by Susan | Feb 10, 2017 | On My Mind
We have had a very mild winter to date. With temps bouncing from frigid to moderate, the little snow we’ve had has quickly melted. Until today. It seems that with only 38 days until spring, winter has finally arrived. We woke with 18 inches of snow on the...
by Susan | Dec 25, 2016 | On My Mind
It occurs to me that Christmas 2016 is the last of an era in our house. This is likely the last Christmas with Hannah at home full-time and times are changing. It was 7:30 am before we were up and at ’em and even then, Hannah helped with breakfast preparation...
by Susan | Dec 24, 2016 | Family, On My Mind
I sit here on a rainy Christmas Eve with my family watching Scrooge wondering where the time has gone. Didn’t I just put away last year’s Christmas decorations? The house smells yummy – cookies, cheesecake, munchies, bread, pineapple stuffing, and...
by Susan | Dec 12, 2016 | On My Mind
Winter has descended upon Maine. Today, our first snow day of the year, has me looking back at my camera roll wondering where past two months have gone. It seems that autumn was so fleeting, and but for the pictures, I may have missed it. There’s no doubt that...
by Susan | Dec 2, 2016 | On My Mind
It’s that time of year when the Women’s Health Resource Library in town hosts their Christmas Tree Festival. We pluck baby balsam fir trees from the woods, pot them up, and invite folks in the community to adopt one and decorate it. The decorated trees and...
by Susan | Nov 2, 2016 | Family, On My Mind
I’ve been pretending that this school year is like any other. Going through the motions, trying to ignore the milestones that bring Hannah closer to going off to college. Take senior portraits for example. Since summer, I’ve watched portrait after portrait...
by Susan | Oct 21, 2016 | Family, On My Mind
Hannah’s senior year started in September. At the beginning of the year, she spoke often about first “lasts”, marking somewhat inconsequential milestones in this final year of high school. Her “last” first day of school. Her...
by Susan | Aug 5, 2016 | Family, On My Mind
Seventeen years ago, I welcomed this child into the world. Who knew then that this journey with Hannah would be the very best part of my life? She’s experienced so many milestones this last year that illustrate she’s not my little girl anymore, but an...
by Susan | Jul 26, 2016 | Family, On My Mind
You know that your life has become too crazy and overwhelming when it takes an email from your father’s friend, Bob, wishing you a Happy Anniversary to realize it’s your wedding anniversary. It’s a good thing Bob cc’d Paul on this message too...
by Susan | Jun 1, 2016 | On My Mind
It’s days like this that reward us for surviving seven months of heating season (aka winter). We’re officially off the wood boiler for the season. It’s days like this that require me to pause along the side of the road and watch geese meander the...
by Susan | Apr 25, 2016 | On My Mind
Hannah and I did a whirlwind trip to Grandma and Papa’s house in Pennsylvania. Paul stayed behind to manage critters and the wood boiler. There’s no question that Paul was a busy man while I was away. He cut down the monster fir tree that loomed over our...
by Susan | Apr 13, 2016 | On My Mind
Experimenting with the iPhone camera. I get better close-up images with my iPhone 6S than I do with my Cannon. We had a wildly stormy day or two this week with crazy high tides. These gulls were flying into the wind, but going nowhere. The scene above, usually a...
by Susan | Mar 9, 2016 | On My Mind
I have to wonder if seeing five Bald Eagles in one day is a sign of some sort. I’m thrilled when I spy just one or maybe a pair soaring in the sky. Today they seemed to be everywhere – flying alongside the car as if we were soaring together, crossing my...
by Susan | Feb 26, 2016 | On My Mind
Gold fever has taken over at our house, in school, and in our community. Hannah’s high school girls basketball team is going to the state championships (class “c”) in Augusta tomorrow evening. Each night this week has been filled with Hannah’s...
by Susan | Feb 14, 2016 | On My Mind
A little known fact about me is that I am incapable of cooking a grilled cheese without burning it. I am forever scraping carbon off the burned side. I’m an okay cook, but there are so many things going on in my mind at any given time, that I tend to get...
by Susan | Feb 9, 2016 | On My Mind
The aftermath of two snow storms – almost back to back – has left us feeling as if winter has finally arrived. Just when I’m starting to count down to spring! Despite the snow and the bitter cold, I couldn’t help but smile when I saw this...
by Susan | Jan 31, 2016 | On My Mind
In our house, it seems that it’s only a matter of time before our loved ones are labeled with nicknames. Hannah was just a wee one when she became Roo or Hannah-Roo (much to her dismay today). Purfessor Snape, our black kitty is most often called Boo. Yet,...
by Susan | Jan 3, 2016 | On My Mind
There’s something about this time of year that drives me into nesting mode. Maybe it’s the cold that has driven me indoors – or because it’s a season of new beginnings. Regardless the reason, I’ve spent the last few days cleaning,...
by Susan | Dec 29, 2015 | On My Mind
I knew that winter weather would catch up with us sooner or later. Today we got our first measurable snowfall of the season here along the coast. No one in my household seems too excited about this change – it was 50 degrees out just two days ago. I’m just...
by Susan | Dec 26, 2015 | On My Mind
This day after Christmas, the temps soared close to 50 degrees outside – so beautiful that I felt guilty sitting inside reading. With the weather man predicting snow twice this coming week, it seemed imperative that I get outside and tackle some chores. While I...
