MaryAlice Musings and More

  Monday - Putting up more tomatoes!            Birthday Bouquet Still Beaming Beauty                            Some days I can't seem to find that one  thread that allows me to touch some little piece of beauty, joy, calm, gratitude.   That is how these words are able to be written.  It doesn't mean that I won't/don't want to write about my pain, my fury, anger or fear - I just have to have a seed of noticing, of being present, letting in some "good stuff".    So there are days that I don't know how or I can't imagine putting my thoughts down on a virtual page.   I was aware early in the day today that I had not posted in a few days.  There was the cold.  I was not ready for the cold.  I rebelled, and whined, and bundled up like it was January.   I had kept carrying Rachel Maddow's words as she started her show last Friday, she talked about this week having 47 days.  I felt like last week was about 47 days.    My response to a 47 day week was to

  End of the week, don’t have anything to say!  Words and more will come but not today.  Take good care.

    I saw this plea on Facebook this morning.   My heart was so heavy as I read these words that so simply lay out the grief, the heartbreak, that weight of tragedy that is an intricate part of black and brown people's lives.  A plea to look, look at our reactions,  be willing to look at how their could be room for us all at the metaphorical "table".  How could we right the wrongs.  I wrapped these words around me today as I took care of the tasks of my day.    There seems like much weight today.  My body sporting a wool sweater, warm socks, needing to cover up to keep out the chill of the day.   The sun is warm, but in the morning it is darn chilly and as the sun goes down the chill returns.  These last days of August reminding me that September brings a new season.  There will be warm, even hot days to come, but these last few days have brought a chill, makes me want to bundle up and stay warm. The past days also have brought the cold reality of police brutality and ano

  Today,  I left the Katahdin Region for the mid-coast to visit my "road warrior" friends Ellen and Ray --- we have only connected virtually for a number of years, and it was so good to drive to Hancock County on the Mid-Coast for a little visit.   The have the RV life, and I came to their "park" - we visited, had a great meal of Ray's favorite Mussel's, Lobster's cooked at the lobster pound and corn on the cob...every once in awhile we feel in the "rabbit hole" of horror at the current president - but managed to enjoy just being able to catch up.  We missed our hugs, and appreciated our very styling masks and was glad to have such a big and beautiful screen porch to allow us a safe place to be with each other.  Meanwhile, the NBA, WNBA and MLB took a stance - no games being played.  Black lives matter.  Demands were made.  I am so encouraged that these athletes have taken such a courageous stand.  I am tired.  I am so sad that so many people a

  My morning started a little late....and while drinking my tea the rains began.  The day felt "soft" not chilly and damp.  It was the kind of day that I feel both lifted and supported and while the water kettle heated I found myself just dancing around in the kitchen.   I am going to store that feeling deep inside to tap when I am feeling terror and fear and outrage...the feeling of strength and presence of being well and being ready to just take it on....what a great way to start the day.     View from my Porch!     The rain felt different this morning, it transported me back to the days that I loved to hear the rumble of the thunder and the  sounds of rain dropping all around.   I could almost hear the earth say thank you.       Homage to the Tomato The beginning of my first Puttanesca of the Season.  I forgot to take a picture of the finished dish.  I can assure you it was divine!   I am having another bowl for supper and will make sure to remember to take a picture.  Whe

The Porch Provides Some Calm Amidst The Veggies!                                                                                 This morning I drove to Ada's Farm stand, an Amish farm on Golden Ridge Road.  I had stopped by a couple of weeks ago, and she thought that the tomatoes would be coming in soon, and I agreed to come this week.  I didn't really know what I find!   Wow,  I got a lot of "veg".... I literally had a bushel basket and another big box loaded into the way back of my car.   I enjoy my visits to Ada's,  she came here from Ohio to marry into the Miller family.  She is young and eager to establish a good business with her vegetables, canned goods and other crafts.  Today was the first time that I got to see the newest baby, she had two toddlers sitting in high chairs and the baby in a type of sling.  They were taking everything in as their Mom went back and forth bringing out more vegetables that the older children had been picking.  Ada had some to

What a week!  I am celebrated out, in a very good way.   I can lean into this new week.  The kitchen is clean.  The dishes are done.  I had a lovely early supper on the porch with my friend David.  I have been very cautious, as have the people who have come to visit, the outdoors has been my friend, has allowed me to see people, to be a little less at risk.  Smiling    Morning Light on Beebalm   This morning I spent some time just admiring all of the flowers.   The light was so very exquisite.  I sipped my tea and appreciated the fullness of this time.   At our UU Coffee Zoom service this morning, people were talking about "getting ready for winter", "putting food up",  "getting the house ready" ...I laughed and thought about how fiercely I was holding onto summer.   I will do preparation, but not today.  Not this week.  Maybe next.   This next week is back to the world that I live when I am not turning 70.  I am heading off in the morning to get tomatoes

  The sun is shining.  My pansies are dancing in their flower box,  the rosemary is standing tall, and the nasturtiums are continuing to produce beautiful green with new flowers to come soon.  Behind my back porch is my little woods.  There is little beams of light that burst through around the leaves.  There is green, green everywhere.    I am on my porch.  I have loaded the dishwasher,  cleaned off kitchen surfaces where things had been set down and left unattended for several days.   I have been busy.  I have been celebrating.  Reaching out and diving more deeply into new friendships.  Wearing masks,  keeping distance, sharing a deep need to feel some joy to connect.   I am full up.  I have been celebrated well.  I opened up to take it all in, to enjoy this very moment.  To know that not all days, not all years are moments like this.  So soak it up.  It is the grist for pushing through, moving forward, speaking out, acting up.  Now, this morning, I am taking a little rest, basking i

Wonderful Porch Time   Today I woke up to rain, grey skies and a cold house.  What a difference a day makes. I stayed under the covers as long as I could.  Then I hit ready for a shift at the NPS Contact Station for Katahdin Woods and Waters.                                                                                                                                 Lumberman’s Museum                                                                                                  Lemon Blueberry Gluten Free Cake and Chocolate Flourless Torte!                                                          I have had such a lovely lovely week.  I am savoring this time.  In this covid time, in this time of being planted on my porch, during this time of not traveling, of not having guests.  I have been showered to care, with a feeling of belonging, with being so content to just be here.       I felt fall in the air today,  this often tugs at me at this time of the year.  After my volunteer shi

  I saw 5 yes 5 eagles fly over my car on the way home from my birthday celebration in Baxter State Park !  What a gift! One of many today.  I have not even had enough time to check out all the FB messages!  I have cards that I got at the PO today and they are not yet opened,  I have Voicemails not yet heard.  How amazing to feel such love, to be appreciated, noticed, cared for.  What a gift to feel d very happy to be me and to have you all in my life. Such richness, such care, such support - I really could not imagine one month ago that  my birthday week would be filled with so much goodness!  I could not have asked for more than what I was given today.  The day was gorgeous.  The Blum's were the best of family to be with, when my own family is so far away.  We had great food.  A great hike.  Wonderful views.  Peaceful time just taking in and breathing in the beauty.   I don't have lots of words today.  I will have more tomorrow.  But here are pictures not chronological, rando

  What a good week!   I have had small, physically distanced, mask wearing time with new and old friends.  Monday was a surprise when Anne called on the phone and asked if I was up for a visit.  Her and Randy were in Patten.  I said YES....  So I made a pot of coffee,  smashed some avocado's for some toast and cut the last of my misfit market oranges.  We had a visit of wide ranging topics - Covid Outbreak in Millinocket - Downtown Revitalization - Rehabbing old houses - Good Food and Drink.... I love how my porch can provide a safe way to spend a little time with people who bring me such joy.   On Tuesday Megan, our new Katahdin Collaborative Community Coordinator, moved to Patten.  She came to my front porch for our Steering Committee Zoom meeting.  I made us my scrambled something....we had a good meeting...and I enjoyed a morning that had lots of moments of just listening to rain.  I spent hours reading.  What a treat and a luxury.  I did a little grocery shopping ( I do not of