Clif and I both have birthdays in September, and last week our daughters came home to celebrate with us. What a fine week it was! Having them here was the best present of all, and Shannon, who lives in North Carolina, has decided to make a mid-September visit a yearly occasion. Dee, our eldest, could only stay until midweek. It’s always inconvenient when work gets in the way of having fun.
Shannon stayed for the whole week, and as is our way, we filled it with simple pleasures—visiting with friends, going to a lecture on politics, playing a new game that Shannon got for her birthday. The weather was so warm that we could have drinks on the patio nearly every night.
Saturday, Shannon’s last day, was the grand finale. We went to Lakeside Orchard in Manchester for an apple festival.
Then, it was off to the Red Barn for lunch. I had one of their fabulous lobster rolls, and Shannon had a shrimp basket.
The Red Barn supports many charities, and outside a pet rescue organization—can’t remember the name—had a display, complete with dogs and cats. Shannon, a dog lover extraordinaire, couldn’t resist cuddling one of the dogs, a sweet border collie mix named Linda.
After lunch, we went to Hallowell to sit by the Kennebec River.
The river was aflutter with birds. We saw herons—look closely on the left.
From an even greater distance, we saw bald eagles. (Unfortunately, my wee camera doesn’t get good shots of birds, especially when they are far away, but I always try.)
And, of course, there were ducks that—to borrow from my friend Barbara—are plentiful but never common.
On Sunday, I brought Shannon to the bus station to begin the first leg of her journey back to North Carolina. I was so sorry to see her go, but she and her husband, Mike, will be back for Christmas, which isn’t that far away.
Now, it’s time to settle into our routine, to work on getting my YA fantasy, Maya and the Book of Everything, ready for publication.
There’s just one little hitch that will keep me from working for a few days—Clif gave me his cold. It’s just starting today, and I’m getting chores done before the road-kill phase of the cold sets in. Fortunately, Clif’s cold has not been a bad one, and I expect that by the end of the week I will be back on schedule.
Onward and upward!
Notes From the Hinterland 
A wonderful week!! A little blue to be back at the work grind again but Christmas will be here before we know it!! 🙂
PS The rescue organization was called The Pixel Fund (http://www.thepixelfund.org/) – some awfully adorable puppies and kittens. Sweet little Linda almost came home with me! 😛
Yes, yes! Thanks for info, Shannon. I loved that little dog, too.
I thought maybe that was the case, Shannon – You and Linda looked very comfy together. Don’t you wish you had all the room and time and resources in the world?
Yes I do!!! 🙂 Though my two pups at home are glad that I don’t so that they don’t have to share attention with anymore puppies!
The bald eagles always get me – Laurie – When I was growing up I NEVER saw one – but now they are all around. I saw one over my yard (WAY up) just the other day – And my mom even sees them in the town I grew up in. So nice to see that things can get better over time, even as other things fall apart.
Me too, Jodie. When I was young, there were no eagles on the Kennebec River, which was so dirty and polluted practically nothing lived in it. Yes, some things do get better. Important to keep that in mind.
Hope your cold is better soon. Good luck with the final revisions.
Thanks, Beth!
I hope yours is not a bad cold, either
Not too bad. But I hate just lying around and not doing much of anything. It gets on my nerves 😉
What a lovely week – such a nice way to end September. Great bird sighting, love them all, and seeing an eagle is always sure to make my day
Yes, yes!
Sounds like you had a happy family reunion – glad that everyone could get the time away. Family time is the best! Hope your cold skips away quickly!
A wonderful week. This dratted cold isn’t too bad, but my head is too fuzzy to work on my book. I’m hoping that by Friday it will be clear enough for me to resume editing.
I hope this gorgeous fall weather cures your cold quickly. I’m happy to hear that you had such a good time with your daughters. Feel better!
Thanks, Brenda! Much better today, and tomorrow I expect to be back to my normal routine.