Blackberries abound this year, despite the overall lack of rain, and they are ripe this week. At our house, we gather some each morning and begin our day with their sweetness for breakfast. I think of a dear friend when I pick blackberries – she’s passed now – yet one summer she and I picked huge bowls of them. She made a pie from the berries that endures in my mind’s eye as one of the best ever eaten.

Didn’t catch that much of the Olympics, but what fun it was to watch all these citizens of the world compete to the limit of their hearts, minds, and bodies. Something for everyone – rugby, field hockey, badminton, table tennis, beach volleyball, archery, swimming, decathlon – whew, I’m out of breath just thinking about this!

Another very busy week is in the books. The crew of S.B. Nichols got a week’s vacation to rest their weary bodies and they came back on Monday morning, Aug. 22, ready to go. Boy, what a little bit of a break can do for you!

The Washington Schoolhouse received its crowning weathervane last week. It has taken many years and a lot of work on the part of the schoolhouse board to complete this project. The majority of the weathervane is original to the school. The quill and the ball were newly fabricated in steel instead of the original wood and then painted with gold leaf. Mike Alderson and Shawn Hickey were the brave men on top of the cupola installing the weathervane. Leon McCorkle of Padebco Custom Boats was manning the crane.

“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.