Island Update Ending August 13, 2006

Monday was to be a shopping day that got delayed while Dad tried to figure out where to get a drive belt for the riding mower. He doesn't work well under pressure on the computer so he gave up and we (less Peter & Timothy) caught the 1145. First stop was the hardware store where we got paint for the Pineapple Room and Mom got garden spray for Japanese beadles which have been really "bugging" her this year. Rather unusual. Mom and Diane went off to the Christmas Tree Shops while Dad found a dehumidifier for the 5th Maine to stop a mold problem in the new store room. Back on the 1535. Dad forgot to buy a hose for the dehumidifier. We did do some grocery shopping too. The Lions Club Variety Show was in the evening, but before we went the upstairs toilet over flowed very badly which resulted in water in the butler's pantry and dining room. Got that cleaned up and got to the variety show pretty much on time. It turned out to be pretty good this year.

Tuesday was a busy day, but then what else is new. Mom washed, kind of normal, all the old towels we used to mop the floor last night plus the usual towel laundry as people leave. Diane worked on the pineapple room and started to paint it. Dad and Dong worked on installing an old storm/screen door at the 5th Maine. Peter helped Dad at the 5th. Later we left to go to a Sea Dogs game which they lost 4 to 3. We had seats in the new section which is build like those over the score board in Boston. Neat seats and definitely a new view of the whole stadium. Back on the 2230 ferry, but we did get to see the whole game, a first for us I think.

We were all off on the 0945 boat on Wednesday, market day, to meet Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Dick, to go to the market, lunch and then have them take Peter up to the lake to fish in the morning. All was accomplished and we had lunch at the Lobster House at Two Lights. Back on the 1515 ferry. We collapsed for a while.then Dad went to a lecture at the 5th on naval shore operations in Casco Bay.

We were off on the 1145 boat on Thursday to pick up Peter at the lake . We also had lunch/supper while there. We made a detour to find a suitcase for Diane, needed because of the new security rules for flying. That done we were really off to the lake. Peter caught 2 fish, Dick none. Not unusual. Timothy went swimming. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, corn and salad for lunch/supper and just naturally had a very pleasant visit. It did start to rain and get very dark (not nighttime dark) so we took off since we had a boat to catch and still needed to make a stop on the way. It seemed as though we got back really fast, did our errand and caught the 1915 boat. Although it had started to rain when we boarded the boat, it had finished by the time we got to Peaks. This time we were very lucky.

Dad was up bright and early this Friday morning to catch the 0715 boat to go get a couple tables for the 5th Maine. He came back on the 0915. Mom and Diane caught the 1045 boat to check the buses to Logan Airport in Boston and to bo to the Cumberland Craft Fair, back on the 1735. Dad, Peter and Timothy played docent at the 5th all afternoon plus doing miscellaneous chores in the building. They were a big help. Got gas today, $2.939/gal for the car and furnace oil at $2.95/gal , you guessed it, for the furnace.

On Saturday we woke up to a clear bright lazy morning only to get a phone call at 0700 asking Dad to go into town to pick up a bunch of tables for you know where. Off we went on the 0815, back on the 1115 with 8 tables and a bunch of other stuff. Mom did a ton of laundry, Diane finished painting the pineapple room and they both baked in the afternoon for the bake sale tomorrow,. Dong also came by early with a big pile of Pad Tai which Diane and Mom enjoyed for breakfast and then Dad was added to have it for lunch. Later today Peter and Dad hauled BBQs up to the 5th for cooking hot dogs and hamburgers at the Arts and Craft on the Porch tomorrow. Roast chicken and gravy for Timothy's birthday dinner tonight. A poop bunch by nightfall.

Sunday came as usual after Saturday and Mom and Dad were off to 0815 Mass followed by a quick breakfast. Then Dad, Peter and Timothy were off to the 5th to set up and get everything ready for cooking at the Arts and Crafts show at the 5th. There were of course other people cooking besides Dad, but the whole set up, cooking, and take down took about 5 to 6 hours of steady work. Peter and Timothy were great helps doing most of the food hauling and then cleaning up. Anyway, it was a long day, but by all accounts it really was a fun day although a bit tiring for you know who. We did sell out all the hot dogs and hamburgers as well as the bake sale table. Obviously a very successful day.

Love, Mom and Dad

PS Real estate tax time again in Maine and this year our taxes went up another $1000 dollars. Now it should stabilize more of less for another 10 years.