7/25/08 Strawberry Festival "Arts in the Park"

Today I drove through town and drove by a lot of activity in the park. Then I remembered that it was Strawberry Festival time. Now when you say "Strawberry Festival" in this town, the most common reply is, "That used to be called Moonlight Madness but they changed it up because they wanted to be more artsy and because there were so many hoodlums ruining the night time events." I think next year's posters should just go ahead and proclaim, "Formerly Known As Moonlight Madness."

I never did see any strawberries, but I also didn't stay too long. I was on my way out of town but took the time to stop at the "Arts in the Park" exhibits and eat a lobster roll lunch.

St. Luke's Episcopal knows how to work these events. They offered a $9.95 Lobster Roll Sack Lunch. It included a lobster roll, chips, drink, and cookie. In my case, they had one bottle of water left, so I lucked out on that. And my cookie was really a brownie which was okay by me because there are a lot of cookies that I don't care that much about but a brownie, anyway you make it, is always delicious. Their lobster roll had a lobster salad in it that was quite delicous. They had the tiniest bit of mayonnaise and a touch of celery in it, but the lobster meat was sweet and tender and obviously very fresh. YUM!!

As I walked up to the St. Luke's sign to figure out how to frame my photograph, I hear someone say, "Theresa?" I looked up and there's Amity, one of my graduate students from last spring! (That's her in the photo.) While I was paying for my lunch, Erin--another graduate student--walked up to Amity and then spotted me and we said hello. As we were talking, Andrea from church came down the sidewalk towards us so we, too, said hello. I didn't see the sheriff yet, but I expect him any minute.

7/24/08 Farewell Reception

Melvin was on the Leadership Institute Planning Committee with me this past spring. Thank goodness we did that together or I never would've met him. And now he's leaving! Today they held a reception for him. His boss asked him what he wanted served at the reception and he said, "Nothing healthy." So that's what she did. We had a choice of Whoopie Pies or cookies. Now this is my kind of party! His boss, Kirsten, was also on the Leadership Institute Planning Committee so I got to know her as well. She gave a fabulous presentation to honor him at the reception. The attendee list was a who's who of UMF folks, which is especially impressive in the middle of the summer when so many people are on vacation. I was impressed.

7/23/08 Great Representation

Last month I received a newsletter from my local representative, Janet Mills. I actually took the time to glance through it and read some of the pertinent articles. One of the notifications was that residents could be eligible for property tax and rent refunds for 2007. It further said to contact her office to get on the list to be sent the application once it became available. It was late on Sunday night when I read this, so I just sent an email to the address in the newsletter with my request. About 5 minutes later, I received an email reply that I was on the list and it would probably be August 1 before the paperwork would be available. I wrote back and asked . . . sure enough, it was Janet Mills herself, answering her own email on a Sunday night. Impressive. Today (8 days before August 1), I received an envelope in the mail, hand-addressed, that contained the requested paperwork. I can't tell for sure, but the handwriting on the envelope looks very similar to the official "Janet Mills" signature on the pre-printed note inside. Wow. That's taking your civic obligations seriously! I'm impressed with my representative.

7/23/08 ANOTHER Python in Maine

What?! Not just "a python" in Maine, but "another" python in Maine? And this is happening in Wilton which is just down the road from Farmington! In fact, this incident took place in the parking lot of Shelly's Market which is the landmark for when to take a right to get to Rodney's family's farm.

Here's the article from the AP:

LEWISTON (AP) -- A Wilton man is having trouble sleeping since he found a python snake about 9 feet long under the engine of his pickup truck.

Harley Burgess's shocking discovery Saturday is the second of its kind in less than a week in Maine. Last Wednesday, a Gorham woman found a snake -- also identified as a reticulated python -- in the washing machine. In Wilton, Burgess says he's still shaking when he thinks of the python found under his truck. He's had nightmares about the snake getting his grandson, who was with him the day the python was discovered.

Burgess has been searching for clues as to how the snake got loose in his truck. Reticulated pythons are illegal in Maine without a permit.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

retrieved 7/25/08 from: http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=90581

If you do a Google search on it, you can see the story has been picked up in a lot of cities 'cuz this is news! Here's the original story from my favorite source, The Sun Journal:

9-foot snake in pickup shakes up Wilton man

By Donna M. Perry , Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 22, 2008

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WILTON - Harley Burgess hasn't slept well since he discovered an 8- to 9-foot reticulated python under the engine of his pickup truck Saturday morning.

"I'm still shaking about it," Burgess said. "I hate snakes!"

Burgess, who lives on Weld Road, said he and his 9-year-old grandson had stopped at a store in East Wilton to get something to eat before they headed to Chesterville.

A friend came into the store minutes later to tell him he wouldn't believe what had just crawled out from under the engine compartment of Burgess' truck.

The friend thought it was a muffler pipe hanging down at first, until he looked closer.

"It was a huge snake," Burgess said. "It was unbelievable. I parked over a mud puddle and that's when it came down. The clerk at the store thought I was going to have a heart attack, I was shaking so much."

Burgess, a hunter and fisherman, said he has had nightmares that the snake could have gotten his grandson.

"This bothered me a lot," he said.

Burgess said he has been searching for clues to find out who had the snake and how it got loose to get in his truck.

The reticulated python is illegal in Maine unless permits are obtained, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The only pythons that are legal in Maine are the ball, jungle carpet and children's python.

Wayne Atwood, Wilton's animal control officer, was called in to catch the snake.

Atwood said when he arrived he saw the snake lying under the vehicle.

He thought it was a boa constrictor but learned later it was a reticulated python.

He used snake tongs to pick it up, and the snake wrapped itself around the pole. He put the snake into a pet carrier and brought it to Sue Metzger, a state humane agent, in Livermore Falls.

It was the first reticulated python he has come across in 19 years, Atwood, of Jay, said.

It is the second python of its species to be found in Maine in less than a week. A Gorham woman found a reticulated python in a washing machine on Wednesday.

Metzger said when she received the snake she contacted Rick Teele, who is familiar with snakes, and brought it to his home in Fayette.

He identified the reptile as a reticulated python.

The snake had injuries on its upper jaw from being dragged.

Metzger said she contacted Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and then a rehabilitator.

Teele told her the snake would be better off traveling in a pillowcase, so he put it in one and tied it off and then put it back in the carrier. This species of snake can grow to nearly 33 feet, Metzger said.

She brought someone with her and the two drove the python to Lewiston to a rehabilitator, Jen Lewis, of Mis-Fit Rehabilitation.

"This is one reason people should read up on what they're buying, not that it would have made this one legal," Metzger said.

When people have to move or no longer know what to do with snakes as they get larger they will let them go out in the woods.

"This is when there can be problems," Metzger said. "People need to educate themselves to make the right decision, if a snake is going to be the right pet for them. If they do have a snake and no longer want it, they should call a rehabilitator, or (Maine Inland Fisheries) to find other options than to just let it loose."

retrieved 7/25/08 from http://www.sunjournal.com/story/275325-3/Franklin/9foot_snake_in_pickup_shakes_up_Wilton_man/

7/23/08 Internet on the verandah

I did it. I broke down and got Internet access at the house. It's very expensive compared to Dallas and wasn't sure I could justify it, but I was going crazy without it. I figure since I don't have a TV here and am not spending money or wasting time on that, then I can justify getting Internet. The cheapest provider right now is Beeline Cable. I'm paying extra because I don't subscribe to their cable television. But at least they'll still provide the service to me! I bought the wireless router and was ready when the installer came "between 8am and noon" today (it was actually close to 9:30). He only installs the cable and the cable modem . . . the wireless is up to me, though he did give me a telephone number for support. But I didn't need any support and got it hooked up on the second try.

One nice thing about Beeline is that I don't have to sign a contract, so in two months, I can choose to not have their Internet service anymore and there's no penalties. Since I don't have a landline telephone, DSL is not an option for me (though the pricing on that seems pretty comparable to the cable prices). There is a startup satellite company and if the rumor is true that the man down the road from me is in on that, I will at least pursue learning more about it. Until then, this will have to do. So far so good!!

7/22/08 Picnic Dinner and Dutch Treat

Tonight Rodney and I had a mini-celebration tour. We met at Hannaford's, made ourselves a salad at the salad bar, drove to the gazebo by Wilson Lake in Wilton, and picnicked on our salads. Not too far into the meal, he said, "My cousins, live near here and I want you to meet them 'cuz they work at UMF." He called them and Terry said she would meet us at Dutch Treat for dessert. We went and I met her and we had a blast. I loved hearing all the family stories and getting the dirt that Rodney won't tell on himself. ;-)

I had the black raspberry soft serve ice cream mostly because I loved the story that went with it. Apparently, they don't always have the black raspberry soft serve ice cream, but you can get on the list of folks who want to be notified and when they make it, the folks at Dutch Treat will personally call you to tell you that they have it.

7/21/08 A Unique Lobster in Farmington

What's up with lobsters everywhere?? This is the display case in the window of the jewelry store in downtown Farmington. It's solid brass on the head and pincers and feet and a beautiful orange glass for the body. All for only $89.99.

7/20/08 Outside Waldoboro Maine . . . The Icing (Ice Cream) on the Cake

Whether you call it dusk or sunset, by now, it's dark. We leave Recycle Art/Blueberries and continue north on 32 to Waldoboro. It really shouldn't take this long to get from Pemaquid to Waldoboro unless you're really celebrating Maine, life, and life in Maine like we are. We finally get to an intersection with a sign that says Waldoboro is to the right. And that road is closed! Oh well, it was too dark to see Waldoboro anyway. As we continue north (and a little east), we see a small building aglow with icicle lights. It's an ice cream stand that features Giffords ice cream. Should we see if they have Grape Nuts? I think so! And we add yet another U-turn to our trip and meet a delightful couple who runs "Jefferson Scoop". Turns out we are in the community of Jefferson. Rodney not only got his Grape Nuts, he got a hot fudge sundae with Grape Nuts ice cream. I got a "blue on blue" sundae: blueberry ice cream with blueberry sauce. We both got the whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. I, however, got walnuts instead of peanuts at the recommendation of our delightful hostess. I didn't know I had the option, but once she recommended it, I said, "Yes!"

Dr. Mari, did you notice the cow-patterned contact paper on the counter in the back?

I know I said it's dark and this photo doesn't look like it. The iPhone has this amazing capability to take pictures in the dark. There's no flash on it, but somehow if you can see it with the human eye, the iPhone camera can capture it.

7/20/08 More Recycle Art

I guess that's an equine of some kind. What's that in its paw/hand/hoof?

Why I do believe that it's a Whoopie Pie!! I have really grown to love Whoopie Pies (and I've probably grown from eating Whoopie Pies, too). They're such a Maine classic!

Another really big lobster!

These frogs in a band remind me of the giant frog statues designed by Bob "Daddy O" Wade that once adorned the roof of a nightclub in Dallas called Tango. The neighbors didn't like those statues or a building ordinance ruled them out or something and they had to come down. A wild and crazy entrepreneur who had a truck stop south of Dallas that he had essentially turned into its own town called Carl's Corner, got the frogs and displayed them on the roof of his truck stop for many years. I understand now that Willie Nelson is taking over Carl's Corner and I don't know what will happen to those frogs, but these little guys reminded me of those big guys back in Texas.

7/20/08 Recycle Art

Leaving Bremen, it was getting past dusk almost to sunset (or is that the other way around?), when on the left side of the road was the oddest collection of "stuff" next to a sign that said "Fresh Wild Blueberries" with an "OPEN" flag fluttering on the sign that we had to do a U-turn, park, and get out. We never did see the fresh blueberries (just those big ones that you see in the foreground made from very large light bulbs) or the owner/caretaker of the place. But oh, did we see interesting creations made of "Recycle Art".

There are days when the mosquitoes feel like they're this big:

7/20/08 The Scenic Route Home . . . Bremen Union Church

I should've taken a photo of the cars on the westbound bridge into Wiscasset when we were heading east on the bridge out of Wiscasset. You can't believe the traffic. And this was a rainy, drizzly, few-to-little-tourists-were-out kind of a day. I've read that it can really be bad on that bridge. Even if this was light traffic, we knew we didn't want to come back through Wiscasset after our journey to Pemaquid. So looking at the Gazeteer, we decided to forge north on ME 32 to Waldoboro and see what interesting things we might find there.

We drove through Chamberlain, a quaint oceanside village (are they all quaint?). Only after we were almost through it did Rodney mention that scenes from the movie Message in a Bottle were filmed there. Wait! I love that movie! Kevin Costner was sooo Kevin Costner in that movie. And didn't it take place in North Carolina? Yes, it did, but things fell through in the production at the last minute and they moved it to Maine.

And north on 32 we continued to drive. It was hard to tell if you were in a town or not. Does two houses constitute a town? Sometimes it did and there was a sign designating it as so. Most of the time it was too hard to tell and didn't really matter. It was just beautiful scenery at dusk and we kept driving. At one point we both looked at each other and said pretty simultaneously something like "That church was so beautiful. It would make a great picture." One quick U-turn later (Lindsay) and we were at Bremen Union Church taking photos.

7/20/08 Red's Lobster Roll

Aaaaah. It was worth waiting for. Here's the lobster roll from Red's in Wiscasset. We had a late afternoon snack in the car after going through the tourist shop. We were going to sit at one of their picnic tables next to the big lobster but it started to drizzle hard enough to get wet, so we ate in the car. Rodney was going to get some ice cream (Gifford's of course) at the tourist place, but they were out of Grape Nuts (yes, they make Grape Nuts ice cream in Maine and it is very popular here . . . sort of like lime jello in Utah, I guess) and he had his heart set on Grape Nuts, so I ate lobster roll and he took pictures.

Yummmmmm. There's a reason this thing is rated #1 in Maine (and therefore the USA 'cuz who else has lobster rolls??).

7/20/08 Tourist Shop Next Door to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

Through the fence at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, I spotted this very large lobster statue (along with a pirate, an Indian, and a few other tacky tourist statues). I knew I had to have my photo taken with it. Rodney took the photo for me and then we went inside.

Who knew what treasures we would find?! Does this scream tourist shop or what?? It was great! They actually had great stuff and a very quaint restaurant that looked out over the water. I bought some Christmas presents but I'm not telling what or for whom. I also picked up a cute napkin holder for the apartment in the shape of an Adirondack chair. But it's okay because I actually had "cocktail napkin holder" on my shopping list and have been looking for one for a few weeks now. I was thinking traditional basket, who knew exotic and hysterical Adirondack chair-shaped holder was a possibility?

Socks. Who knew Maine could have so may socks for tourists?

AMEN!! If this wasn't $14.95, I might have bought it. It even has blueberries on it. I've been going with a blueberry theme in my kitchen/dining area of the new apartment. Don't tell anyone, I don't want a bunch of blueberry stuff all over the house like I had pandas in the last house. I picked out a few blueberry things to start off the theme and then all new stuff I buy is in some shade of blue. It's more subtle that way.

7/20/08 Smiley Face at Pemaquid

Rodney is trying out a photography technique where you look beyond the sightseer's telescope at the sight itself. I'm photographing him taking that photograph . . .

...when I realize that the back of the telescope looks like a big smiley face! I point that out to Rodney and thus this photo was born:

7/20/08 Trying my hand at photography

Rodney's always playing with this "Dutch Angle" so he inspired me to try my hand at it, too.

Now I've got one to the left and one to the right. What I really need is a true artist's eye to know which is better and why. Knowing the tricks and the vocabulary isn't enough.