Ready-Set-Go!

The internet banter is going strong with pre-vacation talk of everything from card game challenges to what will be served for dinner. We've touched on who's giving massages, juicers for mojitos, a pot that will hold nine children, Andrew making cakes and Issy making salads and who is making the monkey brains. Yes, the family is getting geared up for this year's week at the beach together. It's about this time every year that we start getting excited, so I'm sending out moments from last year to remind you of what we have to look forward to. See you all Saturday!

Final on Maine...

Let's see, where was I? Oh, yes...without question, the final days in Maine were our best. We left the Samoset Resort and headed to a charming little place called Popham Beach B&B.
On our way, we of course stopped for seafood and at an alpaca farm. Well, not "of course" an Alpaca farm, but none the less we did stop at one, got diplomas in raising Alpacas, and bought a coat for me!

We arrived at our Bed and Breakfast and I fell in love with its charm. It was once a Life Saving Station, so it was rich in history as well perfectly positioned on a lovely sandy beach (unlike most of Maine, which has a rocky shoreline). Fog constantly rolled in and out, so the lighthouse horns blew every two minutes and flashed their light throughout the night. That sound, along with the seagulls, the waves crashing, and the wind blowing through the open windows, gave me a feeling of a romantic moment from a movie made about the sea.

The next morning, I enjoyed breakfast with four other house guests and Peggy (the owner), while Terrence took off to the airport to pick up Kate and Jeremy. It was lovely...all the sights and sounds were there in the quaint dining room, along with interesting introductions from the other guests and stories of Popham from Peggy.


When J and K arrived, we explored the house, its books and artifacts. Kate felt just as I knew she would; we both felt there was no need to go anywhere else during our stay- it was perfect.

The house was out done only by our adventures at the beach!

We also took in a couple of wonderful old forts near by; Fort Popham (built circa 1860) and Fort Baldwin (1905).

Other sweet highlight that I just can't leave out, came from Kate's camera...Great photographer that she is....
As I say good bye to Maine I am reminded that goods things happen every day. Today is no exception... Our lovely Molly is 42 years young today and yesterday, Ford became a teenager. Now that's something to marvel about.

Happy Birthday Molly and Ford!
You are loved by us.

Towers and Tall Tales...

Nothing much happened today....except;
I rescued Terr from a tower that was at the top of the world.

...And I am thankful for answered prayers, good health and a lovely cool place to rest and relax. I can only hope that Gene (my bird) and Beta Blue (my fish) are surviving at the Heath.

The Third Day in Maine

I don't know if I told you or not, but we are here in Maine with the American College of Civil Trial Mediators (boy, that's a mouth full!). Terrence has been a member of this group for several years and we have come to know and enjoy spending time with others who attend. Yesterday, after they finished meetings in the early afternoon, we were transported to Rockport (via trolley) where we shopped, ate lunch (more lobster!), took in the Farnsworth Art Museum (saw wonderful paintings by Andrew Wyeth), then boarded a boat for a leisurely ride from the Rockport Harbor up the coast to Belfast Harbor.

We returned (a little wind blown), with tons of boat pictures and pictures of my Breakwater Lighthouse (others as well), to have dinner as a group before boarding the trolley back to the resort. All in all a pretty nice day.

Today, after the morning meetings, Terr and I will be on our own. Wonder what the day will bring?

My Venture into the Sea

The long breakwater goes out into the sea, almost a mile, protecting the Rockland Harbor. I tried two years ago to walk it's length, and failed. The wind was blowing and the tide was up; my fear of bridges took over and I just couldn't make the walk to the enchanting looking lighthouse at the end.

Yesterday, holding on to the strong hand of my patient husband, I tried again. With my eyes looking down every step of the way, as not to step in the crevices, and my back hurting from the tension of the journey, I did it! I made it to the Lighthouse!

Tomorrow I will venture out, in a boat, into the sea. I am trying to live these moments fully.


(My thoughts are with Mike and Kim as they await word about their father's recovery from open heart surgery.)-mpc

God time

This morning while Terr was at meetings, I picked up my new Indian flute, my sketch pad and telephone. I walked outside my door to call Kim (pray for my older children and their father, who is having open heart surgery as I write) play soft musical notes, draw a flower and watch for what God had in store for me. It was a lovely, restful time. I found peace, reassurance that life continues, an eye full of beauty, and I made a new friend. That's what happens when you have time to be still and listen. -mpc

Day Two in Maine

Had a good day. Changed rooms to one with a great view where even the rain is a beautiful sight.

Then we went out shopping and of course more lobster (and clam chowder) for lunch. We dine with Terr's colleagues tonight.

Maine in July

What can I say...We're in Maine for a week and the first thing we thought of is getting our tummies filled with all the lobster that they could hold. After all, it was 4:00 in the afternoon and we hadn't eaten all day!

I put away the Lazy Lobster, that's about the equivalent of two, one and a quarter pound lobsters, removed from the shell and ready to eat! Terr, had clams and lobster....We were in Seafood heaven!

I'm sure tomorrow will bring more than food to delight us, but today we honor all ship captains that brought us such delectable shells fish to our table.




Samoset, http://www.samoset.com/, our resort hotel, is lovely. Our room in on the back of the hotel facing away from the sea (tomorrow promises a better room), but we are within a few steps of a lovely view of a light house in the bay.

We're tired from our day of travel. A good night's rest is anticipated. I'll let you know how Maine is tomorrow.

Stay tuned.

Another great trip to the Boro

My roots run deep in Tennessee. I love it when time slows down and I can play with kittens, horses, fish and have long talks with my mother and sister. Doesn't get any better than that. I just wish I didn't miss my husband and the rest of my Atlanta family so much. Guess it's time to go home.

Joe WINS a medal!

Hot off the Press...Pictured here are Joe R. and his Caddy, Michael R. (the caddy is the big guy!), just after coming off the golf course in Newnan, GA where Joe won his 2nd medal in the Atlanta Junior Golf, 9 - Hole Club, Boys 12 and under division. Joe shot a 46 and credited his good performance to wise counsel from his caddy/lawyer/Dad. What a team!

Watch out, Tiger; here comes Joe-man!

Congratulations Joe!