Early snow

It's a mix at the moment: snow, rain and wind blowing all over the place. Our street has been plowed so we'll get to shovel out the end of the driveway where the banks have been deposited. Our shovel has this cool foot-pedal thingy that lets the lower body get involved in the job. Luckily, we aren't in the belt that has lost power all over New England. That's something we are going to have to plan for.
So today will include some cooking, some football, some knitting (I do need a new hat) and some looking out the windows at Mother Nature.
Happy Sunday to all y'all.

Gearing up

25 degrees this morning. Snow predicted tonight and Sunday. Today those shovels and rakes are getting purchased, as well as a coat for Annelle, who still has only Georgia cold weather clothes. Everyone here is distressed that there will be a measurable snow before Halloween (apparently that's too early.)
Interesting observation: leaves in our yard fall in a way that looks like birds flying. Not every-which-way, but in a more horizontal line to the ground. I've been fooled often, though now I'm onto the ruse.

Friday off

Drinking coffee, looking out over the frosty marsh. It's sunny and clear- no snow as predicted. Gives me a little more time to get shovels and roof rakes.
We bought snow boots this week! And, at the neighborhood association meeting, found out there are snowshoe and cross-country ski trails in our neighborhood!! The association is quite a body. I think around 10 people on the board, lots of committees, lots of activities. I may get involved with the trails group. The meeting was in the First Congregationalist Church- it reminded my of my childhood, going to meetings with my father when he was active in small town New England politics. There is a woman on the board from Mississippi! Her accent was music.
I am getting used to the Maine accent, but it still takes some attention to get all the nuances. And I've found myself drifting with a few words and wondering how long until you tell me I sound different. Some of the people here think I have a southern accent and some don't. Funny, people's perceptions.

A very productive day

This morning had an impromptu brunch then got to rearranging furniture (thanks Jane and Drew)and hanging art. It looks like we live here!! It was fun exploring all the places to see which pieces felt better in which spots. Some pieces made several stops before they found homes. All the carpet bunnies were vacuumed. The house is feeling like home!

Glorious Friday

It's a beautiful day in Southern Maine. Lots of sun and white, fluffy clouds. I walked out of the hospital this afternoon to see a gleaming Fore River on my left and a low-flying-just-taking-off plane in front of me. 60 degrees. Perfect.
Finished the dump deposits of removed carpet (hooray) and we now have matching floors upstairs. The weekend will allow us to get things a little more settled. The guest bedroom is all ready for company. Who's first?

A little whine

OK, this weekend I've started freaking out. About everything. The house, money, friends, health, etc, etc. Luckily I've had enough experience with this (unpleasant) side of myself that I know it will pass eventually. Flooring should be finished next weekend too, so we can actually put things in places upstairs where they can stay. I like order. I need a little more to stop my obsessing. Aaaaauuugh.

Delightful rainy day off

Got to sleep in this morning and am just puttering today. I did something I've never done before- I packed summer clothes in two boxes to put in the attic! Crazy. I also went to the library and got a library card (October is national get-a-library card month.) It's a one story building that's maybe the size of the first floor of the Athens library. Very cute. And, of course, linked with the system all over the state. They even have kindle books to check out!
The ground is covered with colorful, wet leaves. Lovely.

early am

Off to work in a few minutes. Good day yesterday in the OR- did some cases and got a tour of the building. Ate lunch overlooking the river. Came home and crashed. This morning have an inservice at the main building (shuttle up there and back) then a big case and a few small ones (urology today).  Computer training also today for the specific OR system.  Looks very similar to what I'm used to, so should be a breeze.

Orientation

I'm ready to go to the OR tomorrow! As many of you know, orientation is not usually much fun. Sitting, entering stuff in the computer, listening, reading insurance papers, etc. Tomorrow will be more specific to the OR (different computer system, as is common everywhere)and I'll be physically in the OR instead of an auditorium. Better.
This morning the sky was a riot of pinks and reds. The trees are well on their way. Cool fall day that couldn't be beat. Found a pizza dive near the house that's great: portabellos, , red onions and cheddar (!) all on a nice thin crust. And I have lunch for tomorrow to boot.

Beginning to turn

Uncertainty

Jack wants to go outside. Sort of. Both cats have been out a little, mostly with us on the deck. Today I have the door open so they can come and go as they please. If Jack does go out, he hides under the deck. Otherwise he's as above: uncertain.
My Honda is visiting the shop today as the check-engine light came on yesterday and it felt like I was driving a 20 year old Dodge. Luckily warranty applies. Master bedroom is getting flooring (bamboo) at the moment. And it's 70 degrees!

Sunday afternoon

It's a beautiful day here. In the 80s and not humid. This morning we got up early and took a walk on the ET, hoping to see a few birds (we saw a few) and hoping to see our house from the trail. We had looked at Google Earth to try to see just where we should look in relation to the golf course on the other side. Right on! When the leaves are gone it will be easily visible.
Speaking of leaves-I was wondering when they were really going to start changing. We had seen some color, but not much yet. Then in the past two days we've started to see an explosion. It's almost like we can actually see them changing from one hour to the next. Unbelievable. And the new-mown yard looks so nice in front of the changing trees. The Great Blues are making their last appearances, as are (we hope) the Mosquitos. One more day off for me before starting work. I'm ready.

Frost

It's cold and quiet on the marsh this morning. Canada geese have made their commute and everyone else must be sleeping in. 33 degrees. I did turn the heat on this morning for the first time, all the way up to 64. We decided we may need to buy a few sweaters (I own none)! Fleece is good, but nothing beats wool in real winter weather.

Lobstah lunch

My first lobster roll (1/2 lobster roll) as a resident of Maine! Took surprise lobstah lunch to Annelle at work today after recycling boxes.  Lobster rolls are hot dog buns (kinda) with hunks of lobster meat, lettuce, and whatever else the local place adds. Lots of pepper in this one, mayo base. Yum.  I think I'll need to have another soon, before the season ends. Lobster Shack, here we come.

Second room of carpet removed. License tags applied.  Deer out in the marsh. Life is good. 

Today's view

It's a beautiful, brisk, windy day here at the Scarborough Marsh. Changed the flat tire on my bike and took off to check out the Eastern Trail, which we can get to through the neighborhood without riding on any main streets. It's a hardpacked gravel road that goes on for several miles where people jog, ride, hike, etc on the other side of the marsh from us. Did a short out-and-back. Waiting for Annelle to do more exploring. This is a place I think we'll be spending lots of quality time. When the leaves have all fallen we're hoping we'll be able to see our house from the trail. There was a quick shower that started just as I started home, but I managed to out-ride it.
Unpacked a box of Pete's art today just to visit with some of the pieces. Having another mini-homesick moment. I love it here and I'm feeling a million miles away from friends.

After dinner fun

Yes, we tore carpet out of the master bedroom. Not too bad. The tack strips, however, were where the real fun was. OMG. And the staples for the padding! After 2 hours of that, we think we'll just pay to have the installer remove the rest. money well spent. Things are taking shape in the house and we're still pinching ourselves regularly.
Today the pair of greater yellowlegs, a huge great blue heron and a flock of egrets were out braving the rain. We also saw what we think must have been a juvenile little white heron! Don't think it was a white morph of a reddish egret (boo) as they are not usually found around here. Very exciting bird day. Our neighbor, Helen, says the red-eyed virio is a year-round resident. That will be a great one to spot. One planned, non-house related purchase: an adapter for the camera to take photos through the spotting scope.
Two tired and happy peas tonight.

Rainy Saturday

Beautiful rain. Good day for garage organization and errands. Then home to enjoy the water (still quite a lot at high tide). Saw a snowy egret and a greater yellowlegs. Set up the spotting scope! It is so unbelievable we have vacation views from our own deck. We heard the wild turkeys, which are all over the marsh. Will we ever get over the splendor? I can't see it happening, really. And there is still such an element of amazement that we have done this crazy thing.