Mosh Glass

Woke up late to an incredibly nice day. About 78 degrees, clear blue skies, gentle breeze, smooth lake that looks like a postcard. I may need to go swimming and boarding later. Too nice a day. Maybe we can dine outside tonight if the buggies behave. Gotta do some wash today and fix the screen doors. Then do whatever. Everyone is in the process of doing the 3 S’s, I am heading in for a shower myself. Just finished the traditional Sunday breakfast: coffee, banana bread, and leftover meatballs. Yum. Be back in a few.

After breakfast Emily and I went over to Twinnys camp next door and cleaned. Brian stayed there. We have air BnB tenants arriving tomorrow. So scrub, sweep, clean, vacuum. Am I on vacation?

After that we went to town. I had to swap out the door hardware I bought yesterday. Did not work. New springs are shorter. So maybe. We went to the 201 fish market cuz Michael wanted a lobster roll. I was still full from breakfast.

We went to the grocery store after. Seems a daily ritual while here. Go to grocery store get food.

We are back at the camp making dinner. Actually Emily is making dinner. She just popped a rhubarb upside down cake in the oven. Next she is making “chicken pot roast”. I am doing the dishes. So far twice. I stewed leftover rhubarb. We may go swimming before dinner.

So we did not have time for a swim. Joe and Dixie, from a neighboring camp, came to dinner. Emily made her pot roast chicken and rhubarb upside down cake with ice cream. Btw today is national ice cream day. I did my Part, I had ice cream with my cake. Would have preferred to go to Giffords but ours was tasty. We sat around eating and drinking for a couple hours. Then, thunderstorms. Not uncommon around here. Kinda broke up the party.

Later on we did dishes and put away food. And now playing scrabble. Into our second game. I know Game if Thrones has a big show on tonight. The kids are chomping at the bit to see it. I have never watched.

I have now lost two games of Scrabble. Not my day. Next up is bedtime. Read a little and go to sleep. Sounds fantastic. We are going to the Good Will Hinckley Museum tomorrow which is up the road. The orphanage there was inspiration for the movie Cider House Rules. Looking forward to it.

I suppose people of certain age may remember that wash day was Saturday. First all the people, oldest first, then all the clothes last. That’s how my grandma told it. Sounds awesome. We don’t have that problem here. We got water heaters and automatic washing and drying machines. Very modern.

The only plans for today are taking Brian to the golf course and kicking his butt. And humiliating him. And rubbing it in for the next few years.

In the meantime, Michael and Brian went over to the other side of the lake with a can of hornet spray. Seems that while they were over there swimming yesterday, Michael got stung twice, back of each leg and Brian’s dog Tyson also got stung. Michael just texted me. They used up the entire can on the nest and need more. Little bit of revenge I think. And I don’t blame them.

I think I should give a special shout out to my friend Cissie. She texts me the play by play of the Giants games while I am out here. It’s like a live as it happens broadcast. And she only sends the important bits. Btw, G men won last night.

We are at lunch at Old Mill Pub. Again. We did not get Christine D as a waiter. Thank god. Read previous blog post. Today I got the appetizer in under 5 minutes. Better waitress, better outcome.

We wandered around downtown for a half hour after lunch. The city is trying hard to revitalize their downtown. Wal Mart came in a few years ago and destroyed it. We went to the appliance store where Emily just purchased a stackable washer dryer for our camp. I wasn’t there to see them so I went to visit and see what they looked like. It’s funny how you can shop local, get the best price, free delivery and install and easy service after the sale. Sometimes Anazon and big box don’t deliver what is best. We went to the Bankery, a bakery in an old bank building, I bought some molasses cookies and some peanut butter. They have soft baked pretzel sticks which they also sell as an appetizer at Old Mill Pub. Truly fantastic. At the pub you do get spicy quest dip with them.

After lunch and wandering it was time to shut Brian up. He made the mistake of saying he was better at mini golf than all of us. Shits on. That was day before yesterday and the trash talk has been heavy and frequent since then. Yesterday it rained to heavy and they closed the course. So today it is.

We all started OK. I was a little off my game. As was Michael. Marika was on fire. Emily was two strokes off her. At he turn, Brian dead last by a stroke, then Michael and I. Marika had us all by five strokes. Emily right behind. Brian was confused. This is our home course. We play several times a year. Michael and I played in a tournament on this and Waterville course. And we played really well especially when you consider all other players live local. So, how did it turn out? Brian dead last 12 over par. In first Michael at one over, then in order, me at 2 over(I said we were off a little), Marika at 5 over (bad second half), and then Emily at 8 over. So all four of us kicked his butt. Nuff said.

We skipped the ice cream, we were still full from lunch. Brian was full from a dish of humble pie. Lol.

After we got back the kids (adult children) went across the lake for paddle boarding and swimming. And I would say beer drinking.

Emily and I went to visit the neighbors Joe and Dixie. She is our handymans (Reggie)sister. We chatted awhile and invited them over for dinner on Sunday.

Kids came back and we BBQd burgers and red hots. Side of chili for the dogs. Tots. Emily made deviled eggs (yay Emily!!) which are a favorite. I made a few whiskey sours and one prickly pear Margarita for the golf loser. That’s Brian in case you forgot. He hasn’t. We finished playing the Hearts game we started playing yesterday. Marika won. Big loser: Brian. No surprise. Sorry Brian.

At this point it was about midnight and Emily and I went to bed. The kids stayed up and played Hearts again. Marika won. Brian lost. Again. Brian is leaving tomorrow and taking his dog, Tyson, which is sad. We will miss the dog. Lol. Just kidding Brian.

Friday! Friday! Now you know what day it is. Emily got up early. She is going to Augusta with her mom to run some errands while the rest of us stayed here. By stayed here I mean stayed in bed. Michaels friend Brian came up from Springdale. He is from California but now lives here.

I was doing a few chores. I painted four chairs for Twinnys cabin. That’s it. Michael and Brian went to the lake to swim.

After painting, Marika and I went to get a key made and get some lunch. The cafe served us he wrong food. Though what we got was good.

Now all four of us are at Bigelow Brewery. They ordered a pizza and beer. I am having a ginger beer. And here we sit, solving the worlds problems. Emily showed up halfway through our afternoon. Everyone has been sitting here reminiscing about all their old Dixon acquaintances and what they are up to. Who got married or had kids or whatever. I did not know any of this stuff. I really need to start paying attention.

After dinner we went to Gifford’s for ice cream. We were going to play mini golf as well but there had been an evening downpour and golf was closed. Brian had been trash talking all day about his mini golf skills and how he was going to kick all of our buts. Like that could happen. He saunters in to our home course and actually believes he could beat any of us. I don’t like to use the word idiot so I won’t. Anyhow, we had a fine ice cream dessert and went back to camp.

We played Hearts and Brian was able to actually keep up, intellectually at least. It’s not like he had any chance of winning.

Golf match will be tomorrow. If the Hearts game is any indication, Brian is in serious trouble.

If you can’t tell, that is rain out there. I shot from inside cuz I’m made of sugar. It’s 1045 and only two of us are out of bed and neither is fully dressed yet. Hey, it’s raining.

I am thinking we may go to Waterville and screw around. Maybe go see a movie. They have an eight screen cineplex. Whoa. Quel modern, n’est pas? I am only 75 miles from Canada.

Well we got on the road to Waterville by 1245. We decided to find lunch first and used Yelp. So the kids spent the ride to Waterville and a few more minutes to pick the same restaurant I already suggested back at camp. Then it was closed. So we went to a pizza and sandwich shop a half block away. Excellent choice. Store related to Al’s Pizza in Skowhegan which we all like.

After lunch we went shopping. One our favorite places is Modern Underground. They sell mid century modern furniture and some housewares. For people around my age its like walking into your parents living room. Last year I bought a 60’s outdoor furniture set. Solid steel, powder coated with upholstered cushions. It’s in the front room here. My aunt Iva had the exact set on her patio. Funny. I would love to buy the danish modern dining table and chairs I saw. But you can only buy so much. I did pick up a set set of 6 50’s era Collins glasses with a glass cocktail shaker. The have a gold leaf motif and are awesome. The owner gave me a very large discount even though he never gives discounts. Lucky me.

We went across the street to the bakery just to have them tell us they are sold out. Every time I go there they are sold out. You have to order ahead. I am not that prepared and driving 20 miles for bread is crazy. Of course I bought bread up in Monson the other day and that’s 40 miles. But I was already there.

Next door to the bakers is a second hand store which sells vintage clothing. All the items it were very expensive when first sold. Now they are vintage classics. Her prices range around the $20 mark. I picked up a Hawaiian shirt for $17.

After all that we went to a 4 o’clock showing of Baby Driver at the Waterville cineplex. 8 screens. Wow. It felt like a early 80s version of what most of us think of as a movie house. For Maine it’s modern. But Maine is behind the times, a little backward and slow. Of course, that’s why I like coming here. Anyhow, loved the movie, popcorn not so good.

We drove home after, stopping at in laws for something they didn’t have. Then to wal mart to to pick up a few sundry items. Then home.

I made steak sandwiches with yesterday’s BBQ steak. Delish. I used that bread I got in Monson the other day. Very nice.

After dinner we played a few rounds of Bendominos. And a game of Scrabble, which I won on the last play. Yay team Bill!!

I actually had to make a couple work phone calls before bed and a few too many emails too. Gotta pay for vacay.

Tomorrow Emily is going to Augusta for something. Don’t know what. We have no plans. Yet.

So today is Wednesday. On Wednesday we play golf. Right? Real golf not mini golf. We are headed to Clinton where there is a truly beautiful golf course. The guy that owns it has a nice outlook. Free drinks in ice chests at each tee. 30 minutes between foursomes. And the course is fantastic and incredibly well taken care of. And free lunch. And club rentals are free. Nice place.

We teed off about 1130. Decided to play best ball cause not all of us can keep up otherwise on the 500 yard holes

Bugs were not out in force today. I did get bit by a famous Maine Black Fly. Unassuming little creature, which is called black but leaves a trail of red behind. Beautiful

So we played out the nine holes. Michael won by four strokes. None of us is a great golfer, last time I played was here two years ago, but we had a great time.

After golf we went to Big G’s deli in Winslow. I wrote about it a couple days ago. It hasn’t changed any in two days but this time thay had date bars which are awesom.

On our way back to camp, we stopped off at Nancy’s camp on the far side of the lake. She just got here from Florida a couple days ago. She lives in Vero Beach like our friends Dan and Susan who visited last week. Though they don’t know each other. We went back to camp after that and mostly sat around. The in laws, Beth and Hank, came over for dinner. We made sangria, BBQ steak, BBQ shrimp, twice bake potatoes, homemade creamed corn, caprese salad with blackberries, and Giffords ice cream for dessert. It was quite good. You were all invited.

Folks left after dinner and we played Bendominos.

Game took about an hour and we all went to bed. Golf really takes it out of you.

Wow, two women in the same room who are related is a huge mistake. Huge. Why two grown women are completely unable to get along is beyond my tiny brains ability to comprehend. Oh well. Maybe it will be better tomorrow. The sun will come up tomorrow. Right?

Anyhow, today we are going on a hike to Wilson’s Falls. Up 150, north of Guilford. Of course that means nothing to anyone unfamiliar with rural Maine. Which is just about everyone in the world. But that’s why I’m here. Anyhow, our camp is in the middle of nowhere and the hike is an hour closer to nowhere.

The drive up was boring. Everyone went , all four of us. When we got there Emily decided to sit at the trailhead and read a book. The rest of us took off for the falls. The rating on the trail was “moderate”. Right. We were all sweating within 300 yards. Not much of a view but the trail was along a river so it was nice.

About 1.3 miles in we actually came to a junction and joined the Appalachian Trail. So, today, I hiked the Appalachian Trail. You may now be jealous. I will understand. Here are a few pictures.

So, we finished up the hike. Nice walk in the woods. We really enjoyed it.

On the way back we stopped in Monson. The town of Monson gets a lot of Trail traffic so they have some nice place to eat. By some, I mean 2 we ate at Petes Place which serves breakfast and lunch and is basically a bakery that serves meals. Great food. Loved it. I had a glorified grilled cheese sandwich. Open face with four cheeses and feta with tomato. Nice. Take a look.

We drove back home on a different path. Took 150 instead of 16. The view was the same. Everyone fell asleep on the way back. Even me. Lol.

Went to the in laws house on the way back. Michael needed to pick up some tree trimmers which his grandpa had. Now our view is better.

We started the refinishing on four of our patio chairs. Will finish up tomorrow.

We BBQd hot dogs and ate leftover calzones for dinner. Had Mai Tai’s as an appetizer.

After dinner we went to Giffords for mini golf and ice cream. Out friend Wyatt was working so the golf was free. Yay Wyatt! And btw I won by 3 strokes. The fun part of that is beating my son, Michael, who takes the game a little too seriously.

Tomorrow we are headed to Clinton. There is an incredible golf course there. It’s very beautiful, they put a 1/2 hour between tee times and all the drinks are free. Nice folks there too. If you’re a golfer you can not do better. It’s also very near Winslow so we can go to Big G’s for lunch after.

Spoke to my friends Bob and Renee back in California. It’s hot back in Nor Cal. I miss friends but do love vacation I must admit.

Today, Monday, even on vacation, seems like a regular Monday. Kinda dreary outside, a little humid. We really have nothing planned. Though we will figure it out I am sure.

Our friends, Dan and Susan, are leaving today. So things will slow down a little bit and our agenda will be a little more self directed. That’s good.

A shout out to my friend Cissie Perkins who was in the hospital a couple days. She went home yesterday and we are all looking forward to her recovery.

We saw our friends off a little while ago. They are off to Bar Harbor which is a complete tourist destination. I guess that’s fine for some but I spend so much time in Maine I can’t ever go there again. But, as a tourist site it has everything the brief visitor will want. It serves a purpose. It does keep all the tourists away from where I want to go.

Of course, when guests leave, next comes the clean up. They were very neat and tidy but they had the camp with the washer dryer. So now we are doing a weeks worth of laundry. And then our camp needs attention since we ignored it for the last week. So we clean. Remember, it’s a Monday. They are supposed to be no fun.

Next, I am sure will be chores like shopping and gassing up the car. I would like to go to the town dump but they are closed on Mondays. Go figure. We might go visit the in-laws later. I have hardly seen them while we had guests.

So we cleaned and shopped. Then came home to see a glass smooth lake. We got out the paddle boards.

After boarding Michael and I went into town for the necessaries. They are found at the liquor store usually. And they were again. Had to go to grocery store for sundries as well. Then back home for cocktail hour. Today I made blueberry Daiquiris with blueberry rum. Quite tasty. And good for you.

Then on to dinner.

Those are calzones, basically a stuffed pizza. We make them once in awhile. Usually we use homemade dough. But when camping it in Maine it’s ok to use pre made. Don’t tell anyone. They were pretty damn good.

I should mention, Emily did a little more decorating today.
Those are a couple of clear glass bottles on a high shelf near the front door. She put some light strings inside them and voila we have light in the front room. She is always coming up with ways to dress up our cottage.

We played a few hands of hearts before bed. I was way ahead at the end but game is not done yet.

Going to bed now. Goodnight.

Sadly, no big paper today. It is Sunday but we are in the middle of nowhere. No paper to deliver.

Susan made quiche for breakfast.. Definitely yummy.

We are heading out to the coast of Maine, which for us is Belfast. It is lobster day for us.

Belfast is about an hour from where we live. And it’s on the coast. It is a natural harbor for small boats.

As you can see from the pictures it is a beautiful, clear, sunny day. And warm too. I actually broke a sweat walking around. My kids (adult children) were very tired and sacked out in a couple of chairs made from lobster traps.
Not sure why they are so tired. They don’t work or do much more than lay around. Go figure.

So we walked around Belfast for three or four hours, walked quickly through an art festival down in the park then went to do what we came here for – eat lobster.

We drove across the Passagassawaukeag Bridge to the other side of Belfast to Young’s Lobster Pound. We have been coming here for the last twenty years, a definite family favorite. We brought all the side dishes and beverages from home and just ordered the lobsters, steamed clams, and oysters Rockefeller from them.

Our lobster lunch was, as always, fantastic. Fortunately the whole family loves lobster and this is like Mecca for shellfish lovers.

Another little thing I love about Young’s is the raffle. They have an annual raffle which ends in December. I always buy five tickets. You never know. Prize is 50lbs of lobster. That’s about 32 or 33 average sized lobsters. Most people don’t buy because they think no one ever wins. Well I won about ten years back and we had a huge Christmas party with a ton of lobsters. So always buy raffle tickets. Remember, better odds than the lottery.

After lunch we drove directly back to Skowhegan. We did stop at Giffords for an ice cream fix. I had a peach frappe. Then we went back to camp. We played Hearts for a couple hours, drank cocktails, ate more food and more ice cream. Now I am lying in bed ready to sleep. Nice day.

So how can you tell it is actually Saturday when on vacay? Every day is Saturday except for the day the fat newspaper arrives.

We have no real plans today. Going to the town dump cuz we have no garbage service. That’s always a slice. Gotta throw stinky bags of garbage in the car and drive to where all the other stinky bags have gathered then drive home with all the windows open, rain be damned, to drive the stink out of the car. Like I said, it’s a slice.

The women all just left to get their nails done. Not Marika, she deferred. Will probably now cook up the prickly pears to make juice for my Prickly Pear Margaritas. Those should be very good. A fantastic combination of flavors with alcohol too. What’s not to like?

I think we may go paddle boarding later on. The weather and breeze are cooperating so it won’t be work. Maybe after lunch.

Maybe not. Gonna be thunder and lightning this afternoon. Don’t want to be on the lake if any lightning.

Just received a shipment of prickly pears, thank you Stephanie for shipping!, and made juice out of them for margaritas or other cocktails. Was actually quite easy to make. We already sampled 3 different recipes and settled on one. Saturday on vacay is happy hour all waking hours so it’s ok. I’m a professional, don’t drink this at home. Here it is.

So, it’s raining. And lightning. So we may just stay in and play cards. That’s safe at least. We are kicking around the movies but next available time is three hours in Waterville. Not looking so good. Btw, raining like hell right now.

So we played hearts. A few quick rounds and, for a change, son Michael lost. He is very competitive and hates to lose. But lose he did. My daughter won which is also not he usual for our Hearts game. She even shot the moon once.

Susan and Emily returned with nice nails from their appointment. And they did a little shopping as well. Skowhegan has a crazy amount of discount stores as does the state of Maine. So a little retail therapy is always a part of a vacation here.

Tonight Emily and I and Dan and Susan are going to Old Mill Pub. There is live music and Dan being a musician means we are going. Should be fun. That’s a couple hours away. In the meantime, we have prickly pear Margaritas to drink. The kids are staying here to do what they want. They are not interested in going out with us.

OK. So we went to Old Mill Pub. First, the musician was atonal at best and seemed to want his own influence on each song. Mistake. Difficult to listen to.

But at least we received some of the worst service I’ve ever had in a restaurant. Waitress was Christine D so if you are ever in town you can avoid her. Details. We were seated at about 8 pm, she came to table directly and took our entire order. This included one appetizer, 3 drinks, and 3 entrees. We got the drinks. We did not lay eyes on her anywhere in the restaurant for 40 minutes. We did not get our appetizers. Or dinner. We had to go to the bar to get drinks. She never checked back on us. When finally she did come by, she said she would check on the food. She did not refill water or take new drink order. 20 minutes later the appetizer arrived hot and fresh. No excuses offered. Or apologies. That took one hour. 30 minutes later after we tracked her down again, dinner arrived. Food was great. Thank for she does not work in the kitchen.

We asked at that point why the 90 minute wait and she said it was all the kitchens fault. I wonder what the kitchen would say? Eventually she offered the appetizer for free as well as first round of drinks. Still had a nice dinner with friends but very slowly.

Went home and finished up the game of Hearts from last night. Emily won and Michael lost. Oh well. Tomorrow to Belfast.

Big day today. Lay around all morning doing nothing. Did a little work. Then lunch at the Old Mill Pub. It was prominently spoken about in the book Empire Falls. Read it and you may understand Maine. Any how, back to the pub.

Ordered some mussels as appetizer. Delish.

Lunch.

Weather is beautiful again. Warm though not fully sunny. Very nice

Looking forward to the show tonight.

We had leftovers tonight. I know you may think that boring, but it was the last few days of meals in and out. So they were fantastic leftovers. We had a feast.

After dinner we walked down to the playhouse.

Play is called The Crazy Ladies in the House on the Corner. Funny show and lots of fun to attend. We spent our intermission at the Lakewood House having dessert. I had key lime pie. Very tasty.

After the show we played Hearts till about midnight and went to bed.