Notes from Maine - 2022/08/21
Some days you wake up slowly—stretching, blinking at the morning light as you yawn and remember wisps of dreams. This morning I woke up in about a millisecond. Albert was barking, and it was his low, serious bark. I realized a moment later that my mother was yelling up the stairs.
Opening my bedroom door, I heard, “Can she get down off the deck?”
The “she” could only mean one person—Maybelle the Spotted Draft horse. I was down the stairs in seconds, hurrying to the back deck. Maybelle is north of a 1,000 pounds (450kg). Surely, the deck can hold more than that, but putting all her weight on one of the steps down to the lawn could be a little sketchy. I didn’t get to witness that, fortunately. By the time I got to the back deck, Maybelle had gotten down on her own.
This morning, the horses must have broken into the yard and she found her way up there. Who knows why. At least it wasn’t Earl—he is twice her weight. I’ll have to put the electric fence on for a while until they learn to fear it again. Yesterday, Mom was in that yard on a ladder (painting the barn). I can’t have them nosing around while she’s on a ladder.
The barn is looking great. There’s no chance that she’s going to finish it on this trip, but it’s looking great. I’ll be in an awkward position. Mom will give me precise instructions on finishing it once she goes, and I’ll nod my head and agree. There’s a 90% chance that I won’t paint the rest. Yes, I’m lazy, but I’m also being strategic. If I finish the barn my work won’t be as careful as hers, and she won’t have an excuse to come up and do it herself. She loves painting, and takes great pride in her work. I’m far too lazy to take that away from her.
My sister and nephew are currently on a side vacation on Cape Cod. By the way, I just looked this up—you say “on” Cape Cod and not “in” Cape Cod. I think you’re supposed to say it with your chin raised and jaw lightly clenched as well. They rented a little place from a friend. We also have cousins that live out that way. From the pictures, the beach is beautiful.
Last week, we went to Popham Beach here in Maine. It’s a wonderful spot. This year, the Morse River has cut through the bulk of the beach, leaving little space available at high tide. It did this a few years back as well and then returned to normal the next year. Until it does, they only let in a fraction of the normal visitors. We arrived right when in opened and we were fifth in line to get in. We didn’t expect much of a beach day—the temps were supposed to be in the low 70s (21C). It turned out great. The temperature shot up, the sun was bright, and the water wasn’t freezing. I rarely go to that beach unless my sister or nephew go with me. I should though—it’s so pretty. If I went alone, I’m afraid I would spend the whole time thinking about chores and projects that need my attention. Maybe I’ll give it a try this fall.
Mom just got back from the store. She bought a baby shovel, calamine lotion, and a 1” (2.54cm) paint brush for the grooves on the siding. She’s having a great vacation.
There’s a lot to do today. I better get to it. Hope your summer is going well. For those south of the equator, I hope you’re enjoying your winter.
