North Norway

NORTH NORWAY — This week I will begin by reminding all AARP members that there will be no regular meeting in August. We have the trip to Cook’s with boat ride on August 13.

Sure hope it is a nice day and smooth sailing. If the water is rough you can find me ashore somewhere as I am not a good sailor. Looking forward to the outing. And the lobster.

Friends Bob and Brenda just came back from a trip to Alaska. He had been stationed there when he was in the Air Force and they had a good time, hired a car, and drove around, took the train into Denali and generally toured around.

Saw grizzly bears with cubs and lots of wildlife including the natives. Can’t wait to get together with them and hear all about their trip.

Pat and Charlie Verrill entertained with a taco party for the birthday celebration for Deven Andrews, Ian Andrews and Dana Morgan.

Pat Verrill, Mary Perham and Betty Hayes went over to the Ruby Slipper for lunch to observe Mary’s birthday. She keeps having them annually even though I tell her it is not healthy to get older.

Paula Perham drove us in her “limo”-like car. It sure is a beauty and makes one feel special.

Kara and Six had a spaghetti lunch with Pat and Charlie on Wednesday (spaghetti day). Preparation for Six includes removing his shirt as he really gets into it and applesauce and spaghetti can make a mess. It’s easier to hose him down than wash his clothing.

Paula and Dana have been enjoying the company of their grandson, Kevin Jr., now and then. He attended the Taco Party and fit right in. Right now Paula is babysitting Paul and Brenda Perham’s son, Luke, as the regular sitter is on vacation.

I could hear Luke talking to his toes, which he finds pretty interesting. He is a very happy, smiley baby. Kevin Jr. was teething and wasn’t too happy one day last week but by the weekend was back to his usual cheerful self, although he chews anything and everything. Got to get those teeth through his gums.

Yesterday when Dana got home they went to visit Dana’s nephew, Luke Morgan and wife Casey and newborn daughter, who is a charmer at her young age.

For those of you asking about Chicks and Sticks, the steel band group, it is already over and done with and you missed it. Erica Brown, fiddler, will be playing at the Oxford bandstand on August 7 and I hear she is very good.

Mary and Frank Perham had Charlotte Winchester, Dana and Paula in for lunch with them the other day.

Frank’s friend, the lobsterman as I call him, delivered a bunch of lobsters last weekend so they shared them with family. Everyone should have friends like this.

Paula is busy finding accommodations for their crew for the job in York which starts in another week. Not easy to find any at a reasonable rate this time of the summer.

There are a lot of details involved to keep a business going and to keep the help happy. This motel she has been negotiating with is right by the ocean so that should be a plus.

Our neighbors, the Shillings, Sandy and Warren, made the paper this week. Good for them. They are excellent neighbors and good citizens of the town. We barely see their lights through the trees but I hear the slap of their screen door and that brings back good memories.

These automatic door closers are not the same. Father used to holler at us for slamming the door so much but it a very summery sound. It’s been very good weather for sitting out on the porch and listening to the sounds of summer. And dozing off in my chair with the cat.

We have mother raccoon with four young ones, so cute, that come under the bird feeder. If we put out an ear of corn she is right there, even in daylight. Are we teaching them to raid the corn patch? We do not have one and do not think anyone nearby has either.

Had to go to Lewiston to the doctor's yesterday. Rain showers predicted and could not find my rain hat. Looked in the refrigerator and in the oven and still no hat. Could not imagine where I had put it.

Dell said I had a brain “fart,” but friend Eleanor said it’s not a senior moment but an “Intellectual Interlude.” Doesn’t that sound better. I entertain these fairly often.