Rachael Carson's Salt Pond

Near New Harbor Maine on the Pemaquid penninsula is a small area with a marker dedicated to Rachael Carson. The marker and the few parking spaces along a narrow way are unremarkable, but the curious traveler and many local drivers pause there to enjoy the special beauty of this spot.

When the tide is out, a natural hollow along the shore line is left filled with the sea water. Small creatures of the sea are trapped there for a few hours waiting for the tide to return. Small creatures of the land, our human children, wade out to chase small fish and hunt the sea glass or other bits of treasure deposited by the tide. Then our children must come ashore, as the sea reclaims Rachael's Pond, and the waves breaking across the rocks dance to a pounding rhythm that never fails to hold me. Soon no outline of the pond can be seen and the story begins again. Jack asks me if I am ready to drive on, and I answer that I will never be ready, so we had as well go. E

Maine Paintings.

My friend Dixie shared a quote with me.... "Painting is just another way of keeping a diary " ~ Picasso. So true as I look back at the paintings I started in Maine. I have them spread about me, some plein air efforts and some done entirely from photos here at home after our trip. I expect to do quite a few more from pics. We took over 280 shots while there. I am learning that to be usable, the shots need to be carefully thought out, with attention to shadows and reflections and composition, if they are to be much help for my painting. Edyth

Still adding things to posts below. remember to click on any pictures to see them larger.

Weaving in Vermont

http://www.marshfieldschoolofweaving.com/AboutUs.htm is a link to Marshfield School of Weaving in Vermont. My friend Penny was there for her second weaving adventure in September of this year, while Jack and I were in Maine.

Last year Penny wove two precious tea towels during her first stay at the school. I know I am an honored friend because she GAVE one to Jack and me for Christmas! I treasure it as you might imagine. If you go to the link you will see the amazing barn loft where the weaving is done. All the great looms are in an area where the barn siding has been removed and glass walls look out at the Vermont woods. Penny plans another trip in 2012, perhaps two. If you have always wanted to do this, here is a real opportunity to have this joy.

Penny chose rich amber colors. I put a couple of pieces of Redware on it just to see how pretty it all looks.

Antiques in Maine and New Hampshire

We always begin a Maine vacation with a thrilling tour of York Antique gallery. It is one of our favorite places to view some of the very best of Antique American Folk art that is for sale. (Antiques at West Townsend Mass. is another!) We were not disapointed, there were many wonders to enjoy. Alas our cupboards are full and our pockets are not, but we had a great hour there anyway, and thought of things purchased there in the past years. We did pick up a nice book on Black rag dolls for friend Dixie. I confess I have read it before I have mailed it on to her. Now Debbie of Woolen Sails has found a pdf version of the book on line, so every one can have a look. Thank you Debbie. http://www.blackclothdolls.com/web.pdf

Pictured with the book are two early dresses for my doll family and tw o star quilt squares just because. The brown print dress needs mending, I will place another piece of similar old fabric underneath the hole and darn it down. Patches hardly show when you put them underneath instead of on top.

Another favorite place to shop is Rt 4 out of Concord NH, we enjoyed Austin's and Fern's and Parker French. E

foggy coast

Our 7th day in the cabin has come too soon. This is our last evening here and I think I would never be ready to leave. Out of seven days, four have been gray and foggy and rainy, a disapointment for me, although on each of these we did drive and find things to do and see, and we took more pictures along the way. e

East Booth Bay Painting day

There is a nice group of over 200 painters loosely organised as Plein Air Painters of Maine. A wonderful woman named Corinne McIntyre is a gentle low key organizer who posts the activities on the web and informs readers of places and times to paint together. I was thrilled to paint with a group of about 20 yesterday, and afterwards went home with Corinne to her lovely gallery next to the home she shares with her talented husband. The house itself is a heart stopping beauty, a large 2 story post and beam. Corinne is a noted artist with a lifetime of achievments in the field.

We had a golden day of sunshine on the rocks and breakers as we painted on private property along the shore near Ocean Point. Leaving, we drove along Ocean Point and stopped to hike the short public walkway there. I am daily amazed at the wild flowers! The Rugosa Roses are everywhere, now past their blooming season, they are filled with great rose hips. Only an occasional bloom reminds passersby what a glory these roses have been all summer. Wild asters and Goldenrod and so many more I do not know by name astound this west Texas girl with their profussion. All plants seem to grow so easily! In the part of Texas where I live, plant life has a hard time of it.

There are miles and miles of these wild gardens along the edges of the land, "Sea Roses" is another name for the Rugosa roses.

We drove around in the village of Booth Bay, but found that area too crowded to invite a stop. it was a short drive up to Wiscasset where we stopped in one great gallery and two antique shops. Back "home" to New Harbor to a fish dinner at Shaw's maybe the best in Maine! We finished the full day with taking a few photos in Round Pond Village, love that place! Edyth

Round Pond Day

Today is a quiet gray day on coastal Maine, I am glad I painted a bit yesterday and the day before, because today is not a good painting day for me. I know some will find a sheltered spot and revel in a muted foggy tonal effect.

Jack and I drove a different road this morning and discovered a charming village, Round Pond, a working fisherman's cove with interesting boats and gear for that. The village surrounding the cove is full of sweet properties, for we who love rural New England architecture. There was a sign in front of one house that said "rug hooking classes". It would have been fun to stop in and visit! I kept seeing little capes, some with a for sale sign, and confess to a great longing for one as a part time home. These are well loved and dearly priced. Texas has given us such a hard hot dry year that I think I could be somewhere else for a while. One pretty blue and white house in Round Pond had a neat little sail boat on the mail box.

And next we had a luncheon date, a special meal out for Jack to enjoy a lobster at Shaw's Wharf. I ate Haddock and salad and then we finished with blue berry pie. On the way back to our cabin, we parked beside Rachael Carson's Salt Pond nature area, so I could watch the breakers come in as the sea and the little pond merge, as they do twice each day at high tide. Moving and beautiful. There is a marker there. I look at the sea birds and remember how much we owe the writer of "Silent Spring". Edyth