The way life should be

I had forgotten how wonderful Maine is. After living here for ten years, I was really happy when we moved back to the west coast. But being here now is really bringing home how very special this place is. I have to admit that if there was a good reason, I could move back in a heartbeat. The winters would still get to me, but when the weather is beautiful and the black flies and mosquitoes are visiting someone else, there is no better place.

I am so happy to be here right now and tried to pack in quite a bit today. Rameen and I walked the dogs this morning, stopping at the Udder Place Coffee Company. Then Leslie and I wandered around the Old Port a bit (the old part of the city down by the waterfront - but perhaps you already figured that out by its name?) and then went to a great place for brunch (Bintliff's Cafe).

Next I headed out to Standish, where my good friends, Antoinette and Charlie, now live. I didn't want to leave. The place is fabulous - right on Watchic Lake. It is the kind of place most of us only dream of visiting on vacation and they call it home. Look at these pictures! They really don't do it justice. While I was sipping peppermint tea and enjoying the view, Antoinette pointed out a loon right by the dock. How typically Maine is that? I am hoping I can make it back out there again before I leave, because I am determined to go swimming. (If the weather stays nice that is, since I was informed that the water is only 60 degrees right now.)

And speaking of the weather, after days of rain it turned incredibly lovely today - sunny and in the mid-80s. The weather gods are definitely back in my corner. My fingers are crossed that it will stay this way for a while.