Dan's Ramblings

Dan here ~

Thursday has arrived. We had company today, Vanessa and her kids came for a visit. The kids went for rides in the old kayaks, I’m pretty sure that neither one fell in. After a nice chance to sit and enjoy the beautiful day we were glad to be under the awning as the sky opened up and it poured. It rained for quite a while. Then it cleared off and was lovely again. I think tomorrow is supposed to rain. I will probably go to Portland to pick up my new glasses. I am in hopes they will make a big difference. I have never thought my current pair fit and therefore can never seem to see what I want to. Time will tell.

My planters are doing as well as can be expected. It has been hard to tell what needs to get a drink what with all the rain. Almost all my planters have to deal with the wind that is usually blowing down one pond or the other as well. Here’s a couple photos of their progress.

This and That

Carol here ~

I almost made it outside for patio binding yesterday.  We washed off the chairs and end tables  so they would be clean enough for a quilt to lay up against as we had not done that since they were brought out of storage.  But it ended up being way too windy, I couldn't keep my hair out of my face and the thread kept getting tangled.  Oh well.  Of course, I could of come inside to bind but decided a nap sounded much better .

I did finish up the binding on 2025-28 last week.

2025-28

The Horseshoe Tourney

Carol here ~

Sunday was the 37th Annual Green Pond Horseshoe Tournament started by my mom, Avis Coolidge, a champion horseshoe pitcher. Sister Terri has kept the yearly event going since our mom passed in 2018. (minus a couple of c***d years)

It was a beautiful day for friends, relatives and neighbors to enjoy.

I'm just going to do a photo dump of the day. 

Choosing partners

Visitors

Carol here ~

I got some patio binding done yesterday. There was a lovely breeze and temp was in the low 80's.

The only issue I had was Dan's lilies ~

their sweet fragrant smell was giving me a headache!

Dan's Ramblings

Dan here, 

Thursday pm from the studio, too windy for a fire. 

What a day today was. Here is tonight’s sunset. 

It only got better later.

Visitors

Carol here ~

We are starting to see some color around the pond.  

We have been taking advantage of these beautiful fall days to get kayak paddles in.  Most days in the last couple of weeks there has been absolutely no wind, the pond has been like glass resulting in some amazing reflections.

A Very Busy Weekend

Carol here ~ 

First of all....

Arrgh!  My Facebook account has been hacked and disabled.  A couple of people have said they sent ID info to FB and a few weeks later they were back in.  I did that but it tells you nothing.  So I know nothing.  So frustrating!

Last Thursday my Florida sister, Tam, and her significant other, John, arrived for a long weekend visit.  Of course it rained all day Friday.

Niece Kelsi and hubby Luke treated us all to a lobster and scallop feed Saturday night.  We just about sat down to eat and this is what the clouds looked like over the pond.

Visitors

Carol here ~

I had a horrible week last week ~ had a really bad barfing episode on Tuesday.  Thankfully, I had an oncology appointment on Wednesday as I was very dehydrated and needed an IV of fluids.  My calcium and potassium levels were also low so need to go back tomorrow for a re-check.

Felt pretty lousy all week. ugh.  Doing better but still not back to my normal.

The Weekend

Carol here ~

This is the storm rolling in on Friday that took us from temp's in the 90's to temp's in the 40's.

I don't do well in extreme heat but come on!  Temp's back down in the 40's is a bit much.  Oh well, can't do a thing about it.

This and That

Carol here ~

I got the Morning Star quilt washed, dried and on the bed ~ I love this quilt!

This quilt was pieced by Dan in 2010 during our vacation at Jekyll Island, GA.  I quilted it this past spring and got it bound last month.  About time, huh?

The pattern is from the book "Nickel Quilts" by Pat Speth and Charlene Thode.  I believe it is still available to purchase from Amazon.

A Busy Sunday

Carol here ~

Yesterday was the Annual Green Pond Horseshoe Tournament.  It was started 36 years ago by my mom, Avis Coolidge, a champion horseshoe pitcher.  

Back in the day she competed ~ against the men.  They did not like it much as back then there was a women's category and a men's category but no rules that women couldn't pitch in the men's category.  The difference was the number of feet between the posts was less for the women.  My mother had grown up pitching against her brothers so she always pitched the men's court at 40 feet. I think the men mostly didn't like it because she always beat them!

Lots of relatives, pond neighbors and friends participate.  It's an all day event ending with a pot-luck supper.  (I made four dozen yeast rolls)

Here is the cheering squad..

August Fun

Carol here ~

Last week we went upta Rangeley to attend the Rangeley Friends of the Arts production of Sweeney Todd.

Everything about it was outstanding! Daughter Erin was the Director and also played role of Mrs Lovett, one of the lead parts.

Here is a newspaper review, written by Tim Straub.

Visitors/Weekend Photo Dump

Carol here ~

Summer has arrived!  What a gorgeous weekend!

We had visitors ~ on Thursday Dan's brother Greg stopped in for a quick visit.  (didn't get a pic)  Greg spends most of his time traveling around the country in his camper van.  

On Friday our friends Michelle and Stephen came by.  We enjoyed visiting on the front patio and lunch at the picnic table.  So good to see them!

A Visitor and Fall Foliage

Carol here ~

Monday afternoon my friend Wendy came for a visit. She brought me this gorgeous floral arrangement.

More Visitors!

Carol here ~

Yesterday, friends Michelle and Stephen rolled in on their motorcycle for a visit! They are RVing, staying in Scarborough, and cruising the back roads of Maine on their bike. We enjoyed lunch at the picnic table and a relaxing afternoon on the front patio, chatting and catching up. It was a beautiful day, not a ripple on the pond. So good to see them!

A Busy Weekend

Carol here ~

We had a busy weekend. Granddaughter Kailey was here for a couple of nights ~ I even swam with her yesterday. Well, sort of. I got wet and sat on a floaty for a bit.

Kailey has an orthodontist appointment this morning so am meeting Vanessa there to drop her off then going to my PT appointment.

Visitors!

Carol here ~

Dan did not get any stitching done last night as Erin, Evan and Parker arrived to spend the night. The quilting loft is now a bunk room. Both murphy beds and one blow up bed in use.

We haven’t seen the boys all summer ~ I think Parker has grown at least a foot! Of course, that is an exaggeration but he sure has shot up and is now about as tall as Evan.

Swimming in the rain happened and then games of Uno, Rummikub and Yahtzee ~ a fun evening.

More Summer Fun!

Carol here ~

Dan’s flower boxes of SunPatiens along the front retaining wall are finally filling in and showing off. Look how beautiful they are!

Yesterday, Vanessa and Jakob came over along with Vanessa’s sister-in-law Amy, her two kiddos Lincoln and Marin and mother-in-law Candy. It was a swimmingly good day for them to be here. Jakob just got new googles like Lincoln’s and Marin’s. He is a bit hesitant about trying new things and had never really “gone under” before. It was so cute ~ Marin was instructing him on how to use the googles and by the end of the day he was going completely under water.

This and That

Carol here ~

I missed my blog post yesterday so you are getting it today. I was slow moving yesterday morn plus we had to leave fairly early to get to my Chemo/Oncologist appointment. Bloodwork results still good.

My surgery last week eliminated my intense spine pain (just a bit stiff and sore) but my supporting muscles did not get the pain free memo. I had a rough weekend. I ached all over. When I went for my PT appointment on Monday the therapist said I had some very “angry” muscles. Yep, they’ve been screaming at me ~ but a little less screaming every day. She gave me a handful of exercises I can do sitting down that will help with core strength and lower back strength. She also massaged part way down my back on either side of my spine. Ahhhhhh, that felt wonderful. She didn’t do my lower back as I still had some bruising going on and she didn’t want to rile things up. I have another appointment this morning so hoping she repeats that spine massage.

The Weekend

Carol here ~

Vanessa, Lucas, Kailey and Jakob came for a visit on Saturday. They brought their canoe to leave here for the summer. I’m hoping I am able to get in it soon ~ I am missing my paddles around the pond.