Best Life

  A great day for an early morning walk along the Blackstone Valley Bike Path.  A favorite meeting place,  it provides woods, pavement, dirt paths, solitude and just enough hills to make it a perfect place to walk and talk.  And by walk, I mean to briskly stride while talking nonstop and working up a sweat.  The best way to start the day - outside, sweating with a friend.  Just over 3 miles it was a fast hour. Then a few chores - pull the pork for dinner (simmering all night in the crockpot infusing the house with sweet fumes), have the car washed and rake a little. Lunch at Bandidos.  I miss this restaurant and have yet to find Mexican elsewhere that I enjoy as much.  And another fast lunch where the conversation never stalled and after all these years (almost 40!), we still have so much to share.  I am blessed to have such an amazing friend.  Bumping into each other all those years ago and becoming part of each other's journey - pricel...

And just like that - the weekend is over.  Today was spent enjoying family while eating too many yummy foods.  After a delayed start due to fire (the grill flamed high and required removal of the nearby propane tanks and grabbing the fire extinguisher just in case before the fire sputtered out), the ham cooked beautifully.  Thank you everyone for pitching in with various appetizers, sides and desserts.   The girls were predictably entertaining as they played in the yard.  Brianna was the "dog" on the leash and Layla "walked " her around on her hands and knees.  They visited the ponies and Brianna collected horse hair and smeared in onto her arms.  Why?!?   No reason.  But when I rang the dinner bell, they knew to come running.   Another fast card game that Paul won again after Scott lost big on the last hand.  Then a desperately needed walk before the sun set. Word of the day - Absquatulate - to leave abruptly or disa...

  Brianna and I made a trip to the Cumberland Library this morning.  With temperatures below freezing, we walked briskly from the library to the playground and then the bookstore.                                                                   Her favorite swing.                                                                      A creepy outside room(?)                                                         ...

Fenway has re-adjusted to being back with Megan and TJ.  He may stare out the window looking for us and cry when we visit but he doesn't cling to us when we hang out or try to sneak out the door anymore. Busy, busy, busy day.  While I cooked and baked in preparation for Palm Sunday dinner, Paul and Kevin had their own projects.  Kevin - running stereo wires.  Paul - assembling a new coffee table.  Both jobs frustrating and painstaking.  I had it easy making mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole and pound cake. Maddie helped shred the cardboard. And Paul and Scott re-hung the beam for Brianna' swings.  The intense winds this winter and the swaying of the trees, caused the bolt to snap.  A quick fix. An early dinner (I made frittata for the first time) and a late night playing cards.  Annie and Tallulah are entertaining to watch - poking each other like siblings.  I don't think Tallulah knows she is a cat. And on this date 2021 - we were at ...

                                        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!                      ...