North Norway

NORTH NORWAY — Pride is a sin, I know, but we took great pride in our stargazer lilies that Diane planted when she built this house. We have a pregnant doe wandering around eating up the scatterings under the bird feeder and we have enjoyed her company.

Yesterday I was eating my breakfast in the sunroom and became aware that something was amiss. Finally I looked out the window and saw that the lilies were stripped down to just stems. That rotten, no good doe had eaten them down to nothing and also nipped the red-twigged dogwood. That grows so profusely that no harm will come from that.

So I can only hope that this doe will spawn, fawn or whatever they do soon and take her offspring far, far away. It will soon be too busy hereabouts what with the summer people, their dogs and kids, for her to be comfortable hanging around.

I have not been out and about much for a few days as I have had that miserable cold and didn’t want to spread my germs around. Dell has been doing the errands and is now shopping for our weekly groceries.

I did stir my stumps the day of the Camra annual reunion of retirees from CMP and went to Augusta to the Civic Center with Dell. Tried not to do any close contact with anyone but felt guilty nevertheless. Dell had a good time seeing some of the guys he worked with.

Of course they all lie and say they are fine and dandy and on top of the world whether they are or not. Whereas the women talk about their grandchildren and compare operations and aches and pains. Winters in Florida are also a great bragging point. To each their own, I say.

Sister Pat emailed to say they ate local yesterday. Maple syrup on their cereal, honey in their tea, their first cucumber and radishes on their own lettuce. And Shyla, the cat, proudly brought in two offerings and presented them. She is such a thoughtful cat.

Last Thursday, Mary was invited to a lobster feed at Poland Mining Camps where Frank had been all week at Pegmatite U. They had an interesting assortment of geologists, professors, students and rock hounds attend. Classes and field trips to local mines were enjoyed by all.

Friday in the early evening, Tricia and Katri arrived at Mary and Frank’s bearing fresh strawberries for all. Tricia and Katri stayed in the executive suite in Greenwood, (Dana and Paula’s 5th wheel). Saturday they went to Old Home Days in West Paris in the rain but had a very good time.

Frank came home about three in the afternoon and Paula, Dana, Katri, Tricia, Brenda, Paul, Zach and Luke arrived later, rather wet, and were glad there was a nice, warm fire to warm up with. They all had supper, visited and played Pass the Baby Around for awhile.

 Zach had to leave for home and drove his car with Paul in it to get in some driving hours. Paul had left his car at Patty’s house.

Sunday morning they met at Crosstone’s (sans Zach) and had breakfast. Luke was very good and had his breakfast when the others had theirs. He had a bottle. Tricia and Katri left for Massachusetts right after breakfast. In the afternoon, refreshments at Pat and Charlie’s was Strawberry shortcake made by Paula. Delicious biscuits.

There were two groups of students that visited Frank’s Mineral Shop last week. They were very excited to see the display of minerals and the section where the fluorescent minerals are displayed. One group went to a mine after the visit.

 Mary and Frank went to look for a replacement freezer as theirs quit and they lost a few packages of edibles. I believe they found what they needed at Agren’s in Norway.

Paula sent the following: Her words. “I have a bad case of garden envy and a touch of inferiority now. Just walked around McLaughlin Gardens and they are pretty nice. Although I like the scale of mine for maintenance and upkeep!

I keep saying I have done all the planting I’m going to do and then buy some more babies. Have a dozen things to plant. Hope to finish off the area around the Elm trees and a small spot near the veggie garden gate. And finally to get the squash, cukes and pumpkins planted. Thursday we planted some hostas and lilies and annuals down at the West Paris property.

 We own the "island" in front of the fire station and as soon as we got it all cleaned up last week, Dana said we should plant something there. The lady giving the horse drawn wagon rides left us some manure so we did a little bed on the most protected side.

If they do well, will add hostas and other perennials each year. There is already a carpet of lily of the valley on the sunny half of the island."

Dana has a job starting in York soon. Last year he was traveling to Eastport so this is barely a commute for him. Next Wednesday is the final day of school so Paula says she doubts they will be doing anything of substance but it will be fun to be there and feel the energy of all those kids anticipating a whole summer off.

I may have said this before but I have discovered the older you get the tougher it is to lose weight because by now your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends!