Best Life

                                        A beautiful ride home - lots of sun, little traffic and clear roads.                                                      Fenway enjoying his "nest" with no Annie or Tallulah.                                                       Sorry Fenway.  Time to go back. As pretty as the snow can be, I have sufficiently filled my desire to enjoy the cold, white, icy stuff.  We left early with the temperature at 31 degrees.    Arriving in RI at 60 degrees - feels like summer! After stopping at the grocery s...

  After a quick trip to the transfer station to deposit trash and recycles, and their "Bargain Barn" to donate extra clothes etc. we took the long way home. Yup - it is still cold and snowy here in Rangeley!  Below freezing but with the bright sun, we ventured to Oquossoc and Mooselookmeguntic Lake.  For a little town it certainly was busy at the local grocery store (the only deli open at this time of year!). Word of the day - Lykke  (luu-kah).  A Danish word meaning the quiet joy of being content. happiness in life's small moments:  a warm cup of coffee, shared laughter, a cozy evening.  Not seeking more, just peace in enough.  A perfect word for this time in Maine between adventures and projects and travels. Manatee Appreciation Day.  Love these gentle sea cows!   National Little Red Wagon Day.  A childhood is not complete without one!                      ...

 After completing the emptying of the few remaining vacuum bags I have managed to find spots throughout the house for the multitude of books.  On every bureau top, the little space cleared in the bookcase and on the side tables.  I should be have something to read for years - mysteries, spies, romance, historical fiction and even some nonfiction.  A choice for any mood! And the word of the day - tsundoku.  The act of acquiring books and letting them pile up unread, happily knowing a world of stories is waiting whenever you're ready. Fenway spent the day between being a guard dog despite being nearly blind:                                                                       And napping on our laps. Between reading, cleaning and keeping the fire going (15 ...

 Happy 8th birthday Brianna!   Though we cannot be with you, know we are thinking of you and wishing the happiest of days!  Stay strong, fierce and loving!  Love you to the moon and back! Fenway is enjoying our time here in Rangeley.  A great walk this morning up the hill with a fine sleet falling. A great pre-dinner walk around the corner. In between I managed to empty most of the vacuum bags, read, nap, clean a bit and fill a large box for donation.    We have also "mapped out" the next few months.  A list of places we intend to visit. Projects we would like to complete.  Events we do not want to miss.  So many options!

In one week we have experienced: driving more than 1600 miles. watching almost 6 inches of snowfall and adjusting to almost 50 degrees colder. But enjoying every minute of it. We left RI early this morning.  Very early.  430am early.  The forecast called for winter storm conditions and we hoped to avoid most of it.   We were routed through Boston and Route 93 - absolutely beautiful in the dark of the early morning and the absence of traffic (though there were more cars than I had expected on a Sunday morning). As soon as we turned off the Maine turnpike - the snow began.  A brief stop at Walmart in Farmington for food and we kept going north.  Only the last hour was a bit sketchy and most of that was because of other drivers - the 18 wheeler in the ditch (he was okay) and the jerk in the pickup truck that decided to pass a dozen cars on the wrong side of the road, up a hill, around a corner in bad visibility.  Plows were scarce but with snow tires...

 A great day for an birthday party!  Turning 8 is amazing!  The weather - gorgeous.  The food -  yummy.  And the people - all happy to let Brianna be the star of the day!                                                  Brianna contemplating her birthday wish!                                                                 Huggables welcome at the table.                                                            Maddy, Layla and her baby.    ...