Autumn Reflections

Fall always has a way of sneaking up on me.  It's summer and warm and for the most part life is good.  Little by little though Autumn is working its way into my heart.   This year was no different or was it?

Most men, when they reach the age of their mid-life crisis..oh yes, they do have one, they usually want a big red sports car or an exotic vacation. Some even want a new wife.  Some don't even have it at mid life, they have it at three quarter life...like my husband.  The title of this page came to me in a flash when I saw this camera in my LR catalogue...lots of reflecting this fall.  With Jim and the boys and what it means to come full circle in our family..

I have a Flickr/Facebook friend.  The sweetest there is.  She started this adventure for us over a year ago. Chris knows of our love of Maine, and the great outdoors, so one day she sent me a photo of a little camper called a Tear Drop.  I showed it to Jim...and then he was gone, looking for this camper.  Now, can I say, we have camped for many years.  The entire time the our kids were little until we bought our house in Maine, we camped every summer vacation and weekends in between.  I am over camping.  He's not.  So because I didn't think it would really happen, I went along on this passion of his last year for awhile.  After deciding for sure that we would never own a Tear Drop, way to small and I told him a bear would just pick that thing up and take us away, he finally gave up, or so I thought.

This is what showed up in my driveway in Maine this summer. Defiantly not a teardrop.. Long story short, this summer he started looking again.  I knew the bug never left him.  We compromised.  He could get a camper, for him and the boys. He desperately wanted to take them camping to share the experiences that he had with his own kids.  That was a good argument.  The deal was he was suppose to get around a 20 ft. camper that would fit in our driveway in Maine and also at our house in Massachusetts. Most of their camping would be done in the drive-ways, with a 20 mile radius around each house.  I didn't think he could get in to much trouble with that.  What he came home with was a 24 foot trailer but he says he got it for a good price. I have to admit it was in great condition even though it barely fit in the driveway in Maine...he was off and running and so were the boys that first weekend they came to visit us in Maine.  It was Jim's surprise for them, and yes, they made me sleep in it the first night...until alarms starting going off around 5 in the morning and I was out of there.  Everything is fine now..something that needed replacing. 

So now he's tried the driveway..not so bad. He wants real camping...so off we go, last weekend, to beautiful Point Sebago campground, fifteen minutes from our house in Maine.  A Halloween adventure happening there and the boys are prime to go. So the shot above is Jim's new toy..for the boys.  That is Liam, sitting at the picnic table playing a game or making a project..so far so good.  It's up and working.  The rest of the post will be in photo's...come on, you all know you want to go camping with me..

I did say it was Halloween, right?

 Even the trees dressed up in their finest colors...

Have you ever experienced a camp fire at 7 a.m. in the morning when there is a definite nip in the air...if not, you don't know what your missing.  There is not a better smell or sound, than bacon sizzling on the grill..that grill is from when we camped over 30 years ago. Guess that tells you something about us.  Jim and Jenna did all the early morning outside work.  I prepped in the little kitchen and the boys, well, they did what little boys do.  They played games.  One of my favorites, Sorry.  Thank you Parker Brothers.

Camp-fires are a very important part of camping, especially for small boys.  They love sparklers and storytelling and in general trying to set the world on fire.  This night it was only a tiny piece of Jaxson's jacket. Don't forget the toasted marshmellows and samoa's also. I think the looks on their faces tell more of a story than words ever could.  Yup, so far so good Papa.

 Just because I love this face...so grown up now, but still my sweet boy.

Hiding in the tree where no one could see him or so he thought.  

Liam and Papa doing important paperwork at the campfire.

 Jenna keeping Gracie nice and warm, wrapped in her shawl.  Jenna is the best camper...She just loves it.

Beware...there are Ninja turtles everywhere...Off to go trick or treating around the park.

Mommy is not afraid of the dark approaching...she is protected by her Ninja boys.

One little Ninja gets tired so he gets a ride on Daddy's shoulders.

After trick or treating me..all the carved pumpkins from the afternoon project where put on display for judging..I wonder, did they win?

Every good Halloween event must have a Haunted Hay ride.  Meet Broom Hilda.  Scared the crap out of everyone.  The scenes were even worse.  Liam and I got scared several times and Jaxson hid in his mom's wrap...so much fun..

Poor guy really got knocked out when those other buggers saw the pole that he was working on...

Beware of spooky grave yards...

Enough of that spooky hay ride...the boys waiting for their turn in the bouncy house.

The perfect end to a Halloween adventure...days always end at the campfire and it doesn't have to be your own...

So there you have it.  Did I reflect, yes I did.  Every moment of this camping trip was a reflection of the past. The time that Papa and I spent with Chris and Jenna around a camp fire, and being outside from early morning till well past bedtime were some of the best family vacations we've ever taken.  Now to have this opportunity to do this with the boys is wonderful, both for us and for them.  I also know Jenna won't be far behind.  It's a special kind of joy.  The kind that comes from being with the ones you love, and really enjoying nature at it's best.  It really is all about hot dogs and hamburgers...the little things.  Even if they are only in a 20 mile radius around your house.

“The soul is healed by being with children.” ~Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Apple Orchard Time

It's been a busy weekend in Maine...bringing in all the outside furniture, washing all the sheets and blankets and packing them up for the winter.  Cleaning and sorting. Getting the fire bin full of wood for those long winter days of reading and snuggling.  It is a lot of work but as I do it, I remember all the family that shared in those bed sheets and towels.  All the fun we had in the sandbox with the trucks and little boys..the story telling, snuggles, book reading and naps that took place on our hammock.  The boat rides and afternoon lunches as we drifted across the lake.  So many summer memories, some the same each year, and then as we all grow, new memories are made...this summer was especially good with the boys being here often with their Mom and their Dad..  now all is quiet with most of the summer people gone.  We will gather wood for our fireplace for winter reading and sipping hot tea and Maker Mark.  Playing indoor games and cooking.  We are never closed for business here at the Maine house but we do say goodbye to summer...

It's not all sad though..because fall does it's own ballet of beauty here in our little piece of Maine. Like summer, I don't want to miss out on the changing colors of leaves, apple picking, smelling the wood fires burning and collecting my acorns..only the ones with the hats.  Today I watched a chipmunk gathering his acorns also..he seemed to be able to do it much quicker than me. The air was crisp, the sun was shinning and so I felt I deserved a bit of time by myself and I took me and my Canon Girls for a ride...we loaded up the truck with our gear and a drink and we headed to the apple orchard.  Along the country roads though, I found so much more than apples...but for today, I'll share my time at the orchard.  

To me there is nothing more relaxing than to be on my own, in either the car or the truck...in Maine, it is always the truck.  I turn the radio up loud, tune in to my Xm Radio station and I rock out.  I love singing and making hand movements, tapping the steering wheel...I'm like a one woman band inside that steel machine. So off I went down Rte11 and finally I got to the apple orchard.  Nothing is really close in Maine but that's the beauty of a fall ride, don't you think.  Ride a little, stop a little, smile a lot.  So here are a few lovely red's I got today and yes, I did eat a few on my way home.  In my mind though, I was smelling apple crisp.

So each seasons brings it challenges and it's work.  In the scheme of things though, we can't let the good times get by us. We have to make that effort every once in awhile to stop and enjoy and smell the apples. Before we know it these sweet days of Autumn will fall off, just as our summer days has done.  At the end of the day though, I want to be able to write about this season and what it brings to my life.  I hope you savor every moment of color, sunshine, crisp air, warm bulky sweater, tall boots and great kitchen smells of yes, apple crisp baking.  Don't forget the vanilla ice cream...Cheers to Autumn and Cider donuts, warm sweaters and scarfs, little boys running through leaves, the moon rising and the love of life flowing...Life's a witch and then you fly...enjoy it while you can...

Mount Katahdin...The Bowl

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.

Natures peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.

The winds will blow their own freshness into you,

and the storms their energy,

while cares will drop away from you,

Like the leaves of Autumn."

John Muir

Chicago...Downtown

"It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses"..."Hit it."  Ellswood...The Blues Brothers...

"Chicago seems a big city instead of merely a large place"..A.J. Liebling...

And so begins our trip to Chicago...for the 5th time. This summer I've taken you to several different places in Maine and in the early summer I took you on a trip to New York City and Central Park.  Today, you get to see Chicago with me, another city that doesn't really sleep. Another very easy walking city.  Well not so much for me this time with my bad knee, but even with that knee, that doesn't want to go anywhere anymore, we were able to see the city we love, meet with friends and once again fill ourself up with great culture, window shopping and fantastic food.  

For us Chicago is an easy trip..2 hour plane ride, then the train into the city.  This time we did Uber on the way back to the airport and that seems to work much better and it was really quite reasonable... Oh, that Magnificent Mile...do you see Burberry above.  I love that plaid scarf but only for looking at.  So let's get started on our tour of downtown...and maybe later I'll share my food and friends post.  I do have to say here though, that we stayed with really good friends.  One of my very first Flicker friends.  Such gracious and sweet young people, who have become part of our family...so many gifts they bring to our lives...If you want, you can read more about them here.

Whenever we come to the city, this is our first stop.  It is right where the train lets us off, up one flight of stairs and you're there. Jim love this place.  They referred to it all the time on Saturday night live..it's limited, only burgers and hot dogs. No fries, just chips, no pepsi, just coke..and Schlitz on tap. You probably figured out we grew up in the 60's..

The beginning of the Magnificent Mile...tall buildings and lots of people, although on this day it wasn't so crowded.  September is such a good travel month...

We sat for tea in the afternoon.  The weather was perfect.  Sidewalk seating and always the best people watching.  This lovely was enjoying her joint and dancing and doing yoga poses and talking up a storm to herself,  for all who cared to watch..like me.  I love people watching. Her dancing was abruptly cut short as three of Chicago's finest came by and smelled the weed..she quickly packed up and vacated the property, with her escorts trailing behind her...

I'm not promoting him by any means but I had to include his building in the architecture of the city...of course, he's the tallest of them all...such a show off. Trump Tower. LOL

Late afternoon..looking down toward Lake Michigan with the sun going down over the city

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Crown fountain as you walk along Grant Park...the kids have so much fun here. It was the perfect day for running through the spray.

Another little park connected to Grant Park along Michigan Ave...everyone was out enjoying the day..

Just another of the many beautiful statue's in the city...

Everytime I go, I end up at the Bean...it is just so much fun to take photo's here...I'd love to come really early some morning before any people arrive...can you find me.

On our way to the Field Museum, we had to walk over a bridge..this shot was taken on the bridge, looking back into the city..I think it is really the view that tells the story of downtown Chicago the best. The tracks give the feeling of another era, while the modern buildings tell of today.  Chicago is a fascinating, fun, cultural, food loving city.  No car necessary, just good walking shoes.  I would also recommend the book, The Devil in the  White City, by Erik Larson. Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America in 1893.

Home now for awhile but so many great memories of our little summer trips this year.  Although we do love seeing the bigger world, lately we have felt the pull to stay home and visit our own country.  There is a lot to offer in these United States and we've got some more milage to add on.  See you on the next trip...much closer to home...

"You are an aperture through which the world is looking at and exploring itself."  Allen Wilson Watts.

Misty Morning

"We seem so proccupied with filling space.

This is a place where the space fills you.."

Maine.