Island Update Ending August 10, 2003

Very consistent weather up here. Every day this week we have awakened in the fog and it has either stayed all day long or if it let up like on Wed, Thu and Fri it was back in the afternoon. Diane figured out that on their 10th day, tonight, this was the first night they could see Portland. We also have had varying amounts of rain thrown in. Today started out in the fog as usual, but turned out to be a beautiful day even though there was a shower this afternoon.

Monday we used the golf cart for an ambulance transport to the ferry and had another trip scheduled, but it was canceled because of the weather. You never know what you will be called on to do. Mom and I did take Shamus for a walk before breakfast. Diane and the kids did the same after some downpours and he delighted in laying in mud puddles. Then they took him down the boat ramp so he could go swimming. He loves it! Tuesday was not too great a day, but we went to the 54th annual Lions Club Variety Show. It was good, fun and long. We did end up leaving just before it ended.

Wednesday was Farmers Market day. So we were off to town for that, the Public Market, hot dogs from a stand on the street and finally the Christmas Tree Store. At this point I went to the Woodworker's Store. Diane, Timothy and Peter caught the 1515 back home while Mom, Lauren and I went to BJ's and caught the 1630 boat. Again we went to town with 2 carts and came back with 2 full ones. Mom cooked her always delicious haddock for supper. We also took Shamus for a ride in the golf cart and he seemed to enjoy it. Just so you can all have an appreciation of taxes up here, the tax rate for the next year in Portland is $26.80/$1000 of assessed value.

Thursday Mom, Diane and Lauren went to the Cumberland County Craft Fair (big fair). The rest of us stayed home and did some work at the 5th and a little here at the house, rode around in the golf cart some with Shamus and just enjoyed ourselves. Friday, Diane and the kids made dog biscuits from a recipe Lauren found on the computer. I wasn't convinced that he particularly liked them, but while we were at the ball game he ate half of the ones on the stove. He hasn't felt too good since. Oh yes, the Sea Dogs won for a change.

Saturday Pete arrived by train. Dad picked him up and also ran some errands. The new train station and Trailways bus station combined is really well done. As for Sunday it was 0815 Mass, followed by "breakfast by Diane" excellent and complete with potatoes, after which I was off to the 5th to get set up for cooking hamburgers and hot dogs during the Craft Fair at the 5th. Very successful day. We cooked until 1400 and sold out of everything. Lots of work, but also lots of fun.

With that I am tired and ready to do nothing the rest of the evening other than pack the City's blue bags with trash for trash collection tomorrow and I expect a few other things.

Love, Mom and Dad