Signs of Fall

Here we are nearly at the end of the first week of October (already)!   It has remained unseasonably warm here, and I’m still hiking in shorts and t-shirts!!   It’s a little chilly when I first start, but before long I’m grateful for the cool air on my skin.

October is cruise ship season here, and on some days there are three or even four shipped anchored offshore, ferrying their passengers to and from the town dock.

All about town, the vendors are incorporating pumpkins and mums into their displays and the hydrangea are turning from white to dark pink.

And out on the trail, while the leaves are just beginning their transition, other shrubs and plants are letting us know that the summer has ended.

 

 

 

 

A Unique Opportunity

Being able to live in Bar Harbor and on Mount Desert Island these last 10 months has been a wonderful opportunity.  I’ve seen and experienced many things – a deer right outside my bedroom window, Acadia surf during a ‘noreaster storm, great food and fine drinks with new friends and old.  Last evening I drove past a guy in full Scottish uniform playing the bagpipes in the fog next to the bay.   I learned from my dinner companions that apparently he does this routinely during tourist season.   How he isn’t causing accidents, I don’t know!

One of the most wonderful things I’ve discovered here is the True Zen Nature Center (see link).   Over the week-end members of our group hosted a young Korean monk who is biking his way across the Americas.  The first leg of his trip, crossing Canada, has been completed, and he is now starting his crossing of the US (which is why he was in Maine).  The final leg of his journey will be through South America.

 

ABOVE PHOTO:   Sunim at Jordan Pond (photo by Michael Rosenstein)

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Sunim at the dinner hosted by my friends and learned a little bit more about  why he is undertaking this journey.   I think it is summed up beautifully in a quote from his blog (translated from the original korean):

“”Water doesn’t stagnate when it flows. In the same way, humans should move so they will find their relationships with others. If you take a test you’ll know how well you’ve studied. If you overcome a limitation you will know your heart; tears are opening my heart. My pilgrimage is not only my path, but also a journey to connect with the lives of others.”
– Daeung Sunim
Sunim started this journey completely alone and it was by sheer coincidence (unless of course you believe that there are no coincidences), he met David who started a Facebook page which has evolved into a networking page to find people and businesses to Sunim along his path.

I for one, am certainly grateful that Sunim’s path, and paths of the people at the True Nature Zen Center have crossed mine, because my heart has become a little larger, and my life  enriched by knowing them.

Take a look at the links listed below where you can access a map of Sunim’s route.  If Sunim’s path runs close to where yours, don’t hesitate to take the unique opportunity to meet and help this remarkable man.    You can follow him on Facebook at:   Journey of the Spirit, A Buddhist monk bikes the Americas, or on the blog at:  http://journeyofspirit108.blogspot.com
Below:  Getting some much-needed bicycle maintenance (by generous donation) at the Bar Harbor Bicycle shop (that’s the one on Cottage Street – so if you come here and rent a bike, rent from them!)  Photo by:  Michael Rosenstein

 

Portrait of a Tree – Right Outside my Door

I live in town.   Nothing close to a city to be certain, but for a small town we have fairly “high density housing”.    The age of the town also means that there are numerous old trees that provide welcome shade and character to our streets.

I was pleasantly surprised to find just such a tree right outside my front door.  Over the seasons it has provided a varied and interesting canopy (and view) to an otherwise crowded house and yard landscape.

Now it is beginning to slowly shed its leaves in anticipation of the next season.   Below, are a series of photos I’ve taken over the months since I arrived.    This tree (by now), feels like an old friend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week-end Wanderer

Crowds, work,  and warm temperatures have kept me from long hikes these last couple of weeks.  But on the week-ends, I do try to get out early in the day to exercise my body and calm my mind.

One of favorite  “from my house”  walks, takes me up over a small hill, to the edge of town where this cemetery boarders National Park property.   The cemetery boasts a beautiful view of Cadillac and Dorr mountains, but on this morning the mountain tops and gorge between them were obscured by fog; giving a nice atmosphere to the topic.

 

I actually really like cemeteries.   They are peaceful, quiet places and it is interesting to see the choices people and/or their families have made for their internment.   For example; this “guy” (photo below) had to have his very own “house”.  I hope this isn’t considered “identity theft”!

 

 

 

 

And perhaps nowhere else (in the United States) would you find lobster buoys graveside.

 

 

Here in Maine whenever any type of outdoor chemical is applied to grass or weeds, signs need to be put up indicating the danger and the date of the application.   However, I found the sign pictured below rather ironic.   But then signs are for the living I guess, and not for the dead!

 

Moon Rise – Time Lapse

We’ve just had our first full moon for the month of August (two this year, hence the phrase: “once in a Blue Moon).     The heat and humidity had me up late last night, and I decided to sit on my patio and watch the moon make its appearance for the night.

I set up my tripod so I could take long exposures, but I rather forgot about the fact that I had some of my camera settings set to black and white mode.

I live in town, so my view of the night sky is mostly obscured, which makes the “glimpses of light” that much more exciting!

In between the new construction next door, a tree and a rope swing, the moon is coming up, and the clouds are moving out.

 

This next exposure (3o seconds) shows how rapidly the clouds were moving out toward the ocean.   I rather liked the end effect in the this shot.  (personal taste, I know)

 

 

And finally, the moon is almost “free” of the trees, and one last wispy cloud blows by.

 

Beauty for Beauty’s Sake

As I have mentioned in earlier posts, my kind neighbors have invited me to use their yard for walking my cat; as this is a “week-end” home for them.  In spite of the fact that they only make it to Bar Harbor about once every 4 or 5 weeks they have managed to create a lovely little yard filled with beautiful flowers.    There always seems to be something new blooming.

 

When I was a homeowner, I did enjoy having my own garden.  While vegetable gardening bringsits own  very delicious rewards, flower gardening is really all about appearances.   It is “beauty for beauty’s sake”.

 

Whenever I see a beautiful flower garden, I can’t help but wonder who created the first “flower garden”, and from there contemplate the long evolution of developing plants for flower gardens, creating “hybrids” and establishing floral traditions.   Just imagine that many of the plants that we now take for granted as “regular garden flowers” began thousands of generations ago as a wildflower; very likely far removed from its present day appearance.

 

 

I feel very fortunate to have grown up in a home where gardening (both of vegetables and flowers) were a daily part of my life.  I also remember both sets of my grandparents gardening – one for food, and one for the perfect rose.

What part of our DNA stimulates the desire to be surrounded by beauty?   And when did that desire begin?   (I assume it was once we mastered the art of survival and had energy to devote to such pursuits – research Maslov’s Hierarchy of Needs to understand more).  When there is so much ugliness in the world around us, how fortunate we are to be able to bring beauty into our lives through a simple flower.

 

 

So today, wherever you are, take time to:  “appreciate beauty for beauty’s sake”  After all, sometimes the only purpose a flower serves is to simply “look pretty”.

 

Walking my Cat – Part II

As anyone who has been following this blog for some time, you know that part of my routine is walking one of cats, Bam Bam (the other half of Pebbles and Bam Bam), about the neighborhood.   He has provided a wonderful way for me to meet my Bar Harbor neighbors, and now that tourist season is upon us; he serves as one of the town’s unofficial “good will ambassadors”.

 

One of our “new” neighbors who only uses their home one week-end a month, has generously offered their yard to Bam Bam and I for relaxation and exploration.   Since the weather has turned warm, it is especially nice for him to have a place to lay in the grass and for me to sit in the shade.

 

On the way to the yard, there is even some catnip where he can stop and get a nice little “buzz”.  Apparently, the “buds” are the best part?

 

 

Once the yard has been thoroughly explored, it is time to select that all important strategic spot – under the tree and near the fence – so that people walking by can notice him.  If several people walk by and don’t acknowledge him, he will get up and move CLOSER to the fence, because after all,  how can he spread joy if people don’t SEE him?!

 

 

If this strategy doesn’t work, the “death sprawl” on the driveway is SURE to garner someone’s attention!

 

 

Meanwhile back at home, my “low maintenance cat”, Pebbles keeps our patio area secure from squirrels and enjoys her “alone” time.

 

 

And thanks to the kindness of my landlords, we now have a secure patio for both Pebbles and Bam Bam to enjoy, due to this recently installed gate panel.

 

 

After the walk, it’s time for a real nap and a little “Sherlock” (apologies if any copyright laws have just been infringed upon).   Being a goodwill ambassador is such hard work!

 

I…..Love a Parade!

I honestly cannot remember the last time I went to a parade.   So since the Bar Harbor 4th of July parade was passing less than a block away from me, I really had no excuse not to check it out.   Besides, the students who are studying at the BioLab this summer (the place where I work) had a float, and they wanted me to come out and support them.    Who can say no to that?!

 

It is rumoured that Bar Harbor is one of the “best places to celebrate the 4th of July”, and this does seem to be “THE” holiday here.   While Christmas was low-key and laid back, the town goes all out with festivities running from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m..

BELOW:   Scenes from the Mount Desert Island Bio Lab group

 

 

 

One of things that I found surprising as I watched the parade go by; was how many people (after only 7 months here), I had connections with.   Talking with my neighbors, people from my Zen group, my landlords, the students at the lab, and fellow volunteers and staff from Friends of Acadia made me realize just how many people I’ve met in a relatively short period of time.

BELOW:  Some of my favorite people in the world – Acadia National Park volunteers.  EVERYONE related to the park got a BIG round of applause from the crowd as they passed by.

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, I missed the lobster races due to a combination of rain showers and a camera malfunction (which thankfully I was able to fix, although I do think I have lens motor burning out – overuse perhaps?).    I did, however, get to enjoy the fireworks even though it turned foggy – I’ve never seen fireworks in the fog before, so it was all good.   Some of them actually looked pretty cool in the fog!!    And WOW, I have NEVER seen that many people in Bar Harbor before – how great it is to be able to walk to everything!!

 

BELOW:   What would a 4th of July parade in Bar Harbor BE without people in American flag shorts and lobster hats!

 

Weeds or Wildflowers?

This time of year brings all sorts of floral “surprises” growing along the roadsides, in the meadows, and in the woods.     What distinguishes a “weed” from a “wildflower”.   I always thought that if it showed up in MY garden it was weed, if it was in someone else’s garden it must be a wildflower.    Also, if it was in an area that I was unfamiliar with, SURELY it was a wildflower.

So in my first spring in Maine, I am enjoying the “wildflowers” along the way.     And also, the deer!   As I was hiking up  the hill on “Kebo Street”, I passed this deer meandering through someone’s yard.      I think she was attempting to disguise herself as  a yard ornament!

 

 

And now, back to the wildflowers!

 

 

 

 

 

How sweet are these little flowers in the pic below?   What I found most interesting was that they are some type of water or bog plant as they were growing profusely in the drainage ditch along the road.    Apparently, they open pink and turn blue as they mature!

 

Lovely Lupine

A few days ago driving past this location, I noticed the lupine was blooming.   I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the lupine, as it is one of my favorite “wildflowers” of coastal Maine.   Lupine thrives in cool, moist climates, and my attempts to grow it in hot and humid Pennsylvania (where I used to live), were doomed to fail.

The earliest I had ever been to Maine (before moving here), was about the third week in June, and by then the Lupine were beginning to fade.   So when I spotted this meadow on the outskirts of town, I was excited to get out there with my zoom lens and see what I could capture.

 

 

This meadow is private property, and while it isn’t marked as “no trespassing”, I like to be respectful of privae landowners, so I didn’t want to intrude too much on their privacy.  I did “step over the line” to capture these lupines in “close up”.

 

 

In this location, purple was the most prevelant color, but there were sprinklings of pink and white lupine as well.   Aren’t they beautiful?!   

The meadow is bordered by two roads, and as I hiked along the road opposite from where I started, I was happily surprised to see three deer grazing in the meadow among the lupine.   A bonus to be sure, and made me REALLY glad I had my long lens mounted on the camera.

 

 

It is always a treat when you get to see wildlife while walking, so in spite of the clouds, I was really glad I took the chance to shoot photos today!   The “lovely lupine” will likely last another couple of weeks, so this may not be the last you see of them on this blog!