“Blueberries: Their color and flavor have no imitators. We cannot confuse them. We cannot forget them.” — Judith Horstman

Some info on our tin recycling barrels:
Although the sign on our barrels may read tin, you may also put other items in these barrels. Aluminum products are also OK, as are empty aerosol cans. It is also very helpful if the open containers are rinsed out, especially in the summer. Residue on cans is a real attraction for flies. Small, empty propane tanks may also be put in the tin barrels.

Retirement gives some of the lucky ones (I include myself) an unusual opportunity to make nature observations. While unscientific, to be sure, they give us a look at what’s happening in the natural world around us.

Hi, dear readers! Here is your Marilyn Beane’s World columnist with another new week in August with more news about my sweetheart’s and my life at Crawford Commons Assisted Living, 132 Middle Road in Union, ME 04862-0628.

Our baked ham supper on Wednesday, Aug. 18 was a hit with all who attended. A thank-you goes out to Miss Wiscasset Diner for catering our delicious meal and to Patty Bridgham for baking that “ginormous” apple pie! Along with apple pie and bread pudding desserts, August birthdays were celebrated with a birthday cake and candles.

After 20 years, one of the drive belts on my wife’s elliptical machine snapped. I bought replacement belts (the device has a small and a large belt) and proceeded to make the repair myself.

Hi, dear readers! Here I am, your Marilyn Beane’s World columnist, coming to you with news about our lives at Crawford Commons Assisted Living, 132 Middle Road, Union, ME 04862-0628.

The weather continues on its very dry pattern, which has most of Maine in a drought. We are hearing of wells going dry and seeing the well-drilling rigs set up. But many are being water-conservation-conscious, which is a good thing to practice any time of year as water is a precious commodity.

The moon is full this week; the days slip by and suddenly the increasing moon is shining above us – round and beautiful – again. Life here in Jefferson goes forward each day with an increasing certainty. We celebrate the last full moon of the summer of 2016 and at the same time we are aware that life is a wide range of changing circumstances for many of us.

What a weekend – weather-wise and energy-wise! The Westport Island Shore Run started off a little overcast, with 31 runners, but everyone finished under a bright blue sky and that darned sun! Whew, was it warm! Didn’t seem to slow down the first-place runner, Dan Bradford (son of Dave, nephew of Dan), nor the second, Chase Hughes. Both these fellas are from Westport. Dan doesn’t run in many road races, so he said he put it all out there for this one. Chase, about to begin his fourth year at Maine Maritime Academy, runs cross-country up at Castine. Two other Westport runners, Maryanne Seredynski and Paul Arthur, also finished in good form! Look for more info and pics in the paper.

The other day, we looked out the living room window toward Monhegan Island and saw a large pleasure craft. It was headed in the direction of Boothbay Harbor, but we have no idea where they were going.

Part of the joy of being a business owner is that we get to follow our own hearts and create a business philosophy that works for us. We knew when we started The Animal House that we would never sell live animals. We felt that there were so many good rescues and reputable breeders out there that there wasn’t a need to sell animals. Instead, we focused on hosting rescue groups and partnered with area shelters to help adopt dogs and cats looking for forever homes.