We got the last train to Clarksville! And the last boat to Monhegan over the holiday weekend. It was a perfect day for the crossing and for the island. A little roll on the way over, but nothing too annoying, for the most part. Once we landed at the town pier and disembarked, there was a moment needed to settle the sloshing brain and inner ear. I have known it to be much worse, like the year I photographed “Trap Day” on the first of January, 30-plus years ago. Memories of the trip over from Port Clyde on the Laura B still give me goose bumps. I thought it surely was the end of the world. Rock and Roll baby! Nice moderate temperature too! Not!

I am reminded of the song by my third cousin twice removed, Joni, “Clouds.” “I've looked at clouds from both sides now, from up and down and still somehow, it's clouds' illusions I recall, I really don't know clouds at all.”

I am a fan of clouds. Over the years I have observed and photographed a lot of them. And, as the song says, “I really don't know clouds at all.” But, that hasn't stopped me from admiring the wonderful light shows which treat us, especially this time of year.

Sometimes after many years of frequent flyer miles you come to think that you know the route pretty well. But, when travel plans change, you may have to rethink how to get from point “A” to point “B.” Passing over the same terrain, repeatedly, doesn't always mean you get the lay of the land. Often times, much is missed.

“Mung Bean” did not exist in Boothbay Harbor in 1975. I know, because I checked! The shop did exist, however, in a small way in Coopers Mills. It was Sue and Steve's original location and their initial attempt to launch a business for classic American crafts – a brother and sister act.

During a recent wedding at Newagen Seaside Inn on Southport Island, while photographing with a newly married couple, out of the corner of my eye, “when what to my wandering eyes should appear but, a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer!” Or not!

Generally, I'm not a morning person, nor am I a late night person. Not sure what you call someone like me? A midday person maybe, among other things! However, on occasion, I do get out early in the day, if something or someone requires me to be available at the crack of dawn, or shortly after dawn has cracked!

Considering the messes of late, i.e., fires, storms, floods, COVID, etc., I thought it might be nice to share something a little less troubling.

We, as a family, are not over the top incredible gardeners. We manage and do our best with some nice successes. During the long siege of last year, when everyone in our family came home, we took on projects that otherwise would remain on a rather lengthy “to-do” list. Building some raised garden beds bubbled to the top. With everyone home, we had many hands which made lighter work.

I missed the Rear Admiral portion of David Stinson's life. Back in the 1980s, he was mostly the Reverend Joseph David Stinson and good friend, even though we were not members of his flock at the Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church.

David and wife Cindy landed in Boothbay Harbor in 1982. During that period of my career, I photographed many weddings with David and attended more than a couple funerals conducted under his watch. Boothbay Harbor was a fair piece from his hometown of Bonham in East Texas and an interesting transition from Yale where he attended divinity school. Somehow he managed!

Jenny and Josh got married last weekend. It was not the wedding they had planned. COVID-19 intervened as it has for many. But, this event, though smaller than hoped for, was lovely. A gathering of family and a few friends, mostly from New Hampshire, put together a very special day that will long be remembered for its intimacy and delicate perfection. Recovering from a year of uncertainty has forced many of us to adjust plans, cancel travel and just plain explore new options.

Our earliest memories of Gabe Tonon came all rushing back during the Opera House “Cattle Call” show last week. Gabe has been “on stage,” in one way or another, for a long time. His performances are well documented – early years at local talent gigs and as a train agent at Boothbay's Railway Village. Once focused on something, it’s Katie bar the door – Gabe's on it! Besides music and trains, he can rebuild pickups and build houses. Even drive an oil delivery truck in the dead of winter. All these skills have accumulated and informed, directly and indirectly, a talent of substantial note, no pun intended.

It's kind of remarkable to me how experience around boats has informed Devyn Campbell. Since a very early age, Devyn has been curious about boats. His curiosity has led to many experiences nearby in the harbor, and somewhat less close by on draggers likeAlexis Martina, a 96-foot steel stern dragger out of Point Judith, Rhode Island.

We always look forward to the return of the monarchs. Over the years, though their numbers seemed to have diminished, we encourage the growth of milkweed and brightly colored flowers to attract them. But that's only one reason we like to see them. We are convinced that each year one of these little floaters is our good buddy Prunish from Galveston, Texas.

Guess where I am? Let's make this a multiple choice quiz.

Choice number one would be Barters Island Road on either side of the new bridge.

Choice number two is Route 27 South, weekdays between 6:30 and 7 a.m. at or near Dunkin Donuts.

In 1971 I bought my first new car! It was a VW Super Beetle with Pirelli tires, bigger engine, tighter shifter, fatter steering wheel, and fake leather seats. Bright yellow with black pinstripes. She was a hot number. Cost: around $2,000. I think my first year teaching job paid about $7,600. I had to ask my grade level administrator, Mr. Al Weissbach, to co-sign because I had no credit history. Or, at least none that I cared to share!

This time of year creates some memory challenges for me. Not that this time of year is required for easy confusion, it’s just that something in my brain gets stuck on an odd variety of items. Take this week's photo of a day lily plant that has popped up next to the ramped entrance to our house.

Donna Piselli Murray grew up with 10 sisters and two brothers. What better training for a successful career in retail! Donna is the oldest in the family and all her sisters and brothers are still living, mostly in Maine. The family lived in Auburn and Augusta through much of Donna's childhood. Her father was a chef, well known in the Augusta area for preparing great food. He also was well known for his ice sculptures!

OK, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it is time for some shameless self promotion. Not one of my strong suits. It’s genetic. I come from a long line of “not about me” people. But there comes a time when, if nobody else is “putting it out there,” may as well give it the old college try.

My earliest contact, that I can recall, with a sailing vessel, occurred in East Boothbay when I first arrived in Maine.

Phyllis Washington and I taught together at Montclair High School in Montclair, New Jersey. On our last day of school, while putting things away for the next year, Phyllis arrived at my classroom door and said, “Hi Mitch, are you doing anything this summer?” Phyllis and I, though in the same science department, didn't often cross paths. We had differing approaches to teaching.

In all my years on the planet I have never known anyone with the name Isabel. Through 12 years of public school, four years of college, some graduate school and five years of teaching, no one has raised their hand. Bobs, on the other hand, had to fight for space on the cutting room floor. We are a common lot. Maybe that's why many prefer to call me Mitchell, among other things ... but never late for dinner. Ha.

May's last weekend was a bit dreary, chilly and damp. The end of May can be like that.

But, nonetheless, people turned out to pay their respects on Memorial Day. During the gatherings for Newagen and Southport I had a brief visit with Rear Admiral Howard who led veteran marches throughout the region. Admiral Howard flew in from California to participate in the day's events. Come to find out, Admiral Howard is no stranger to the area. He has been coming to Maine since he was 6 months old and supports the view that Maine is “The center of the Universe.” This coming from someone who has had many visits to many places. It is not an uncommon feeling among people I have met here over the years, who, given the opportunity, could live anywhere in the world. Maine is coming home.