Musings of A Mainah

We're Moving

2007-10-15T14:54:00.000-04:00

Hey y'all:
Mainiac Musings is moving to a new location (for a variety of reasons, but mostly because Typepad is making it easy to post from the iPhone and I'm never in the office or at home any more)
You can get theah from heah.

A Bit of Fol-i-Age. At Last.

2007-10-15T11:02:00.000-04:00

Cider Hill Road, York, ME

I didn't think we were going to have color this fall due to the drought and strange weather....but momma nature is resilient and she's come through, just a bit later than usual.
Cape Neddick River, Cape Neddick, ME

My New Kicks

2007-10-14T17:31:00.000-04:00

It's finally cold enough for fires, hot mulled cider and fleece.....

Harvest Fest

2007-10-14T16:42:00.000-04:00

After a stormy, blustery Friday, the weather on Saturday cooperated for Harvest Fest--York's own celebration of York's own history.
We go every year for the Ox Sandwich and the Bean Hole Beans, passing up the chowdah, lobster bisque, ribs, donuts, kettle corn and fried dough for a once-a-year kind of taste.

On Friday morning, the men from the York Harbor Inn dig a hole (in the town green) for the bean hole beans. They build a fire pit next to it to roast the ox and begin cooking it all around noon on Friday. I've no idea how they managed to keep it going through Friday's down pour, but come Saturday at 11, the ox was served. $6.00 for an ox sandwich on an onion Kaiser roll and $2.00 for a serving of beans big enough for two to share. $1.oo for a soda. We add a bit of horsey sauce to the ox and pull up a curb in the sun to eat.

After brunch, we head over to Olde York Village to watch the cider pressing and spinning and then head over to the Olde Gaol to see the York Militia. Don't come messin' round our town, as our boys are armed and ready to defend us from any interlopers from away.

The festivities on the town green are all moved to Short Sands Beach on Sunday, as the town green and the First Parish Church grounds are one and the same and no one interferes with Sunday meetin' at First Parish (the oldest continuously meeting congregation in Maine, established by order of King Charles).

This year, the town has imported a favorite Ohio pastime, and is holding the first ever Cornhole tournament down at Short Sands. They're calling it Corn Toss, evidently unaware that for those who find Cornhole too offensive, the new title is Baggo.

For the record, that Cornhole (we're not easily offended) was first played in York on July 24th, 2004 at our Clam Bake celebration of our marriage and new life in Maine.....Which is also the day that Jason Veritek gave A-Rod a well deserved glove to the face and turned around the Red Sox season. Maybe we should whip out the set this afternoon and toss a few bags for good luck, eh?

Marshall Point Lighthouse

2007-10-14T07:48:00.000-04:00

Marshall Point Lighthouse

Procrastination Aid

2007-10-14T06:51:00.000-04:00

Does anyone else love Blogger Play?
It's the new Bejeweled (aka, mindless entertainment in the midst of boring conference call) in my day, and now, it's a snap to install on your iGoogle page.

Hold The Pickles

2007-10-11T08:16:00.001-04:00

Custom Cooper at the Hyatt on the Hill, Washington DC. The license plate reads WhpprJR.
Burger King was a corporate sponsor for a medial conference being held at the hotel......I'm guessing the topic wasn't cardiac care or obesity specialists.

Reader's Poll

2007-10-09T14:44:00.000-04:00

Via Seacoast Online, I just learned that Columbus Day is now the second busiest weekend for tourism in Maine--more than 700,00 cars used the Maine Turnpike to leaf peep.

Which brings me to my question:
How do you pronounce that word that describes what the peepers are viewing? Foliage?

Is it fO-lE-ij? Or fO-lij? Do you pronounce it with two syllables or three?

Here We Go Indians, Here We Go

2007-10-08T12:55:00.001-04:00

My best friend, my brother and my brother's best friend will be visiting the house that Ruth built tonight--two cheering on the Indians and one (my friend) cheering on the Yankees.

My little Yankees buddy is going to have to be very quiet as she's going to be sitting in the Indians play-by-play production area, compliments of this guy--a high school friend of my brother.

Retired Guy and I agree on this: we really, really want the Indians to finish them off tonight. We do NOT want the Red Sox to face the Yankees, and mostly, we really want to find out if George will fire Joe.

Lobster Buoys of The St. George River

2007-10-08T12:47:00.001-04:00

As always, click to enlarge.
The museum at the Marshall Point Lighthouse, has a number of wonderful displays, but none are quite as colorful as the display with miniature pot markers. Every lobsterman in Maine has a unique buoy to mark his/her pots, and all the lobstermen in the area are represented on this board. They are arranged by geography, with Thomaston lobstermen on top and the Port Clyde fishermen on the bottom. Cushing, Friendship and Tenant's Harbor are in between.

The buoys to the left of the wooden frame are "in memorium."

Saturday on the St. George River

2007-10-07T20:23:00.000-04:00

Nuff Said

2007-10-07T18:57:00.001-04:00

Sweep. The BoSox await the winner of Cleveland-New York. Well done, Sox.

You Gotta Love 'em

2007-10-07T16:13:00.000-04:00

My brother doesn't understand how I could have deserted the Indians to become a Red Sox fan.
It's easy. David Ortiz hits one out in Anaheim in October and instead of silence, there is cheering. Real, certified noise 3,000 miles from Fenway, with members of Red Sox nation standing and cheering as Papi rounds the bases. Then Ramirez goes back to back and the noise is off the hook.

How could I not be a Sox fan?

But, as soon as this game is over, my Sox hat comes off and my Indians cap goes on. Here's to Cleveland sweeping the Evil Empire later on today--gnot too much to hope for. The Brownies had a tough one against the Patsies, but I'm feeling it for my second favorite baseball team.

Friendship

2007-10-05T09:01:00.000-04:00

Noon at Friendship Harbor, ME
We're off to the land of no internets or cell phones for the weekend. I've been practicing my downeast accent, but it remains so bad that I don't think it would fool a lobster.

Exciting news from York: a pair of Bald Eagles has been spotted in the dead trees on the York River a number of times over the past few days. We're hoping that they're shopping for a new home and will find the real estate in York to their liking. We also hope that they like to pose for pictures.

Have a great weekend, y'all. Go Sox. Go Indians. Go Bucks! Boil the Boilermakers.

Witness This, My Friend

2007-10-04T19:52:00.000-04:00

LeBron James is a Yankees Fan. A native of the Buckeye State, a Yankees fan? The shame of it all.
Anyway, LeBron, may you witness a Tribe sweep of the Evil Empire. As much as I love you, LeBron, you can't show up at the Jake in a Yankees cap. Time to be traded to the Knicks, King James.

One Down, Two To Go

2007-10-04T10:07:00.000-04:00

Yee Haw. Josh Beckett seems to have sewn up the Cy Young award last night with a nasty performance against the Angels. Big Papi is back in form, and Youk hit a solo shot in his first at bat.
Such a dominating performance leaves us with only one question: what the heck was Papi wearing for the post-game press conference? Yowza.

Federal Government Enacts Whale Protection Act

2007-10-03T12:56:00.001-04:00

And no one is happy about it. Not the lobstermen:

"There’s no way the industry can comply by October 2008," she said. "I don’t know what the [formal] response to the rule is going to be, but there definitely needs to be a response."
Mike Dassatt, board member of DELA, was highly critical of the mandated change. He said its financial effect on Maine will be significant.

"We’re talking about a whole state that will be impacted — tens of thousands of jobs," Dassatt said. "It’s like me telling Tiger Woods how to go golfing. Someone sitting behind a desk in Washington, D.C., should not tell me how to set lobster gear."

And not the whales' protectors:

"The net effect is that whales will be receiving less protection off the coast of Maine than they have before," Williamson said.

Williamson said that while the environmental groups recognize the economic importance of Maine’s $300 million lobster fishing industry, they believe that Maine fishermen, who have spearheaded resource protections in the past, can adapt.

One thing is for sure. You should expect your lobster to cost more in the near future.

Here We Go Red Sox, Here We Go

2007-10-03T08:30:00.001-04:00

The Red Sox and Angels will begin the ALDS tonight with a first pitch at 6:37--Brian Williams will get short shift in our house tonight.
In preparation for tonight's game, a little linkfest of Red Sox love:
Complete series coverage from The Globe
My favorite Sox blog
The Dirt Dog Blog--hysterical brilliance
Tony Massarotti column on the Sox newest ace, Josh Beckett
Report card on John Lackey--no worries, he's a solid B and we're an A+ offense.

Sports Illustrated breaks down the series.

And, we can't forget the Tribe. May they defeat the Evil Empire in three.

Red Sox You're My Only Only Only

2007-10-02T18:23:00.001-04:00

UPDATE: had a little blogger glitch and had to correct the title of this post.

Blackwater USA

2007-10-02T17:03:00.000-04:00

Today, Congress began an important hearing into Blackwater USA, a private mercenary firm who has extensive contracts in Iraq and their use of force. This isn't a new problem, but it took an egregious act of aggression to bring it to a hearing.

Why mention this on a blog about Maine? Mostly because it's so very important. Blackwater's activities in Iraq undermine any small good we've managed to accomplish and our dependence upon them and other private contractors is economically excessive and not viable as a long term solution. Right now we're in a viscious cycle. We can't win with them, and we shouldn't abide their actions, but we cannot go to war without them.

There's a whole lot about Blackwater that's smelly: The founder, Erik Prince, is a fundamentalist Christian, from a very, very wealthy Michigan Republican family. He served as an intern in the Bush White House. His sister The firm has shown an 80,000% increase in government contracts since 2001; most of the contracts awarded have been in no bid situations; your tax dollars are spent at a rate of $1,222 per day per Blackwater contractor, and Blackwater operatives earn as much as $600.00 per day. Does your loved one who's serving in the military get even close to that salary? In previous cases where Blackwater has killed innocent Iraqis, the State Department has arranged cash payoffs to make the matter go away.

But the stinkiest thing of all: Order number 17 , signed into effect by Paul Bremmer, which effectively gives contractors working in Iraq a free pass to do as they please, without fear of prosecution. Our troops can be tried for murder and excessive use of force, but not a Blackwater mercenary soldier. Our "Christian Nation" is effectively turning a blind eye to injustice and "sin" and no rule of law for these men, and it's got to stop.

The New York Times blog live blogged Erik Prince's testimony today, complete with embedded video and the WaPo has an extensive article. Salon has background here and here.

If you're really interested, Jeremy Scahill has written an excellent book on Blackwater, entitled Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army. Don't read it at night. It's scary enough to give you nightmares.

September is the New August...

2007-10-02T16:16:00.001-04:00

...for a couple of reasons.
First: There's a Maine adage that every home in Maine becomes a bed and breakfast during June, July and August as friends and relatives from away visit vacationland USA, and it's held true for every summer we've lived here.

The summer is a mostly enjoyable flurry of washing towels and changing beds, driving down 103 to Chauncey Creek with a guest for the first time, loading beach chairs and coolers into the car and heading to the beach for the day, and quick trips to Freeport, Monhegan and down east. It's grilling out for eight and nights on the deck until long after dark, laughing and talking with friends and family. Come September, we get the house back to ourselves and a chance to catch our breath.

Until this summer. If you don't count Wedding Weekend, we had nary a visitor. We weren't lonely or bored, mind you. We were just without house guests.

That all changed on Labor Day weekend. Of the 30 days of September, we had only seven days without house guests. It's the way life should be. My aunt and uncle had their first clam chowder (and their second and third), their first lobster (one was enough), and a live view of a former President and First Lady, complete with a handshake. My parents got to see the Cushing Cottage and our good buddies Dick and Ount Potty got to visit Cushing and work for their lodging (installing lights and trimming some landscaping--thank you so much). We hosted the Yankees' fans on the weekend that the Sox played the Yankees and the friendship emerged intact.

Second: the weather. We've yet to have a deep frost. We've yet to have a night in the 30's. I put on the flannel sheets and took them off after one night, as temperatures soared back into the 80's. We have no foliage to view. This time of year, it should be a riot of color, but even in the western mountains, a colorful tree isn't the mainstream, it's a rebel ahead of its time. We had a bit of a cool start yesterday, but the forecast calls for 80's again this weekend.

We've also got a house full of guests planned for this weekend. The way it's going, we're going to need to call September the new July and October the new August.

"Cool" Blog

2007-10-01T19:38:00.000-04:00

It's devoted to unnecessary quotation marks.

New Music Monday

2007-10-01T17:05:00.000-04:00

If you're looking for new tunes, may I humbly suggest the new Melissa Etheridge. Play it loud, on a good stereo, in a place where you aren't embarrassed to dance and sing along.

Lordy, is it fine stuff--so good it brings tears to my eyes. It's deep and profound, but not preachy and it's more than just the intense passion of her early stuff-- the passion is still there, but it's tempered and wise, not adolescent.

Picture of the Day

2007-09-30T12:37:00.001-04:00

Chauncey Creek Lobster Pound, Kittery Point, ME
The perfect marriage of Maine and Ohio.....(not my plate, by the way, just a too perfect Photo Op for the Mainah who was born in Ohio).

2007 AL Eastern Division Champions

2007-09-29T07:24:00.000-04:00

Thanks to an original Dirt Dog, Kevin Millar, the Sox are Eastern Division Champions (the Orioles had to beat the Yanks in 10). I'm sure Dan Shaughnessy is elated and relieved. Ever since he claimed the division for the Sox on May, many Sox fans have been certain the Yanks would take it.

We more backed into it than took it outright, but we'll take it anyway we can. Yee Haw.

I'm On The Pigeons' Side

2007-09-28T16:54:00.000-04:00

Pigeons are pooping on Bengals fans.

I've been to Paul Brown stadium about 1,000 times (or at least it seems like 1,000 times). It's a dee-sas-ter.

The fans wear 80's style orange and black pants and tiger paw gloves, the guy running the sound system plays "Welcome to the Jungle" every 37 seconds, the Ben-Gals cheerleaders would scare away an elephant, and the drunk guy next to you keeps screaming "who dey". I totally understand the pigeon's point of view. The Who Dey Guy deserves it.

Latest Celebrity Sighting

2007-09-25T20:19:00.000-04:00

My parents and aunt and uncle are visiting from Ohio. We thought they might enjoy meeting some of the local folk, so we called up to Walker's Point and asked if 41 could come out and play. He said yes, so we agreed to meet in Perkin's Cove.

He brought Barbara with him, but she doesn't ride on the boat, she just eats at Barnacle Billy's.
A rather large crowd had gathered to gawk, and as the President left the restaurant, he shook hands (including my aunt and uncle's) and chatted with folks. Regardless of politics, I couldn't help but be impressed by his graciousness and the time he took with each person who wanted to talk to him. My Uncle Don was so thrilled he says he's not going to wash his hand, ever.

The Secret Service Zodiac boat flies the flag of the United States of America, the Texas State flag and the Maine State flag (and those are your tax dollars at work folks).

Ride The Bus To The Beach

2007-09-25T09:13:00.000-04:00

Starting December 17th, Skybus will fly from the Pease Jet Port directly to Jacksonville and Ft. Myers, FL.

If you want to ride the bus for $10.00, you'd best get those cheap seats now. At 9 am this morning, there are $10.00 flights to Ft. Myers available on December 17, 18 and 19. If you want to return to Boston for $10.00 you can fly on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day--or wait until January 3rd, and I'm guessing those tickets won't last very long.

Friendship Harbor

2007-09-24T18:21:00.001-04:00

Lobster Boats, Friendship Harbor, ME (edited in Photoshop)
Friendship Harbor is the second biggest fishing harbor in Maine....according to local wisdom.

Picture of the Day

2007-09-24T17:41:00.000-04:00

Rt. 1 Bridge between Kittery, Maine and Portsmouth, NH
Next time Baldacci asks for some tax dollars to improve our infrastructure, I'm voting yes....again.

Something Smells Fishy at Starbucks.....

2007-09-24T13:16:00.000-04:00

Starbucks is giving 50 million songs to launch the new iTunes WiFi music store....that's $50 million dollars of free tunes.

My first thought is "yee haw", I know where I'll be next Tuesday morning. Getting me a no fat latte and a free song.

My second thought was "doesn't seem prudent." What's good for me, might not be so good for Starbucks. That's a lot of songs and a lot of money. Why would they give away so many songs? It only make sense if revenues are down and they need to bring in additional customers in a big way.

Third thought, it might work too well. I'm going to pay them $3 for a latte and they'll give me .99 worth of free stuff. Considering the physical overhead, the cost of goods sold and the cost of the employee makin' my latte (health care, stock options and the hourly rate), there's not a lot of profit left in that cup of joe.

Common Ground Country Fair

2007-09-21T10:30:00.000-04:00

We're off to what Downeast Magazine calls "Maine's most authentic country fair", and a weekend in Cushing with Retired Guy's brother and sister-in-law. We'll have a weekend of organic, locally grown food, sustainable living and a picture fest from The Trip To Italy....can't wait.
Have a great weekend y'all. We'll be in the land of no TV, no internet access and spotty cell phone reception.
Go Sox. Please.

Fish Chowder

2007-09-21T08:46:00.000-04:00

Two summers ago, on a foggy cool August afternoon, I had a bowl of heaven. A fish chowder so delicious that I wanted to grab the pot from the stove and hide it in a secret place so that every bit of it would be mine (I didn't, but it was so very tempting).

I asked for the recipe. Bad idea. Turns out, it's a secret family recipe and no one, but no one outside the family gets the goods (imagine a Portuguese Colonel Sanders and you'll get the drift).

So for almost two years, I've been googling fish chowder recipes, checking every cookbook that I own or can get my hands on, ordering fish chowder at any restaurant serving it, and experimenting with recipes. Nothing is ever as good. I started to think that it must have been a flawed memory.... my hunger and the cold tricked me into thinking the stuff was better than it was. It's just a bunch of potatoes and haddock in some milk, right?

Finally last week, I found a recipe over at Diana's Kitchen. (Thank you Diana!)
I added extra thyme, more pepper a bit more bay leaf, wine instead of water and poof. Heaven in a bowl.

Hearty Fish Chowder

1/2 cup chopped onion
2 medium carrots, cut in small dice
1 rib celery, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 pound frozen haddock fillets
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 bay leaf (I added an extra half leaf)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried leaf thyme crumbled (I used quite a bit more)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (way, way more pepper)
1 cup dry white wine or water
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter; add onions, carrots and celery, stirring and cooking until onion is tender. Add fish, potatoes, bay leaf, salt, thyme, pepper, and wine or water. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until fish is cooked. Break fish into chunks. Add milk and remaining 1 tablespoon butter; heat through. Discard bay leaf, sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Fish chowder recipe serves 4.

Barack In Portland

2007-09-21T08:37:00.000-04:00

Barack Obama will be holding a Countdown to Change event in Portland on Tuesday September 25th. Doors open at 4 and the program starts at 5.

You can buy tickets online ($23.00)

The Portland Expo
289 Park Avenue
Portland, ME 04102

Prius Update

2007-09-20T16:48:00.001-04:00

It's like driving a computer. Once I'm in it, I actually like it. Now if I can only figure out how to navigate the garage with a blind fold, I'll be set.

Our Neighbors

2007-09-20T13:20:00.000-04:00

We met our Cushing neighbor this weekend (that's him up there). He's a rarity in Maine these days-- a real, live lobsterman who can afford waterfront property--even if they own the property out right, taxes for waterfront property often are more than a lobsterman can afford. Or some CFA is willing to pay such a dear price for the land, a practical Mainer will sell and move to a house off-water. Lobstermen who don't live on the water often fish from floats moored in a harbor (like that one at right).

Our neighbor lives on the water because his family has owned the property for over 250 years and he drives a truck most of the winter to supplement his fishing income. The house has no furnace and no basement. The washing machine is in the garage and the dryer is a clothesline.

As soon as they realized we were mainers, and we weren't "mass-people", they offered us lobsters Rich had brought home that day. Then they told us to borrow their kayaks any time--don't even ask. Then Richard said he'd make sure that our drive was plowed so we could get to the house in winter. If he was on the road, his wife would be able to plow us. He also volunteered to help take down any trees on our property that are "wind damaged."*

We quickly found out that they don't like the neighbors on our other side anymore than I'm guessing we will.....it's never good to jump to conclusions with neighbors or people in general, but the two interactions we've had with them make me a tad wary. The first time we met them, they handed us a formal contract for the maintenance of our lane and said that we needed to "get this matter taken care of immediately." okaaaayyy. We fully plan to contribute to the upkeep of the lane, but I'm far more comfortable working out a handshake deal--not signing a legal document that could land us in court. My word is bond. I'd hope that they are the same way.

The second time, they brought their three Irish wolfhounds over and let them run amok in our yard and garden. If you've never seen one of these puppies in person, click the link to see just how ginormous these guys are. Anyway, one tried to sit in Retired Guy's lap while the other two tormented mac the dog. One would have been a bit much, but three was out of control. Then they mentioned that they'd turned in the lobsterman* for taking down trees on his land in such a way that we took it as a warning that we should not improve the view on our land. As soon as they left, we took down about 15 trees--with a hand saw.

I also have a sneaking suspicion that part of my wariness is because they're from away and they act like they are from away. They moved to Maine because they love Maine, but now that they're here, they want to start changing things.

Even Reagan Knew Better

2007-09-19T12:54:00.000-04:00

Must. Not. Blog. About.The.Sox. Must. Not. Think.About.The. Sox.
Gah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, just received this little tidbit in an email from someone I trust (and who is a Republican, so I assume he's got no vested interest in a misquote):

...Even Reagan knew better. This is a direct quote from the recently published Reagan Diaries. The
entry is dated May 17, 1986.

'A moment I've been dreading. George brought his ne'er-do-well son around
this morning and asked me to find the kid a job. Not the political one who
lives in Florida. The one who hangs around here all the time looking
shiftless. This so-called kid is already almost 40 and has never had a real
job. Maybe I'll call Kinsley over at The New Republic and see if they'll
hire him as a contributing editor or something. That looks like easy work.'

Gosh Darn You, Al

2007-09-18T09:30:00.000-04:00

Because of An Inconvenient Truth, I'm now driving an ugly little box of a car.

Ok, it's not totally Al's fault. Part of it might have to do with the price (23k); the gas mileage (60 around town--verified by my two tree hugging friends who already own them) and the fact that we had to get a new car (lease is up on the Pathfinder), but a lot of it has to do with my husband's conversion to greenie, tree-hugging environmentalist after he saw the movie.

I grudgingly admit to feeling good about conserving energy (we've changed every light bulb in the house to CFL's), and I love the price tag, but for a girl who loves cars, the aesthetics of this one leave me with a face of distaste.

Lunch

2007-09-17T17:53:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we had lunch at our favorite spot in all of Maine. Seafood chowder and a crab melt for me; lobster bisque and a lobster BLT for our New Yawk friends.
Rather than tell you where it is, I thought I'd see if anyone recognizes the spot from the photo.

That's York, Not New York

2007-09-14T13:05:00.000-04:00

We've got friends coming to visit for the weekend, but they aren't arriving until later this evening. We wanted to eat suppah in the pub, so I called the York Harbor Inn to make sure they'd be serving dinner at 10-10:30.

The really nice lady on the other end of the phone informed me that they had a "late night" menu so they'd be serving late.

Now I'm excited. My late is midnight......then she says "ayeuh, that late night menu goes until 10 pm." Oh.

My friends (they live in Manhattan) consider 10 pm the normal dinner hour. I've got some explaining to do.

'Nuff Said

2007-09-14T11:00:00.000-04:00

Via my brother, the biggest Brown's fan who ever lived. Heh.

For My App State Friends

2007-09-13T14:06:00.001-04:00

How many batteries does it take to shock Michigan?

Just one Double A!

Heh :)

Some Good News

2007-09-13T09:46:00.000-04:00

It might be too early to really tell, but it appears that the ban on herring trawling is having a positive impact:

Fishermen say they are seeing more herring returning to the Gulf of Maine, where a ban on trawlers that drag nets through the water has been in effect through the summer.
"There has been lots of sea life, and it kind of amazes me," Daniel Fill, captain of a Rockland-based fishing boat, told the Portland Press Herald. "I have seen fish where I haven't seen them for years. They're in nice, big bunches for miles."
Other purse seine herring fishermen, whale-watching companies and tuna fishermen are reporting similar observations. They also say they see more sea birds, dolphins, tuna and seals, which feed on herring.

Belicheater Part II

2007-09-12T08:13:00.000-04:00

(Warning: I tried to act like this didn't make me happy and I tried not to gloat, but I can't, so I stopped trying.)
So, the league has officially determined that the Patriots cheated against the Jets on Sunday. All that's left according to the Boston Globe and the NY Post is for the NFL to determine the penalty.

It's not the first time that the Pats have been caught taping another team's signals, and it's not the only form of cheating--if you're a Colts fan any doubt you had about Willie McGinist's "injury" in the playoff game in 2003 were put to rest after he was able to make a celebratory sprint to mid-field when the Pats won the game.

Add these instances to the rumors that Belichick fudges injury reports and the whispering that he has knowingly allowed stadium personnel to mess with the other teams' radio transmissions, well ya gotta ask "Is one of the greatest coaches ever or is his just a conniving, sneaky, criminal mastermind?"

As a Browns fan, it might help answer that question that's haunted the city of Cleveland for years "Why was he such an unbelievable screw-up in Cleveland and a genius in New England?" The answer we now know is that he just hadn't figured out how to cheat.

As a sports fan, it's disappointing that a franchise who puts so much emphasis on players' character and maturity has a coaching staff who clearly values winning more than character. As a devoted Belichick detractor, it's just desserts for the guy who took a Head Coach job with the Jets and then spit in their eye two minutes later, who fired Bernie Kosar and treated the Cleveland media like it was a bunch of kids off the short bus, and couldn't win even half the time until he got to New England.

September 11

2007-09-11T08:43:00.000-04:00

I'm one of those folks who thinks that this day should always be remembered, but I never have words that are adequate.

My September 11 story is pretty unremarkable. I got a phone call at 8:55 from my friend in Manhattan. After I so very patronizingly told her that it could not possibly have been a commercial jet that hit the building, I tried to log onto the MSNBC site. It was unresponsive. While I waited, another friend burst into my office and announced that the second plane had hit the other tower. We left the office and headed to my house (no TV's in the office and the internet was just useless).

The two of us were the only two people that I know of in our workplace (the Cincinnati office) who left the building, went home and watched the news coverage. Most of my colleagues just continued to work as if nothing had happened (and quite frankly, it's always puzzled me--who could remain incurious? who could focus on a day like this?). Like so many others, I waited for news of my friends who worked in the World Trade Center (miraculously, not a single one out of the seven people that I know were injured or killed), and news of our two colleagues, who were staying in the Marriott, finalizing a sale to meet DOJ requirements. They were both fine, but we didn't know that at the time.

The one image that I can never forget is my friend, kneeling under a tree in my front yard, sobbing--he cried (he told me later) for those lost, for those who lost someone, for our country, and for his two small children who would grow up in a world that would never be the same. It was a brilliantly beautiful day, marred only by a grown man so overcome with grief that he was unable to walk from my front door to his car in the driveway.

The New York Post has a memorial site, as does the New York Times.

German Cole Slaw

2007-09-11T06:59:00.000-04:00

My sister in law and I take cole slaw pretty seriously. We're aficionados--we like it all-american, jazzed up or made with stuff other than cabbage--like broccoli. We like it on sandwiches or as a side to a hamburg. My brother is passionate about bratwurst, and most especially during football season. We often serve potato salad or macaroni salad at a tailgate, but last week, we decided that there has to be a slaw that's perfect with brats. We tried Napa Cabbage slaw (she in Ohio) and the broccoli slaw (me in Maine). We adjusted a recipe that we found in an old church cookbook. None were right. Last night, we made a recipe that Betsy's mom suggested and we think it's just right to go with a mess of brats at tailgate.

German Cole Slaw

Ingredients
1 head of cabbage, shredded or chopped briefly in food processor
2 medium onions, cut in rings
1 green pepper; chopped
1 jar pimento peppers; chopped and drained
1 cup sugar
1 cup white vinegar
¾ cup canola oil
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoons celery seeds (up to 2)

Directions
Combine cabbage, green pepper, onion and pimento in large bowl. Mix sugar and celery seed into this mixture.
Combine vinegar, oil and salt in pan and bring to a boil. Pour immediately over cabbage. Refrigerate, stirring several times.

Make at least 8 hours before serving.

Munchkin

2007-09-10T21:22:00.001-04:00

My niece. She's as sweet as she looks and very funny as well. A work trip is always easier when I get to see the little guys.

Bill Belicheater

2007-09-10T20:53:00.000-04:00

What do you expect when a Bon Jovi fan coaches your team?

The NFL is looking into claims a New England Patriots employee was videotaping signals by Jets coaches on New York's sideline during the season opener.

It ain't the first time. Hire low class, you get low class......
(and yes, I know that I might rot in hell for not worshiping at the alter of Belichick, but I'm from Cleveland. 'Nuff said).

Does This Mean I Can't Tell Michigan Jokes Anymore?

2007-09-10T13:10:00.000-04:00

What Are They Gonna Do to the Band?
The Ohio State University has been named FIRE's (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) Speech Code of the Month for this Diversity Statement issued by the University Housing Office. Included in the statement are The Goals:

• Increase sensitivity to differences through exposure, dialogue, and personal reflection
• Address thoughtlessness that may limit our efforts
• Maintain a talented and qualified staff with a commitment and conviction toward diversity.

and The Expectations:

As a member of The Ohio State University residence hall community, the following are guidelines that we embrace to contribute to your success, as well as the positive experience for all students living in your hall.
Respect the variety of differences in the residence hall community through your actions, words, As a student in our community, you are asked to be respectful of these differences:
• Do not joke about differences related to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, ability, socioeconomic background, etc.
• Do not use obscene words or gestures. Oftentimes these are unwelcome and offensive to students in your community.
• Listen to other students living in your floor community. If a person indicates that a behavior or action is offensive, you should stop the behavior immediately.
• Actively challenge the stereotypes you have of others. Use your time to consider the new experiences you are having at The Ohio State University, instead of relying upon the past evaluations you have had of others.
• When in doubt about the impact of your words or actions, simply ask.

Here's where I'm troubled: Have you ever been on a college campus? Most college students can't utter a sentence without a swear word, let alone last a semester (or in this case a Quarter) without profanity. Now swearing is a violation of housing policy.

Secondly, if jokes about ability are "threatening", then one cannot discuss Michigan football on campus. We certainly can't tell the joke Q: Why doesn't Ohio slide into the Ohio River? A: because Michigan SUCKS! Due to this statement every single Ohio State student will need to buy new attire to wear to The Game--because F&*k Michigan certainly seems to an expression covered by this statement, as does Muck Fichigan, Screw Blue, and Ann Arbor is a whore. And those shirts are in abundance at every OSU Michigan game.

Buckeyes can't flip off the Michigan Band anymore and I can't wait to see what the university does to those students who throw full beers and half eaten hot dogs at the Michigan bus.

In all seriousness, it's certain that an esteemed university such as The Ohio State University has any ill intentions here, but the statement is vague, appears to be unenforceable (“Words, actions, and behaviors that inflict or threaten infliction of bodily or emotional harm, whether done intentionally or with reckless disregard, are not permitted.”--how is an RA going to enforce that? What does not permitted mean?), and has the potential to turn every normal roommate disagreement into a "he said/she said and it did me emotional harm" nightmare. Lastly it limits a student's free speech, it may unnecessarily impede valuable, honest intellectual dialog, and it assumes that students aren't adult enough to manage tricky situations on their own.

I'm 99% Sure I'll Be Receiving One of These

2007-09-10T09:35:00.001-04:00

Given my family's beliefs and my step son's fervor, should the rapture occur in my lifetime, it's certain that I'm going to get one of these....

The really cool thing about this is the way that it works --it's just like that switch on Lost. It's a dead man switch. If someone doesn't reset the bugger, it sends the emails. I'd contend that a sending the left-behind letter will have a way bigger impact than the electromagnetic burst in the South Pacific.

Maine Fiction

2007-09-09T18:04:00.000-04:00

The first installment of Cathleen Schine's serial fiction The Dead and The Naked appears in today's New York Times magazine. It's setting is an artist's colony on an island off the coast of Maine.

You can read it online here, or listen to the author read the first chapter (found at the same link). If the first chapter is any indication, this is going to be a dandy.

TIckled Yellow

2007-09-07T10:28:00.001-04:00

I'd be fibbin' if I said I was anything other than delighted to receive a package from Boone, NC in this morning's mail. In it was attire for both Retired Guy and me to wear on November 17th, a lovely sign to hold up at that game (For Sale--Recently Destroyed Big House) and some mardi gras beads to accessorize the ensemble.

But the very, very best part of the entire package are copies of the The Watauga, filled with photos taken by my good blog buddy, Marie (and sender of said package). Marie, words will never be able to adequately express my sincere thanks for the gifts. The best I can do is to promise to wear that shirt in the Not-So-Big-House on November 17th! It will be a pleasure. Muchas Gracias, Marie.

Get a Whirly Pop Now, Friends

2007-09-06T21:13:00.000-04:00

It takes no more time to make and unlike microwave popcorn, Whirlypop corn won't kill you pr make you gasp for breath.

You can get them at Kitchen, Etc in Portsmouth and The Store in Rockland Me.

Breaking News From Michigan

2007-09-06T11:08:00.000-04:00

In light of last week's special teams debacle in the Big House, Coach Lloyd Carr has announced a new field goal unit will handle the kicking duties this weekend against Oregon. They are pictured above: Curley, a freshman walk on; Larry, a senior offensive line specialist (who guarantees that he can block someone 30 pounds lighter--a feat his predecessor could not accomplish); and Moe, the star of his junior high soccer team.

Afternoon in Port Clyde

2007-09-05T19:21:00.000-04:00

On Friday afternoon we headed to Port Clyde for fish chowder at The Dip Net. Nothing's as good as a chowder and draft beer on a cool afternoon in the fog.

After lunch we browsed in a couple of shops and bought a wonderful step-back Windsor Rocking Chair, four English Bible Chairs and an English scrubbed pine dresser. It took more than one trip in the car to get it all back to the cottage, so I sat in a chair in front of the shop and chatted up the owner for a while while Retired Guy took the first load home.

I heard about the cruiser that she and her husband bought in Manhattan and sailed home and the less than hospitable treatment they received in York on that trip. I heard about her duties as a selectman and eventually I got up enough courage to ask her if she'd met the Chief Justice yet.
Yes she allowed that she had.
I said "They say he's a nice guy."
She said, "Aye-uh. That's what they say." And her tone indicated she thought a bit different.

September Sunrise

2007-09-04T14:20:00.001-04:00

September 1, St. George River, Cushing Maine

Fun Monday Trivia

2007-09-04T09:13:00.000-04:00

From The Detroit Free Press news site:

• By the time kicker Julian Rauch got back to Appalachian State's campus in Boone, N.C., after giving the Wolverines the boot, he had more than 20 new friend requests on his MySpace page -- from Ohio State fans.

Seriously, this ASU upset over Michigan is really a mixed bag for Ohio State fans, Penn State fans and anyone who wants the Big 10 to be respected as a football conference. I'm tickled pink for my friends in Boone, but mortified that Michigan could lose at home in a game that was supposed to be a tune up. It's time for Carr to go. He won't be fired, but if he cares about Michigan football, he'll resign and turn the House keys over to someone who can coach.

UPDATE: This is really fun:
Derek Jeter received lots of ribbing from his teammates after his favorite university, Michigan, which he attended for a semester, was upset by Appalachian State Saturday.

"We were trying to hold off telling him until after the game, but the people in here are ruthless," Torre said. "That's why I had to take him out of the game. He was depressed."

Jeter responded with something he has said hundreds of times: "That's why you have to play the games."

ASU Rocks The not so big House

2007-09-02T07:03:00.000-04:00

Congrats to the Mountaineers! they know the joy that only comes from beating Michigan!
0h, 0h,0h how sweet it is
Update:
The NYTimes called this the biggest upset in College Football history and CBS seems to agree.
Congrats to my ASU Blog Buddies on a wonderful win.
Marie has covered the story as only she can.....

Ta Ta

2007-08-30T15:07:00.001-04:00

Have a great weekend y'all!
We're off to the Cushing house (AKA, land of no connectivity) for the weekend. I'll try to post via the iPhone, but even that reception is a bit skitchy up there.

While we're gone, College Football will kick off the 2007 season. There are a couple of barn burners this weekend: the Mountaineers of ASU will invade the Big House (at right) and the Penguins of YSU will visit Ohio Stadium.

We wish the Mountaineers well and we hope that the Penguins will be seeing a lot of this:
If they don't see a lot of this, well then I'm guessing that Ohio State won't be seeing a lot of first downs. (That's Beanie Wells, our running back, and by week four of this season, he's going to be a household name...you heard it here first).

Gahhhhh

2007-08-30T09:07:00.000-04:00

Boston 3-The Team Who Must Not Be Named 4.
C'mon Guys. Finish well at least.

Katrina Storm Surge

2007-08-29T12:14:00.001-04:00

A friend took this photo of Katrina's Storm Surge as it hit Ocean Springs Mississippi on August 29th, 2005

My dad took this picture in December of 2005 during a trip to help rebuild the town. There was so much damage, that four months later, much of the town still seemed as if the hurricane had hit the week before.

Not a Mainah. Yet.

2007-08-29T09:57:00.000-04:00

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
Philadelphia
The Inland North
The South
The Northeast
The West
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

I found this quiz over at Boo's blog, and just had to take it.....
But don't kid yourselves, I know I'll never be a Mainah. I'm from away, I'll always be from away, and that's just the way it is. My grandchildren won't even be Mainahs, as the kids weren't born here. Like they say, "Just because a cat has kittens in the oven, doesn't make 'em biscuits."

Katrina

2007-08-29T09:37:00.000-04:00

Does this smoke anyone else's behind as much as it does mine? He can show up two years later and eat gumbo, but all he can manage in the immediate aftermath of Katrina is a fly by? Never mind the debacle in Iraq, what happened in New Orleans is an impeachable offense.

As a remembrance of the devastation that is Katrina, I started reading James Lee Burke's Tin Roof Blow Down last night. For me it's necessary that just like 9/11, I not forget what we allowed to happen in New Orleans.

His description of a hurricane massing out in the gulf, preparing to make landfall is worth the price of the book alone.

UPDATE: This from the NYTimes website this afternoon:

''We're still paying attention. We understand,'' Bush said in remarks afterward.
....... But with New Orleans and the Gulf Coast far from their former selves after two years, some here think it's the president's dedication that should be in the spotlight.
The front page of The Times-Picayune advertised a scathing editorial above the masthead: ''Treat us fairly, Mr. President.'' It chided the Bush administration for giving Republican-dominated Mississippi a share of federal money disproportionate to the lesser impact the storm had there than in largely Democratic Louisiana. ''We ought to get no less help from our government than any other vicitims of this disaster,'' it said.

Today, We Hope It's One and the Same

2007-08-28T13:51:00.000-04:00

I'm wearing my favorite shirt today.....
We take an 8 game lead into the Bronx and it doesn't feel like enough. Regardless, GO SOX. Oh and how about a little run support for Dice-K? Just this one time?

Musings On Michael Vick

2007-08-28T05:29:00.000-04:00

Yesterday after his guilty plea, Michael Vick stood in front of a bank of microphones and "spoke from the heart."

In addition to admitting that he'd lied to the NFL Commissioner, his coaches and teammates, he apologized to the young kids out there:

I want to apologize to all the young kids out there for my immature acts and, you know, what I did was, what I did was very immature so that means I need to grow up.

It's outrageous that Mr. Vick characterizes what he did as immature rather than sick, twisted, and heinous. He later said, "I hope that every young kid out there in the world watching this interview right now who's been following the case will use me as an example to using better judgment and making better decisions."

Decisions? Like the decision to electrocute, kill by body slamming and hanging a dog is simply a decision? He started Bad Newz Kennels in 2001 and was still involved in 2007 when the charges came down. He watched dogs that he'd trained maul and fight to the death and he got a "rush" from that. Someone who can make a decision to engage in the level of brutality and cruelty detailed in the news reports over six years and then admit only to immaturity and bad judgment clearly does. not. get it.

And don't even get me started on his finding Jesus and turning his life over to God because "it's the right thing to do as of right now"..... Convenient Conversion? You betcha. We can only hope that it sticks cuz this is a man who can use some of what Jesus was preaching.

Judge Hudson--He's gonna need a lot longer than a year to 18 months to ponder about all of this and turn his life around. I hope you give him enough time to do all the thinkin' he needs to do.

Birding Trifecta

2007-08-27T20:43:00.001-04:00

On Saturday afternoon I took a break from cleaning and went down to the float. Four Herons fished and squabbled in the shallows. I watched them for a while until I noticed the bald eagle soaring right above my head. It was absolutely breath-taking. He was close enough for me to hear the whoosh of his wings as he back-pedaled and hovered. I went for the camera and the herons cooperated but the eagle was long gone by then.

Later, we saw not one but two pileated woodpeckers. In five years in Maine, I've seen a total of one....now we have two visiting a tree at the edge of the lane.

Finally, as if this weren't enough, we were awakened by the cry of a loon. It can't get any better.

Cushing--The First Weekend In "Real Maine"

2007-08-27T18:30:00.001-04:00

Why is it that when ever some fun occurs in Kennebunkport, we're out of town? About 4,000 protesters marched, which must have rocked the weekenders. MSM coverage is here (I've ignored all copyright law and reproduced the coolest photo at right--thank you Maine Sunday Telegram. Please note the compound that the Bush clan hangs out in) and a local participant blogs about it here.

Anyway, while Cindy Sheehan, Dennis Kucinich and like minded Americans exercised their right to free speech, we were two hours north in Knox County closing on the new house.

We left York at 6 am in a two car caravan loaded with linens, cleaning supplies, a chocolate lab, a couple of lamps, cutlery and dishes and other bare necessities.

We stopped in Freeport at LLBean at 7 am (they never close--heck, they don't even have locks on the doors. Local Maine legend says that the celebs who summah here like to shop in the middle of the night to avoid the gawkers, but we haven't verified that) to buy a new dog bed for Mac the Dog. We stopped at the McDonald's for a cuppa Joe and ran into a dear friend from Belgrade Lakes who was on the way to Camden for the day. Small state....stuff like this happens all the time.

After a pre-closing walk thru, we loaded Mac the Dog in the realtor's car (the real estate broker is, BTW, a Hot Shit--if you want to buy property in the mid-coast area, drop me a note. I'll give you her particulars. We couldn't be more pleased with all she did for us, and we have to be her smallest sale of the year, maybe the smallest of the decade), and headed to the closing. The realtor, Kate, brought closing gifts to us--mums, french soaps, local cheddar cheese, pickles and cherry tomatoes, and homemade blueberry bread accompanied with triple berry preserves, and she was insistent that we all ride together, including Mac the Dog, as taking separate cars wouldn't be any fun.

We closed in a tiny attorney's office in Waldoboro, the three siblings selling their family's summer home, the two realtors, an attorney, a mortgage broker and us....two people from exceptionally humble beginnings, blessed by fortune and luck.

After the closing, we went for a celebratory luncheon at Morse's Kraut House Restaurant. The store features gen-u-wine German food stuffs and the Reuben is to die for.

After lunch, we headed home and got down to cleaning: While Tom headed down to the town offices to tell them where to send the tax bill, I scrubbed the icky linoleum in the kitchen, first with 409 on my hands and knees. Then it was Mr. Clean with a mop. It still looked gross and dirty. I gave up. The good news is that the dirt is all natural: uninhabited house in the woods dirt, not somebody's else's dirt. Mouse droppings, fly hatchings and dead carpenter ants I can handle. Somebody else's gick, I cannot.

Tom came home to report that the Cushing Town Offices aren't always open and they sure aren't open at 3 pm on a summer Friday.

He did get us registered in the unofficial town census down at the general store. A S Fales and Sons Groceries is about all there is in Cushing excepting for the Wyeths and the Olson house. Oh, and now us. He also found out where to get firewood and who to call to get the septic pumped out.

By 7, we were all in and not close to done. The kitchen (excepting the floor) was spotless, the bathrooms were sanitized and we had Kate's magnificent food to eat along with blackberries (and one raspberry) that I picked along our lane for dessert. Right after dinner, as I made the bed up, I realized I'd managed to buy all twin sets and we had not one set of full sheets for our bed....roughing it....heh.

Early on Saturday morning, we went up the road and bought fresh eggs from 'the egg man', got bacon and coffees at Fales and ate bacon, eggs, and blueberry toast on the deck. Then we washed windows. Sadly, it appears that we might have done too good a job.
We buried the little finch off the back deck. The total of Saturday was spent cleaning.....and weed wacking and scything, and weeding the garden... and birdwatching, but that deserves its own post.

On Saturday night, Kate came for nibbles and drinks and an official house warming. We sat on the deck and admired the view and talked and talked. Of important things and nothings. On day where York saw 96 degrees (hottest day of the summer), I wore long sleeves and was slightly chilled, but warmed by the good company and the lovely Pinot Noir.

Sunday, after a spectacular sunrise, we introduced ourselves to the neighbors. Marc and Kathie have just relocated from Chicago, along with their three Irish Wolfhounds and an African Parrot and will make Cushing their full time home. They've summered here for 25 years, but this will be their first winter in Maine.

Then we went exploring. Down the finger to Pleasant Point, over to Friendship, by the Cushing Community Church and the beautiful German Protestant Church in South Waldoboro. We bought mums and a fall planter at Moose Crossing Nursery. Then we made a stop in Thomaston for the papers, and then on to Rockland to TJ Maxx (a lamp shade, a bread knife and two door mats) and Home Depot (a grill, linoleum cleaner and polish, nails, insulation, a new sink faucet, a rotary mower and a dehumidifier).

Back home to strip the linoleum and then apply two coats of polish. FINALLY, a kitchen floor that I can walk across with my bare feet.

We have two toilets that leak, a kitchen faucet that doesn't work and well water that has a touch of coliform bacteria. We have carpenter ants and a window that has dry rot. Some of the light fixtures don't work and at low tide, we're muddy. But it's ours and the light is lovely in the evening and in the morning and at all times in between......

Yee Haw

2007-08-27T11:31:00.000-04:00

The Farmers' Almanac says it's going to be a wintery winter this year for those of us east of the Mississippi:

The almanac foresees plenty of snow across eastern New York and New England and temperatures averaging up to 3 degrees below normal along most of the Atlantic Coast.

I can't tell you how that warms my heart!

IPHONE BILL

2007-08-23T19:58:00.001-04:00

Mine wasn't 300 pages, but it was 59....59 pages to tell me that I talked for 112 billable minutes, received 225 text messages and transmitted 6 billion data bytes (those are free and unlimited).

New House

2007-08-23T19:38:00.001-04:00

[as always, click to enlarge]
We're off to the mid-coast tomorrow to close on the new house. There's no internets up there (not at our house, at least) so it's over and out until Monday. Enjoy your weekend, y'all! Ours will be spent cleaning and polishing and exploring--unless we bump into the Wisdom Weasel--then it will be spent in the pub as he's offered to stand beers for us and I'll never say no to a free beer or two or six. If not this weekend, my friend, then soon.

It's Starting To Heat Up

2007-08-23T19:03:00.001-04:00

The Maine Senate Race is going to be a barn burner.....this commercial has run three times tonight during our local newscast.

Firedoglake and Kos are all over Susan B.

Of course, she does have her supporters (and if they're for her, well.....)

If nothing else, this is going to be entertaining for the next few months, no?

New Maine Blog

2007-08-23T18:10:00.000-04:00

Hey y'all......Lisa from Red Sox State of Maine has a new blog about daily life in Maine. Stop on over and check it out.

Lobster Boat Tie-up

2007-08-23T17:50:00.000-04:00

Two weeks ago, the "market price" for a 1.25 lb. Maine lobster at the Boca Resort and Beach Club was a whopping $140.00. I kid you not--they wanted $5.00 more for a 'bug' than they charged me for my room.

Considering that, it's completely understandable that Maine lobstermen are tying up their boats to protest and bring attention to the low prices that lobster are currently bringing. Dealers in some places are offering $3.50 a pound. The last time lobster prices dropped below $4.00 a pound was in 2003, when diesel and bait prices were considerably less.

'Closing The Gap' Strategies

2007-08-22T08:08:00.000-04:00

Are you having trouble making ends meet? Need a little extra cash in your pocket ?
Well here are two ways to make money immediately: 1) be a blueberry thief or 2) be a blueberry sheriff:

A blueberry processor is offering a reward for information leading to the culprits stealing blueberries right out of the fields.
While the thieves are raking it in, Cherryfield Foods placed an ad in a weekly newspaper offering a $5,000 reward to help get to the bottom of the thefts.

"I know for a fact that some private growers have reported a half-acre here and a half-acre there stolen," said Ragnar Kamp, general manager of Cherryfield Foods. "Another producer said someone had broken down a fence to steal berries."

August is the height of harvest season for Maine's blueberry industry as tens of millions of pounds of the berries are harvested from the blueberry barrens.

The first option means immediate money, but is high risk. If you get caught, you'll have a cash flow problem for many more months while you contemplate the errors of your ways in Alfred.

The second option doesn't pay out until the thief is successfully prosecuted, but $5,000 goes a long way and the chances of winding up in the state pen are reasonably slim.

Good News for Cell Phone Users in Maine

2007-08-21T13:33:00.000-04:00

If you've ever tried to use a cell phone in, say, York, or Denmark (ME) or Kezar Lake, you know why this is very good news:

AT&T has announced a planned investment of more than $4 million in the Maine wireless network in 2007. This will bring AT&T's three-year investment in Maine to more than $10 million. This year's planned investment includes the addition of six new cell sites and approximately 140 new radios to nearly 50 cell sites throughout the state. It also includes 15 new hardware cabinets and power amplifiers to increase capacity.
The 2007 enhancements focus primarily on expanding the network's voice capacity and enhancing the EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution) data network, which offers faster download speeds for consumers and business users. The expansion also gives the company additional bandwidth to support its growing customer base and growing voice and data usage.

Since the iPhone launch in June of this year, the signal strength on all Cingular/ATT phones seems to have dropped.

A Beautiful Day for a Ball Game

2007-08-21T03:37:00.000-04:00

Sunday was the pilgrimage to Fenway Park. Once a year, we go to a Red Sox game with about 10 other couples. More precisely, we are taken to a game by one of our friends who has season tickets. He manages to scrape together 20 tickets for a game, all in really good seats (he trades games with other season tickets holders).
We rent a bus, we go to the game and then afterwards, we go to Luccia's in the North End for dinner.
Angels vs. the Red Sox. It was a perfect day for baseball--70 degrees and sunny, little wind.
We were in Pavilion Seats on the 3rd base side, and from there, the Boston B was still visible in center field.

We saw Bobby Keilty make a spectacular catch in right field to save a three run homer. We almost got to see a fight when Julian Tavarez brushed Orlando Cabrera's jersey and Orlando took offense.
In the 5th inning we got our 15 seconds of fame with a shout out on the scoreboard. The Fenway Franks were tasty, the peanuts were salty and the beer was cold.

The only thing missing was a win. JD Drew struck out looking with two on to end the 8th and that at bat just about sums up his season so far. He and Manny have decided that batting is a spectator sport--no need to swing the bat. And just like that, the Yankees are only four back.

As they say, tomorrow is another day. Wakefield mesmerizes the Devil Rays and the Angels return to Annaheim to face the Evil Empire. As of tonight, this guy might be my favorite player in baseball. Ryan Budde. Yankee slayer.

Those Crazy Buckeyes

2007-08-20T19:52:00.001-04:00

A field yellow-leafed soybeans with a message......planted in a field about 10 miles from where I grew up. It's not just me. It's the entire state.

Summer Pleasures

2007-08-18T07:34:00.001-04:00

As strange as it might sound, grocery shopping and cooking helps me regain my equilibrium and settle back in after I've been away from home for too long. Especially in the summer when so much good local produce is available and I can tour the countryside while doing the shopping.

Wednesday, I cut out of the office just a bit early and headed out Cider Hill Road to Zack's for four ears of corn, fresh picked that day.

Then a stop at the York Corner Garden (Rt. 1 just south of 91) for peppers, just picked high bush blueberries, local tomatoes, and a few organic peaches (not local).

For dinner, we had this delicious tri-tip roast, compliments of Elise, fresh tomato/mozzarella salad with basil from the herb garden and roasted corn on the cob, served with a strong pinot noir.

A blueberry/peach cobbler* and coffee on the deck finished the meal off perfectly and by the time the coffee was gone, I felt centered again.

I followed Elise' recipe pretty closely, excepting I used one half green bell pepper and one half red pepper for the salsa, as well as basil. I thought the red added a little festivity to the situation. The tri-tip was delicious, so as Retired Guy likes to say, this recipe's a keepah.

*I'm partial to this recipe that I found in the New York Times quite a long time ago. The cinnamon and nutmeg work perfectly with the peaches.

Ingredients

2 lbs peaches (about 6-8 peaches)

1/4 c. light brown sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp grated nutmeg

2 c. blueberries

2 tbsp butter

1/2 c. sugar and a separate 1/4 c. sugar

1 egg

1/2 c. milk

1 c. flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1 tbsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Start with the blueberries. Combine 2 cups fresh blueberries, 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tbsp butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring until a syrup forms for 6 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

2. Now, the 2 lbs of fresh peaches - pit and peel them, then chop the 2 lbs of fresh peaches (enough to make 3 1/2 cups) you can leave the skin on if you prefer. Toss peaches in a large bowl with 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg, 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 1 tsp salt. Let sit for a few minutes to absorb flavor.

3. For the cobbler topping: In another large mixing bowl, mix 1/4 cup sugar and 1 egg in a bowl and whisk. Add 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 cup flour, 1 tbsp vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup milk. Beat well with a wire whisk until the mixture is smooth and resembles a cake batter.

4. To layer use a 3 quart rectangular pyrex baking dish spread the peach mixture evenly across the bottom. Spoon the blueberry mixture evenly over the peaches. Then pour the batter evenly over the blueberries.

5. Bake in a 375 degree oven, bake cobbler for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes, in order for flavors to meld before serving. Serve warm with ice cream and fresh mint.

The Cushing Cottage

2007-08-16T21:06:00.001-04:00

We just returned home from the inspection on the Cushing Cottage. Looks like all's well with the septic, the roof, the basement, the furnace, the foundation and any other matters that might be deal breakers. It's even more lovely than I remembered and while the septic guy was probing the leach field and the house inspector was looking for carpenter ants and leaky faucets, we picked enough blackberries along the driveway to stuff our bellies.

The cottage was designed by an architect and mixes the traditional Maine cottage with light and air and views. It's not the rustic camp I originally thought we'd buy, but many cosmic forces aligned to make this work out and I have to believe it's the right thing. Would you believe me if I told you that Retired Guy vacationed here 26 years ago when the land was owned by his close friends? Or that the mortgage broker randomly suggested to us has a wife who works for my company?
There's a separate sleeping cottage a bit closer to the water that might make a perfect studio.

Retired Guy thinks he might want to sculpt granite.

It's waterfront but it's going to need some work to make it user-friendly waterfront. The drop to the dock can get a bit steep ......

but once you 're there, it's quite nice....
It's been unoccupied for the last two years, so it's overgrown and needs some TLC and maintenance, but it's really nothing that a little elbow grease and a scythe can't handle.

Have you Ever....

2007-08-15T18:52:00.001-04:00

Had a Red Bull Slurpie?

I have......

20 Hours of Maine

2007-08-13T12:01:00.001-04:00

I'm flitting in and out of the state in less than 20 hours, rather like this bumble bee was flitting around on the cone flowers last night.

A good friend and colleague's mother has passed away, so it's back to the airport and off to Pittsburgh for a couple of days for the services. Of the first 15 days of August, I've only managed to spend three here. It's not the way I'd plan it, but we do what we have to do.

I briefly considered going directly from Boca Raton to the funeral, but in the end, the cost was the same and I NEEDED to come home, watch the last three (should have only been two innings) of the Red Sox on NESN, dead head the flowers, weed the garden and watch the hummingbirds and hummingbird moths (they're regulars to the garden this summer) feed on the flowers. I also needed to kiss Mac the Dog's ears and pet the cats.

Additionally, in 20 hours I did some laundry, processed some paperwork for the mortgage on the.....wait for it.....wait for it.....cottage that we're buying up to Cushing (more on that later), rescued Lucy from Sublime Restorations where she had a quick face lift to repair a self-inflicted garage door ding. She looks a good 10 years younger. Ok, now that I've attended to the blog I can flit off to Pittsburgh.

Lots has been happening in Maine, so here are a few links for you to peruse while I'm out:

Oyster Farming Dispute
We hosted our second big time international visitor
Our local beach has its good name sullied by Forbes Magazine
Michiganders buy two of our ski resorts
The RED SOX stink
and
Ding Dong. The Rove is Over.

The View From My Window

2007-08-11T08:30:00.000-04:00

Last day of our National Sales Meeting. Six hours of presentations and we can call it a wrap and head home tomorrow morning.
That's the view from my hotel window. Not that I've had time to do anything more than glance at it quickly before I run to another meeting, but it surely is pretty.

Keeper's House For Sale

2007-08-11T07:41:00.001-04:00

The Keeper's House (aka Robinson Point Lighthouse) is being offered for sal e for $2.5 million.

It that asking price leaves you a bit short of discretionary income, don't worry-- utilities are very low. No electric bill, no sewer or water bills to worry about as the Keeper's House is entirely self sufficient and off the grid. Energy is solar powered, water is reclaimed from sea water, and the septic helps keep the flower garden blooming.
Neighbors include Linda Greenlaw and her family, but island life is quiet and peaceful and generally lacks the celebrity/tourist trade of some of the other Maine Islands.

Lobster Boat Races This Weekend

2007-08-09T08:18:00.001-04:00

If you want to catch a lobster boat race, the place to be in Maine this weekend is Henry Cove for the last weekend of this season's lobster boat races. The Lorna R out of Beals Harbor is rumored to be going for a speed record of over 55 mph.

Senator Collins Changes Her Mind?

2007-08-07T06:38:00.000-04:00

Or did she evolve? No matter...

We've been wondering how long it would take Senator Collins to change her stance on Iraq, given that most in the state of Maine want us out of Iraq yesterday. We still haven't made up our minds as to who we're voting for, but the Senator's stance on Iraq has made both of us far less likely cast our votes her way. It's been especially disappointing that she's held out far longer than other less moderate Senators on this matter.

Now USAToday reports that:

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, a co-sponsor of Salazar's legislation on the Iraq Study Group, wants to go further: binding legislation that would order Bush to restrict the mission of U.S. troops to counterterrorism, training Iraqis and protecting U.S. assets.

The goal, she says, is to "set the stage for a significant but responsible withdrawal of American combat troops over the next year."

For most of these lawmakers, their decision to embrace change is colored by politics.

Collins is seen by Democratic challengers as particularly vulnerable in the 2008 elections because of the overwhelmingly anti-war sentiment among Maine voters.

Ayeuh. (emphasis mine)

Not Seen In Maine

2007-08-07T06:07:00.000-04:00

My dad shared a few more photos from the Safari and on this 9th anniversary of the embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, I thought I'd share them with you. This elephant is wet on the bottom, dry on the top. The photo was taken in Amboseli National Park.
And I can never resist a good giraffe photo.
And the lions.....they showed little fear of the safari vehicles and allowed for some up close photos.

It's Monday, I Think

2007-08-06T07:50:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday to you. It's day three of a 10 day work trip, the first part in Philadelphia with 3,000 business professors, the second part in Boca Raton with 1,500 colleagues at our Sales Meeting.
The first part has been wonderful. Retired Guy came with me to visit our daughter. She entertained us in her fabulous new apartment on Saturday night and then she and her dad went to the Tut exhibit on Sunday, while I did booth and author meeting duty (I'm on the bitter bus about working two straight weekends in August, but trying to not kvetch too much about it). Last night we had dinner at Buddakan, an elegantly swanky Asian Fusion restaurant. It's all served family style, so we sampled Lobster egg rolls, ahi tuna pizza (think sushi on a toasted flatbread), corn and crab fritters, and edamami ravioli appetizers. The wine list is excellent and reasonably priced and the food is amazingly good.
I'm off to a day of author meetings, customer schmoozing, and in between, hanging out in the booth, pushing our wares, while trading white lies and inflated statistics with the competitors. We're the talk of the meeting because of the recent sale of the company, so everyone is stopping by to see if we're panicked, off our game, looking to change companies. Since we all seem calm, unfazed and focused, they're not sure what to make of us.

This Week's CFA Award

2007-08-02T15:46:00.000-04:00

I'd like to present this week's CFA to Gregory Gowan, but most unfortunately, he's a Hampton, New Hampshire local.
As grumpy as I can be with the summah complaints, what we get in our little village is nuthin' compared to what Amy sees down her way. Hampton Beach can get 100,000 visitors on a hot summer day. Makes our 65,000 seem more manageable, no?

Hummingbird Moth Video

2007-08-02T13:03:00.000-04:00

BirdCinema.com has video of one type of hummingbird moth, very similar to the one that I spotted in the garden last night. This video is far better than the shots I managed. Isn't he cool?
Birdsngarden.com has information on all three kinds of hummingbird moths.

Out Of Africa

2007-08-02T09:55:00.000-04:00

My parents arrived home from safari last night and my dad was kind enough to share this shot of a leopard dragging her kill into the tree (it's a young Impala).

They had a fantastic time, but consistently commented how much things had changed since 2001:
1) many, many more tourist buses--way too many most days
2) accommodations have not been refreshed. My parents said often towels were gray and over-used, rooms looked worn from 12-15 years of use and the exquisite customer service that we enjoyed in 2001 no longer exists
3) twice, they were without rooms in the middle of the bush. My parents slept in the kitchen at Ol Tukai as the lodge was oversold (but they did say it's still the best place to see the elephants). Another night, they had a night in a bush tent half-way up the slope of Kilimanjaro. They loved it, but some of their friends were less than pleased with the unexpected "adventure"
4) to protect the environment, vehicles are now not allowed off-road in the game preserves . Most of the really good stuff we saw in 2001 (lion hunts, lion kills, cheetah) were all off-road. And because the rovers can't leave the roads, mini traffic jams occur

My mom's 70th birthday party was memorable--candle light dinner in a tent in the bush, complete with elephant droppings, lions roaring in the dark and a delicious menu of barbecue.

They don't regret the return to Kenya and Tanzania, but agreed that they'd not go again. My dad feels that within the next five years or so, all that is good about safari in these countries will be gone from over-use.

We decided that the next trip should be to Botswana and Zambia. We agreed that I'd be going the next time, as well. Missing this one was hard enough.

Does Anyone Know What This Is?

2007-08-01T17:22:00.001-04:00

I had the wrong lens on for taking these shots, but this little guy was so cool, I had to try to capture him....now, does anyone know what it is?

Coffee with A View

2007-08-01T08:51:00.001-04:00

It's the first cool, crisp morning in many mornings. The humidity has broken, the fog's gone elsewhere. It was a perfect morning for coffee on the deck.

Yesterday, we ventured to the mid-coast to look at a couple of "camps"* that are for sale, and we discovered a new favorite place--Damariscotta Mills. It's the quintessential, sweet New England village. In yesterday's heat, the small bridge near the mill was packed with kids and teenagers diving from the bridge, while others floated on inner tubes or sat on the edge of the lake.

We saw a few properties that are financially 'doable' for us, but now, Retired Guy and I have to negotiate the salt water versus fresh water question. I'm leaning lake, he's pulling for ocean. Ocean isn't swimmable (too cold); lake is. Ocean isn't fit for water skiing; lake is. Retired Guy points out that the camp on the lake is very much like "Ohio". Both are great for kayaking; the lake has loons. The ocean has Bald Eagles and Osprey. It will take the wisdom of Solomon to decide this question.

*Camp-the Maine term for a summer cottage, usually on a lake.

testing

2007-07-31T20:17:00.000-04:00

Just testing. It's the first blog post from the iPhone. Just to see if I could.
I can, and that's kind of neat.

Chauncey Creek

2007-07-30T21:18:00.000-04:00

Foggy night at the creek, but the lobsters were fresh, the wine was chilled and most especially the company was good.

All images taken with the iPhone.

Egads and another CFA Award

2007-07-30T15:31:00.001-04:00

It's another pea soup kind of day here in Maine--one of many this July. The only positive or redeeming thing to be said about our weather is that the coast of Maine is stunning on a sunny day. It's beautiful on a rainy day and it's wonderful on a foggy day, just so long as one didn't have one's heart set on a sun tan.

Yesterday was a gorgeous summer day on the seacoast--blue skies, breezes full of summer flowers and salt water and temperatures perfectly suited to an afternoon kayaking or sunning on the beach or swinging in a hammock, until the wind turned, late in the day.

The fog rolled in around 6 pm last night, and when it comes, it always comes the same way. It slides silently from the beach, through the pines toward the house, with one quick, cool breeze to warn us that it's coming. It starts as a gradual change of the sky from blue, to lighter blue to white. Then the fog settles into the tops of the trees and moves closer to the house, muting sounds and removing color from the day.

This week's CFA Award goes to the visitor to York Beach who was involved in a beach chair rage incident down to Short Sands last week. Throwing a tantrum and then a beach chair is never necessary after a day at the beach. It's the Way Life Should Be, even if you have to wait for a bit to get into your car.

In the article, the policeman stated that we call folks who come up from Massachusetts and behave poorly "tourists." Don't kid yourself. He was being polite and politic. We call them massholes or goat ropers. But only the ones who behave poorly. We like the rest of you. And should someone from New Hampshire behave poorly, we believe that it's because he or she recently relocated from Massachusetts to NH and hasn't had time to decompress. When someone from New York behaves poorly, we call them Yankees fans.

Baby Lions

2007-07-29T16:26:00.000-04:00

Serengeti Plains, Tanzania

My parents are on the Serengeti Plains today, their last day in Africa.

On my last day in Africa in 2001, we came upon six lion cubs, napping and playing in the sun, left alone while their moms were out hunting. (Lions are kind of like some human families....the ladies bring home the bacon and their husbands just hang out and wait to see what's for supper) We watched them and photographed them for about 45 minutes and the cubs remained completely oblivious to our presence. These two went back to sleep about a minute after I took this shot.

Maine Country Club

2007-07-28T16:30:00.001-04:00

One bucket to wash. One bucket to rinse. A steel brush for the extra dirty clubs. A towel to dry them off.

Nothin' fancy, but it works.

The Only Way To Stay Cool

2007-07-26T11:49:00.000-04:00

It is 85 degrees and muggy and let me tell ya, without air conditioning that's pretty uncomfortable. Unless you're in a kayak on a tidal river.....then, I'm told, 85 degrees is quite nice.

A local historic house is now for sale. If you've got a cool $4.4 million dollars in your pocket, historic Cragmere is yours (photo from the Sotheby's listing page).

In 1999, it won a Statewide Preservation Award. We toured the house during a kitchen and bath show four years ago and it's every bit as spectacular as it appears to be in the photo.

Summer Dog

2007-07-24T18:59:00.001-04:00

Winston in the Water

Two Great Summah Salad Recipes

2007-07-24T16:30:00.000-04:00

Up at Kezar on Friday night we had a fantastic summer menu: grilled steak tips and two light salads, fresh warm bread and sangria. The two salads complimented each other and the steak perfectly.

I contributed nothing to the dinner, but a bit of manual labor and a willingness to clean my plate and empty my glass (a couple of times for both, as I recall). Compliments of my two friends and wonderful cooks, Joan and Doreen, here are the salad recipes(the first I've reprinted exactly as Joan emailed it to me):

Green Salad with Basil, Pear and Parmesan

Use any type of greens that you like. I used a Spring mix and added a bit of curly green lettuce. Add fresh basil leaves--again it is personal preference as to how much basil. I used a whole package--one of those small prepackaged ones from the supermarket.

Add cut up pears --I used bosc pears, but could use anjou or similar ones I would think. I used 2 for the amount of salad I made for the six of us.

Before serving add candied walnuts...I just threw in a couple of handfuls.... (as you can see, with this salad, you can take a lot of liberties.)

Pour dressing over the salad right before serving and add shaved parmesan cheese...whatever looks right.

Dressing:

1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar

1 TBSP sugar (I think I used a little more than that)

1 tsp. Jane's Crazy Salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

2 TBSP Olive oil (I think I used a bit more than 2 TBSPs.

Shake vigorously in a jar.

Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Basil and Cheese

12 oz. medium shells or rigatoni
1 clove garlic
4 oz. Havarti, cut into cubes
1 lb. tomatoes cut into cubes
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion
2 Tbs. olive oil or more to taste
1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. fresh pepper
grated Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and drizzle with olive oil. Set aside.
Rub the inside of a large bowl with the garlic (cut). Add cheese, tomatoes, basil and green onion to bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
Add mixture to pasta, toss to blend then add the grated Parmesan to the top of the salad.

Can be served warm or cold (we had it cold).