I have become so compelled to watching WABI-tv weather reports in the hopes - desperate hopes - of a sunny day it is almost an obsession. Forget the national or any "local" news or sports - I just want to see a weather reporter show a big "H" moving in and all these "L" signs moving somewhere else - preferably out into the Atlantic Ocean far to our east but at least somewhere else. On the other hand, I was so thankful to have a fairly decent day this past Saturday when there were nearly 30 family members (and one dear friend we consider family) at a BBQ/lobster feed to celebrate the visit of my son, two of his three daughters and a special lady who appears a likely candidate for future daughter-in-law.
As family components began arriving after noon, children and four dogs in tow, my son and his poker-playing buddy (the husband of one cousin) lifted up the former kitchen table and four chairs from the basement setting on the front deck - for a quick move into the dining room should showers arrive. Then the two of them tugged the heavy, blue, wooden picnic table out of the side lawn (and half way into the woods where it had been moved last Fall when the dock was pulled from the Pond) placing it center stage near the shore and really close to the pot where the 25 lobsters were to be steamed. This was a good decision on many fronts - close enough for the Chief Steamer, my oldest brother whose contribution to the occasion was the lobsters, to sit and supervise the process, and plenty of sitting room for those who wanted to be first in line for those hot, red critters that had arrived that morning fresh from the Stonington lobster fishermen Co-Op thanks to one of his step-daughters who's married to a lobster fisherman. As people said throughout the day - never had they tasted sweeter, hard-shell lobsters (no small compliment for this bunch of experienced "gulls" as one member calls them).
By the time all had arrived we had three generations of the family on hand - and my granddaughters were meeting most of them - (cousins at the first or second degree) for the first time. As the oldest (we don't talk about that!) the group ranged in age from 68 years to 4 months. (To make matters simple for the girls, people became either aunts/uncles or cousins. The degrees were forgotten other than to explain who came from which line of the clan.) For me it was so good, as well as important, for these almost 16-year old girls to finally get to know their east coast family - a solid bunch when it comes to the true meaning of Family. But other benefits were realized as well.
My oldest brother became a widow quite suddenly a year ago. Saturday, surrounded by all this Family (and this special lady who endeared herself to everyone, but especially to him as well as my son) he was obviously enjoying himself - being genuinely happy. A good day there on lots of levels.
My son, who was absent from the east coast for nearly twenty years not only comes back now as often as possible, is genuinely happy when he's with this Family. He enjoys (and is enjoyed by) his cousins and all of their families - spouses and children, dogs and cats. And his girls aren't the youngest any more - so they got opportunities to tie up bathing suits and help with sticky fingers - to be looked up to as "big cousins." It's a lot easier for a "little person" to ask for some kinds of help from a "big person" who isn't a grownup. Another good experience on both sides.
As an attorney with a specialty private practice, my son's working ALL the time (don't ask me how many client calls and court arraignments he's dealt with, text messages sent, emails answered or sent- or the incessant cell phone calls he's taken - while he's been here "on vacation". Too Many!). And yet, Saturday, the phone was off and it was, at least for one day, VACATION TIME.
The women had done the prep work - salads, all the fixin's for hot dogs and hamburgers, melting butter and setting out the apple vinegar (for those who learned the butter-vinegar-butter dipping technique), pies and angel food cake/strawberries/Cool Whip trifle, plates and utensils, cups, napkins, drinks (we won't talk about how much ice was used to chill the beer and soft drinks, but polar bears would have felt comfortable), and watermelon balls (made with an ice cream scoop even though one granddaughter was shocked, I say shocked, to find I did not have a melon scoop. Do I have a clue re: the forthcoming Christmas box???) Therefore the men had the job of Cooking. (Hint: Men have a difficult time focusing on duties when there's fun and socializing going on in other locations.) Eventually everyone ate - and ate - and ate. Then everyone had clean-up duties which took less time with many hands - but still seemed to continue into the late hours (with carry-over to the next morning). (My personal blessing here - a sister-in-law, my youngest brother's ex who will forever be my "sistah", who will wash dishes as long as there is room on the counter to place them to drain dry unless there's a dryer.)
Individual groups gathered, changed in composition, and moved around all afternoon eating, talking, feeding the baby, crossing generations and then starting the process all over again until finally ending at the kitchen counter where the deserts were on display. Of course, in the midst of all of this the two 5-year olds decided they HAD to go swimming and so it was, water wings and all with "negotiations" for bathroom privileges (little girls MUST have their privacy don't you know). Thank goodness for three bathroom! Earlier my granddaughters couldn't understand why I insisted all three bathrooms be cleaned and stocked with extra TP. "Because they will ALL be in constant use. Believe me." There are some things a Nana knows.
The one thing I didn't plan very well was stashing the trash after all was said and done. My regular trash can (monster thing that it is) was stuffed and full to the brim from just emptying the kitchen trash can over and over. And everyone was great re: using the Hefty bags someone had looped over the post at the top of the outside deck steps, and saving the glass bottles I'll be returning to Hannaford's (Bless them!), but I have to say that by the time the last dish was loaded in the dishwasher or hand-washed, I was much too tired to handle that fully-loaded Hefty Bag (read stuffed!). So I tied it up and left it on the deck.
Needless to say, no surprise the next morning to find some critter had been attracted to the scent of lobster shells in the bag and had made enough of a hole at the base to spread a bit of the contents for a cleanup Sunday morning (after posters had been put out for the Farmer's Market and our special lady had been delivered to the Concord Coach Line for her trip to Boston's Logan Airport for her return flight to California). As for the bag and the hole - Duct Tape is a marvelous invention(!) as is having a brother who's willing to share his trash storage container until Friday morning a blessing. (Also having that same brother who offered to make breakfast for everyone before the trip into Bangor to Concord Coach Lines...an offer taken! - Plus, it offered one most time to spend with his adult daughter and her family who'd driven up from Massachusetts to be with the Family on Saturday.)
BTW: I have to say that Concord Coach Lines is the only way to travel when leaving Bangor regardless if one is flying in or out of Portland or Boston. My son purchased pre-paid round trip tickets from Logan Airport to Bangor at a cost of $75.00 per ticket which is a heck of a lot less than the cost of flying that last leg. The buses are comfortable, the schedules are dependable; the staff are friendly. Anyone looking for their depot can find it next to the Wendy's on Union Street just before the BIA entrance/exit.
Bottom Line: Saturday's weather was great - well, maybe not great (the ground was still squishy so no picnic blankets on the ground) but at least we all got to eat outdoors and there was plenty of room for lots of folks and rambuncious children and dogs. MUCH better than having to do it all in the house! BUT, I am begging God for some good (not just decent) weather before they all leave this coming Saturday. On the other hand, my son says this is great sleeping weather and comfortable. He enjoyed planting a tree for me in the rain last Friday. Seems San Diego is in the midst of a heat wave - hot and sticky and miserable. It's all in the perspective, isn't it.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
NASCAR RACES ON THE BACK PORCH
I have about 5 chipmunks I feed sunflower seeds to each day. They are up by 5:30am and chirping - ready for breakfast. I am so loyal to them they get their seeds before I even put the coffee pot on. Two or three them are the most regular and two of them are quite compatible as a team.
They have their own dishes (medium-sized, terra cotta saucers) and a white. decorative seed holder in the hands of a little boy and girl that has seen better days. These containers are placed on the top of an old dresser I painted enamel red and yellow and covered with a red oil cloth. At one end sits a metal flower container filled with brightly colored fake flowers that even fool the humming birds but which are intended to serve as perches for the birds that frequent the nearby bird feeder.
So, each morning, shaking the black, sunflower seeds in a clear plastic cup as I exit the back door, I head toward the dresser to fill the chipmunk "dishes." It's become such a tradition that there is frequently at least one chipmunk sitting at the top of the sledgehammer staff propped behind the dresser waiting for me to clear the area before I have finished filling the third dish. (They do have a regular means of accessing the top of the dresser - climbing up the reserve wire brackets left over from edging the last garden or up the staff of the sledge hammer).
As I said, two of the "kids" get along fine, each allowing the other to be filling his/her cheeks to the maximum with seeds from a nearby dish at the same time - BUT there is a third chipmunk that is constantly chased off the dresser by either one of the two dominant (and cooperative) ones. It's no wonder he has the slightest build.
When the two larger chipmunks are done, down they come, chasing each other the length of the back porch with the speed of light - and the race is on! Down over the porch, under my car (or the nearby wood pile) and into their home bases where they must just dump the seeds because in only a matter of minutes they're back to gather more seeds until the dishes are empty. Emptying the dishes must be done before the gray squirrels show up - street marauders that they are and messy, too - to bully their way through the entire booty if they can.
This has been the normal process until yesterday afternoon when I was sitting on the bench near the dresser watching "the show". I still had seeds in the plastic cup which was next to me. The little chipmunk got chased off the dresser twice and had decided to settle for the little, round, yellow seeds that had been spilled off the bird feeder.
Feeling a bit sorry for the little guy I took a few of the sunflower seeds from the cup and put them on the floor in front of my foot and I leaned down with an opened, cupped hand filled with more seeds. Then I sat quietly to see what would happen. The little guy slowly approached and began to gather the seeds on the floor. There weren't enough to fill his cheeks so he stopped and looked at my cupped hand. Carefully and slowly he approached my hand. He looked at the cupped hand. He looked at the seeds. He moved toward my hand. I didn't move an inch.
Over the next half hour we indulged in a symbiotic relationship. I fed him via my cupped hand and he, placing his two front feet even into my hand, ate and ate and ate over a cup of seeds. Each time his cheeks became full he took off like a racer only to be back - even to the point of standing on his hind two legs and looking up for me to "get with the program."
I even got to put seeds on my pant leg and he climbed up onto my thigh to gather them. Once even up to my chest to look to see if I had forgotten or failed to notice his return. In truth, I felt a bit like Snow White in the Disney cartoon movie. Several times as I would drop the remaining seeds onto the floor from my cupped hand, he would even let my stroke his back three of four times before scampering away. Silky is the feel of their fur should you wonder. And their feet have five toes - spread out just like our hands with an inner toe that functions somewhat like our thumb. The touch of his feet was so delicate on my skin - barely a tickle, and his mouth as he gathered the seeds from my hand was barely discernible - no feeling of teeth.
He was back today doing the same thing. I'm not sure which one of us has been "trained" but I do know I bought a larger bag of seeds this morning.
They have their own dishes (medium-sized, terra cotta saucers) and a white. decorative seed holder in the hands of a little boy and girl that has seen better days. These containers are placed on the top of an old dresser I painted enamel red and yellow and covered with a red oil cloth. At one end sits a metal flower container filled with brightly colored fake flowers that even fool the humming birds but which are intended to serve as perches for the birds that frequent the nearby bird feeder.
So, each morning, shaking the black, sunflower seeds in a clear plastic cup as I exit the back door, I head toward the dresser to fill the chipmunk "dishes." It's become such a tradition that there is frequently at least one chipmunk sitting at the top of the sledgehammer staff propped behind the dresser waiting for me to clear the area before I have finished filling the third dish. (They do have a regular means of accessing the top of the dresser - climbing up the reserve wire brackets left over from edging the last garden or up the staff of the sledge hammer).
As I said, two of the "kids" get along fine, each allowing the other to be filling his/her cheeks to the maximum with seeds from a nearby dish at the same time - BUT there is a third chipmunk that is constantly chased off the dresser by either one of the two dominant (and cooperative) ones. It's no wonder he has the slightest build.
When the two larger chipmunks are done, down they come, chasing each other the length of the back porch with the speed of light - and the race is on! Down over the porch, under my car (or the nearby wood pile) and into their home bases where they must just dump the seeds because in only a matter of minutes they're back to gather more seeds until the dishes are empty. Emptying the dishes must be done before the gray squirrels show up - street marauders that they are and messy, too - to bully their way through the entire booty if they can.
This has been the normal process until yesterday afternoon when I was sitting on the bench near the dresser watching "the show". I still had seeds in the plastic cup which was next to me. The little chipmunk got chased off the dresser twice and had decided to settle for the little, round, yellow seeds that had been spilled off the bird feeder.
Feeling a bit sorry for the little guy I took a few of the sunflower seeds from the cup and put them on the floor in front of my foot and I leaned down with an opened, cupped hand filled with more seeds. Then I sat quietly to see what would happen. The little guy slowly approached and began to gather the seeds on the floor. There weren't enough to fill his cheeks so he stopped and looked at my cupped hand. Carefully and slowly he approached my hand. He looked at the cupped hand. He looked at the seeds. He moved toward my hand. I didn't move an inch.
Over the next half hour we indulged in a symbiotic relationship. I fed him via my cupped hand and he, placing his two front feet even into my hand, ate and ate and ate over a cup of seeds. Each time his cheeks became full he took off like a racer only to be back - even to the point of standing on his hind two legs and looking up for me to "get with the program."
I even got to put seeds on my pant leg and he climbed up onto my thigh to gather them. Once even up to my chest to look to see if I had forgotten or failed to notice his return. In truth, I felt a bit like Snow White in the Disney cartoon movie. Several times as I would drop the remaining seeds onto the floor from my cupped hand, he would even let my stroke his back three of four times before scampering away. Silky is the feel of their fur should you wonder. And their feet have five toes - spread out just like our hands with an inner toe that functions somewhat like our thumb. The touch of his feet was so delicate on my skin - barely a tickle, and his mouth as he gathered the seeds from my hand was barely discernible - no feeling of teeth.
He was back today doing the same thing. I'm not sure which one of us has been "trained" but I do know I bought a larger bag of seeds this morning.
Monday, July 20, 2009
SATURDAYS' SHOW AT CLEWLEY'S
I have never seen the parking lot so crowded! It was nearly impossible by 6:30pm to find a spot to park so when I saw a group show up about 7pm, I'm sure they must have been parking along the roadside. The show was the best ever - and the Fahey sisters were really a great addition. The buffet menu was a great change.
There was an article in the Bangor Daily News re: Eddington's Farmer's Market - a bit overdue but good coverage nonetheless. The crowd this last Sunday was even bigger - seems each week is better than the previous one which is good for the town.
The weather these past two days have been great. Got a righteous sunburn Sunday just sitting on the front deck. Now if we can keep it up at least through this coming Saturday.
The Eddington/Clifton Book Club Surveys are now available at the Eddington Town Office and Clewley Farm Restaurant. As of Wednesday they will also be available at the Clifton Library located in the Clifton Town Office. Completed surveys should be placed in the appropriate boxes at those locations for tabulations and followup contact.
There was an article in the Bangor Daily News re: Eddington's Farmer's Market - a bit overdue but good coverage nonetheless. The crowd this last Sunday was even bigger - seems each week is better than the previous one which is good for the town.
The weather these past two days have been great. Got a righteous sunburn Sunday just sitting on the front deck. Now if we can keep it up at least through this coming Saturday.
The Eddington/Clifton Book Club Surveys are now available at the Eddington Town Office and Clewley Farm Restaurant. As of Wednesday they will also be available at the Clifton Library located in the Clifton Town Office. Completed surveys should be placed in the appropriate boxes at those locations for tabulations and followup contact.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
THE WEEKEND
Tonight's the night at Clewley Farm Restaurant for Tex-Mex Night - great food buffet and a great show (see the previous blog for the menu and names of singers). Fortunately, this rain is supposed to pass through by sometime this afternoon.
Tomorrow is supposed to be Perfect Weather - so don't forget the Farmer's Market at the Eddington Town Office on Route 9 (mid-way between the Eddington School and the Post Office). The crowds are increasing weekly and the vendors are really pleased which only means Good News for the Market's success - not only this year, but for continuing next year.
Blogs may be a bit sketchy over the next few weeks. My son and two of my three granddaughters are arriving tonight from California (YAHOO!) and my son is bringing someone special he wants to meet his mom (hmmmmm).
******
Congrats to a certain someone (can't say who - been sworn to secrecy) who's been accepted into a University of Colorado online program to become a paralegal - with plenty of grants to help pay for it. Way to go, girl!
*****
In case you haven't noticed, the posters have been taken down from the blue house just inside West Eddington on Route 9. Sometimes just stopping and listening can accomplish a lot - plus pointing out the idea of what constant reminders of bad memories can do to a child (as well as to adults). The issue there was more than the domestic violence and the victims - but, at least the perception, that the law enforcement and justice systems had failed the victims as well. If there is any good news, the incidents occurred in Hancock County. So, as long as our deputies and those state troopers who patrol our area are on the alert, things should stay calm.
*****
THERE IS ANOTHER STORY BREWING. Can't say more now but I will be able to pop the top soon so stay tuned. Just remember this - those who say they believe in transparency shouldn't necessarily be believed.
Tomorrow is supposed to be Perfect Weather - so don't forget the Farmer's Market at the Eddington Town Office on Route 9 (mid-way between the Eddington School and the Post Office). The crowds are increasing weekly and the vendors are really pleased which only means Good News for the Market's success - not only this year, but for continuing next year.
Blogs may be a bit sketchy over the next few weeks. My son and two of my three granddaughters are arriving tonight from California (YAHOO!) and my son is bringing someone special he wants to meet his mom (hmmmmm).
******
Congrats to a certain someone (can't say who - been sworn to secrecy) who's been accepted into a University of Colorado online program to become a paralegal - with plenty of grants to help pay for it. Way to go, girl!
*****
In case you haven't noticed, the posters have been taken down from the blue house just inside West Eddington on Route 9. Sometimes just stopping and listening can accomplish a lot - plus pointing out the idea of what constant reminders of bad memories can do to a child (as well as to adults). The issue there was more than the domestic violence and the victims - but, at least the perception, that the law enforcement and justice systems had failed the victims as well. If there is any good news, the incidents occurred in Hancock County. So, as long as our deputies and those state troopers who patrol our area are on the alert, things should stay calm.
*****
THERE IS ANOTHER STORY BREWING. Can't say more now but I will be able to pop the top soon so stay tuned. Just remember this - those who say they believe in transparency shouldn't necessarily be believed.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
New Websites in Eddington - Spread the News
We have at least two new websites in Eddington - and we need to let our neighbors know (including our summer neighbors since many of them bring their computers with them - especially if they have teenagers in the family).
The town of Eddington now has a website up and running. www.eddingtonmaine.gov
This is an excellent source of local information and places in the area for goods and services, maps, government groups and agendas and meeting dates. Check it out. It was developed by two of our local people - Gretchen Halderman (hope I spelled that right) who's a new member of the Planning Committee. Gretchen also did the work to develop the town's Shoreland Zoning Map. The other person who worked with Gretchen on the website is Craig Russell who's with the Eddington Fire Department - and a recent college graduate.
Comins Hall has just developed a website as well. www.cominshall.org
Comins Hall (as I understand) is one of the few remaining, original Grange Halls that is in the process of being re-activated (my word) with a sound community board of directors that is working very hard to bring back on-going community activities and a sense of a local "meeting hall." There are regular community Saturday night bean suppers (and other menus), but Talent Nights and other activities to keep it evolving and vital to the towns of Eddington and Clifton.
The town of Eddington now has a website up and running. www.eddingtonmaine.gov
This is an excellent source of local information and places in the area for goods and services, maps, government groups and agendas and meeting dates. Check it out. It was developed by two of our local people - Gretchen Halderman (hope I spelled that right) who's a new member of the Planning Committee. Gretchen also did the work to develop the town's Shoreland Zoning Map. The other person who worked with Gretchen on the website is Craig Russell who's with the Eddington Fire Department - and a recent college graduate.
Comins Hall has just developed a website as well. www.cominshall.org
Comins Hall (as I understand) is one of the few remaining, original Grange Halls that is in the process of being re-activated (my word) with a sound community board of directors that is working very hard to bring back on-going community activities and a sense of a local "meeting hall." There are regular community Saturday night bean suppers (and other menus), but Talent Nights and other activities to keep it evolving and vital to the towns of Eddington and Clifton.
BIG SHOW SATURDAY NIGHT AT CLEWLEY FARM RESTAURANT
In addition to a Special Menu Saturday Night (the 18th) - food starts anywhere after 6pm - There's going to be One Humdinger of a SHOW. Even though the Billboard says "Dola and Company", it won't be the same 'ol Company. The Fahey Sisters from Dedham are expected (I don't expect them to be in that Frankenstein get-up they were in at the Comins Hall Talent Show a while back), Clarence Landrey from Whalen, MA (he's performed in Las Vegas) and who knows what the "late crowd" might turn out to be.
The menu is all Tex-Mex - I've reprinted it below. Seriously doubt anyone will go away less than stuffed.
Clewley Farm Restaurant
999 Main Road
Eddington , Maine 04428
207-843-7446
www.clewleyfarm.com
www.clewleyfarm.blogspot.com
Come join us Saturday July 18th 7p.m to 11 p.m.
for music with Dola & Friends
and a Tex Mex Buffet!
Buffet Items will include: Tacitos
(Shredded beef wrapped in a corn tortilla and deep fried
topped with guacamole, sour cream and salsa.)
Chicken Enchiladas
(Diced chicken with shredded cheese wrapped in a
corn tortilla and simmered in an enchilada sauce.)
Asado
(A Pork roast seared and slowly simmered in the oven
smothered in a homemade chili sauce.)
Beef Tacos and Beef & Bean Burritos
(A Mexican meal staple.)
Chicken Tortilla Casserole
(Diced chicken, shredded cheese, corn tortillas, green chili and taco sauce baked to perfection.)
Spanish Rice & Refried Pinto Beans - and - Salad Bar
Barbeque Ribs & Barbeque Chicken
Desserts will be - Empanadas, Sopapillas (Deep fried flour tortillas with cinnamon and sugar) served with Vanilla Ice cream, Key Lime Tarts
Cost of Buffet is $12.95 per person - Alcoholic Beverages at an additional cost.
Nobody can beat those prices - especially with the entertainment included.
The menu is all Tex-Mex - I've reprinted it below. Seriously doubt anyone will go away less than stuffed.
Clewley Farm Restaurant
999 Main Road
Eddington , Maine 04428
207-843-7446
www.clewleyfarm.com
www.clewleyfarm.blogspot.com
Come join us Saturday July 18th 7p.m to 11 p.m.
for music with Dola & Friends
and a Tex Mex Buffet!
Buffet Items will include: Tacitos
(Shredded beef wrapped in a corn tortilla and deep fried
topped with guacamole, sour cream and salsa.)
Chicken Enchiladas
(Diced chicken with shredded cheese wrapped in a
corn tortilla and simmered in an enchilada sauce.)
Asado
(A Pork roast seared and slowly simmered in the oven
smothered in a homemade chili sauce.)
Beef Tacos and Beef & Bean Burritos
(A Mexican meal staple.)
Chicken Tortilla Casserole
(Diced chicken, shredded cheese, corn tortillas, green chili and taco sauce baked to perfection.)
Spanish Rice & Refried Pinto Beans - and - Salad Bar
Barbeque Ribs & Barbeque Chicken
Desserts will be - Empanadas, Sopapillas (Deep fried flour tortillas with cinnamon and sugar) served with Vanilla Ice cream, Key Lime Tarts
Cost of Buffet is $12.95 per person - Alcoholic Beverages at an additional cost.
Nobody can beat those prices - especially with the entertainment included.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
More HAPPENINGS Around the Area
I trust you all received the First issue of the Eddington Newsletter. They were in the mail on Monday, July 6. People receiving mail at the Eddington Post Office had the Newsletter the following day. (Thanks, Ron.) Interesting tidbits on Hunting Seasons.
I'm told the plan is to have quarterly issues so maybe we'll see columns from the Fire Chief and something from the Planning Board in the next issue. I did find it interesting to read that "municipal officers are not required by statute (my emphasis) to post an agenda or keep minutes of the meetings." Well then, perhaps we need to pass such a statute locally at the Next Town Meeting (March of 2010) because the right thing for any elected representative body of the people, by the people and for the people (to quote Abraham Lincoln) is to keep The People informed of what their elected government is doing.
After all, it is We, The People who elected those municipal officers to those seats of representation in the first place and those municipal officers do work for us. I expect any one of us who ever ran a company or had a supervisory position expected to be kept informed of what our employees were doing. Same principle in my book. And the "payment" is not the fee the municipal officers receive, it is the power and authority granted by the votes of the people, albeit very few votes in this town. Without knowledge of the business being conducted in our name (and for which we pay via our taxes whether or not we vote - or are allowed to vote - aka the people who own summer residences but are not Eddington residents) there is no accountability. Just one more reason why people need to attend and listen to the business conducted at Selectmen meetings, Planning Board meetings, and School Board meetings, and why the agendas of those meetings should be published in advance. That way anyone interested in hearing how the business of the agenda items is conducted can speak to the issues, even if only in the allocated Public Access portion of the meetings. You don't suppose that's why the agendas aren't published in advance, do you - so that no one will show up to speak (even in their allocated slots at the very beginning or the very end of the meeting but never spontaneously during the discussion of a particular agenda item).
*******
Karen Clark is interested in forming a Book Club in the Eddington-Clifton area. She is creating a Survey Form that will be available in various locations. People can fill out the form where the forms are available and leave the completed forms in a specially designated box for collection.
Members of the Book Club will decide on the format of the club - whether everyone will read the same book and then gather to discuss it at a group gathering (time and place to be determined by the members), and then proceed to the next book, etc. - or - for different books to be read by the members simultaneously and then discussed in the group (perhaps with a synopsis and recommendation).
Survey forms will be available at Clewley Farm Restaurant and other locations to be announced within the next two weeks.
I'm told the plan is to have quarterly issues so maybe we'll see columns from the Fire Chief and something from the Planning Board in the next issue. I did find it interesting to read that "municipal officers are not required by statute (my emphasis) to post an agenda or keep minutes of the meetings." Well then, perhaps we need to pass such a statute locally at the Next Town Meeting (March of 2010) because the right thing for any elected representative body of the people, by the people and for the people (to quote Abraham Lincoln) is to keep The People informed of what their elected government is doing.
After all, it is We, The People who elected those municipal officers to those seats of representation in the first place and those municipal officers do work for us. I expect any one of us who ever ran a company or had a supervisory position expected to be kept informed of what our employees were doing. Same principle in my book. And the "payment" is not the fee the municipal officers receive, it is the power and authority granted by the votes of the people, albeit very few votes in this town. Without knowledge of the business being conducted in our name (and for which we pay via our taxes whether or not we vote - or are allowed to vote - aka the people who own summer residences but are not Eddington residents) there is no accountability. Just one more reason why people need to attend and listen to the business conducted at Selectmen meetings, Planning Board meetings, and School Board meetings, and why the agendas of those meetings should be published in advance. That way anyone interested in hearing how the business of the agenda items is conducted can speak to the issues, even if only in the allocated Public Access portion of the meetings. You don't suppose that's why the agendas aren't published in advance, do you - so that no one will show up to speak (even in their allocated slots at the very beginning or the very end of the meeting but never spontaneously during the discussion of a particular agenda item).
*******
Karen Clark is interested in forming a Book Club in the Eddington-Clifton area. She is creating a Survey Form that will be available in various locations. People can fill out the form where the forms are available and leave the completed forms in a specially designated box for collection.
Members of the Book Club will decide on the format of the club - whether everyone will read the same book and then gather to discuss it at a group gathering (time and place to be determined by the members), and then proceed to the next book, etc. - or - for different books to be read by the members simultaneously and then discussed in the group (perhaps with a synopsis and recommendation).
Survey forms will be available at Clewley Farm Restaurant and other locations to be announced within the next two weeks.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
SUN Days coming up - Get Busy
OK - According to the weathermen on ALL channels, we're about to have a few days of sunshine. Hooray! Maybe some of the lawns and gardens will dry out (a bit). I even met people over at Lowe's buying Garden Soil to put in their gardens because they needed to pile up dirt on their planted potatoes and all they had was MUD. (Dig a hole and discover well water. Don't you just love it!) Therefore, put on your gardening gloves, boots, and whatever and get out there and make use of whatever we have and get those projects done.
Friday night at Clewleys there will be (as long as they last) those marvelous coconut crusted shrimp with the orange marmalade dipping sauce, baked potatoes and asparagus - right after the pizza during the "Happy Hour" from 4pm-6pm up in the bar.
Saturday Night, the 18th - will be Tex-Mex Night at Clewley's. Dress accordingly (if you choose - but who among us doesn't have a pair of boots, at least) and come listen to Dola and Company while we get to chow down on some Western Fare - hopefully something BBQed. Food is usually ready by 6pm and the show starts at 7pm
Don't Forget the Farmer's Market on Sunday from 10AM to 1PM. I'm told the buyer traffic was steady last Sunday (the opening week) right up until the last 20 minutes when the big accident down at the Tradewinds showed an impact (no pun intended). All the same vendors will be returning - and who knows... maybe they'll be bringing along one or two more. I was so impressed with the lettuce and greens (how that woman grew items so large in this weather I'll never know). But I need a few more hostas for another garden area I'm planting next to the new walkway (I'll never learn, but what's needed must be done, donchaknow). There will be some baked goods - cookies, maybe bread, a cake or two... Just in time for Sunday dinner or supper, perhaps.
In the meantime - I watched five - 5! - male loons swim by yesterday afternoon - their heads periodically dipping down in the water checking for fish as they glided by on their way to the cove. And a hummingbird flew outside the office window - looking in - as though to remind me to change the water in her feeder. It's been there for over a week and with all this rain the hummingbirds haven't been around. So now the water is probably bad because of the sugar.
Therefore, time to sign-off for today. The sun is coming out and the water is like a mirror. The fog is gone and work outside can be done. Besides, I only have a bit over a week before family from the west coast arrives and you can only imagine what that means - excitement and CLEANING!
Friday night at Clewleys there will be (as long as they last) those marvelous coconut crusted shrimp with the orange marmalade dipping sauce, baked potatoes and asparagus - right after the pizza during the "Happy Hour" from 4pm-6pm up in the bar.
Saturday Night, the 18th - will be Tex-Mex Night at Clewley's. Dress accordingly (if you choose - but who among us doesn't have a pair of boots, at least) and come listen to Dola and Company while we get to chow down on some Western Fare - hopefully something BBQed. Food is usually ready by 6pm and the show starts at 7pm
Don't Forget the Farmer's Market on Sunday from 10AM to 1PM. I'm told the buyer traffic was steady last Sunday (the opening week) right up until the last 20 minutes when the big accident down at the Tradewinds showed an impact (no pun intended). All the same vendors will be returning - and who knows... maybe they'll be bringing along one or two more. I was so impressed with the lettuce and greens (how that woman grew items so large in this weather I'll never know). But I need a few more hostas for another garden area I'm planting next to the new walkway (I'll never learn, but what's needed must be done, donchaknow). There will be some baked goods - cookies, maybe bread, a cake or two... Just in time for Sunday dinner or supper, perhaps.
In the meantime - I watched five - 5! - male loons swim by yesterday afternoon - their heads periodically dipping down in the water checking for fish as they glided by on their way to the cove. And a hummingbird flew outside the office window - looking in - as though to remind me to change the water in her feeder. It's been there for over a week and with all this rain the hummingbirds haven't been around. So now the water is probably bad because of the sugar.
Therefore, time to sign-off for today. The sun is coming out and the water is like a mirror. The fog is gone and work outside can be done. Besides, I only have a bit over a week before family from the west coast arrives and you can only imagine what that means - excitement and CLEANING!
Monday, July 6, 2009
It was DEFINITELY a Full Weekend
I hope all of you had a glorious 4th of July. Around here it was filled with activities - some of which were certainly unplanned, to say the least.
Friday, members of my family traveled to Stonington to lay my late sister-in-law's ashes to rest in the private cemetery created on her family's estate there. It has been just over a year since her unexpected loss - seems much less - and the immediate family was gathered from England and Massachusetts and those of us who are right here from Stonington and Eddington. Thank goodness for my gardens where I still talk to her all the time.
******
Saturday, with the help of two good friends, the stone walkway FINALLY got put together at the foot of my back steps. You have no idea the challenge of using a two-step step stool getting up to the back porch at mid-point from a semi-lawn in pouring rain. And we will not discuss unloading groceries when there is nothing but a dirt/mud hole where there used to be a trail of rug runners for the last two-plus years (all seasons) to avoid the mud/snow getting from the driveway to the porch's back steps. So, for the past month, I have walked to the back porch (unscreened) and deposited the grocery bags on the floor, pushing them as far away from the overhang dripping until deciding to "mount the stool" and step over the bags, trying not to step on the milk or bread...
Try shoveling snow that has fallen on top of rugs. Frozen rugs, thank you. And the thrill of watching the snow plow clipping the edge of one of said rugs. I've had two winters of that. THIS was the year for a decent walkway, I assure you. Am I happy to see the solid surfaced walkway? Oh yes. Not too large - just about 12 feet deep and maybe 5 feet wide (enough to shovel so that the heating oil man can get to the connection near the steps) and stopping before the magic spot where my brother knows not to pass with the snow plow blade) - but no more mud - I think... if this rain ever stops! But the travails of getting the area dug out, getting the materials (knowing who to call and then getting the calls answered, etc.) You have such a project? I can now tell you who to call - and not to call.
There was just enough time once we'd finished to collapse for 40 minutes, take a shower, and then off to Clewley's Restaurant - rain and all - for one of the best meals I've had since returning to Maine. The appetizers were better than anything I've had at the Muddy Rudder, Thistles or that high priced Italian restaurant across from the old court house. Since I'd rather have scallops than lobster I had to taste the scallops with pesto and the creamy sauce (so tender and perfect - PERFECT). The coconut crusted shrimp with an orange-something dipping sauce were YUMMY. And the al dente cooked asparagus wrapped in prosciutto with mozzarella - DELICIOUS. And then the cook sent out a complementary cup of the corn chowder - delicate - with small pieces of potato and slivers of roasted red bell pepper. With the rain (pouring outside our Garden Room windows) the soup was warming. I could picture the corn chowder as a perfect lunch with hot rolls, a small salad and a glass of white wine.
We all chose different entrees but I think the best choice (at our table) was the grilled, boneless pork loin on a bed of spicy (Oh YES!) eggplant (that didn't look or taste like eggplant). The presentation was perfect and as long as one took care with how much of the spicy eggplant one put on the piece of meat, you only needed to consume a limited amount of water. :-)
I would have liked to try the filet mignon stuffed with crab meat but I'm not too big a fan of crab meat, so I selected the Chicken Francaise (I do love lemon butter and capers). In truth, there was so much on the special menu (and the fresh green bean were too good not to eat down to the bare plate) that none of us got to the salad bar.
For those who missed the Chef Judi special evening, you really missed an exceptional menu. Now it's back to Cheeseburgers. :-] (Maybe we should try to get Bob & Lonnie to try for just another Appetizers Only Evening. I could make an entire meal on two or three of them alone.)
*****
Sunday's Farmer's Market got off to a good beginning. I loved seeing a woman there selling garden perennials (hostas, too) and her prices are better than any of the local big stores. I did see vendors with fresh lettuce and greens, soaps, cheese and baked goods - before I got called away by family putting in the dock at my house. Of course the three-vehicle accident at Tradewinds didn't helps with traffic at the Farmer's Market.
We're glad that of the five people transported via ambulance for medical attention, none were in critical shape. And there was our local hero, Deputy Richard Harburger, on WABI's 6:30pm news. But we'd rather have the traffic at the Town Office for the Farmer's Market - which will be there every Sunday from 10-1.
*****
The SUN today was great. I'm having to weed whack my lawn at the moment because all this rain has made the loam and new seeded grass just too muddy for a ride-on lawn mower. For all the holes I was filling in (caused by the removal of boulders which the lawn mower did not appreciate!), I now have large "indentations" that look like Big Foot was here - right where certain family members walked while arranging the dock for forward motion into the water. Some times there are more challenges than situations allow..... :-(
Friday, members of my family traveled to Stonington to lay my late sister-in-law's ashes to rest in the private cemetery created on her family's estate there. It has been just over a year since her unexpected loss - seems much less - and the immediate family was gathered from England and Massachusetts and those of us who are right here from Stonington and Eddington. Thank goodness for my gardens where I still talk to her all the time.
******
Saturday, with the help of two good friends, the stone walkway FINALLY got put together at the foot of my back steps. You have no idea the challenge of using a two-step step stool getting up to the back porch at mid-point from a semi-lawn in pouring rain. And we will not discuss unloading groceries when there is nothing but a dirt/mud hole where there used to be a trail of rug runners for the last two-plus years (all seasons) to avoid the mud/snow getting from the driveway to the porch's back steps. So, for the past month, I have walked to the back porch (unscreened) and deposited the grocery bags on the floor, pushing them as far away from the overhang dripping until deciding to "mount the stool" and step over the bags, trying not to step on the milk or bread...
Try shoveling snow that has fallen on top of rugs. Frozen rugs, thank you. And the thrill of watching the snow plow clipping the edge of one of said rugs. I've had two winters of that. THIS was the year for a decent walkway, I assure you. Am I happy to see the solid surfaced walkway? Oh yes. Not too large - just about 12 feet deep and maybe 5 feet wide (enough to shovel so that the heating oil man can get to the connection near the steps) and stopping before the magic spot where my brother knows not to pass with the snow plow blade) - but no more mud - I think... if this rain ever stops! But the travails of getting the area dug out, getting the materials (knowing who to call and then getting the calls answered, etc.) You have such a project? I can now tell you who to call - and not to call.
There was just enough time once we'd finished to collapse for 40 minutes, take a shower, and then off to Clewley's Restaurant - rain and all - for one of the best meals I've had since returning to Maine. The appetizers were better than anything I've had at the Muddy Rudder, Thistles or that high priced Italian restaurant across from the old court house. Since I'd rather have scallops than lobster I had to taste the scallops with pesto and the creamy sauce (so tender and perfect - PERFECT). The coconut crusted shrimp with an orange-something dipping sauce were YUMMY. And the al dente cooked asparagus wrapped in prosciutto with mozzarella - DELICIOUS. And then the cook sent out a complementary cup of the corn chowder - delicate - with small pieces of potato and slivers of roasted red bell pepper. With the rain (pouring outside our Garden Room windows) the soup was warming. I could picture the corn chowder as a perfect lunch with hot rolls, a small salad and a glass of white wine.
We all chose different entrees but I think the best choice (at our table) was the grilled, boneless pork loin on a bed of spicy (Oh YES!) eggplant (that didn't look or taste like eggplant). The presentation was perfect and as long as one took care with how much of the spicy eggplant one put on the piece of meat, you only needed to consume a limited amount of water. :-)
I would have liked to try the filet mignon stuffed with crab meat but I'm not too big a fan of crab meat, so I selected the Chicken Francaise (I do love lemon butter and capers). In truth, there was so much on the special menu (and the fresh green bean were too good not to eat down to the bare plate) that none of us got to the salad bar.
For those who missed the Chef Judi special evening, you really missed an exceptional menu. Now it's back to Cheeseburgers. :-] (Maybe we should try to get Bob & Lonnie to try for just another Appetizers Only Evening. I could make an entire meal on two or three of them alone.)
*****
Sunday's Farmer's Market got off to a good beginning. I loved seeing a woman there selling garden perennials (hostas, too) and her prices are better than any of the local big stores. I did see vendors with fresh lettuce and greens, soaps, cheese and baked goods - before I got called away by family putting in the dock at my house. Of course the three-vehicle accident at Tradewinds didn't helps with traffic at the Farmer's Market.
We're glad that of the five people transported via ambulance for medical attention, none were in critical shape. And there was our local hero, Deputy Richard Harburger, on WABI's 6:30pm news. But we'd rather have the traffic at the Town Office for the Farmer's Market - which will be there every Sunday from 10-1.
*****
The SUN today was great. I'm having to weed whack my lawn at the moment because all this rain has made the loam and new seeded grass just too muddy for a ride-on lawn mower. For all the holes I was filling in (caused by the removal of boulders which the lawn mower did not appreciate!), I now have large "indentations" that look like Big Foot was here - right where certain family members walked while arranging the dock for forward motion into the water. Some times there are more challenges than situations allow..... :-(
Friday, July 3, 2009
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776.....
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.....
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. - That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, - That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. - Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
{There followes 27 points of Complaint. Can anyone identify them? You can write them in the Comments Section if you can.}
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce to the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies of War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent State, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. - And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
{Signed by the following:}
New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch., Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. - That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, - That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. - Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
{There followes 27 points of Complaint. Can anyone identify them? You can write them in the Comments Section if you can.}
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce to the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies of War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent State, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. - And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
{Signed by the following:}
New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch., Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton
Thursday, July 2, 2009
SHOW TIME FRIDAY NIGHT AT CLEWLEY'S
There will be a new singer Friday night at the Clewley Farm Restaurant. B.J. Snowden will be performing - one night only - with the show starting at 7pm. B.J. has performed in Manhattan and Brooklyn, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Portsmouth, N.J.; Cambridge, MA; and throughout Europe. I listened to a sampling of her songs on her website (www.myspace.com/bjsnowden) . I think I'd describe her style as a bit of soul/blues/soft rock. You take a listen - or better yet - come see for yourself and make up your own mind.
****
Well, the weather certainly hasn't been sunny but it's a lot better than that "R" stuff. Projections are for SUN on SUNday - just in time for the Farmer's Market. Now - if we can just keep that pretty weather around for weeks and weeks and weeks. Don't care if I don't see another rain drop for two months (or more) to tell the truth. All the gardens are yucky (technical term, there). Good thing I planted shade plants - but even they are having problems with soggy roots. The poor peonies just hung their heads and dropped their petals in despair. I have gorgeous lilies ready to bloom but I fear they will break off if weighted down with any rain storms. Forget any "R" dances - does anyone know a ditty for blue skies and sunny weather in the low 80s? If so, gather a crowd and take over Route 9!
*****
Spotted a small sailboat out on the water late yesterday afternoon. What a lovely sight. One would almost think it was summer.
And there certainly have been a lot of crows overhead lately - probably know tomorrow is trash collection day. Prime picking opportunity for trash not in the heavy duty black trash bags. Those crows just sit there and pick right through the thinner, white bags - leaving trash and garbage all over the roadside. Especially on Stoney Ridge Road. What a mess!
****
Well, the weather certainly hasn't been sunny but it's a lot better than that "R" stuff. Projections are for SUN on SUNday - just in time for the Farmer's Market. Now - if we can just keep that pretty weather around for weeks and weeks and weeks. Don't care if I don't see another rain drop for two months (or more) to tell the truth. All the gardens are yucky (technical term, there). Good thing I planted shade plants - but even they are having problems with soggy roots. The poor peonies just hung their heads and dropped their petals in despair. I have gorgeous lilies ready to bloom but I fear they will break off if weighted down with any rain storms. Forget any "R" dances - does anyone know a ditty for blue skies and sunny weather in the low 80s? If so, gather a crowd and take over Route 9!
*****
Spotted a small sailboat out on the water late yesterday afternoon. What a lovely sight. One would almost think it was summer.
And there certainly have been a lot of crows overhead lately - probably know tomorrow is trash collection day. Prime picking opportunity for trash not in the heavy duty black trash bags. Those crows just sit there and pick right through the thinner, white bags - leaving trash and garbage all over the roadside. Especially on Stoney Ridge Road. What a mess!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
ON SUNDAY - WATCH FOR THE SIGNS
Remember the OPENING DAY of the Eddington FARMER'S MARKET - this coming Sunday, July 5 - from 10AM to 1PM. The parking lot in front of the Eddington Town Office is the place.
There will be large signs along Route 9 from Highway 46 and the Bradley Road for cars to follow - but everyone needs only to head to the Town Office. Parking spaces will be clearly allocated to protect the foot traffic.
SHOP FOR locally made cheese, soap, yogurt; fresh vegetables; fresh baked goods and more. The early shoppers will be the best shoppers because once the items are gone, there'll be no more until the following Sunday.
The FARMER'S MARKET will be conducted on SUNDAYS ONLY - from July 5 through September 27.
*******
Reservations are pouring in for the Gourmet Dinner on Saturday, the 4th of July at Clewley Farm Restaurant being prepared by Chef Judi. Just the appetizers alone make this writer's mouth water: Coconut crusted shrimp, Asparagus wrapped in prosciutto (a spicy Italian ham), Stuffed mushrooms are just a few- all elegantly prepared... and the Entrees: Filet Mignon, Poached fresh Atlantic Salmon, Chicken Francaise, Pork Loin - all with special sauces... (and, of course, the ever present Cheeseburger)... and the Deserts....Cheesecake, German Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cake, and the magnificent Sugar Maple Creamery Ice Cream flavors. Trust me - No One can go wrong in making Clewley Farm Restaurant the place to go for dinner this coming Saturday Night (IF you can get in! )
But wherever you happen to spend this Holiday Weekend - I hope you have a wonderful, safe, and Happy Fourth, remembering what we celebrate... the Birth of our Country... the valour of the Founding Fathers and Mothers who wrote and sacrificed for those words which are our Foundation ... "We, The People..."
There will be large signs along Route 9 from Highway 46 and the Bradley Road for cars to follow - but everyone needs only to head to the Town Office. Parking spaces will be clearly allocated to protect the foot traffic.
SHOP FOR locally made cheese, soap, yogurt; fresh vegetables; fresh baked goods and more. The early shoppers will be the best shoppers because once the items are gone, there'll be no more until the following Sunday.
The FARMER'S MARKET will be conducted on SUNDAYS ONLY - from July 5 through September 27.
*******
Reservations are pouring in for the Gourmet Dinner on Saturday, the 4th of July at Clewley Farm Restaurant being prepared by Chef Judi. Just the appetizers alone make this writer's mouth water: Coconut crusted shrimp, Asparagus wrapped in prosciutto (a spicy Italian ham), Stuffed mushrooms are just a few- all elegantly prepared... and the Entrees: Filet Mignon, Poached fresh Atlantic Salmon, Chicken Francaise, Pork Loin - all with special sauces... (and, of course, the ever present Cheeseburger)... and the Deserts....Cheesecake, German Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cake, and the magnificent Sugar Maple Creamery Ice Cream flavors. Trust me - No One can go wrong in making Clewley Farm Restaurant the place to go for dinner this coming Saturday Night (IF you can get in! )
But wherever you happen to spend this Holiday Weekend - I hope you have a wonderful, safe, and Happy Fourth, remembering what we celebrate... the Birth of our Country... the valour of the Founding Fathers and Mothers who wrote and sacrificed for those words which are our Foundation ... "We, The People..."
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