Island Update Ending July 31, 2005

Off to another week and it was downright chilly this morning with a rather strong westerly wind. That all changed late this afternoon and it got rather warm. We started Monday off walking with Denise, then after lunch she showed 2 tapes at the Community Center, one on Portland during WWII and the other was Portland in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Quite interesting. After that Mom and the ladies visited Marge and Dad worked on one of the dining room windows. He has to get busy because in a week or so Dong will show up with the Plexiglas covers for them.

On Tuesday we were off on the 0945 boat to meet Pam, Greg and Christian at the airport at noon. Yes, per usual, we ran a couple errands on the way. We stopped at the grocery on the way back to get thing's we couldn't locate so Greg can make some neat sounding meals. We picked up fresh haddock for supper and chowder for lunch and caught the 1515 boat. We got back just in time for Dad to be on time for his Docent tour. We had Mom's delicious baked haddock for supper.

This was our second hot day in a row, although not fan weather hot. This is the second week in a row we have gone to town on the 2 hottest days of the week. The car read 95 degrees. Greg stayed home installing stuff on the computer and preparing Pork Wellington for supper. We headed for the market, but Pam and Christian headed for the Children's Museum. Mom and dad both managed to finally get haircuts. We ran a few errands, had lunch and caught the 1515 back to the island. We had Greg's Pork Wellington for supper and it was delicious as you might expect. Afterwards, Greg and I went to a lecture on the Casco Bay Island defenses during WWII. Quite interesting I thought.

Thursday turned out to be a very peaceful day for Mom and Dad. We woke up a little late and realized this was walking day with Denise. Yes, we did make it and had a good walk. Other than that, Mom made banana bread and Dad went to the 5th Maine Board of Directors meeting. As for Pam, Greg and Christian, they went lobstering on a boat from Portland. It sounded as though they had a good time. They came back with lobsters they caught plus some others from the boat they were lobstering on. Greg bought them at a bargain price and I must say they were delicious. Obviously, this was lobster for dinner night. Lobsters on the island are still running $8.00 a pound for pound and a half size. The car ferry broke down for a few hours today right after they loaded it with cars.

Golly, Friday turned out to be one of those busy days. The car ferry didn't run at all today and who knows why. It must have some real problems. Dad started out the day talking business with Brad about painting at the 5th Maine. Then he had to move Dong's truck and the van so we could have some tree work done. We cut down 3 dead poplars and 2 that were dying, as well as topping a big one down by the water. What a beautiful view we have now. After a lobster roll lunch (Dad and a hot dog and Christian and macaroni and cheese) Dad spend a couple hours going over the 5th Maine building with a master carpenter who is going to help out up there. Later everyone but Dad went to the artist's show at the 8th Maine. Dad spent his time cutting down bittersweet. This is a vine that grows like crazy and chocks out everything. What a pain it is. The day was toped off with pizza for supper.

The car ferry was still on the fritz Saturday and Plante's boat spend all day taking its place, but this evening the car ferry was running again. The Island Holiday (being sold) was pressed into service because CBL was so busy. It has been sitting over at the old Bath Iron Works pier ever since we came north. Mom and Pam went to town shopping. Dad worked on a laundry room window, mostly painting and he also painted the front porch stair risers. Now the porches and stairs are finally done. Greg and Christian went to the sandy beach, so everyone was occupied this afternoon. In the evening Pam and Greg took us to the Cockeyed Gull for dinner. A very nice time was had by all. With that, another day drew to a close.

Sunday started as usual with the 0815 Mass, but today it was followed by a very nice breakfast at the 5th Maine. Their breakfasts there have improved tremendously over the past year. During the afternoon Dad worked on the laundry room window again and did some tree trimming with his very able assistant Christian, Greg worked on getting his Perfect Chicken cooked for an early dinner and Mom and Pam visited an open house and did some island shopping. Everyone kind of collapsed after cleaning up from dinner. Later on we had popcorn which was a fitting finish for the day.

And that it from up north on Peaks Island where after 2 hot days this week the weather has been just delightful.

Love, Mom and Dad