Life as I know It

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San Luis Obispo, California, and South Bristol, Maine, United States
Author ~ Illustrator ~ Lecturer

Monday, September 15, 2008

September Sunshine on Damariscove Island



I am happily painting many new illustrations for my upcoming book. I try to blot out the loss of the last 238 and just forge ahead. In my California studio, I have a quote about the people who succeed. "You can tell by the long scratch marks on the wall that successful people hold on no matter what!" That's me, not necessarily successful, but stubborn. I just hold on and try to keep creating with the foremost thought of reaching and somehow touching the lives of children and their significant grown-ups. Wish me luck!



Saturday we traveled from Boothbay Harbor, Maine, to Damariscove Island, which was settled in the early 1600s. Luckily for all of us, Damariscove was purchased by the Nature Conservancy and is now owned by the Boothbay Region Land Trust.

The only remnants of the early settlers are some fragments of china and glass, old pipes and metalwork, and the lovely stone foundations of barns and homes.



Later buildings (late 1800s), clad in shingles and silvered by the seasons, house the tiny museum and caretaker's cottage. My heartfelt thanks go out to the volunteers and Board of the Trustees–caretakers of both the past and the future of our Maine history and nature.





That is me, hiking the island, but taking time out to have a heart-to-heart talk with my tender granddaughter Sara, who called me with a pressing problem. I could be President of the U.S. and I would still let my grandchildren interrupt me anywhere and anytime. My pleasure and joy!

4 comments:

Tina @ Squirrel Acorns said...

That looks like a wonderful day trip. You said your granddaughter was with you. Is the trip/hike suitable for younger ones? Mine are preschool / early elem age.

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos! I'm glad you are forging ahead with your illustrations - I'm anxiously awaiting the new book.

I so look forward to being a grandmother! My oldest two daughters will be getting married next year, so I'm hoping grandchildren are in my near future.

Barb Davis said...

Great quote about successful people. Love the photos, too!

Carol Michel said...

It's nice to get a peak into your studio to see where you work and create such wonderful artwork and books!

Carol, May Dreams Gardens