Tuesday we had an intense thunder storm blow quickly in around 6:30 pm. Megan had just started mowing the lawn. The storm seemed to be right on top of us so she stopped just in time. I got this picture from the upstairs window which includes a bit of lightening . It didn't last long.

This picture is from the boat ride on Wednesday night. We went out around Owl's head lighthouse and Stonington Harbor. We stopped off on Green Island for a little walk. Great sunset.

We came home on Thursday to the display you see on the left with a note that said "On loan from the MAN MUSEUM" aka Josh's house brought to us by Megan. A great surprise. The boys have moved around all weekend and today look like what you see up there on the right.

Monday-

I just spent a half hour on the back porch in the thick misty wet fog sitting perfectly still with my camera raised trying to get a picture of the humming birds that come to CAF's feeder. I sat two feet away from it holding my breath most of the time until my back and arms hurt. I got the two pictures below, not so good but I think on a sunny day, if I dress in red and maybe not have my ipod on quite so loud (although it was Joni Mitchell, you'd think they'd like that) I might have a better chance. I will let you know.

What do Minnesota, New Hampshire and Prince Edward Island have in common?
Their state (or province.province.) wildflower is the Lady's Slipper. CAF and I spotted these on our walk at lunch time yesterday. I took these pics this morning.

Unexpected guests from Minnesota. Joanne, you should have told us that G had family in the country. Who knew they would be in Maine and so easily find us!
Anyway, lovely people (gnomes-people???) and really helpful. They showed up on Friday to our surprise and have turned out to be sweet and very entertaining guys. They even brought tools and offered to help CAF in the garden. The cats love them, Betty is unsure. They leave today and are headed to Canada, Montreal I think they said. A great weekend even though they wouldn't eat BBQ-ed anything.

Yesterday CAF and I went to Bangor to get the car serviced and do a few errands. It took us 12 hours. We had a great day and topped it off with dinner at the Japanese Restaurant and the DQ for ice-cream.
On the morning drive in, listening to Tuck and Patti’s version of “Sitting Here in Limbo”, where one line goes “I know my faith will lead me on” I asked CAF what her definition of faith was. A good discussion ensued.
We decided that Faith is the Verb that leads one to the Noun (having a positive connotation for most people). She wasn’t sure if she had faith but I do.
I believe I can get to the Noun, what ever it is. I trusted we would get to the other side of two broken legs and back pain and we did. It was really hard but when I think about it now I see the love and support we received from each other as well as so many friends and neighbors.
I believe that we can live whatever life we work toward. Faith is the part that carries us beyond effort. Life is the noun, Happiness, Health (maybe in various states), Love, and Kindness. Faith is the trust in the journey.
Positive spirit is the verb that leads to the noun, joy.

CAF- This is Goulash...

Goulash- In Hungary, gulyás or gulyásleves is traditionally prepared as a soup. Meat is cut into chunks, seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika and then browned in a pot with oil. Sliced onions,potatoes, bay leaf, thyme, and ground caraway seeds. Sometimes a little white or wine vinegar is added.

Your dinner last night was NOT Goulash, nor was it:
Gumbo, Casserole, Tetrazzini, Stew or Soup. It was made with much love and I got to use up all the leftovers. It was warm comfort food on a raw night when we were both cold and tired. I hope you enjoyed it. love ew.

Here are a few images from the dowstudio 2008 season's first show, called "It's pouring".

We all worked very hard getting it together, the place and work look great. Thank you to everyone who helped, Toni, Megan, Katy you are wonderful friends.

CAF and I are thrilled to see it all up and running.

Attendance was pretty good for the first hot day of summer. CAF made spinach balls, and brownies, we had Trader Joe cookies and I made popcorn along with lemonade-fruit seltzer and ice coffee.

We sat on the back deck and BBQ ed chicken and drank Margarita's afterward. I feel it this morning.

This week on my way to or from work I saw...

Thursday: an eagle sitting/fishing on a rock just off the causeway

Saturday: a deer in the morning and a big fat frog hopping across
the road in the rain on my way home, very funny.

Sunday: a raccoon

Monday: a heron

Tuesday: a rabbit

Wednesday: ducks

All in all a very good week, busy, but good.

dowstudio showroom opens this Sunday. Our 3rd season showing other artists work as well as our own. The first show is called "It's Pouring". Open for interpretation, good for the potters.
I asked Charles to paint the 2 big walls with chalkboard paint. I wanted to try something a little different for the wall treatments of each show. This is the first show drawing.

Four images from Sunday. The first is of the tree I gave to CAF for her birthday 3 years ago. A crab apple that blooms right around her B-day. It looked magnificent glowing in the morning sun.
I don't know what is going on with the lilacs this year, conditions are perfect I guess. It is the best crop I have ever seen. We have them in every room. They are my favorite flower.
This is the house Sunday morning. The roof is almost done. It looks great and we can't wait to sit on the back porch without scaffolding.
My new bike! I took it for a ride Sunday morning to Carol W's house for a brunch in honor of Ingrid's birthday. Very enjoyable in Carol's gardens. Food and company were great. I need to get a helmet.