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We drove west to Fryeburg the other day for the last fair of the agricultural season.
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It’s always a gorgeous drive this time of year…
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But due to the ongoing lack of rain and drought conditions the leaves weren’t nearly as bright.
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Patches of color, yes.
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But the trees have been stressed this year.
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They started turning early and in much more muted shades.
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Disappointing.
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But still scenic.
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😊
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It won’t hurt your brain.
I promise.
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As much as I enjoy my craft cocktails and beer, if I could only drink one thing it would have to be fresh brewed unsweetened iced tea with a wedge of lemon.
I don’t drink coffee, so tea is my mainstay pick me up. Lower in caffeine and full of healthy antioxidants, I love it and drink it every day regardless of the weather.
How about you?
One beverage, forever.
Go!
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I went to the doctor recently.
Nothing worrisome, just my annual physical. I’m ridiculously healthy for my age and though I have a bad knee, bunions and the normal aches and pains associated with reaching my sixth decade… there were thankfully no major issues to discuss.
I don’t have diabetes, or high cholesterol or any other ailments that require medication so my annual wellness check is usually a quick in and out with a stamp of good health.
We have excellent insurance due to my husband’s military service and my visit is always completely covered.
Free.
Until the other day when I received this bill.
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It showed a $25 balance and while that certainly wasn’t a problem…. it was different, and made me wonder what had changed.
Not being able to decipher the coded language on the bill, I did some research.
Turns out I’m too healthy.
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I’m being penalized because I’m healthy?
The doctor didn’t have to make any medical decisions.
So they charge me more?
What the utter hell is that about!
😡
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Our night time visitors include deer, fox, opossums, skunks and raccoons. I put out a bowl of water and critter specific food but they all nibble the bird seed that spills on the ground.
All of them except this fellow.
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Who prefers his straight from the source.
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You wouldn’t think his chunky little butt could shimmy up that pole, but he climbs it with ease.
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https://youtu.be/FL8DFR3lok4?feature=shared
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Of course coming down isn’t quite as smooth.
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🤣
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Pardon the photo quality, I was taking pics through the window and the kitchen light was throwing reflections.
And why isn’t WP letting me embed videos anymore? That’s annoying.
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Maine is a tourist state and while natives understand the economy’s need for visitor’s dollars, it doesn’t mean we enjoy all our favorite spots being too crowded to enjoy while they’re here.
Hence “shoulder season”.
That glorious month after summer but before leaf peeping when there’s not a tourist to be found.
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Case in point?
The Dockside Grill in Falmouth.
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You can’t squeeze your way in here during high season… but right now?
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A raspberry thyme Rickey and ocean view can be savored in peace.
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As can a fabulous shrimp and scallop chowder…
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A pineapple margarita…
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And a haddock sandwich.
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Life is good in shoulder season.
👍
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Useless… and therefore never ending.
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I don’t know, and I honestly don’t care.
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He must have tasted like kale.
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It’s the Devil. I fail to see how she could be surprised.
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As far as I’m concerned everything about Bobby Brain Worm is gross, but this is bizarre.
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Hope he doesn’t carpool the kids.
😳
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It was only a matter of time.
And bet AI Jesus won’t open the pod bay doors either.
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Another library book sale, another couple of stacks of mostly unfamiliar authors.
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Two dollars each.
Life is good.
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If you fold your thumb over your palm, does it extend beyond your hand?
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I always thought being limber was a good thing but in this case it’s not. Thankfully my thumb is where it should be. But then I haven’t been what you’d call limber in years.
😉
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My plant is trying to escape.
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Though where it thinks it’s going is anyone’s guess.
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I love to read. And since I do a lot of it, I love a library book sale.
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Two dollars for hardcovers, $1, for paperbacks makes me feel less guilty that these two stacks will be finished in a month and a half.
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This martini is for Mark. Made with fresh watermelon puree it was utterly delightful.
Really!
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This makes me even more glad I can’t stand the stuff.
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Remember I spoke of this a while back?
A third less tourists is not good for Maine’s economy.
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The husband, examining a wagon wheel fence he saw at a yard sale. Needless to say he was disappointed the wheels were not for sale.
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This is Pia.
I’m cat sitting for a neighbor this week… and when Pia wants to be petted?
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You’d better pet.
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Best advice I’ve heard in a while.
😉
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I love a good craft show. People can be incredibly clever and creative and I like coming home with handmade treasure.
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So when I heard there was a show at Laudholm Farms on the Wells Estuary we took a drive down the coast even though it was overcast, drizzling rain and foggy.
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It was an amazing show and all the craftspeople were under cover, be it tents or barns.
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The problem?
I was expecting to find crafts and what I found was art that usually resides in galleries. There was amazing jewelry, fabulous paintings, unique pottery, intricate woodworking and stunning metalwork. Unfortunately I didn’t plan on spending $1,800 on a pair of silver earrings or $6,000 for some stained glass.
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The artists have a very strict no photography rule so these giant outdoor pieces were the only things I could sneak a shot of.
And while the items we saw were beautiful, the cost of the things I wanted reached $15,000 before we were halfway through.
Needless to say I left empty handed.
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No, I didn’t even consider pickle body lotion.
Our next stop was for a late lunch/early dinner at a local landmark, the Bull and Claw.
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This restaurant has been in operation since 1973 and to be honest I don’t think it’s been redecorated since the 1980’s.
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Plastic tablecloths, plastic duck decoys, artificial flowers … I wasn’t holding much hope.
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But my cranberry margarita was decent and cheap and the menu was large.
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Husband attacked the soup and salad bar with good results.
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And we were pleasantly surprised to find our meals flavorful, well prepared and more than amply sized. Medium rare prime rib and stuffed shrimp with baked potato and broccoli for me, turkey dinner with mashed potato, stuffing and broccoli for the husband.
Our bill was well under a hundred dollars and though the atmosphere was dated and more than a little kitschy, I honestly wouldn’t mind going back.
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It’s Friday, I think you have to.
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I’ll go first…
The Acrocalypse.
Death Roll.
Rancid Reptiles.
Blink – And You Die.
Swamp Demons.
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Now you.
Name this punk band!
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River's world..... 