Bach in the Basement.
I know, I know; this is not much of a picture. But, you realize, "---------a thousand words." I look at this photo and I long to be in Maine at the bottom of these stairs, doing laundry while listening to classical music on CNN from Canada. There is a convenient radio with good sound on the drainpipe. It is always on the same station and just a push of the buttom creates a sereen atmosphere. There are usually wonderful, warm sents of home-cooking drifting down the stair well and Duncan's little tonails are tapping on the plank floors above me. It is a marvelous place to be and I don't mean 'the basement'; although there is a nice wiew of the water from down there.
It makes me ponder the Buddist ideal of being able to find true joy in the everyday and the mundane - like laundry. It also makes me feel a bit satisfied, thinking that I may be attaining some level of this happiness, this joy.

It's not just a movie to me anymore.
As I look off to the East from the studio balcony early in the morning (3:50 A.M.), this is the sight that greets me. Who would not be amazed and awed. It is sight that instills a feeling in your bones to arise early every morning so you do not miss this splendor. It also makes me feel very fortunate for all beautiful sights I have seen in my lifetime. Life has been good to me.
Since the island seen in the photo is Campobello Island, this is truly "Sunrise at Campobello".
I cannot wait to make Eastport, Maine my home and not just an anual holiday spot.

Last Lupine of the season.
I haven't been blogging for a while because I was busy and lazy. I had my usual annual 30 holiday in Maine and have returned to Flordia. I thought I would have a lot of free time to blog in Maine, but I could not connect to my blog site.
The trip to Eastport was postponed a month this year. It was also a bit saddened by my Mother's sudden medical problems and hospitalization. The trip up North included a detour to Pennsylvania to visist my Mom who was quite ill when we arrived and only 3 hours home from the hospital. She showed so much improvement in the few days I was there, we finally felt assured enough to continue our travels.
I was feeling as though I had missed something arriving later in the season this time. I love the lupines. They are so beautiful and sometimes cover an entire field with their lovely blue-lavender hue. My spirits were soon to be lifted. On our first walk with Duncan, our ornamental Dalmatian, I was surprised to see this single lonely lupime at the edge of a field. It brought a smile to my face and a smug, selfish feeling that the last blossom of the year had awaited my arrival. What a wonderful day.

Today I am angry. I cannot understand what the world is coming to or where we are going. But, that is not why I am angry. A few days agoI turned on the news to catch up while I was getting ready for work. Now we all are aware that women and children and other innocents are being killed everyday by us in Iraq. And the Iraqis are killing our soldiers who are young men and women who should be in college, at home, going to football games, or taking a date to the movies.
Of course, the residents in the Holy Land are determined to eliminate each other for reasons nobody can really understand.
I expected to see news regarding these horrors that are happening in our world. However, the two top stories were local and quite silly. One item was about a young girl who was ill on an incoming plane from South America. The communications were fouled up and the Homeland Security and a carrivan of ambulances and police cars were at Miami Airport to meet the plane. The patient in question had a stomach ache and a touch of diarrhea and had been feeling upset the entire day before her flight home.
The second story was about a man who found properly packaged dynamite sticks while cleaning up his property. Instead for just removing the dynamite, the local authorities saw fit to evacuate and close the roads to a ten block area in Miami.
All of this unnesessary expense and silliness and not a word about the Americans who were killed that day. Where are our hearts? Where are our minds? Does anyone really care? It seems as long as the battle is not outside our own front door, we are rendered immune.

Another new Car
Well this one is new to us. David just got rid of the Blue Bronco and bought this beauty. It is a Ford Explorer Sport. It is used, but purchased in Eastport where everyone knows everyone else and people don't rip you off. It was hard for David to say Good-bye to the Bronco as there was a heavy attachment there. However, it was beginning to rust and a really good deal popped up. So here we are. How Lucky - two new cars in two years. I can't wait to get to Maine and drive the new one. I love it already just from the pictures.

New Cars - Last October we bought a new car in Florida. The car was actually for Duncan and as you can see in one of the photos, he does approve. Riding back and forth between Maine and Florida in the old Ford Focus wagon was getting a bit cramped for him due to the little extras we seemd to always have to inculde.
The New Escape gives him more room and a bit of a higher perch so he doesn't miss a thing. This August will be his first road trip in the new car and we are both anxiously awaiting that date.

Spring.
Here in south Florida Spring has been wonderful. Very cool, low humidity nights and hot sunny days with a nice breeze. I think it is the wind that has kept our temperatures down this year.
I was organizing my photos when I came across the one I posted of wild daisys in Eastport. The picture lifts me and lightens my mood.
I see from my last entry that it has not been a month since I blogged. I think it will be my goal to post a MINIMUM of once a month.
I noticed the rest of my blogging family are really getting into it also. I agree with the statement that blogging is positive therapy and it is cheap too. It only cost your time.
I enjoy reading all the other blogs as it makes me feel part of the picture even though I may be a thousand miles away.
Frani has become serious about the move back East and I have become serious about my move to the Northeast. Simpler times, gentler people, and a much slower pace. Ft. Lauderdale has become a jungle for the fast and furious. I do appreciate the fact and will always remember it - that - I was lucky enough to discoved Ft. Lauderdale when it was relatively unknown over thirty years ago. The beauty of how it was will always be in my mind though the conditions can never be repeated.
I have had a lot of luck in my life. I visited Kaua'i when it was unknow and undiscovered by the masses. I toured the Grand Caynon may times before the horrid nesessary restrictions and fees caused by the throngs who have no respect for the Ina (land). Because of Fran living in Arizona, I also got to enjoy many of it's delights before civilization started trashing nature. I guess it cannot actually be prevented as there just are too many people.
My ramblings are not to bring anybody down. These are just my views, my feelings. The positive thing here is my memories and they certainly are terrific.

Changing a threat.
I threatened B-bomb to post more of her baby pictures if she didn't quit nagging me. well, she has not nagged me, but I decided to post some more pics of her anyway. I was looking through my old photos and reliving a lot of old memories of good family times and I could not resist sharing. Besides - she is so darn cute.
Joanne is getting ready to go to Wyoming to finish off her house and sell it. I am sad because I won't have a close friend and loving family member two doors away. But - I am happy for her as she seems to be in the frame of mind to move forward toward better things even though she knows there will be boulders in the road to stumble over.
Also David is preparing for his departure to the Nothern residence, so, Duncan and I will hold the Southern fort alone for a while. Duncan and I will be anxiously be counting the days till we hit the road for Maine too!
The older I get the more I miss the closeness of my large family. Sadly we learn too little and too late.

Special post for B-bomb.
You know who you are. You keep nagging me about not posting. I have noticed nothing new on your site for a while now.
You wanted more postings, great. Here's a picture of you and me at your Grandmother's house in O.C.
Now smile and quite bugging me or I will post all your baby pictures.
Love you!

Spring in Florida.
Emma and Fran are mentioning spring and the weather changes on their blogs - Maine and Arizona respectively. It made me think that we do have subtle changes of season here in South Florida.
While walking Duncan I saw that my neighbors water lilies were in bloom. I had to return home and get the camera. You see the results, a beautiful blossom.
Strangely enough, the crunching of dry leaves underfoot is a seasonal sign here also. The difference is we seem to experience this in Spring rather than Fall. I assume it is the trees droping their sparse winter greens for their full and more vibrant summer greens.
Temperatures are still wonderful and comfortable here - not too hot in the daytime with a bit of a breeze and still nice and cool at night - great for sleeping.

Tomorrow is the first day of Spring and, supposedly, a time for new beginnings. I feel it is a new beginning for me as I think I have finally defeated this cold or flu or whatever kind of respiratory infection I had dragging me down.
It is so nice to feel "normal" and "useful" again after being so long in the fog.
I guess we never really appreciate our good health and good fortune till we are forced to experience the negative. Hello Spring!

Conspiracy of the Cold.
I am so angry as I have just wasted a week. Plus I feel like I have been tossed from a moving train. I still don't feel all that great, but I am slowly trying to function on the normal side of life.
I am the kind of person whose body does not deal well with a simple cold. I become so ill I end up flat in bed and begin to imagine it will soon be time for me to board the boat to cross the River Styx.
I am angry because most places of employment harass or shame you into coming to work sick. "Oh, it's only a cold." This is especially shameful in hospitals where I work. Peers come in hacking and sneezing and soon the germs run the entire gamet of the place. The poor patients are the worse to suffer. I cannot imagine trying to recover from major surgery and fighting a cold given to you by a healthcare worker at the same time.
My biggest outburst of anger is directed toward the pharmaceutical companines who tight-fistedly dominate the healthcare field.
When I was in nursing school I read an interesting article that claimed there may very well be a cure for the common cold and the big drug companies purchased the patent and sealed it away. First I thought it was humerous. However, here's a thought. Go into a large chain drug store with a pad and pen and begin writting down every item that would not be on the shelves if there were no colds. I assure you that your fingers will cramp from writting before you have finished checking only two aisles.
The cold medications that are on those shelves do not work - not one of them. Also, some studies say that taking over the counter medications only prolong the duration of the cold.
Should I be angry ? Yes. And so should you. Science can conjure up a baby according to somebody's itemized specifications, yet we can not conquer the common cold. Come on, Folks.

Along came Fran.
Fran was next to join the blogging tribe. I still refer to her as Frani although I don't think she likes it. I feel it sounds homey and affectionate.
She is the cousin representing the Southwest. In the 1970's we all started to fan out from Pennsylvania. I ended up in Florida and Frani put her new roots down in Mesa, Arizona. She loves the that section of the country and inticed me to open myself to the beauty of it also. We share many wonderful memories of hiking, photographing and antique-ing out there. Somehow we adjusted to the triple digit temperatures and dug right into the history and the multi-cultural elements of the area.
Frani's blog has a link from my site. Her photos of Arizona are strikingly impressive. You should look.
I think Frani and I grew to be the closest of the cousins since our relationship started in high school. We were fortunate enough to share those wild and rowdy teenage misadventures. Sometime we both are amazed that we are still alive!

The blogging family grows.
My dear cousin, Joanne was next to get the blog-bug. She also loves photography and has quite an eye for it. Hers is another site you can link to from mine. She is the "Purple Lover". Some of her pictures knock me out.
In my family for some strange reason many of the cousins have become closer than siblings over the years. We are thick as thieves and bonded by love, respect and unfortunately a little dysfunction. But we deal with it and move on always trying to support and console each other even if it is long distance. Thank heavens for the internet and the cell phone.
This is a photo of Joanne and her baby, Jewel. Jewel is a beautiful German Shepard with a very unique personality all her own. She is the Alpha Dog.

Along the blogging trail.
Next David came on to the blogging scene. Of course, I was always checking out his postings. He is an Artist who works in photography and so much more. His pictures are always interesting to see.
Then I became drawn into this new activity. I also like to take and share photos and the blog seemed like a good place to accomplish this. Naturally I told my family and friends and the ball continued to roll and grow.
David's site is a link on my blog. If you like unusual photography, check it out.
This is a picture of David taken on our winter holiday to Pennsylvania.

Well - The blogging started with my recent and good friend, Emma. She got into it and David and I were hooked on reading her entries as she is such a good writer.
Here's Emma relaxing before the annual traditional Christmas dinner at Water Street. She has a quiet beauty that I have seen emerging and growing continually since I first met her. The moment I greeted her and gave her a hug, I could feel the "aloha" and knew I would love her and she would become part of our "ohana" which she certainly has.
Emma, this Blue Martini is for you!

Whiteout in Eastport.
We have been having cold weather here in South Florida. It is especially nice at night for sleeping. The days are like early Autum up North and very uplifting and pleasant. Last night the temperatures dropped to 46 degrees - that's cold for us Southerns; Tonight it might dip into the 30's. I was complaining a little until I read my friend, Emma's blog post regarding the blizzard in Eastport. Now, I admit, I feel a little smug - We have No Snow.
I guess winter is one of the things I do still appreciate about my fast fading little city.
Today we voted for mayor; I voted for a new one. The last current mayor has spent twenty years getting us to where we are and it is not very pretty. Can we be saved? We shall see.

Interesting People.
One of my hobbies is photography in a purely amateur sense. I particularily enjoy taking photos of anyone, especially strangers, who are unaware of being photographed. There are so many interesting faces out there. How few of us really look and see them? I find these faces at their purest and most engaging when they are totally oblivious to the camera.
This lovely woman was at a Fourth of July public celebration in a small Maine town. I have no idea who she is or what stories form her history, but I know that history is there in her face. Look at her face and what do you see? I see a healthy, happy woman who is having a good time. But - look at the eyes. There is something there, a concerned, a lightly thoughtful look. It seems each time I really look at these photos I see a little more. Perhaps the reason I preceive them differently is because I am different every time I view them. We are all in flux.

Of course there had to be another photo of my best buddy, Duncan. Here he is at the top of his world at Shackfordhead in Maine, Prince of all he observes.
Finally I am onto DSL. It arrived yesterday morning and David had it up and running by afternoon. On glitch was getting rid of Dr. Watson Debugger which was fouling up my computer. After, a lot of time, many phone calls, and shelling out $199.00 for (free?) 24/7 computer help; Dr Watson has been put to rest - permanently, I hope.
This morning David, JoAnne and I walked down the street to a local neighborhood yard sale. I only bought a book, but it was pleasant just looking and seeing the neighbors. The experience reminded me a little of an Eastport yard sale. Everyone was friendly and chatty. The prices were really yard sale prices. It was for a very good cause, River of Grass. There was free coffee, bagels, and pasteries for the browsers. For just one brief moment I actually forgot I was in overdone, over-populated Ft. Lauderdale. What a nice way to start a beautiful, sunny Saturday off work.

24 Jan. 2006
How to begin? I guess I will just start. Here is a recent picture of me and ny precious Dalmatian, Duncan, who is a well pampered little prince. The photo was taken in one of my favorite places in Maine called Reversing Falls.
I am a 59 year old nurse living in Florida and working at a prestigeous local hospital. My hobbies include photography, cooking and travel. I spend as much time as possible in Maine in a very small, quaint and friendly town.
A few of my friends have blogs and I have become interested in reading them. Never did I imagine I would spend time on creating my own. But, after thinking about it a while, I decided I would give it a shot and use it as my journal. In this blog I will include "bits of me", how I think, what I feel, and things I ponder. so now I have started and we shall see how it goes.