Maine Diary

Our annual July visit to Maine started with a pleasant ferry ride across the Long Island Sound to Connecticut. Then, onto our usual lunch stop at the Miss Worcester Diner, where the pancakes are the size of our American flag. We arrived safely at our rental cottage late afternoon, where I promptly took a nap. It is tiring to have Patti drive. Yet here I am in my comfort zone overlooking the ocean. Up early to Cape Porpoise with a stop for the New York Times, and my coffee opens me to a landscape of painting opportunities. The lobster boats bob gently in the harbor. The ocean fog slowly dissipates as the sun warms the air. The musical background of WQXR plays on my Bronco radio. It is too early in the day to sign up for this summer’s library card, but I have plenty to read in the meantime. My painting supplies arrived with the Bronco from camp, so I am poised to start drawing. My new book –Leibisch’s Journey—was published over the weekend. I am thrilled in anticipation of finally holding a copy in my hands. My camping friend, Ted, my doctor friend, Steve, and I are planning an overnight camping trip next week at Spednick Lake. It will be story fuel for another article for Maine Homes, Boats & Harbors magazine.

I started off the summer in Kennebunk with a 5K run/walk. I believe I was the oldest runner and made it in 50 minutes –not a big finish, but I finished. My diet so far has been lobster rolls and pizza—a well-deserved menu after burning a few more calories than usual. It has been a great couple of days here so far, and I look forward to a bit more trail running with Patti. A few of my winter friends are here for the season, and we plan to resume our lunches. All’s good, and my spell of optimism continues.