North Norway

NORTH NORWAY — If anyone wonders what I want for my birthday, earplugs would be nice. We have been serenaded the last few evenings in grand style. Actually we expect to hear fireworks around the Fourth of July and it hasn’t been so bad so far. I was hoping it would scare the deer away but she must be a brave soul or our salad bar is irresistible.

Almost all the blossoms and buds have been nipped in our gardens. I am researching “deer resistant” plants now. If there is any such thing. The Sweet Williams are blossoming out back so those evidently are not on her menu. We have two sets of spotted fawns around. One pair is from an early hatch; the most recently sighted are much smaller, all very cute and lively.

Dana and Paula had a bear cross in front of them not far from their place and said he looked kind of lean. So Dell still takes the feeders in at night. The berries should be ripe soon so the bear can have a feast.

Dell went to Goss's and picked raspberries yesterday. They are like candy they are so good. The blueberries will be ripe soon also. Lots of good eating and good for you also.

Mary and Frank Perham had a lobster feed on the Fourth. Paul and Brenda came and joined them. Luke was not given any lobster, just his bottle.

Pat and Charlie Verrill attended the cookout at National Wood on the Fourth. Deven and Judi Andrews had a cookout also. I know Kara and Six were there. Their dog, Chesty, arrived safely from Hawaii and Six and Chesty were some glad to see each other. Kara has rented a place and Charlie is helping assemble furniture and the like to get her settled in.

The dog is cold in Maine and sleeps under the blankets. Deven and Judis’ Newfies love to go in swimming in the mine but Chesty just barely sticks a front paw in. He will acclimate before winter, we hope. Someone may have to knit him an overcoat.

It was such a perfect day Tuesday, Dell’s foot was just itching to press on the accelerator. So off we went to Reny’s in Bridgton. Dell was looking for a casual canvas shoe but no luck. We went on to No. Conway, visited J.C. Penney and had lunch, then the Christmas Tree Shop after which I was done.

Didn’t find much to buy but it was a lovely outing. Dell’s motto is “better go places while we can.” He is a good driver and likes to drive. Our new drivers' licenses arrived yesterday so we are all set for four more years.

Russell spent some time with his grandparents, Dana and Paula, this week. Russell helped his grandfather Dana at the garage where they were installing new doors and doing other improvements, They went to Lewiston to see the fireworks but were rained out.

Kevin and Kevin Jr., Russell and his father, Bernie and Owen and Pauline Morgan are having supper with Paula and Dana Friday night. Dana goes to Boston for his five-year check-up on Monday. On the way home they will stop at several job sites to see how things are progressing.

My thought for today: You only live once but if you do it right once is enough.