moving day

It was a hard decision to make, but I decided to close my office. The hooties helped me move out today, in support of honoring the journey towards a more resonant present. Someday I will open it again, when I have more clear direction and am less divided between school, various teaching jobs, and my midwifery apprenticeship. It has been a good office space, and we wish its next occupants well!

foraging for fun

Today we had a grand time hiking around Bradbury with our friends David and Goldstar.
We wandered in the woods and found all sorts of interesting mushrooms! These were by far the our collective favorites though. While not edible, they did spark the hooties' interest by tickling their feet with their funny white scales.
After a lovely day of meandering in the woods we made our way back to Portland to meet some friends for a picnic and free Shakespeare in Deering Oaks Park. 12th Night, while hard to see, was hilarious and more than worth it for the community and camaraderie!

finding peace

After all that biking, we left Harriet to rest in Rockland, and made our way to Green's Island, where Hope grew up, off the coast of Vinalhaven. There we found our bliss. We enjoyed long, quiet mornings, rowing and wandering during the days, living simply without electricity or running water, and quiet mist.
During some of the daytimes we made our way by boat back to Vinalhaven and went swimming in the naked quarry with friends...
And watched beautiful sunsets together on the back side of the island...
as the rest of the world melted away.

A grand adventure with Harriet herself!

So, over the past couple of weeks we've been gearing up to go on an impromptu bike tour with our friends Harriet and Hope. We knew it would be an adventure, but we didn't realize just how many adventures we would have, all rolled into one!

The hooties were wonderful handlebar companions, being comfortable at rocket speed and in open air, wind in their furry feathers. They kept us company on our hilly tour of the Maine countryside!

Harriet is a tough old girl, and carrying four passengers plus a bunch of gear was her idea of a brilliant summertime adventure. We wondered if she had bitten off more than she could chew in accepting our offer, but she was determined. Sometimes her parts didn't work like she remembered them doing back in the day, and we'd have to get off and fix that chain that slipped, or get something welded. She pulled through, though, and we're pretty sure that she's stronger for it!
The hooties had rockstar seating up with the bike bell and the gear. An umbrella for shade from the sun, or in case of rain... and sun hats and food nearby just in case. Out front, they were right in their element!

and always very supportive when we decided we should all stop for ice cream...

or to appreciate a rest by the river...

for a number of days this is what things looked like...

(You can see more pictures and read stories about our epic journey at hopeandhannah.blogspot.com)

A trip to Vermont

They say there's no place like home, and I quite agree. So, the hooties and I decided to make the three-hour journey back home to the place I grew up... It was their first time leaving Maine.

Mom's garden's are absolutely lovely this time of year. Everything is so lush and green, vibrant, and bursting with color.
Despite the fact that they were far from their own home, they managed to find comfy perches and made themselves right at home. They especially loved the view.
From up on the hillside you can see forever... it was as though we were on top of the world!

What we've been up to lately...

We have been out walking... a lot. It has been so beautiful that it's impossible to stay inside when we have time off!

We've been spending lots of time on the ocean, listening to the waves.
And getting in some good cuddle time with Clio.
On one of the hottest days last week we went skinny dipping in the Royal River in Yarmouth, which was HEAVEN in the heat!
It was our first time there, and what a treat to know it is so nearby! There were lots of places to explore, a nice cool breeze in the trees, and not many other people. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon!
We also had a day filled with newness in small ways. We had lunch alone for the first time, our first beer at lunchtime, and our first po'boy. We will definitely be going back for more, on all accounts!

There was a man at Po'boys and Pickles that said he used to play for the Boston Bruins in the late 80's, and was known as "The Mullett." Apparently there are some funny videos of him on youtube. We might just have to check them out.

plans

We walked around last night for First Friday, and saw many wonderful sights.

But our favorite, by far, was the bike posse. They gave us their card (from the spokes of one rider's tires). We have decided unanimously that you will find us there at First Friday in August; we'll be biking through town on a blue tandem one-speed named Harriet.

art for Vermont

We spent the afternoon working on a project for kids to play with at the Lake Fairlee Festival back at home.

Pippa Drew wanted people from West Fairlee and Thetford to carve tiles for printing fish native to our lake onto clothing. So, the hooties and I made this pumpkinseed fish.

We only had watercolor paint and a paint brush to test it out with (rather than a roller), but despite that they came out pretty well! Here is a print from our little pumpkinseed, who is off in the mail already: