FALL

Soon the days will be shorter than the nights, soon the frost will come to the salt marsh, then to the lawn by the shore, and last to the garden. The tomatoes are just about done, a few green ones remain and will be picked hurriedly the evening of the garden frost. The onions and potatoes have been dug. The squash has been harvested. But the collards and the brussel sprouts are just coming in to their own ready to sweeten with the first hard frost. We should be picking brussel sprouts till December provided the deer don't find them before we're through. Papa and I have enough wood put in for the winter (thanks in a large part to John's help this summer), and are working on cutting wood for two winters from now as well as scrounging up some old dead pine to burn in the shop to keep Rollo and Merlin warm this winter. Mother has twenty quarts of dried tomatoes in the pantry, about as many quarts of peaches, and ten or more quarts of peach sauce. The bulk food is safely stored in 5 gallon plastic buckets in the first cabin's window seat. Apple sauce lies ahead maybe about 200 quarts will do for this year about two days work if we process it outside in the maple syrup evaporating pan over an open fire. Then let the winter come and do its best, it'll not likely shake us loose from our snug corner of life.

HOT

My good friend Willie delivered another string of dried chilli peppers. They are a full flavored pepper with some heat but not an excessive amount. They are just right to add to a variety of dishes. We are very thankful for them as we had given most of our last string to Paul and Petra before we discovered their exceptional qualities. He also gave us a string of black peppers with little or no heat but a very rich pepper flavor and a string of little red fire crackers so hot I think I may save them for Paul. But the real hot tamale in this picture is the lady holding the peppers who has given my life wonderful spice for 28 years.

February 23

Winter has not loosened its grip much yet, though ground hog's day is past. The days are getting longer quickly now and the intensity of the sun's rays are noticeably stronger, even Merlin the cat enjoys lounging in the sun on the deck where the snow has melted away. It is almost time to tap in for maple syruping but I think we will forego this year as we will be gone two weeks of the season. Lyn and I had an excellent tramp in the snow today, away down the salt marsh into the cattails and reeds. Rollo enjoyed the walk as much as anyone. I've been making canoe paddles again, just finished a nice white oak one with excellent strength and a nice spring to it. Next I think I'll laminate some white cedar from Metallak with the white oak and see how that works up. Also I'm trying a new material for the tips which takes about 7-10 days to dry but has residual flexibility and good abrasion resistance. Maybe we will have to try them out on the St John River or the St Croix. Only a month till spring but of course in Maine there are still two more months of possible snow.

February 9

At last word John was planning to plant peas and spinach in his garden at Southern tomorrow, but we are quite a ways off from engaging in that sort of activity here on Great Island. The snow shoeing is superb at present, the shop is just right for finishing the dory and the fire is great for reading a book beside. But gardening will have to wait for a few more months. We have about 14 inches of snow on the ground and another 5-8 inches are expected tonight.

Dory building

Thanks to Papa's excellent company and help we made some more progress on readying the dory for launching
The seats are all in and all that is left of construction is to finish the gunnels and put the bottom runners in place. Then rivet the seams, drill and plug the knot holes, sand and 3 coats of paint and Ken Segal, Papa and I will take her for a maiden voyage.

However, as it is still winter around here launching is realistically 3 or 4 months away.

Long Reach at Sunset

This past week we have had our "January Thaw" with temperatures up into the 50's most of our snow has melted, but not to worry more is predicted for this coming week. Only a few pieces of salt ice are left on the bay whereas last week the bay was frozen across. Lyn and I went canoing this afternoon with the Penner's

first snow at long reach

Winter has come to Long Reach and with it a cold quiet beauty. A time of Sabbath snow shoeing on the frozen salt marsh among the reeds and muskrat houses, of morning walks by lantern light with snow squeeking under foot and nose hairs stiffening in the brisk fresh air, of sea smoke drifting over the bay aglow with dawns first light. But not to worry the wood shed is full, the house and shop are warm, it is perfect weather to fire up the wood bake oven. So come on home for your fill of fresh air and your fill of comestibles(including of course as much of "pizza by the sea" as you wish).