And it's a wrap...

Finally, the writing center book is finished and the cover has been finalized. This book, like no other, has been a battle. I learned a lot of lessons from writing this piece, from organization to fighting the tedious back and forth with informants. While writing, I was reminded of the late Donald Murray's words at the beginning of his chapter in my book Teaching the Neglected R. Murray wrote, "One of the many gifts of the writing craft is that our apprenticeship never ends." True that.

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Bailey's Alex

Bailey and his Alex
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We have the good fortune to welcome Alex from Germany who's visiting us for a week... yet another brother for Bailey to torment and to beg for belly rubs. Alex attended Mountain Valley High School this year; he played soccer, raced on the ski team, and battled it out on the tennis team. He also enjoyed a cooking class at the high school. Last night, we had a small dinner party here for our dear friend Brenda Sassi (below) who's moving to North Carolina next week to be close to her daughter Katie and her children. At the dinner Alex joined right in with conversations, and that was special since all of us were over 60 years old. It's fun to see a teenager handle a unique situation like that with such ease. Today, he walked down the street to watch the Trek Across Maine--a charity event with around 2000 bikers. They're riding from the mountains of Maine to the ocean during a three-day ride. One thing Alex may not love about Bailey: this morning, our rambunctious pup  slammed into Alex's bedroom at about 8 a.m. with a howl! Just what a teenager needs on his first few days of summer holiday. But really, it's just Bailey's way to say, "Welcome, Alex."

Brenda and Sonke (Germany) and William (Denmark)
October 2015

      

Red Hill & Black/White Trail

We spent a sunny spring afternoon hiking the trails up Red Hill over to Black/White trail. After hiking the back side of of Black Mountain, we went to the large tower on the summit ad then down the ski trails. 

Click on photos to enlarge. This is Mount Washington from Red Hill.

Contemplating life

Bailey turns 7 years old...

Over the years I've read books and websites about Bernese Mountain Dogs. Most address the sad reality of a Berner's longevity... cancer and bad hips take them early and often. Their average life span in the USA? About seven years.  Pretty sobering.

On Sunday, Bailey's 7th birthday, I treated him to a one-inch piece of bacon and a few extra dog treats. We took a long walk in the pouring rain and stopped at our local garage where the attendant handed him several treats. In truth, Bailey's life is one big smorgashborg.  

During the day, I also thought a lot about this milestone year. Seven. We dog parents sure do get connected to our pets. When they die, do we mourn them or the part of our own lives that has been lost? Both, I suppose. Since Bailey is with me most of the time–and I do mean "with" me–after his death I know I'll feel the emptiness.

As I write this quick blog, Bailey is asleep on the floor in my home office. His left paw is about 3 inches away from my right foot. He's always nearby. That's the nature of Bernese Mountain Dogs–they need to be with their people. And I suppose the same holds true for us: we have to be with our Berners.

Bailey Tuckerman at about 8 weeks old. 

Two days after "ice out."

I saw on Weld's Facebook site, "You Know You're from Weld, Maine if..." that the wind came up on Friday, April 28, and out went the ice. One Spring I arrived the day of ice out--I figure I missed the event by a few minutes, but on the beach in front of the Burt Camp, a pile of ice about six feet high and 30 - 40 feet long lined the beach.

Duncan! 

The last of the snow on Little Jackson. 

The winter winds and snow slapped the wood pile around. 

Birds and the %$#^ Squirrel

This winter I began feeding the birds. Except for the damned squirrel, I've enjoyed the experience. Here are few shots from this spring. You'll note Bailey in the last mound of snow in our yard. Plus, the squirrel.  

After a Whitecap Mountain hike. 

%$#%

Road Trip: The Presidential Range (NH)

Presidential Range from near Twin Mountain, NH. 

Click on all photos to enlarge. 

Mount Washington.

Mount Washington with the Cog Railway traversing the slope.

Mount Washington Hotel

Mount Washington with the Cog tracks to the left

Top of The Rock. 

Ravine to the left of the Cog is Burt Ravine

Burt Ravine

Celebrating Anne

Anne, Betty, and Joe

I have been searching for a gift to celebrate my writing partnership and friendship with Anne. When I saw Blue Violet by Mary Hart, I knew I'd found the perfect piece.

Tonight, we toasted the end of winter (even though it's 6 degrees with a wind chill of –20) with a vegetarian dinner replete with delectable h'orderves by Joe and a scrumptious casserole by Anne.

Blue-Violet by Mary Hart

First home at Anne and Joe's 

P.S. Click on photos to enlarge. Mary, check out the painting over Betty's head :-)

Uncle Allen's Gift... Twins?

Bailey's Uncle Allen sent us a look-a-like t-shirt today. Does this make us twins? Thanks, Allen! It's great to be remembered.

Click photos to enlarge