Sunday, September 30, 2012

More than a Catnap

Cat supposedly spend something like 80 percent of their time asleep, sometimes asleep like this. I envy.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Signs of the Times

This sign in the Bangor International Airport seems at odds with itself. It informs parents of a rule their children are to follow while at the same time seemingly implying that it is the children who are making the behavioral decisions.
If you know why Delta thought it important to let me know that the plane in which I was flying was completed in our neighbor to the north, please share the why.
Finally, and you thought they didn't serve peanuts on airplanes any longer. When you're done digesting that thought, consider whether peanut allergies are as prevalent in third world countries with much lower hygiene standards than we have here. I'm thinking that they aren't and the lowered hygiene is the reason.

For What It's Worth

I am told that my current feeling that I will never advance past the green belt I have worn for more than two years now is perfectly normal and happens at some point to everyone who continues in Myo Sim karate. I have also been told by an instructor that I will likely never progress beyond my current second degree black belt status in Myo Sim kendo. As a result, I have been thinking about which of the two I enjoy more figuring that if I'm not going to advance in either, I should concentrate on the one I like best. As the bumper sticker that now decorates the back of my car attests, that's kendo. There's just something about swords and knowing how to use them.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Homeward Bound


This evening I will float through the air homeward. It has been a good visit. Thanks to wonderful hosts and an idyllic location, I feel more refreshed than I have in a long, long time. What it says on the T-shirt I don't have--life is good.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

All Good Things Must Come to an End


This seemed an appropriate shot for my last full day here. It has been a good trip though, as always, it will be good to get home. There is a feel to New England as well as to being on the water that I wish I could bottle and keep for dosing as needed to regain perspective. I'll have to work on that.

Monday, September 24, 2012

The Birth of a Boat

Some people buy their husbands boats. That's the easy way out. I this morning retrieved the first piece (actually, two pieces, since I picked up another after this one) of what could one day be a very nice boat for the husband in my life.

Steve + Don = This Photo


No Words Needed


This Morning on Duck Cove


This was the view from the window this morning. Today's agenda is open, the lobster boat sail we thought of taking being fully booked probably by passengers from the several cruise ships we saw docked at Bar Harbor yesterday. There are worse things in life, though, than being in a beautiful location with long-time and cherished friends.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Signs of Fall


Yesterday was the first day of fall. What says "fall" more than cider ... in Maine.

All Aboard!


We took a train ride today after church and ice cream for lunch (mine was Maine maple walnut). Along the way we saw multiple dogs being walked, a beaver dam, birds' nests, and more tan a bit of fall foliage. We also performed a wye turn, which you are welcome to look up in Wikipedia for a complete description. Hey! That's what we did thanks to our smart aleck phones.

Out of the Mist


Having learned a bit about how the photos move between SD card, phone, and tablet, the photo above is the one I want to use, not the first one I could randomly get to load. We hiked in the mist yesterday; this was our view of the harbor below as we descended. While the yacht in the background might be nice to have, I think I'd rather have the blue sailboat in the foreground.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Sticky Logic


If the gods had wanted me to know what I was doing, they would have made it evident. This photo is not from today's hike which was in fog and drizzle and which featured an incredible garden. Hiking was followed by lobster spaghetti carbonara for dinner, with good wine, good company, and much laughter. Life as I know it is pretty darn good right now.

Hocus Focus


Once again there is magic involved to which I am not privy. Photos do not want to move from memory card to blog via the tablet, yet some seem to have made their way to the smart Alec phone and, from there, to the blog. This is a view from our hike the day before yesterday. We are hiking again this afternoon. What magic will the photos from that hike wield?

Friday, September 21, 2012

Here, There Be Dragons

It's just wood, really, but if you look closely, there's a dragon hiding in plain view. Remember: Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

A Rosehip by Any Other Name

This is a rosehip bud. There were more interesting photos I could have put up from yesterday, but this one worked. Easy is good when one is on holiday and trying to keep it as stress-free as possible.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

And now, the Eagle


There may have been magic involved; there was certainly confusion. However it transpired (sumo wrestlers using iPads as iPhones may also have been responsible), above is a photo of this morning's bald eagle.

And so, this Post Has No Eagle

This post should be accompanied by a photo of the bald eagle that was breakfasting in the cove behind the house in which I am visiting. Unfortunately, Betsy the tablet and I are disagreeing on how said photo should be uploaded. Trust me. There was a bald eagle, and I do have a photo to prove it.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

After the Bluster ...

... comes a crisp, clean world ready to be explored. Whether today's blustery morning will segue into a crisp, clean afternoon remains to be seen, but for now I shall be hopeful. In the meantime, there is bread being kneaded by Lady Mixalot, and a wee bit of tweaking remains on the felted wallet I finished over the weekend. Life blusters on, not by, but on.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Tripping and Falling

I actually took this photo in August before fall should have been in the air. The day after tomorrow, I fly to Maine, where fall will be even more in season. It will not be the trip that was planned, but that is not a bad thing. Dealing with the unplanned is good practice for life.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Recycling of a Sort

I've always loved this shop. I don't think the art is used; at least some of it appears to be new. But how does one tell with art, when "old" art is often better or at least more costly? If only I had the knack for buying less expensive "new" art that is going to age well in terms of value. I don't, so I think I'll just go make some of my own.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Art!

Someone who has more talent in their little finger than I do in both hands put this up on the Free Speech Wall. I hope it stays for a while because no matter what you think about the sentiment expressed, it's amazing to look at.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Standing Out, Outstanding

This flower was so tiny, but against the green background in the morning sun, politely demanded to be seen. We should all be so assertive about ourselves and the attention we might think we need.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Let's Hang Out Together!

The year, well, month, of the spiders continues with this guy having taken up residence outside one of the dojo's windows. The only problem is that I can sit and watch spiders for hours. It is especially interesting to watch them catch a prey and wrap it. It is a good thing, then, that there are no chairs, especially comfortable ones, in the dojo.

Friday, September 7, 2012

I've Been to the Desert on a Horse with No Head?

Actually, it is not a horse; it is a donkey. And, as indicated by the tip of one ear, it does have a head. This is what happens when one attempts to take a quick photo through the car's windshield. It's been that kind of a week, with too many things going on. I had great hopes--and lists; one must have lists--of things to do during the rare "home alone" time I've had this week. Ha! Between needy pets and some quick-deadline work projects, that free time got to be quite costly. I did get to see an almost-headless donkey, though.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Straightening Upside Down

It must be nice to have things so neatly arranged for the start of a new day. I'm not sure I've ever had that feeling. Actually, I'm not sure I'd want to have that feeling, because then there would be no sense of accomplishment at making it through another day, taking what I can get when I can get it. At least that's my story for now.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Ship of Friends

There aren't many people with whom I feel the level of comfort these three women obviously share, but as long as I feel that level of comfort with myself, I'm probably doing okay.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Say What?

Ever have one of those days when you and the world are not on the same plane, when it feels as if you're operating on the seven-second delay broadcast networks use to check for profanity and other no-nos in a live performance? Today just might be one of those.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Once in a Blue Moon

Last night's blue moon--and while it met one definition of "blue moon," I'm not sure it met the other--offered a fun photo op. While the moon-shadow shots didn't come out as well as I'd hoped, the ones of the moon itself (all hand-held) look pretty nice. There won't be another chance to do this until 2015 unless I move to a different time zone in which case there's a blue moon on the last day of this, new month. Esoteric knowledge and fun photography. For what more could I ask? Well, lots, but I'll save that for another day.