Maine: the Most Peaceful State

Click on this sentence to read an interesting article from today's paper about Maine being named "The Most Peaceful State in America." 

 

Taking in Degas...

Connie brought the boys to the big city of Portland for some culture. They enjoyed the Degas exhibit at the Portland Museum of Art. Simon enjoyed the children's section, too.

Kate's Moose Hunt

Our friend and neighbor Kate went out Moose Hunting yesterday and nabbed this big one in a bog.

Spring Break... Moose Hunt

In search of moose, we took to the roads and headed up to Rangeley and what's called the Height of Land... the highest point where cars can get to. Rangeley is a summer and winter tourist town in the mountains about 40 minutes from Rumford.

We had burgers at a sports pub and then on the trip back, we saw two lonely moose on the edge of the road... a big male and smaller female. Unfortunately, the darkness didn't allow for photos and when Bailey started barking, the poor moose took off like blowing balls through the woods.

Spring Break.... Camp

The temperatures rose to near 80 degrees F and we took to the water urged on by Jan... "When are we going canoeing?" he asked for 6 weeks in a row. When started asking, there was still ice on the lake!

Brenda's and Connie's International Meal

Our friend Brenda and Aunt Connie cooked up a wonderful meal of German and Danish foods. Plus... a decadent dessert called Death By Chocolate. Another special memory for two special boys.

Zellie, Bailey, and the Boys at Black Mountain

We took Bailey and Zellie for a jaunt at Black Mountain. The photo album may be found by clicking on this sentence.

Caretaking Zellie

When Fred and Pam head off on vacation, Simon caretakes their dog, Zellie. He heads up to Fred's hospital, about a mile from our home, and feeds Zellie and the two cats, and then takes Zellie for a walk in the woods or fields.

Use your imaginations

The story behind this photograph includes spicy food, Simon, Febreze (a spray air freshener), and, of course, Jan.

Now, use your imaginations.

What's the sense of having foreign Elves if you can't put them to work?

Road trip to Portland

Today, we drove to the Maine Mall in Portland. After lunch and scanning a few shops, we headed into the city down to the Old Port section of town. We went into several shops, walked out onto the pier, and bought touristy junk. On the ride home we stopped at the baseball batting cages in Auburn and the boys hit about 50 balls with the machine pitching at a very fast speed. Very impressive hitting by both. We headed home to pick up Bailey... who had a blast playing with Golden Retrievers Chance and Pepsi... Bailey Boy is pooped!

Yes, we're still alive and kicking...

The boys begin spring vacation after today's classes. Nine days off for trips to Portland, maybe Boston, and perhaps Orono as well as baseball practice. Rich, on the other hand, goes into the busiest period of the year as the spring semester comes to an end and doctoral dissertations pile up on his desk (just two, but it feels like a pile). And Bailey? He's sleeping and doesn't know nothing about vacations.

Happy Spring Break!

Easter Egging at Connie's & Ben's

You may have guessed that Connie taught elementary school for many years. Jan and Simon are now, fittingly, her favorite students.

Happy Easter!

Easter Egging at Connie's & Ben's

Easter Egging at Connie's & Ben's

Easter Egging at Connie's & Ben's

Connie & Ben's Cake.... April Fool's Day

"We've got a cake for the boys," said Connie while Ben smiled wryly in the background. And as Jan began cutting the chocolatey mound with the sharpest knife we have in the house.... Nothing. A metal cake tin smothered with chocolate.

"April Fools!"

Post script: Naturally, Connie being Connie, there was another real cake sitting in the other room.

School Lunch

For the grandparents who are reading, you may like to know what the boys have for school lunch each day. Usually, it's a sandwich with meat, cheese, and veggies along with chips, cucumbers/carrots, cookies, and sometimes a fruit bar or a piece of chocolate.

Garrett's Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GARRETT SULLIVAN!

Our neighbor Garret celebrated his 9th birthday on the weekend and we partied with him!