On Sunday, we took Dee to the bus station so that she could return to New York City, where she lives and works. Always so sad to see her go, but what a fun time we had celebrating our birthdays.
Monday was Labor Day in this country. Here is a short explanatory blurb from Wikipedia: “Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws, and well-being of the country. It is the Monday of the long weekend known as Labor Day Weekend. It is recognized as a federal holiday. ”
Very fitting that we should honor laborers who made the workforce a better, safer place. However, for many people it is the long weekend marking the end of summer. Tourists aplenty come to Maine on Labor Day Weekend, but luckily for us, central Maine is not a hot spot for vacationers, and the roads are fairly quiet.
In keeping with our quiet area, we decided that Monday would be a no-car day and that we would bike along Maranacook Lake, one of our favorite places to ride. The day was hot but beautiful, and after our ride, we sat on a bench at Norcross Point to watch the water, the boats, and the sky.
Hydrangeas are in bloom, and I liked the way the blossoms look with the sky as the background.
Also, I liked the way the two bright kayaks punctuated the water. Blue and pink, pink and blue.
As we sat at the park and watched people paddle and swim, we reflected how lucky we were to live in a town where there is ample access to free public areas by the lake. Not every town has this, and in Readfield, the town next to ours, their beach is billed as “a user supported beach.” The town charges $40 per family for an annual permit.
Certainly, $40 is not a great deal of money, but lots of people in central Maine live on a tight budget, and I wonder how many families decide they can’t afford the fee. Much better, in my opinion, to have the beach and the park free for all to enjoy. (I do realize that taxes pay for the maintenance of the Winthrop beach and park, and I am happy to have a portion of my taxes used this way.)
After these musings, Clif and I decided to head home. And what did I see? Leaves just beginning to change color.
It is September, after all, and while the calendar tells us that autumn isn’t here until September 23, the trees are telling us otherwise.
Soon, the most beautiful season of the year will be upon us.
In the meantime, Clif and I will enjoy as many evenings as we can on the patio.
Those days are numbered.
Notes From the Hinterland 
You are truly blessed with these beautiful surroundings Laurie. It looks beautiful with the blue sky, the hydrangea in bloom and a few leaves beginning to change colour. September is a glorious month! :o) xxx
Thanks, Xenia!
I’m surprised you don’t get many tourists as you have such beautiful scenery in your part of Maine. I’m interested to read about the “User supported beach” ..I guess all towns have different priorities.
We always feel a bit sad when our daughter returns to her city life, but getting out and enjoying a bike ride would be the perfect cure! .
Maine is a coastal state, and the sea always draws more people than lakes do. We get some summer people—enough for the merchants to notice but not enough to clog the roads. Yes, different towns have different priorities, and I’m glad our town doesn’t have a “user supported beach.” Always so sorry to see the “kids” go.
The end of the week promises to be cool and dry. Yard work and cleaning up the garden beds is the order of the day.
Yay for cooler weather!
Seems like it was just Memorial Day. The summer has flown by!
Love that shot of the lake and puffy clouds going on forever. What a beautiful day!
I know! The summer, despite the terrible heat, just flew by.
It certainly was a beautiful weekend in your neighborhood, well, except for those changing leaves. 🙂
Very beautiful! And, yes, fall is coming.
This all looks idyllic. I wish your days like this were not so numbered. We, too, relax when the tourists go home 🙂
For some reason, I never thought about how you had to deal with tourists. But of course you do! The sea always beckons.
🙂
Laurie, you are so thoughtful about your way of living. It really is a delight and a testament to ‘a life of gratitude’ and ‘time well spent’. You and Cliff and the people you share your days with choose to live with intent and consideration…and how hard is that? You are both excellent examples of mindful living
. And, I think you both have a way of finding fun and purpose every day…good job! Love it!
A-w-w-w! Thanks so much! The same, of course, is true for you two.
I’ve seen a few trees in my Philadelphia region that have hints of gold in them. But it’s still very hot here. Last night at 8PM the temp was 89F.
Anyway, your photos make we wish that I lived near a lake.
Bye Laurie, till next time.
Neil
Still warm in Maine, too, but the forecast promises us cooler weather is coming. What a summer it has been in the Northeast.
Such a nice, relaxed, and intentional way of passing the day! I couldn’t help but think of all the people who had to work, to support the tourists and last-minute school shoppers in our area. But that didn’t stop me from enjoying my day.
Thanks, Kerry! And a non-carbon spewing way, too. 😉 It’s funny, I also thought of all the people who had to labor on Labor Day. Almost mentioned it, but decided not to. I decided one soapbox speech per post was enough.
That shows a great deal of self-control! 😉
Beautiful area to live in. Yes, the seasons are a-turning.
They are! But it’s still hot and humid. So weird for this northern state. Usually, in September, the brisk weather starts.
You are fortunate, indeed, to live in your area. I’ve never heard of a user support fee to use a local beach.
We do live in a lovely town, and I don’t think it’s a good thing to have a user-supported beach. Town support is a better way so that everyone can go to the beach.
I think it is a shame to charge for access to parks. Parks should be free, like schools. The poor need parks even more than the rest of us.
You bet! That’s exactly the way I feel. Glad I live in a town where the park and beach are accessible to all.
Beautiful photos!🙂 We have wonderful parks, trails and lakes throughout our state and I’ve always thought they are so important for communities.
They sure are!
Everything about this post was beautiful and made my eyes and heart happy. Lucky you to see such beauty and I love your photo responses to sky, water, flowers and color…as always I am grateful for these windows into your world and your thoughtful insights
Thank you so very much! What lovely, kind words. We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of Maine.
What a lovely post, Laurie! The photographs of the lake and sky and clouds, not to mention the hydrangea are so beautiful! I have noticed the leaves starting to change colour here, too! So early this year!
Thanks, Clare! Yes, a little early, but in Maine, autumn starts in September. So not too much earlier for us.