2023 Calendar Letter

First and foremost please accept my apologies for increased calendar cost and raised shipping prices. We got nailed! Our printer actually could not guarantee availability or cost of the papers we use for the calendar and postal shipping rates are making us crazy!   Last year we were shocked by a last minute increase in postage just in time for holiday shipping. No telling where we’re headed. So sorry.

Factoid. Guess what have become the most difficult images to gather for the calendar. Would you believe Winter? Forty years ago I published a book entirely of winter photos, “WINTER”. Recent winters have changed. I only plowed us out three times this year, just in time for the winds to blow snow from trees and/or turn to rain. The days plowing folk can buy and pay for new equipment in one season may be in jeopardy.

And, we’re not out of the woods with Covid. In late 2021 and now, as this letter is being written, in early 2022, people are still getting sick, both here in Maine and around the country.  Here in the Boothbay Harbor area cases continue to show up. It’s a little tricky with so many visitors landing from everywhere.   No way to tell who has done what. Caution in busy enclosed public spaces is a safe bet.   I for one prefer to open all the windows in my old 2003 VW Jetta and ride back and forth at Ocean Point, breathing in deeply the salty ocean air!   

I had knee replacement surgery. My family said I was “walking funny”!  They should know! It’s been an interesting process. I was very grateful for the help I got at home during recovery. Newly arrived to the island highly skilled physical therapist Dr. Eden Climo, has been a big help recently. Not sure you will soon see me roller skating to the Island General Store, but you may catch me wading in the restorative ocean waters at Hendricks Head. I do believe in the healing powers of salt water and aforementioned ocean air. We shall see. I am  holding off on renewing my contract with the International Soccer Federation.

Morgan and Andrei are still living here on the island but not with us. They have  purchased a small parcel of land nearby upon which  they hope to build. However, building material costs are not very favorable which may delay their plans. They are taking things a bit at a time, doing what is possible, in small steps. Housing and land in the region are totally nuts. For young folk starting out, it is very difficult, all but impossible to find anything within reach. It’s a big problem. Properties are flying off the market, often locked up before advertised with multiple cash offers!

Morgan continues on with her artistic endeavors creating hand painted designs and wearable art available through her website:  www.morganmitchell.com. Andrei is a big help and is quite busy with his Turo car rental business which has done very well. His rates are quite reasonable and he generally has cars available both here on the island and in Portland. Interestingly, traveling nurses have been very active renters, arriving to help Maine hospitals. The car rental market is tight and his vehicles are in demand, especially hybrids.      

Mae and Ben still live in Brooklyn. Mae’s acting work there has picked up a bit but virus precautions have complicated things. She also continues to help her wonderful friends and New York family with whom she has spent the last six years. The children are growing up fast weaving their way through these complicated times. They are a great team, supportive and caring for each other.    

Ben has been busy with a new movie project and taken on work as a short term substitute librarian at a Brooklyn high school. He is well suited for the job, enjoys books and his interactions with students. Ben is a good teacher.

In July of 2021 we had a wonderful gathering and “re created” wedding for Mae and Ben here on the farm. Family and friends came from all over to celebrate the Covid derailed wedding. Ben’s family from Texas came to Maine, many for first visits. It was a joyous small, intimate event held in our birch meadow outdoors with a fun evening of food and dancing to follow. Even adopted Grandmother Nana Kiley was able to attend. We were so pleased to have everyone. My sisters from Pennsylvania landed to “rock on” with the gang!

Susan continues to be Susan, helping folks who need help with personal care at home. She has been quite busy on assorted fronts while trying to keep a little time for outdoor gardening activities, yoga and long valued friendships. Our new family member “Leica”, the wonder dog, is teaching us new tricks like sneaking my high value blood orange Eventide scone off the kitchen counter. Ugh. She’s quite the bird! We love her and she has been great fun but can be a handful. Her rocket-like pursuit of the “Jolly ball” in the back field is inspirational.

All things considered, we continue to be very grateful for where we live.   We pray for a better world and do what we can to help out.  We hope you will find some peace in the images of this year’s calendar.   

“Slava Ukraini”.

Much love and best. Me and Us

As always, a portion of the proceeds from calendar sales will be set aside for “Teens to Trails” so young people can enjoy Maine. Yay!

Order this year's calendar here.