Thanks to All

It's been a long and exhausting trip from Maine;  18 days of family stuff, visits with dear friends and family, lots of shared memories - but most importantly, lots of love and laughter.

Thanks to all of you who shared your time, your joy and your laughter with us. We love you all.

Visiting my Father

Dad moved into assisted living about 3 weeks ago.  He's still adjusting, and although this was his decision, I know it's been hard for him.  His room is small, but he has lots of mementos from the home in Leisure World.

Tom Giblin at 92 - rocking away in Daddy Gib's rocking chair

We took him out every day - and amazingly enough, he was able to hop up into our huge truck (a feat that is a challenge for me).

And we went out to Gate of Heaven (yes, that's the real name) to visit mother.

Unfortunately, we missed the visit from the McDonalds!  Would have loved to see them, but I know dad was tickled for a visit from his favorite cousins!

Kevin, his dad Joe, and mom, Peggy, with dad at Raphael House

St Mary's Church

While camping near Harper's Ferry we made a return visit to the little, Civil War Church where we were married nearly 43 years ago!  The steeple is leaning a bit, but it's clearly well-cared for, and as charming as I remembered

camping on the C&O

After leaving Fred's family, we had a couple days to visit with friends in Virginia, and share a brunch with our cousin who lives very near to the C&O canal tow path.  We found a small campground right on the Potomac, and Fred biked to Harper's Ferry (and back).  It was a nice respite -

bikes, campfire, river, and herbs - we've got it all!

I also had a little time to get my paints wet, and finish a hand-sewn book for Kathy

Chambersburg PA

We've had a long week - and a difficult one.  Fred's mother had to be told that she will be staying on in the full-care wing, and her apartment was to be emptied.  Everyone has struggled with the decision, but Fred's mom is angry and frustrated, and is suffering from her loss of independence.  It's a shame that she has never really settled into this facility - it's beautiful and the staff has been wonderful - but she is REALLY unhappy now.

We worked for 2 days packing/ sorting/ donating.  It's amazing how much had accumulated in such a tiny apartment.

At least we did have a beautiful and peaceful campground to retreat to after "visits".....

love the colors of Autumn Mums

the campground is on a farm - you can tell by the tractor doing the mowing. .... also by the fragrance of dairy cattle.

Fred did get to enjoy some "down" time

Three creeks merge at this farm - one of which is the Conococheague (Con -i-ka-jig) - a  beautiful trout stream that figured largely in one of our most disastrous canoe trips .  We can tell you the story sometime!

packing up to head to Maryland

 Looking forward to visits with friends and family - and really really looking forward to arriving in Florida.

more later!

Fiber College at Searsport Shores

The end of summer brings this wonderful 4-day event at Searsport Shores Campground.  Each year Fiber College brings together countless fiber artists - offers dozens of workshops, free demonstrations, a vendors/ shoppers crossroads, and this year I put in my time at the Dyer's Tent!  such fun, such great people, so much to learn - and beautiful campgrounds!

getting tips from Louise (the Geritol Gypsy) - photo by Cheryl Lawson (thanks!)

Did you know that Alpacas hum??
       this is the girls' chorus

Dr Seuss  says it all:  THIS LIFE IS PRETTY AMAZING

where did the summer go???

it was a busy summer for us - mostly catching up on "house work" that gets left abandoned over the winter.

we happily found a new home for my piano - the one thing that suffers the most from the winter freezes.  7year old Amelia is now learning to play....this makes me very happy!

we had time to visit with lots of friends  -  and lots of friends visited from all over ....from Vermont, Mass, Maryland, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Virginia, California and Texas!  The Texans were folks we met last year at a campground on the Florida Gulf.... and they made their first trip to Maine in their 1970's vintage Airstream Camper.  Wish the weather had been better -  they got to see Maine at it's foggiest!

Bob & Patt Avery, Texas

We also enjoyed our regular cast of garden visitors

leopard frogs

lunar moths

momma deer with 2 fauns

and we celebrated Fred's 65th birthday with a day at Maine's FAMOUS pre-Civil War Fort Knox (where throughout its history NOTHING HAS EVER HAPPENED)

the happy geezer - YEAH Medicare !

It was a great day - beautiful weather - and amazing that after 27 years here we had never visited before