All posts by Laurie Graves

I write about nature, food, the environment, home, family, community, and people.
News

Gratitude

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In the United States, today is Thanksgiving. Because we are taking a more honest look nowadays at exactly what happened in this country when the Pilgrims came over, the holiday has lost some of its luster. And rightly so. However, even though the scales might have fallen from our eyes, a day of gratitude where we celebrate the harvest with family and friends can only be a good thing.

And speaking of gratitude…yesterday, our neighbor, a young woman, came over bearing these little gems from the hens she keeps in her backyard.

What wonderful variety and color! I tried to pay her for the eggs, but she wouldn’t take any money.

This brings us to another g word—generosity. When the two words—gratitude and generosity—are twined together, the world is definitely a better place.

So on this holiday, I am grateful for the generosity of my neighbor, who gave me these eggs without expecting anything in return.

And while I am on the subject of gratitude, I also want to express thanks for my many blogging friends near and far. You all make my world a brighter place, that’s for sure.

Many, many thanks!

 

authorpages, Books, People

At Quiet City Books

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Yesterday, as part of Lewiston’s Sunday Indie Market, Clif and I went to Quiet City Books, where we had our own little table for our own little books.

Quiet City Books is one those shops that feels like home to all nerdy, wordy folks who love books. (Yes, that would include me.)  Courtney MacMunn Schlacter, the owner, has managed to tuck in bright, funky art and sweet little gifts among an astonishing assortment of books that appeal to readers young and old.

What a delightful way to spend a winter’s day. We sold some books and chatted with Courtney, who has a commitment to making Lewiston a better place. We talked about how too many people only hear what’s bad about Lewiston, a mill city that has seen better days, but nonetheless has a lot going for it.  Thanks to Courtney and other bright, creative people, Lewiston now has a hopeful spark.

So readers, if you live in the area and find yourself in Lewiston, stop by Quiet City Books, look at the art and the books and support this wonderful local store.

Animals - especially dogs, Nature

Fur and Feathers on a Snowy Day

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Last night it snowed, and we got enough—several inches—so that the plow has roared past our house. A true sign of winter. Here is a picture of our house tucked in the snow, and it always looks so cozy to me. (For supper, Clif is making Snowy Day Potato, Cabbage Soup, a perfect meal for a cold day.)

I always like the sight of dried plants—in this case, ferns—against the white snow.

The remaining garden ornaments take on a different look.

The backyard, with its feeders, draws in woodland creatures with fur and feathers.

One of my favorites is the chickadee, a jaunty little bird.

My friend Barbara, who passed away thirteen years ago, once noted that while chickadees might be plentiful, they are never common. How right she was! I recently learned that in the fall, the brains of chickadees increase in size so that they can remember where they cache seeds. And in the spring, when the chickadees no longer need to remember, their brains shrink in size. Here is a link for the Audubon site for more information about the incredible brains of chickadees.

What a wonder nature is!

And British blogging friends, do you think chickadees resemble coal tits? I know I sure do.

Celebrate, Music

All Dancing Together

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Despite the chilly, rainy day—or maybe because of it—despite the sorrows of the world—which are many–today,  a week after the election, is a day for music, for celebrating because gosh darn it there was a blue wave. And blue is my favorite cover.

This song, by the terrific band R.E.M, captures how I feel on this drizzly day. Not only do I love the catchy, upbeat tune and words, but I also love the diversity featured in the video—young people, old people, black, brown, Asian, white, thin, plump. All dancing together.

And if I’m ever reincarnated, I want a voice just like Kate Pierson’s.

Books, Nature

Brisk and Invigorating

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Yesterday was a fine, brisk day. The sun was shining, but the air smelled cold and fresh, and if it weren’t for creaky knees, I would have been positively frisky. What can I say? I’m a Mainer, and for me the first touch of winter is always invigorating.

Even with creaky knees, I got a fair amount done. Up the road, where the winter berries grow, I clipped quite a few branches of these red beauties to use in a winter arrangement for the front deck.

On the way to get the Sunday paper, I stopped at Maranacook Lake to take a few pictures.

I found blue sky, blue water, and a beached boat

as well as golden and dried plants against the rippling lake.

When I got home, I raked the driveway, perhaps for the last time, but we shall see.

At the end of the short day, I was tucked on the couch with the orange cat on my lap and a cup of hot cocoa nearby. I am going back and forth between two books—A Manuel for Cleaning Women, a collection of  sad, moving, short stories by Lucia Berlin; and Tyrant: Shakespeare on Politics by Stephen Greenblatt. Of the latter book, in brief, let’s just say that Shakespeare knew.

Nature

Now There Is Hope

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No two ways about it. The recent elections threw me in a tizzy, and I am oh so glad that overall there was more good than bad. I am also coming down the homestretch with Library Lost. Between those two things, I don’t have much energy for anything else.

But yesterday afternoon in the front yard,  the light was so beautiful that I did make time to take a few pictures.

Looking up, there are oak leaves.

Looking down, ditto.

Little Minerva is nearly buried.

And one lone phlox flower hangs on.

Finally, this captures how I feel after Tuesday’s elections. So light, so grateful.

While the work certainly isn’t done—we can never say, “There! Finished!”—after the past two miserable years, there is now hope.

Food for Thought, Nature

Bursts of Yellow and Russet on a Rainy Election Day

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A brief note about the election: For Maine, it was a very good night. The Democrats now control all three branches of government. Finally, finally, 70,000 low-income folks soon will receive good, affordable health care and not have to resort to going to the emergency room when they are ill. Nationally, there are many states that switched from Republican  to Democratic, and Democrats now control the House. Unfortunately, the tide did not turn in Florida, Georgia, and Texas, and the Republicans gained more seats in the Senate. So, Trump’s scare tactics worked to some degree, and we are still a very divided nation. However, real gains were made. Because of all the election brouhaha, I won’t be getting much work done, but I will allow myself to be happy on this day.

And onward, ho!