Tag Archives: maine

An unwelcome visitor.

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Lord Dudley Mountcatten alerted to us to a new visitor at Casa River the other day….

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And I can’t say I was pleased.

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In the 20 years we’ve lived here, we’ve never had a rat.

Until now.

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I shouldn’t be surprised. We live in the country with horses for neighbors on both sides and an organic farm across the street.

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But as much as I love all the wild creatures who stop by for a nosh?

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Having a rat dig a tunnel and move into our woodshed will not be tolerated.

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Because if there’s one… there could be one hundred next month.

Sorry bud, but your days are numbered.

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Things you’ll only find in Maine.

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Maine is well known for its lobster and blueberries, but here are two other regional items with which you may be unfamiliar.

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Yes, we put mashed potatoes in candy. And if you’ve never had one of these delicious treats? You won’t believe how tasty chocolate covered taters can be.

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I admit I’ve never tried this.

And to be honest, I probably never will. If you’ve ever walked the clam flats of a Maine beach at low tide in the summer?

The smell is not what you would call tea worthy.

Trust me on this.

🤢

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So close….

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I took Lord Dudley Mountcatten out in the snow for round two last week and after a few false starts…

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He accepted the white stuff was cold, wet and crunchy but if one is careful, it can be navigated.

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Careful tiptoeing continued… until he spotted my nemesis.

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While I normally don’t encourage carnage or blood sport, all bets are off when it comes to that house/barn/garage gnawing red bitch.

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I was actively encouraging the stalk and made sure to stand motionless and quiet.

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But alas, she out maneuvered us and hid in the woodshed. No doubt sharpening her teeth in between chuckles.

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Lord Dudley was disheartened, not to mention cold… so round two of ‘introduction to snow’ came to a close.

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Would you like ice with that?

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Winter in Maine used to look like this:

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Oh, the good old days when it got cold and stayed that way until spring. Yes, back in the dark ages before our climate developed whiplash – it snowed, stayed cold enough for the snow to stick and then it snowed some more.

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Making for some fabulously shaped mounds of white stuff. But these days? We have a small storm, maybe an inch or two… then the temperature warms to the high 30’s or 40’s during the day and everything melts.

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And when the temperature swings back down?

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Ice.

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Everywhere.

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On every thing.

And while that does result in some rather stellar icicles…

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It also makes walking on our skating rink of a driveway seriously treacherous.

Keep your warm weather down south and out west!

It’s winter in Maine The only melting ice I want is in my cocktail.

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A recipe book for the rest of us.

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In general I’d say I’m a good cook. People like to come over for dinner, my dishes are requested at potlucks, and Lord knows my husband doesn’t complain. But every once in a while I’ll try a new recipe and things will…. how shall we say? … go astray.

I read the directions, I do just what they say… but the result is often inedible.

Perhaps I need this:

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I wouldn’t count on it, but let’s see.

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Who knew there was such a thing.

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Cheese? Good.

Kale? Bad.

Got it!

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I’m afraid I can’t follow that rule. Growing up with a father who died after his fifth heart attack… and living with a man who has had triple bypass, I don’t add salt to anything.

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Well, if the lobster says so… it must be true.

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Always read the reviews!

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After careful consideration… I decided I needed some festive chickens for next year’s Christmas display.

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I mean really, how could I not? They’re delightful.

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I have to admit I was a bit put off by the price. $63 per bird seemed a trifle much.

It was then I decided to read the product reviews and see if the clucking things were worth it.

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A bright light of nothingness? How could that be! They looked so wonderful in the ad.

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Well that is a seriously disappointing hen to be sure.

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It’s…. flat.

Exactly how flat?

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Flatter than my high C note when I’m singing in the shower flat.

And no one wants that.

🥴

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To snow, or not to snow?

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We finally got a few inches of white stuff on the ground and I figured it was time to make Lord Dudley Mountcatten walk the proverbial plank.

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He was a bit hesitant…

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But made a mad dash to the shallow patches beside the house.

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When he hit the slightly deeper parts he looked back as if to say… wtf?

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After which he plonked the Royal butt down and refused to move. A few minutes of chilly bird watching later, he called it quits and ran for the house.

I’m calling this progress.

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