Island Update Ending September 3, 2006

Here we go again, but we are going to start with what was forgotten last week. One poppy bloomed. It must be confused because poppies bloom in the spring. Also, Mom had her first cherry tomatoes from one of our 2 tomato plants. She says they are delicious. Dad doesn't know for obvious reasons. She has since discovered powdery mildew and the farmers' market people say she has to throw the plant away.

Monday started the day with rain last night and into the day. It was an overcast drizzly day except for a couple periods when the sun tried to come out. It didn't succeed. It was also cold - like cold enough to turn on the furnace to take the chill off. Not much happening today, just cleaning and working on a rotted base to one of the porch pillars. The railing under the pillar is also rotted. We haven't figured out what to do about it yet so right now we are missing one pillar.

Tuesday was another coldish overcast day. Mom, besides working in the garden and doing all the other chores she does, prepared tea and refreshments to take up to Marge's. The ladies had a get time together up there early in the afternoon. Dad worked on pillars, windows and stuff at the 5th Maine. Pretty routine. We did commit ourselves aand Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Dick to working the 5th Maine breakfast this Sunday. Dad arranged for working on the porch starting at 0715. Should be interesting - more to come.

We were off to town as usual on Wednesday - left Dong behind working on shingling. We picked up Millie on the way to deliverer her to the hairdresser. Sooooo the day went like this: Ferry, Farmer's Market, picked up power belt for lawn mower, dropped Millie at hairdresser, hardware store, bus station, CVS drugstore, bank, Staples, Home Depot, Chinese for lunch, Penney's, Sports Authority to pick up weights, Lowe's, BJ's, bread store, Hannifords, our parking lost, 1735 ferry, home, Millie's to deliver her Farmer's Market stuff, then home again where we chatted with Dong before he caught the boat. To pooped people here.

On Thursday we were off on the 1045 boat to tour Fort Preble and the Portland Harbor Museum which included lunch at the museum. It was a nice trip, but we really thought it was going to include some things that one doesn't normally see. We gave a ride to two of Millies friends from near New Orleans which added even more interest. Dong was still shingling when we got back and will wonders never cease, when Mom offered him a hamburger for supper he accepted. He never does that. All in all it was a rather nice day.

We got the house pretty well cleaned up today. Dong finished shingling the front of the house. We did some painting, actually primed the front porch railing, so the house looks pretty good. Dad did play docent this afternoon and he never did get the lawn mowed so it looks pretty shaggy compared to Mom's flower garden. Tim and Diane arrived on the 1535 ferry with haddock and chowder so we had a real good dinner. Liverpool at night with Tim winning.

Saturday is yard sale day so we hid a couple of them on this rather chilly day. Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Dick arrived on the 1415 boat. Tim took us out to dinner at The Inn on Peaks - good meal. Liverpool tonight with 6 people which makes for a very long game. For Mo and Laurie - this was the first time we played with someone who collected only low cards to win the game - and the winner waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas Diane. The game was still fun however. Tim finally got Dad to make popcorn and the stuff just wouldn't pop right for some reason. First problem this year.

We had our 5th Maine breakfast volunteers up bright and early this morning so we could be out of the house by 0700, that is Mom, Dad, Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Dick. Tim and Diane went to church for all of us. Things went quite well and it was interesting and fun for all of us plus we got to chat with lots of people. I think we all had a good time during the 4 plus hours we were there. We manned the porch and although it was right cool and windy even cold at times lots of people ate on the porch. It was forecast for rather heavy rain and although there was a shower or two it really wasn't bad. Jeanne and Dick brought spaghetti for supper tonight and who knows what will go on later since I am getting this out early today.

Signing off from the frigid North.

Love, Mom & Dad