it’s not “much” but it’s work, none the less!

I’ve finished the coveted “Turkish Bed Socks” (find the pattern HERE at Churchmouse Yarns and Teas) and it just reinforced to me how much I love knitting with Koigu wool. It’s simply wonderful to knit with … if you try it on my recommendation and don’t love the way the yarn feels and knits, let me know and I will buy the yarn from you. The colorways are endless, too … you’re bound to love at least one (hundred) colors! The construction was interesting and I only got a bit confused once … and when I stopped reading ahead, I was fine. They’re cute and I’ll be they’re super to wear with my clogs in the winter.

I have made two more pairs of fingerless “Gauntlets”. One is in a gray alpaca DK weight yarn from Village Farm Alpacas in Waldoboro, Maine. The yarn is absolutely the softest and it was good to knit with … nearly as good as the Koigu, just not quite.

The second pair is almost finished. These were knit with a wool and silk blend from Plymouth Yarn Company called Mulberry Merino in a dark emerald green colorway (color 686, Lot 531). The yarn is so soft and the fingerless mitten pattern is wonderful. The yarn is spun loosely and it’s not as much fun to knit with because it splits on the needles and then gets stuck which is annoying! These will either go up on my Etsy site or be given away when I reach 100 “likes” on the Queen Bee Knits facebook page.

My vest in coming along. I’ve finished the back and have started working up one side of the front but I have to be honest, I haven’t really done much knitting. The last few days I was playing with my “old” friends from college at Virginia Beach and there was no time for knitting … I was out riding the waves (body surfing) for over an hour on Saturday. I’m sunburned and getting that “I’m going to peel” itch but it was worth it.

So, now I’m home and I have an order for a baby hat for one of my former au pairs. She’s adopting a little Latino boy from Illinois in October. She’ll be present at the baby’s birth if she has enough time to get from her house to Chicago area in time. How exciting is that? So, I’m off to find some cute patterns for the baby hat and then will hit the shops in person and/or online for yarn. Any suggestions?

Gone knitting … or pattern hunting!

 

On Summer

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Firefly!

The first thing I think about when I think about summer is fireflies (second only to honeysuckle and other flowers and the call of loons and swimming and …)

I remember collecting them when I was a child and then passing on my love of these brilliant bugs to my children. We’d get a great big glass or plastic jar and punch lots of holes in the lid for air. They’d fill the bottom with grass and sticks and leaves and then the fun really begins – collecting the bugs and watching them light up. Running around outside in the dark (without the fear of stepping in dog poop) and the squeals of glee when, “I caught one!” was called. It was always such fun to watch their little faces peering into their jar watching the bugs light. They (and we) would have been outside all night – or at least until all the bugs were caught or asleep!

When I was a kid, I always wanted to take them to my room and keep them for a night light … and in the morning they were all dead (or nearly dead) and I’d release them anyway. (Because we all know that miracles happen.) I don’t remember my kids taking them inside to die. I think we were more concerned with teaching them to respect all living things and that the reality is that they’ll die in captivity. Real world, heartbreaking reality. But it helped my kids turn into compassionate human beings.

Lightning bugs still are harbingers of summer in my mind and there’s nothing better than a lovely summer night when the fireflies are out and I remember the wonderful days when my children were little and passing on the traditions of collecting fireflies. Gotta love summer!!!

Loom Dude's Knitted Firefly

Here’s a compatriot’s pattern for knitting fireflies! What a wonderful idea, Loom Dude! Click HERE to flit over to the Loom Dude’s blog to collect the pattern!

Enjoy what’s left of your summer!

Gone knitting!

“I can’t think about that right now. If I do, I’ll go crazy. I’ll think about that tomorrow.”

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Yes, Scarlet O’Hara, we’ll think about that tomorrow!

Whenever I think of Atlanta, I think of Gone With the Wind. (Duh! Doesn’t everyone?) You can click HERE to watch the trailer of the movie from 1939 – the movie did win ten (count them TEN!) awards! Just listening to the music gives me goose bumps!

Margaret Mitchell's House

This is the place where it all began. Had I not been here in Atlanta, I wouldn’t even have thought about the fact that Margaret (I’ll call her “Maggie” since we’re now on a first name, casual basis) had to write the book somewhere … and this is where.

The house burned down in the late 1990’s (yes, that’s 1990, not a mistake) and has been beautifully restored. When Maggie lived here, it was an apartment building. I’d have chosen to live there too … it was a beautiful home!

Anyway, as I blog in Sandy Springs, the new Margaret Mitchell House is now a museum and I’ll get there to visit one day … maybe sooner than later! Check out their website if you’re in town … what better way to re-live the history of a place than to visit the homes of some of it’s famous former residents!

On The Road Again

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We’ve had to move out of our Maine house for the month of August which is N’s half-sister’s month. So, we’re on the road again … with our three crazy dogs.

First stop Ipswich, MA. If you’ve never eaten at the Clam Box, you’re missing the best whole-belly fried clams in the whole world! We’ve been there before and have never seen the place without a line out the door. We’re staying with our camp friend from forever ago, Bob … good company and a good friend!

Meanwhile, my Noni bag is mere single-digit rows away from completion! I’m really excited about this one because I’ve never done colorwork and I’m eager to see the finished project off the needles where I can really see the pattern. I got the handles delivered just before my birthday so I’m ready to put it all together when I get back to Orlando.

I’m doing my level best to work on it for a couple hours a day and get it all done before I’m dropped in Atlanta.

Two socks on one needle are frozen and in limbo. Who knew that when you got to turning the heel it wasn’t as easy to figure out. The needles only go one way and you can’t really skip over un-knit stitches to turn the heel as needed. God bless the Internet, though. I found a couple of sites with hints as to how to accomplish this feat … I’ll let you know how it works. BUT it seems that I have to turn one heel, pick up the gusset stitches and then do the second heel. I’ll try it … manana (in other, English, words … tomorrow!)

Gone knitting!

Bedlam Farm Journal … A Recommendation

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If you’ve never heard me recommend Jon Katz and his Bedlam Farm Journal blog, hear me now!

This morning, Jon tells a story about having given a sermon and a talk. While I know minimally about his life history, Jon is sage and doesn’t waste words (while I waste them constantly!) In his post he says, “And I said at both that in America, we are led to believe the world is in turmoil and coming apart and that we must be angry and afraid for our lives, for the weather, for our health, about money, about the rest of the world. I said  I didn’t believe this. I said I believe we need to repair the earth, not make it into a political argument. And we need to live our lives, define our own notions of health – healthy people do not live in fear and anger – and lead lives of fulfillment and self-determination. That is the sacred call to life for me.”

What is my sacred call to life?

I agree with Jon. I believe that we are the creators of our own world. We are responsible for our health and the health of the little patch of world we live in. Here in Maine (and in Florida when we’re there) we don’t waste resources. We recycle everything we can. We use “clean” products and keep adding to our list. We eat as locally as possible and work to improve this, too. I value the friendships and family and remind myself of the blessings that I receive daily (well, some days are dark and ugly … I’m human and accept that I still have some growing to do.)

Canine Cousins on the Couch

When was the last time you played with a paddle ball?

We just had my brothers and sisters and my daughter and her boyfriend and eight dogs here visiting for a week. We really only left the “campus” that is Camp Smedley once – to relive the bucolic childhood that we remember in Tenants Harbor, Maine. Thirteen people (ten adults and three kids) and eight dogs got along (my mom would be so pleased!) for a week in a house on the shores of Lake Messalonskee. The visit was too short and painful when they all left – painfully quiet at first and then we simply longed for the good company of people we care about deeply. Sharing this place that means so much to us with our family was very meaningful and will be stored away in the memory as one of the best ever experiences.

Cousins and Cards!

I know I am on this planet to do something that will make a difference. I may have already made it  … I raised three children to be independent and they know that they need to find their own happiness. They have the tools and the “smarts” to do what they need to do to get there and they are all on their way. I have touched the lives and hearts of children, volunteering in the schools, bantering with my kids’ friends. I have held the hands of friends who were struggling and I have mourned their passing. I’ve tried to be supportive of their loved ones left behind – at least I offered to be available and with an open heart. I’ve shared my talents and continue to share the things I love to do. I think there are still great things that I can do and I am learning about myself and discovering what I am passionate about.

Life is full of blessings and the world is a wonderful place to be … if you just believe it is so.

Increases (Stitches and Residents)

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I’ve been making a pair of Bella Mittens (and they’re quite lovely) from the free pattern on Ravelry but you can find them on Marielle Henault’s blog by clicking here. I really like the way they’re knitting up and the yarn that I bought for them at Halcyon Yarns in Bath is really soft and a pretty color. I’m quite pleased.

One of the things I like best about the pattern is the way that Marielle does her increases in the thumb gusset. I’ve made a bunch of gloves and mittens and never were the directions (at least it’s my perception) so clear. And she has designed using M1, one is a left-leaning increase and one a right-leaning increase which makes the added stitches look so pretty on the finished garment.

The left-leaning increase or M1L is made by using the left needle to pick up the stitch between the two needles from the front to the back and then knitting into the back of the stitch. Thus adding a stitch.

The right leaning increase is just a tiny bit different – you pick up the stitch from the back to the front and then knit into the front of the stitch. Notice how each different increase leans slightly to the left or right … cool, huh?

The end result is a really nice looking gusset (once you’ve increased a few times, you’ll see the pretty pattern developing. This can really be used in any mitten or glove pattern where there are increases for the thumb gusset and they make the piece look so professionally done. Imagine caring about the garment that you are making?! 🙂

So, now that you’ll be practicing your increases, the residents in our home will also be increasing. My brothers all arrive with their wives, families and dogs on Thursday evening. We can hardly wait – although our dogs will be a bit less comfortable with all the cousins around. My eldest daughter is also coming with her boyfriend and dog. We’ll be ten adults, three children and eight dogs. One brother and two sisters (I’ve told you before how I don’t like the in-law tag, right? I believe that my brother’s wife is my sister and that’s just that. Having been an in-law for almost 30 years, I never was made to feel an equal in their family and I don’t want that in my family) … as I was saying, my oldest brother and two of my sisters, happens to be the two newest ones, have never been to Maine. So, we’ll be eating a lot of lobster and touring our old stomping grounds from when we were kids. The house will be full of fishermen and women, knitters, dogs, dirt, laundry, cooks, dish washers and lots and lots of love.

I feel so blessed to have my family growing exponentially after the age of 50 … and it’s just not my kids who are adding those family members! Maybe that’s the coolest part of all. One new sister by marriage and a new big brother and sister by miracle.

Life is good!

Gone knitting!