Happy Halloween

The storm, such as it was, is past. We didn't have any damage here at the Crotch. Apparently, setting up the generator and pitchers of water sent the wind away to lash and bash elsewhere.
It is remarkable how this weather event is apparently able to outplay two billion dollars of ad money in the election. Whether or not it will really make any difference, who knows? But it is a lovely distraction.
For some time I have dreaded election night, and have thought of departing for foreign climes. However, having received an invitation to watch election returns at Angus King HQ in Freeport, I am thinking, why not go with a winner? Then come home and go to sleep.
Yes, that's my jack o'lantern to the right. My real hope was to put an LED candle into the mouth of Jonas... now there would be a REAL jack o'lantern! Anyway, I have baked the seeds. They're not as good as Molly's or Bart's, but they are pretty tasty nonetheless.

Here Comes the Storm

Maybe. There have been so many false alarms that it is hard to fear catastrophe. Indeed, we have been very fortunate not to be in the vortex of any of the bad weather... for quite a while. Perhaps it is our turn. Anyway, we have gas for the generator, all batteries and computers are charged up, and we are battened down. Even now, Grandma is picking the tomatoes that have not yet ripened, and putting them into a paper bag.
It is Sunday, and the Eagles are getting trashed. This pleases me somewhat, as it makes it much more likely that the coaching will change. On the other hand, if the fat fella with the bristly mustache remains, Sundays will be liberated for more productive activities. All good, right?

Sea Smoke

Another beautiful morning, almost freezing but not quite. Our volunteer tomatoes, prolific this summer, are still producing. Next year I will plant only compost.
Yesterday we went with the McIlvains and orange-clad Dodger to Hermit Island for a walk. It was gorgeous and almost deserted. Only after we returned did we find, online, a map that would have been helpful in navigating the island beyond the campground. However, Betsy's used John iPhone to help us orient somewhat. Great spot.

Autumn

The maple leaves are down, and the oaks are coming at their usual slow pace. But the colors, though not as vivid as in some years, were very long-lasting. Seasons seem stretched out this year. I hope that winter will be an exception, although forecasts say it will be a cold one.
We raked up most of the pine needles last week, and today I will use the power mower to mulch and collect the leaves that are down. The final stage won't happen for a couple of weeks, when we rake up the remaining leaves and dump them on Ben's logs. Ah, fall.

Last Boothbay trip

With our boats solidly on land and covered by tarps, we took a final trip to Boothbay Harbor with the McIlvains in Ardea. Most of the restaurants are closed now, but there was a tour group in town and the stores were doing some business. We lunched at the Ebb Tide, which had the feel of an old diner, very cozy and with good food. Although I thought we hadn't boated much this summer, we did a lot more than John and Betsy, and actually, we got around pretty well, although we never went to Bowdoinham or Casco Bay. Next year for that.

BOOM

We had an earthquake! First since 1940 in Maine. I see, however, that Alaska had SIX quakes yesterday (and you can see Russia from there!). Anyway, Grandma heard the runup to it, and then we heard and felt the BOOM. I went outside to see what had fallen, but of course nothing had. Word got out soon thereafter.
Also BOOM was OBOOMa in the second debate last night. He felt the power. Watching the debate, something I normally hate, was a lot more fun than watching the Eagles or Patriots.

Contempt

Part of the American myth is the belief that our heroes can always rise to the challenge. We expect so much. If those whom we hold dear fall short through lack of effort or commitment, what we feel is not disappointment, but contempt... because, after all, they are not worthy. Hence the vituperation that befalls the Eagles and the Patriots, who could not hold onto normally safe leads on Sunday.

Hence also the problem for Barack Obama. By giving a lot less than we thought was his best in the first debate with a punching bag Romney, he earned not disappointment, but contempt. Although the press had ballyhooed the importance of the debate, Obama apparently thought otherwise. Thus many turned away from him, and made themselves see in his flyweight opponent something of value: conviction. Romney is convinced that he will and should win the election, and he believes that it is a good thing to lie if that helps. Not to call Romney on his immorality may cost Obama the White House because he did not rise to the challenge.

Let There be Light

We now have new lights in the pantry and bathroom. The old ones were more attractive, but attraction is not the central function of flush ceiling lights, and the old ones had the old-style florescent tubes + ballast system that was very balky in the cold weather and hard to replace. The other changes are happening outside. Strong winds have pulled down most of the brown pine needles, and thus we are in the first stage of clean-up. It has been a pretty fall, but tonight comes the first frost. Brrrrr ahead.

Belgrade

On Columbus Day we drove via back roads to Belgrade Lakes. Although the leaves were just a bit past peak, it was a beautiful day, just cool enough so we could hike The Mountain, picnic on Blueberry Hill, and then get some spectacular views from French's Mountain. We stayed at the Village Inn, where we dined on duck. It was an excellent meal, and we were not quite the only diners. We were, however, the only overnighters after a very busy weekend at the inn. Our picnic came from Day's Store, which is a gem. A fine trip at just the right time. Here's a video.

Football

Yesterday we watched the Polar Bears of Bowdoin hand Tufts their 18th straight loss. Both teams used the modern execrable offense called the "pistol" or "pissant" offense. It seemed, on the Bowdoin side, like a bad waste of talent.
And speaking of that, today, having watched Mike Vick cough the ball up four times, we saw Peyton Manning perform, for a rotten team, his magic. Now, he could have played for the Eagles. He could have. But no. Andy Reid, the mustachioed bozo who gets a lot of breaks but not enough to overcome his coaching (should be hyphens there but whatever) invested his whole fat heart in Michael Vick's redemption. The media often refers to the walrus look-alike as "stubborn." That isn't it. Stubborn really means stupid. Yet, I'm not sure that's it. He is, more properly put, slow-witted. Very slow-witted. Slower than molasses. Slower than erosion. Slower than me running the 100. Go away, mustache.

A beach day

The promised sunny day never arrived, but we took Nancy to Reid anyway. I can't remember when weather forecasts have been so consistently wrong here in Maine. On the other hand, it was a lovely summer, so no complaints. As I write this on an early Saturday, the sun is out, and the fall colors are beautiful.

Fungus among us

Well, there's no drought here. We have mushrooms all over the lawn facing the river. There are more each morning. They are all the same kind; as Grandma says, "No penis mushrooms this year!" It would be nice to know if they are edible, but we are not taking any chances.
Thanks to Andrea and Bart, we had a lovely dinner last night at BLUE, in Grey Havens. However, the chowder, so excellent in the summer, was pasty and tasteless. All else excellent, though, and it is a wonderful spot.

Boats hauled

We pulled the Whaler today, in the rain. Yesterday we tooted downriver, but we had fuel line problems (for the first time all summer) and limped home. Thus pulling it today was palatable, especially with some more rain coming up. It was not a bad boating summer: we got to Boothbay several times, up to Richmond, and out to Damariscove. However, I do think these last few summers have featured rougher seas than we saw in previous years.
Let's see what a weak El Nino does to our winter.

Pluvius - whovious?

It rained all weekend, but our social life whirled. On Saturday we traveled to Cape Elizabeth to dine in the new condo of Al and Linda Carville, and with Gregg and Em, who were late coming off the water. Then on Sunday we were expecting our friends Dave and Dana Hirth to come to lunch from Cliff Island, but their doggie was ill. So we hosted the McGraths and Anita instead, and then invited our new neighbors (well, four houses down) for a bit of wine. Both of them are lawyers.
And news, holy mackerel! the Post Cards have offered the keeper's house next door to the Range Light Keepers. We had gotten used to the property sitting empty, but now perhaps something will become of it. Stay tuned.
And if you have not been following the Quattleblog, please note where much of the material is coming from!