"It's Just So Maine"

"I delight in the everyday Way, myself

among mist and vine, rock and cave,

wildlands feeling so boundlessly free,

white clouds companions in idleness."

Han Shan

The Poet of Cold Mountain 

8th century

We awoke to tranquility after terrifying surf and high winds. Hard to imagine that things could change so quickly, but look at this perfect Maine day. Or, as Jeff and I have been saying a lot lately, "It's just SO Maine."

Less than 24 hours after the storm.

And less than 24 hours after the storm the boats were put back in the Western Gap.

And the little sailboat with the red sails returns.

And antique dealers set up tents for the wares at the historic old Round Top Farm. They breathed a sigh of relief when the storms passed.

Billy Quinn of Alna, Maine ALWAYS has great country antiques. 

And we all breathed a sigh of relief that a wedding, which we worried would be spoiled by storms, took place in the little stone chapel by the sea on a perfect Maine day.

The chapel is steps from the ocean...

The high tide broke against the rocks just a couple hundred feet from the doorway...

...and directly across from the chapel the Ram Island lighthouse foghorn serenaded us. Heck, I am saving my money for a new camera...I can't get good far away shots with this one.

Attendants carried shells filled with Maine offerings.

And the bride (who just might be a mermaid) wore jewels of the sea.

We drove to the old Sprucewold lodge for the reception. A host of birdhouses greeted us on the front porch. Now you will have to forgive me for the quality of the next few photos. I borrowed Jeff's camera and had it on the wrong setting. But I want you to get the feeling of the reception, which was just so quintessentially Maine.

Inside a zillion little lights, flickering candles, great food, and...

...two fireplaces warmed us.

Traditional lodge twig furniture.

The guestbook was a treasure chest.

A Nantucket basket held tiny bags filled with shell-shaped chocolates.

On the tables were candles, shells, and small Nantucket baskets.

We loved every joyous moment with our family friends. Only one other wedding has ever rivaled it for the authentic Maine flavor...and here it is. The wedding of a lobsterman to his bride on a local lobster boat. My friend Jody Holihan had her camera handy and I asked her to photograph the wedding party as it passed through "The Gut" a small body of water between the mainland and our island. The swinging bridge opened and sounded its bells, and the wedding party toasted and waved to us on shore. We cheered. It was just so Maine.

My "office."

So this afternoon of perfect weather I moved my "office" out to our little porch. Here I sit writing, answering e-mails, and composing my newest posting, which is visible on the screen. Could life be any better than this? It is just so Maine.

Sending love across the miles (and a big thank you to Lori times Five for the wonderful antique card),

Sharon