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).

Shabbat Shalom

I slowly drove the mile through the austin cary wood lot shedding the push and pull, the tension and fatigue of another week. Arriving home I was met at the door. My wife, camera in hand, simply pointed to the sky. After few deep breaths of cool black spruce scented salt air, a few moments of wonder, a few attempts to digitize the essence, I turned, gave Rollo a pat or two, opened the door and stepped into the warmth and fragrance of wood heat and fresh baked raisin bread. What a gift Our Lord gives in this time called Sabbath. The wonder of family, home and love become especially poignant as the Sabbath Peace descends with the setting of the sun.

apple sauce day

With the help of Papa, Tutu and Mom we got 140 quarts of applesauce canned today. Papa, Rolo and I found that we could can 121 quarts at a time in the maple syrup pan which speeded things up considerably. Needless to say we were thankful when the day was over.....

and the sun was set. We are looking forward to seeing our family in a few weeks.

Papa's new splitter

Well Papa got his new splitter today. It works very well, even better since I lengthened the handle you pull up on to activate the splitter improving the mechanical advantage and making it easier for Papa. I also added a trailer hitch so we can easily move it around the wood lot. But we have a problem we are hoping some one could help us with; we are able to split fire wood so fast now that we are afraid we may run out of wood to split long before we are tired of our new toy.

Another Day at Long Reach

The sunset started out like this and then it started to rain so I turned around to go in and....

I saw this rainbow, the first I've seen at sunset. then I turned around again and .....

I saw this lovely scene. God can surely paint a canvas with speed and beauty. Mom is out lecturing tonight; she is becoming a speaker in high demand now that she is back to work in her field after twenty four years of unexcelled motherhood. I finished 3 of six interviews with Sheryl McWilliams for a series we are doing for cable and local TV on Healthy Living which will be distributed around Maine. So although we miss you each alot we are trying to stay busy enough to stay out of trouble and off the streets.