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The face he makes when you put out broccoli…
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But he clearly wanted carrots.
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🤣
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Our resident raccoon happily eats alongside the skunks. Although usually at a safe distance.
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But when he’s having a drink and little mister stinky is also thirsty?
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The better part of valor is to relinquish the water dish.
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And stay upwind of the stink hole.
🤣
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Woodchucks and skunks abound at Casa River, but trash pandas come and go in irregular intervals.
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We’ll see them for a week or two and then they’ll disappear.
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This week brought a nice chubby fellow.
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Raccoons are fun to watch. They have very expressive faces and extremely dexterous paws.
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They also love water. So much, I have to provide a nightly bowl or they tip over my birdbath which still has the cracks and chips from last year’s visitors.
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Cute.
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But occasionally destructive.
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No matter.
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We welcome them all.
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Do they stink?
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Occasionally.
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Is it an awful smell?
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Most definitely.
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But look at those little stinkers.
You have to admit they’re cute as well.
This video was taken as I was on my way out to spread their nightly snack on the ground under the bird feeders. Skunks have bad eyesight and not very good hearing so I got quite close before he realized I was there.
Pardon the wobbly section, I was trying to spread food and film at the same time.
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🦨💕🦨
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A walk around the gardens finds astilbe.
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In light pink and dark.
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Blanket flower.
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And bee balm.
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In similar shades and different places.
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Day lilies are popping.
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As is the Russian sage and some dianthus.
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Then there’s this…
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Which is pretty but unknown… as I can’t remember its name.
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Marguerite daisies in front of the baby barn.
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And some candy cane dianthus to finish.
😊
Note – these pics were taken a few weeks ago when our lawn was still green. Sadly, we’re browning and crunchy now from lack of rain.
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When we were at Ocean Point in East Boothbay the other night we saw something unusual.
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Can you see it?
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It’s a rainbow.
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But it was vertical.
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How weird is that?
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When friends visit from out of state? They want to have dinner on the ocean and take a sunset drive.
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We joined them for a nice meal and then chauffeured them to our favorite spot.
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Ocean Point Drive in East Boothbay.
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It’s always lovely, but at sunset?
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Wow.
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We continued on…
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Into Boothbay Harbor proper.
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And then?
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No words were necessary.
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❤️
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We had a thunderstorm roll in recently…. and when that happens?
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We head out to the Barn Mahal porch to enjoy the show.
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More often than not this involves freshly tapped beer.
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Unless the CO2 cartridge runs out without us knowing, making the (admittedly almost empty) kegs untappable.
😩
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Hard blackberry lemonade in a frosted glass to the rescue.
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With Momma Red in the distance, keeping a close eye on us.
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When it’s hot and humid we flip on the air conditioning, but the outdoor critters aren’t so lucky. They have to find relief in other ways.
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The red squirrel?
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She sploots.
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Yes, autocorrect… that is the correct spelling.
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Splooting:
Most commonly used by dogs and squirrels. Flattening their belly against a cold surface (like tile or hardwood) helps them regulate body temperature.
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This little lady was in full sploot for half an hour.
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Right on top of the layer of sparrow poo and stray seeds the birds insist on eating on the deck railing.
🥴
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I love peony season.
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Brilliant pops of pink brighten my day.
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The scent is heavenly.
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And they make wonderful bouquets.
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Shame the blooms don’t last longer though.
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In other news, the Red B*tch has discovered the new kitchen landing storm door is a perfect place to tease His Lordship.
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Poor Dudley.
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And poor me for missing what was surely a rollicking good time.
🤣
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Whenever we visit Boothbay Harbor?
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We have to take a drive out to East Boothbay.
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Their loop road is one of the prettiest in Maine.
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Skirting the shore…
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Right along the Atlantic Ocean….
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It’s quintessentially Maine.
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And has some pretty fabulous waterfront homes.
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With some stellar views.
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There’s even a mini lighthouse.
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Some of the properties are for rent in the summer, though I’d hate to guess the cost .
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Scenic drive done, we headed for the Thistle Inn for cocktails and a small bite to eat.
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A ship captain’s home built in 1861…
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it now houses a charming rustic pub and restaurant as well as six suites.
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Did I mention the bar is an actual boat?
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Husband’s French onion soup was rich and hearty.
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My truffle mushroom tart was rich and delicate and absolutely fabulous.
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If you’re in the area, Thistle has some of the best food around.
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