Quick Takes #292: Maine recap

 

1. We are deep in the final prep for returning to school on Monday over here, but I wanted to quickly record some reflections on our week in Maine.  Starting with great gratitude that it was even possible to happen.  After failing to find rapid testing here in PA, Dr. Dad was able to get us appointments for testing in Maine for the day after we arrived.  We both tested negative; allowing us to comply with Maine's visitor rules and give an additional level of reassurances to his mom. 
2. The trip up went so well. We left later than we planned (as usual) but then encountered minimal traffic and we managed to only make one rest stop along the way.  We were 'on schedule' enough that we were able to stop in MA and pick-up our niece.
3. The weather cooperated wonderfully with rain mostly at night and brief if during the day.  After nearly a month in the '90's here in PA ~ Maine's low '80's felt amazing.  The ocean was brisk to start but did not hold back our intrepid boogie boarders.  Going a low tide most days also allowed for exploring a tide pool where on a couple of occasions the kids found giant clams.
4. Cooking is a favorite activity of Dr. Dad's family of origin and this vacation was no different; yummy brunches, tasty dinners, and the tweens even got in on the action making delicious strawberry tarts and blondies.  Our favorite ice cream place had done a great job of meeting the challenges of keeping everyone safe while maintaining their wonderful atmosphere and quality ice cream.  No trip to the Maine seacoast is complete without some seafood; and that we indulged in a couple of occasions.
5. In addition to having ample time to read, my book-loving heart was happily blessed when my SIL passed on to me several ARCs (advanced reading copies) of books unclaimed at the bookstore she works at.  I like to read seasonally, and am so grateful for the chance to read books at release time or just prior.
6. Back in a reality where it will be a busy weekend of organizing school supplies, and school uniforms.  In another sign of the times the school is requesting that forms be filled out and signed prior to the first day adds to the general frazzle of these days.  However there are many good memories to hold onto, and perhaps a couple of more pool visits before we officially put a close to this summer.
7. Photo Dump:

Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's!!

Open Book ~ February '18

A Room With a View by E.M Forester was a fun, fast read about Lucy and her friends and relations who all mean well but whose petty snobberies occasionally trip them up.  Starting in Italy and then moving into the English countryside the descriptions are beautiful and the conversations amusing when not maddening.  A classic I've been meaning to read and am glad I finally did.

The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera is the story of a young librarian who takes a job in a small french village and all she learns from her employer and other villagers. The book while beautifully written raises a lot of ideas only to move on to another quickly.  I enjoyed the book very much but think it will take a reread or two to fully appreciate it.

Look to the Mountain by LeGrand Cannon is wonderful story about the settling of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Whit and Melissa are a young couple who marry and first by canoe and later hiking travel up to the shadow of Mt Chocorua and build a home. Set in the 1770's you also hear news of the Revolution travel up and how it is understood by those who have never used a stamp, or bought tea.  This was a reread for me, and I am biased as it was one of my father's favorites but I'm also a bit baffled why this book first published in 1942 is not better known.


Please head over to Carolyn's for more Open Book!

Milkshakes and Memories: 10 years later

   As I first wrote here back in 2010 it has been my habit to on the anniversary of my dad's passing to get a milkshake as a way of marking the date and remembering and so I will today.  This year is a bit more bittersweet;  wrapping my brain around the idea that it has been a decade since I saw his smile or held his hand is tough but seeing the 3 little people with whom I will share the sweet treat eases that pain; as does sharing stories and pictures both of which Lisbeth ( and to a lesser extent Liam) are beginning to take an interest in.

  In this past year I had the chance to visit a favorite beach of my dad and my brother climbed again the mountains he first climbed with our dad  ~ and so a decade later he does in a sense travel forward with us.

originally post:

In the plans for today is getting a milkshake (ideally a frappe, but those are hard to come by outside of New England), preferably coffee. You see my dad passed away March 27, 2004 and when the first anniversary came I was not sure what to do, I did not exactly want to celebrate, but marking the date was definitely in order.

So I got a coffee shake because my dad loved them, and he taught me to also. It felt right and so now every year on his birthday in September and on this day in March I get a milkshake, remember, and raise my glass to my dad.

My dad who loved to read, the ocean, and mountain climbing especially the White's in New Hampshire. Who preferred classical music but also introduced me to The Weavers, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Beyond the Fringe.

So probably I can convince Elisabeth to join me in a milkshake and someday when she is older I will tell her why we are having one on this day and who her grandfather was

Theme Thursday ~ Statue

Linking up with Cari of Clan Donaldson for Theme Thursday: Statue

Every college it seems has a statue that everyone gets their picture taken with (at Penn it was the Ben Bench) and so in May after attending a cousin (in-law) graduation I joined her dad in getting a few shots of her by the university's namesake.

Roger Williams, the founder of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation otherwise known as Rhode Island ~ the state of my birth.

Please now head over to Clan Donaldson for more Theme Thursday!!