Heat and light

It has been a hot summer, but oppressive only on a few days. One of those was yesterday. However, we dealt the heat a blow by boating to Boothbay Harbor with Emily. Once again the fish sandwich at Andrew's Harborside was a winner. After dinner the sky turned yellow. This phenomenon is fairly rare, but it is spectacular.
This is one of the busiest summers we can remember, with people coming and going and lots to do, always. We had Betsy Henderson, her husband David Wofford, and children Cole and Ian here for Wednesday night, but missed connecting with the VanHooks, who had travel delays. All Hendersons are meeting at the Pressmans' in Sargentville. Quite the zoo, I imagine!

North Haven

On Monday we took the ferry to North Haven Island and checked into Nebo Lodge. It was a perfect day, gentle breeze, no clouds. However, we put it to the test by cycling all over the place, with only one fall and no blood. We especially enjoyed the climb to and view from Ames Knob -- a panorama of the Fox Islands and the Thoroughfare. Dinner at Nebo Lodge was very good, though not worth raving about, as others have done on Trip Advisor. But it is a lovely place, and we enjoyed it very much.
On the way home we found a neat harborside eatery in Thomaston, called the Slipway. Fabulous.

The Olympics are here

Whoopee! And what a dynamic start they had! The first gold medal went to a Chinese air rifle markswoman. Why isn't our USA BB gun team up to it? Probably bad training. After all, it takes years and years of workouts to be able to pull that trigger. Do the "athletes" have to cock the gun, too? Or does someone do it for them? But we won a gold medal, too! Kim Rhode shot the lights out of clay pigeons! What a performance! See how fit she is!
Unfortunately, wimpy sports like lacrosse are not fit for the Olympics. The IOC defends the faith, and politics play no part in their drive to keep the Games free of new non-trashsport offerings. Here is a list of sports that have been tried and rejected:

* croquet
* motor boating
* polo
* tug-of-war
* plunge for distance
* underwater swimming
* obstacle race for swimming
* cricket
* lacrosse
* jeu de paume
* racquets

OK: "jeu de palme" is handball without a wall. And lacrosse was rejected because it has a French name... wait, don't all the public utterances of the IOC come in French and English? Must be that lacrosse is too sissy. No one can shoot a lacrosse ball as fast as a BB.
Yes, I despise the Olympics. No... wait: I love the Olympics! See my link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzQxfr1VOWk

Bye bye Hannah

Hannah leaves today, after brightening our lives for almost two weeks. Owen will be devastated. The gardens may shrivel back to their former selves. The bunkhouse will languish, unloved.
However, while she was here, Hannah did put a dent in Maine's seafood supply. Her Last Supper was at Gurnet Trading Company, some really great fried clams, and a disappointing (compared to their winter variety) seafood chowder.
It has been a great summer for eating lobster, though not so good for those who trap them.

The power boater's delight

Chaika was launched with her new E-Tec engine on Saturday. When Bart turned the key, she fired immediately. Ah, bliss!

And the band played on

On Saturday, Hannah had a "surprise" party at the Crotch. Not too many surprises, but a good time was had by all, as friends from Hannah's past (and present) gathered with family to eat, drink, and play games, not necessarily in that order.

The weather was perfect and the company starred. The hit of the day was a RAP put on by Suzanne and her siblings, with Sam as beatboxer. The fans howled in appreciation.

Happy Birthday!

Hannah's birthday came yesterday, a milestone but underplayed. Except that we had a grand lobsterfest at Five Islands, where Dave, Connie, and Abby, up from Philadelphia by train and car, arrived just after we did. The lobsters took a beating.

Hannah has been here since Monday. Our grounds and good spirits are much the better for her visit. And lately, the weather has been superb.