Maine and Rain

Finally, finally an end to the drought – I hope. Even if it’s only an interruption, we’ve had lots of rain the last two days, today and likely some more tomorrow. We think so far there’s three and a half inches.Everything is perking up. In spite of the wind the big sugar maples are losing less leaves. It’s a beautiful rain, life-giving.We left early Wednesday morning and drove to Maine. It was stormy most of the way, sometimes hard to see in the driving rain and wind – but we were not complaining. We stopped in Kittery to hit the outlets, but as we were having an early lunch at Bob’s clam shack – their lobster rolls are terrific – the power went out. Bob’s has a generator so there was no problem getting lunch,but all the stores were black, closed.We hit the road again and fortunately, Freeport had electricity. We shopped the outlets for things we needed. It was raining less at that point, although the brick sidewalks were slippery. I was worried about falling on my artificial knees. We needed a new cooler, underwear, chocolates, discount cosmetics. I got a summer dress at L. L. Bean’s for nine and a half bucks. I was looking for one that was more demure than my sundresses, but light enough, and I found it.We stay at the Harraskeetet Inn, which is quite luxurious and hardly cheap, but it’s only one night and most years, that night is our vacation. When we booked the room this year, the inn was going to be full that night so we couldn’t get the room we wanted. The room we could have was in the old part of the hotel and with only a small Jacuzzi. But when we arrived, obviously a lot of people had cancelled in the storm and we got the room we had hoped for with a nice double jakuzz in the new wing.I had plans to try to walk in a park, but the rain prevent that. Instead we lolled around in the double Jacuzzi, had a piece of chocolate apiece and went to supper at our favorite Chinese restaurant there, The China Rose. The rain had let up by then. in the morning we had the usual sumptuous breakfast at the Inn. Then we went to our favorite potters, Edgecombe, and bought a small bowl and a medium size one. Then to Pigs that Fly to get some great bread. Then we drove to the Noon Family Farm. Jean’s husband Bill died this spring of cancer, and we were wondering what of all the things she produced and took part in, she could continue. As we approached the farm, we saw signs for Noon for State Representative. We knewJean’s husband had been a state rep. Obviously she was running for his seat.We also saw a new field of vegetables and a woman who wasn’t Jean putting down protection. It turned out to be Jean’s niece who has moved across the road from her now. One of Jean’s sons has moved back home and is helping her continue with the lambs and the wool. I am cooking bones right now to make lamb stew. Her lamb is not only naturally raised but delicious beyond my ability to exaggerate.It was cloudy but dry all the way back till we hit drizzle on the Cape. We didn’t mind. After the terrible drought, any form of wet precipitation is welcome. The cats greeted us with enthusiasm. We started unpacking. I managed to get all the lamb into the freezer except for the bag of bones.