The Rhythm of the Tides

A display at Sweet Pea Gardens and Gallery in Surry, Maine.

"The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it ecomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself." 

Henry Miller

It takes about a week here on our little island before I begin to slow down. I gently ease into the quiet and peace, and realize that the changing tides have swept into my subconscious. I awake in the star flecked darkness and know immediately that the tide has changed and is coming in, going out, or sitting still at slack, where even the sound of a leaping fish is magnified.

Last week, Jeff and I celebrated our 28th anniversary. We took walks, sat out on our porch and watched the sea, and shared dinner at the famed Primo Restaurant in Rockland, Maine. At Primo, they grow their own greens, many veggies, berries, and so much more.

The girls here hope that Primo is thinking of them as egg providers.

"We're here for the eggs, right?" Overheard at the henhouse at Primo.

I had to leave our little cottage and travel downeast to give a talk to the wonderful Castine Garden Club. On the way, we stopped to share lunch with friend and photographer Lynn Karlin and her mom (my adopted mom) Florence.

Lynn's fabulous organic lunch.

Lynn's new calendar. You need it!

In Castine, our hostess Letha Wood, a new friend with a huge passion for the earth, her sweet husband Roger, and her best friend Joan met us for dinner at the Pentagoet Inn, which is where Jeff and I stayed over night. The Pentagoet is an historic inn that serves superb meals. I loved staying there. In the morning, we sat outdoors and enjoyed the beauty of the Pentagoet's bountiful windowboxes and charming gardens.

Oakum Bay, Castine, Maine. View over the rooftops.

Loved this birdhouse mounted over a doorway at the Pentagoet Inn.

My blogging friend Lili of Fearless Nesting and her sweet husband Henri came to my lecture, and we got the chance to visit with them for a few hours afterwards. We were fortunate to be able to visit the elegant home of one of my favorite authors, Katharine "Kitty" Butler Hathaway, who wrote The Little Locksmith in 1942. A highlight for me was seeing her beloved front door with the fanlight she describes in the book.

 Also, the owners of this historic gem let us walk into The Thimble, the tiny cottage where she wrote her book and was visited by such notable authors as Henry Beston (The Outermost House), Elizabeth Coatsworth (one of the first winners of the Newbery), and many others.

View of "The Thimble," which is Katharine's little writing house. Adorable, no?

Our visit to Susan Keating's Sweet Pea Gardens and Gallery in Surry, Maine, was a highlight too. I've been hearing about Sweet Pea from my friend Lynn Karlin who has a "Pedestal Series" show hanging there. Susan has an unerring hand when it comes to decorating and arranging flowers. Take a peek at her creations.

Sue's incredibly well designed window box.

Inside you'll meet Sue. Oh, and would I ever love to have this Monson Slate works antique sink. They scored when they found this at the old salvage store in Portland, Maine. Good work!

I love Sue's "table," which is an old oil drum she found. 

Sue's tapestries of succulents are breathtaking. Wow.

We spent the late afternoon with dear friends at their family camp on the Eggemoggin Reach (which is Robert McCloskey country, ala Blueberries for Sal).

Looking out at the Eggemoggin Reach.

We didn't get home until nearly midnight, but it felt so good to walk through the front door, throw open the windows, and smell the scent of the sea. Home.

All joys,

Sharon

P.S. Please visit my latest Lowe's blog posting and leave one of your valued comments.

P.S.S. GIVE-AWAY!!!! Hey there Grimy Hands Girls' Club members. Leave a comment on this posting and be eligible for my give-away of Lighthouse Seeds by Pamela Love. This is a charming children's book about bringing soil and seeds to a craggy Maine island. Sorry, Grimy Hands members only. Comments must be dated August 17 or earlier.