The Bounding Maine

Usually we go up to Maine in mid or late August to pick up a naturally raised cut up frozen lamb from Noon family farm and hit the outlets. But of course I could barely walk in August from my right knee replacement and the left knee’s soreness from being overused so close to its replacement. We had planned on mid September, but I still was not ready. We made a second reservation for October first. This time I was willing and able to try. We set off early Wednesday morning. Since our usual cat sitter wasn’t available, Dale and Stephen filled in. We drove with a number of stops to stretch my legs to Kittery where we had lunch at a favorite of ours, Bob’s Clam Shack. It’s always crowded because the seafood is so good. I love their lobster rolls but everything I’ve ever had there is great. It was raining when we left and raining through most of the trip. We didn’t mind at all, because this rain ended the six and a half week drought we had suffered that had killed a number of our perennials and roses. We got at least three inches here. Droughts are frightening because the pitch pines are so called because they burn well. Tourists are seldom aware of the fire danger. There is a limited amount of fresh water under the Cape and when rains don’t replenish it, we fear our well could run dry. Anyhow, we stopped in Kittery where the outlets are in strip malls. Got several months’ supply of Lindt chocolate for me and stopped in two other places. In the entire trip, didn’t see any clothes I wanted, but got practical things we need. Housewares, etc. Underwear. We went on to Freeport for more practical stuff. And Melenie’s wedding gift that I can give her next Wednesday when she and Jay are back here. Wednesday she’s expected to return to work from their extended honeymoon in Paris. Our good dinner set has been put together on many trips to Edgecomb Potters and Melenie loves their pottery. She had asked for a bowl or platter from Edgecomb. We stopped at Pigs that Fly the next morning to get some of their great breads that we never see otherwise. Also bought two huge soft pretzels. We don't stop for lunch on the way back, so we have developed the happy of getting crispy duck for supper and saving some of it to eat as we drive with the pretzels. We also stopped in New Hampshire and bought some wine. I have been writing a couple of poems before we left and one yesterday. It’s time to start eating the fall produce from the garden – many kinds of lettuce, escarole, endive, Swiss chard, radishes, radicchio, chinese cabbage. We are still getting a few tomatoes, only a very few. Tomorrow Woody will pick the last greenies and pull the remaining plants. We picked the last pattypans this week. Winter squash is slowly coming in. We still are getting beans and peppers, bell, frying and hot. We came home Thursday night to a lot of unloading, stowing and the next day, we began on all the work that had piled up in our absence. No frost yet, of course. Last weekend went to a house warming party for a friend who finally was able to get a mortgage and buy a small cozy house that is right next to friends of both of ours. I sympathize with Raiders and Bucs fans now that the Patriots have fallen so low. It’s sad for us. Not much fun to watch. I prefer now to watch games with other teams where I don’t have loyalties and can just enjoy the action.