by Susan | Nov 30, 2024 | Backyard Birds, Family, On My Mind
Thanksgiving dawned wet and dreary in Downeast Maine. It was a quiet day filled with baking and birdwatching from the sofa. This Thanksgiving was particularly poignant for me because it was also Mom’s birthday—the second one we’ve spent without her. She...
by Susan | Sep 22, 2024 | On My Mind
The long days filled with sunshine have flown by, leaving me wondering where the summer has gone. In some ways, I feel the summer has passed me by, busy with work and life, but visiting my photos reminds me of the wonderful moments had. A June visit with Dad. My...
by Susan | Aug 5, 2024 | Hannah, On My Mind
Hannah spends much of the summer in Brunswick for work. She’s made it home a time or two, but I wouldn’t say I like the idea of her spending her birthday alone. She has to work on her birthday (a Monday this year) so I made the trip to Brunswick for the...
by Susan | Jul 22, 2024 | On My Mind
Each summer, Women for Healthy Rural Living (WHRL) holds a dual auction–a raffle (which runs in person July 26-27) and an online silent auction (running now through July 28th). The fun thing about the online silent auction is many smaller items can be shipped so you...
by Susan | Mar 23, 2024 | On My Mind
I love colors. Now and then, I pour over the felt color swatch book, dreaming about what new color to add to my bulk felt order. If I could afford them all—or had space for them—I’d be in trouble. And then there are the hours I’ve spent in the craft store,...
by Susan | Mar 17, 2024 | Family, On My Mind
One Year. Three hundred sixty-five days since the most challenging time of my life ended. Only to usher in a new ache. Watching Mom deteriorate so quickly from cancer, caring for her for weeks with hospice’s guidance. She left us before she took her last...
by Susan | Mar 15, 2024 | On My Mind
It’s hard to believe that a year ago this week, we lost my mom. A year ago today was the last time we spoke – the last time she told me she loved me. It’s been a tough time, but the arrival of our new pup has pushed aside some of the heaviness in my...
by Susan | Feb 24, 2024 | On My Mind
Hannah has been spending time on Petfinder, dreaming of a day when she can have her own pup. She texted me a picture of a pup, and I looked but wasn’t inspired. Yet I dared to linger on Petfinder and scrolled to peek at the other pups. (Dangerous, I know!) And...
by Susan | Dec 26, 2023 | On My Mind
It was a quiet and peaceful Christmas Day at Downeast Thunder Farm – which was good as I’m still feeling a bit out of sorts. There was a bit of fun when Paul and I realized that we gifted each other the very same electronic tire gauge/inflator gadget...
by Susan | Dec 24, 2023 | Family, On My Mind
This Christmas Eve, I find myself struggling to feel the Christmas spirit. I have the next week off from work (mostly). The tree is up and decorated with happy lights. We’ve delivered gifts to friends and family. Hannah and I have a loose plan for tasty treats...
by Susan | Dec 2, 2023 | Hannah, On My Mind
WHRL’s Winter Festival launched today. I have so much fun planning my contributions for this event each year – I love seeing people’s reactions to my creations. This year seeing how Hannah’s contributions are received is even more delightful....
by Susan | Oct 29, 2023 | Family, On My Mind
Mom loved hospital gift shops. Well, gift shops of any sort, but she said hospital gift shops carried unusual things. On the last day of Hannah’s February visit, the month before Mom passed, we made our rounds to not one but three different hospital gift shops....
by Susan | Sep 30, 2023 | Family, On My Mind
My mom often showed her love by sending surprises in the mail. Many times, the packages came from QVC. Leopard print slippers (I’m so not an animal print kind of girl), a pair of sandals, lavender plants, a Christmas centerpiece, garden lanterns, a kitchen tool,...
by Susan | Sep 9, 2023 | Family, On My Mind
I spent the last two+ weeks in Pennsylvania with my dad. A long To-do list awaited me, with the biggest item on the list finishing the remediation of his study. In July, the dehumidifier in his study malfunctioned, leaving carpet, wallboard, and bookcases waterlogged...
by Susan | Aug 27, 2023 | On My Mind
Hannah joined me on this trip to Dad’s in Pennsylvania. She flies back to Maine on Wednesday while I stay another week. Today was predicted as the last sunny day before her departure, so we made a spur-of-the-moment morning visit to a sunflower farm to take...
by Susan | Aug 6, 2023 | Hannah, On My Mind
Yesterday we celebrated Hannah’s 24th birthday. She spent her summer primarily down in Brunswick, so we were prepared for the six-hour round trip to take her out to dinner and celebrate. Luckily, at the last minute, Hannah could head home for the weekend. Yay...
by Susan | Jul 26, 2023 | Family, On My Mind
Twenty-six years ago today, I married Paul. He didn’t need glasses back then. He couldn’t hold back the laughter and tears this morning as he gave me an anniversary. I have to post it here to hang onto this memory. Happy Anniversary, Paul!
by Susan | May 31, 2023 | Family, On My Mind
I’m learning that when a loved one dies, there’s a stage of needing to hold on to their belongings – as if having those items close somehow strengthens our connection to them. I am finding this true with my mom. There are keepsakes she wanted me to...
by Susan | May 17, 2023 | Family, On My Mind
Mom passed away two months ago, on March 17th. Today I received a gift from her – something ordered months ago before we knew cancer would rule the rest of her days. Shopping was mom’s favorite way to care for those she loved. Unexpected boxes would arrive...
by Susan | Apr 29, 2023 | Family, On My Mind
Mom became ill in November 2021. She put off seeing a doctor for a bit, and when she did, the doctor took a wait-and-see approach. By Christmas week 2021, she was in the hospital for fluids and tests. Seven hundred miles away here in Maine, it was hard to find our...
