Only a six-week absence from my writing this time, and in that time period there has been so much going on that it was either write a column or let my head explode, so I’m choosing to write.
Let’s see, the end of July finished up with Weeks Family Camp Week. July 30 was the start known as “big Sunday” and this day consists of the Top Chef Competition and group photo. I actually attended this year for the first time in quite a few years (shame on me) and also participated in the Top Chef Competition. My entry was finger-sandwich crab rolls placed on a three-tiered plate and made to resemble a birthday cake, for it was Annette’s birthday. It even included singing and candles to blow out. I received a prize, but it was probably more for the fact that I came than for my entry. Always a fun event and I love to see what everybody comes up with. Delicious!
Colleen ended the month with some great news: she got a job as an Ed Tech III at Miller Elementary School.
August began with my brother Lowell’s birthday on Aug. 1; mine was on Aug. 11 and I had a wonderful day. I received an actual card from Aunt Gerry, had many Facebook wishes, and enjoyed dinner at The Contented Sole, along with my husband, my parents, my children, and my nephew Kory. Afterwards, we went back to our house and enjoyed the chocolate cheesecake made by Meaghan. Thank you all for another great birthday!
Steven got the opportunity to go tuna fishing and they even came back with a 375-pounder, adding yet another fish to his lifelong list.
Olde Bristol Days took place Aug. 10-13. I didn’t attend anything this year but I did hear sound, and I heard from others that the fireworks were very good!
Any-deer permits had to be in by Aug. 15.
Shari Foster-Cunningham had her picture taken with Bill Green of “Bill Green’s Maine” when he was in Bristol to do a story on the opening up of the fish passage on Route 32, and she invited him to do a story on their new Chamberlain bed-and-breakfast. I think that would make a great story, Shari, as I, like many, have been following the renovation. It looks marvelous!
Staying with Shari: her oldest son Christopher — “Toph” — recently got married to Payson Benner on Aug. 28. Congratulations!
My own son, Ross, and Meaghan just celebrated their third anniversary on the Aug. 16. They got away to Louds Island for a bit, as is their tradition, but this year the scenery left a lot to be desired for there is not just one but there are two boats abandoned near Little Harbor. How sad, not to mention ugly and environmentally unfriendly.
My niece, Kate Nichols-Lathrop, and her family were here in Maine, albeit briefly. They stayed at Jay’s and did get to see and visit with Ross and Meaghan and I did talk with her on the telephone.
I missed a baby shower for Meredith Hughes and Scott Gray on Aug. 20, but I’m making baby Clara an afghan, so I’ll be in touch. Congratulations and I look forward to meeting Clara.
On Aug. 21, there was a coast-to-coast path of a total solar eclipse, when the Earth, the moon, and the sun align. It was a 70-mile-wide trail moving 1,500 mph from the West Coast to the East Coast. People had been preparing for it for quite a while, ready with their special glasses to watch the event. Here in Maine, it was only about 58 percent, so we hardly noticed, but we got to witness the excitement and awe from those who did see it via TV.
In the weather department, it has been a very active hurricane season so far. As of this writing, there were three hurricanes at the same time — Irma, Jose, and Katia — and they were right on the heels of a very devastating blow called Hurricane Harvey that Texas had just been dealt.
Here’s a new addition. I’m calling it “As the Garden Turns”:
This garden season has certainly been a different one, not that they all aren’t, but it seemed there were more insects and rodents — chipmunks, mice, etc. — and one had to be quick to get one’s share of the produce.
While some things did very well, like snow peas, carrots, Kentucky Blue Lake beans, and my gorgeous bed of sunflowers (10 feet tall and higher), there were other plants that struggled for a variety of reasons, especially baking beans; corn, due to worms, but I’ll have cornstalks to decorate with; and beets — the first batch I got to eat greens and beets and I have enough to can a batch, but the rest that I had planned on for canning were devastated early by some critter(s) and never recovered.
Tomatoes: lots of cherries and some nice Big Beef tomatoes, but not before I was attacked by those hornworms, which can do a lot of damage in a very short amount of time. Pumpkins and squashes were also not one of our better crops this year.
This year’s star of the show, besides my sunflowers, would have to be Steve’s gourd patch that has climbed up into the pear tree.
All the fruit trees and shrubs are bearing heavy fruit and I have made apple jelly from my own apple tree and hope to make another batch and some applesauce.
Oh, the trials and tribulations of gardening, but I wouldn’t give it up for anything. At the end of the season, it is so very rewarding to see the larder filled with the fruits of all one’s hard labor. Ready to take on another Maine winter!
And kudos to my daughter-in-law, for she has really done well in her canning and preserving efforts. She gave me the tour of all she has put up from all the regular veggies to pickles, sauces, and salsas. Great job, Meaghan!
With the gardens winding down and the wood put away, it’s on to repair projects, reshingling our woodshed and one other building, and cleaning the chimney.
School is back in session, so use caution when you see those big yellow buses, which carry precious cargo.
So much more is hidden in my notes, but this is my time for this one, as it is getting late. Hope you had a great summer. And now we look forward to autumn.
Have a good one!
