The calendar has flipped to August, high summer in Maine, and right on cue, the crickets have begun singing their sweet, sad song. There is no better place to listen than in our gazebo, which protects us from mosquitoes.
During the day, we are surrounded by green, and it feels as though we are being held by the forest.
But evening is magical, too. On Saturday night, we brought home pizza and stayed in the gazebo until nearly midnight. In Maine, there are not many months where the weather is warm enough for us to do this, and we cherish every opportunity to sit outside without a sweater or jacket.
August in Maine is also the time for tomatoes, and mine have started to ripen.
Did I eat one of those little jewels, straight from the vine? You bet I did. The rest I brought in for lunches during the week.
Clif is making good progress on the house, but the rain today, while much needed, has put a temporary halt on the job. As soon as the weather clears, Clif will be back outside to continue his work.
Last night, on Sunday, we met our friends Dawna and Jim at Absolem for drinks and a chat. While we love this old place with its renovated barn turned into a tasting room, we promised Dawna and Jim an invitation to our backyard sometime soon, while the weather is still warm, to enjoy drinks and appetizers. They agreed that this sounded like a great idea.
So welcome, welcome August, the month of warm delights, a slightly melancholy time as we know summer is coming to an end. Each day, dusk comes a little earlier, and the sun rises a little later. But we will cherish every day of this oh-so-lovely month, going outside as often as we can.
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Listening
Raise Your Hopeful Voice
A Tribute to Glen Hansard
I expect many of you have heard of the Irish musician Glen Hansard and perhaps have even seen the bittersweet film Once, which featured his music and singing as well as that of his then-partner Markéta Irglová. This 2007 movie, made for a pittance and directed by John Carney, touched many hearts, including mine.
Less than a week ago, on July 29, Hansard was killed in a motorcycle accident, and the world too soon lost this talented musician. (He was fifty-six.) There has been a huge outpouring of grief from the well known—Bono and Bruce Springsteen—to ordinary fans of this big-hearted musician. According to the BBC, “For the past 15 years, Hansard had organised an annual Christmas Eve busking gig to raise money for homelessness charities.” I have read that, like many musicians, Hansard believed music flowed across cultures, becoming a creative force that unifies us.
Finally, here is a video of “Falling Slowly,” perhaps Once‘s most famous song and one that certainly catches the essence of the movie.
Farewell, troubadour.
Notes From the Hinterland 
We’ve had much needed rain all day today. I will not complain because everything needed a drink.
Your gazebo sure has provided a lot of good outdoor hours for you. Wonderful gift.
Tell me a little more what Clif is doing. Is he replacing the wood siding, adding insulation or repairing something? DIY projects always interest me.
Much-needed rain! Clif is replacing our old card-board siding—what a great idea that was!—and replacing it with a composite siding. Because of our modest budget, he is replacing and patching rather than covering the house with all new siding.
Your gazebo looks like a wonderful little forest oasis. Magical at night, I’m sure.
We’ve driven past Absolem numerous times and I always say we should stop… but we haven’t yet as the husband isn’t a cider fan.
Many thanks! Absolem has a great selection of beer, too.
Oh?
That might help.
👍
A beautiful start to August in your wonderful gazebo Laurie and the work Clif is doing on your home is coming along nicely! Yes, we too were very sad to learn of Glen Hansard’s passing on his way home from performing for community volunteers. He made the world a better place and his music and spirit will forever remain in our hearts 💖 xxx
Many thanks! Yes, Hansard’s music and spirit will forever remain in our hearts.
Ah, your yard and gazebo look great! And hurrah for tomatoes! I have a Sweet 100s plant I call it my “yard work candy” because I munch on the little gems as as work at this time of year.
Falling Slowly is a lovely song. I did not know of Hansard. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure! I think I might watch Once this weekend.
😎cool My kitties love chasing crickets and spiders all night long in the back porch 🦗 🕷️
Kitties do love chasing bugs.
Lovely to see summer in your neck of the woods.
I had never heard of Glen Hansard until his death.
Thanks, Barbara! Hansard was a wonderful musician. Such a loss!
Purchasing the gazebo was a great move. It has made life better for you and Clif.
Sure did!
Lovely! I saw the Broadway tour of the musical Once (based on the film) and I loved it. Musicians on the stage were great. I should go back and watch the film now. Hansard was terrific in the Commitments too. What a loss!
A terrible loss. I, too, liked The Commitments. Would have loved to see Once on stage.
Glen Hansard had passed me by too but I have enjoyed listening to his music.
Such a good musician! So sorry he’s gone.
Your gazebo looks very inviting and the notion of being held by the forest (without getting eaten by mosquitoes) is lovely.
Keep enjoying those summer evenings outside.
Thanks, Tanja! Our backyard is our happy place in the summer.
I bet that screen house is getting lots of action this summer. Bug-free is where it’s at, that’s for sure. I like your night photo of it and the pattern the light makes on the grass. 🙂 I’ve noted the start of crickets, too, along with katydids. Do you have them as well? Definitely the delightful sounds of summer evenings!
Bug-free is definitely where it’s at. Haven’t heard any katydids.
I first saw Glen Hansard singing Fairytale of New York at Shane McGowan’s funeral and had to find out who he was. Such a loss.
The gazebo is so wonderful. I would love being outside without fearing the biting insects. I do love summer, but kind of look forward to cooler weather at the same time as I enjoy the last days of summer.
The gazebo looks great. When darkness falls do you find moths are attracted to the lights?
Not much, which is odd. Now our porch light is another matter. They swarm to it. I wonder what the difference is.
Enjoy the month, my friends
Will do!
How like a writer to observe that crickets have a “sweet sad song”! They get into my house in summer when I am trying to sleep, and all I can think about is how to get them out.
Outside, a chorus of crickets is delightful. Inside, one cricket chirping can drive you nuts. 😉
You are so right. I love them outside!