LEAVE IT BETTER THEN YOU FOUND IT

The title is taken from one of the HYDE SCHOOL'S 12 Principles. It was a principle put into practice on April 24 as the employees of GORHAM SAVINGS BANK divided into teams of three and cleaned up all the litter that had accumulated on the grounds surrounding the Back Cove. Working diligently, they filled bag after bag with trash left behind by the many footpath pedestrians who apparently have no awareness of, "leaving it better then you found it."

Kudos and thanks to GORHAM SAVINGS BANK for creating an uncluttered, emerald ring around the crystal blue tidal basin. As I took to the footpath this morning it even smelled clean. Isn't it interesting how cleanliness affects all of our senses.

Maybe that's why a snowy egret has returned to our shores earlier then usual this season.

Let's all of us, "Leave it better then you found it."

"NEW" ON THE BLOCK

I love this time of year for all the new life it brings forth. My nosing around the Portland art and retail scene has stirred up a couple of exciting new venues in the Upper Exchange Street block.

AUCOCISCO, contemporary fine art gallery, has said adieu to the "Arts District" on Congress Street and taken up residency at 89 Exchange Street, the location made famous by the Daniel Kany Gallery. I'm sorry that Dan closed his storefront because he brought world class glass and exciting emerging artists to our Portland art scene. He also brought world class collectors to the neighborhood. Daniel Kany Gallery is re-opening at 24 Romasco Lane, Portland, Maine on June 7 for the First Friday Art Wak. In the meantime, Dan can be reached at www.kany.net.

As for AUCOCISCO, they'll unwrap their new space for First Friday Art Walk on May 1. Bring a May Basket and welcome Andres and his team to the neighborhood. I'm glad to have them on my routine town and art walk.

Following art and libations at AUCOCISCO, saunter down Exchange to Middle Street where you'll find a divine new coffee and pastry cafe. Next to Tommy's Park, at 185 Middle Street, BARD COFFEE is owned by a Maine guy, Tom Bard. He and his staff brew a fine cup and the pastries are from Jill Dewitt of GOOD EATS BOUTIQUE. This is nothing short of an experience found only at the famed New York destination, The Magnolia Bakery. BARD COFFEE is open 7am to 9pm, Sun - Thurs. and 7am to 11pm, Fri & Sat. http://www.bardcoffee.com/ Free internet service.

For GOOD EATS BOUTIQUE , http://www.goodeatsboutique.com/

Besides the good eats (no pun intended) and brew that won't bust your budget, the atmosphere is relaxing, sophisticated and just right for any time of day. Really. This coffee house is a place to take a date, meet a friend or enjoy some private time.

Portland is great about embracing local. These new kids on the block are worth a huge hug.

EASTER IN THE EAVE

REJOICE!..to reunite or join again.

And so it was to be as I journeyed to Rockland on Saturday to prepare for an Easter celebration with my dear friend, June. She winters on the mainland and summers off shore. This trip I would be staying in the winter eave. Some hardiness is required as thrifty Yankees believe in cold bedrooms and electric blankets. I refer to bedtime as retreating to the power wrap. The dial is set on HIGH and doesn't change for the bedtime hours. Not much incentive to read in bed but I enjoy the roasting. My right wrist appeared to heal in the heat as the swelling was considerably less in the morn.

I came packed with eighteen hard boiled WHITE eggs for dying and decorating, a good amount of real Bulgar and six sinful pink and yellow petal cupcakes from The Good Eats Boutique (http://www.goodeatsboutique.com/.) Obviously, I had the necessities while June was responsible for provisioning the lamb and asparagus. Together we created a balanced diet!

A rather overcast Saturday created the perfect conditions for egg decorating around the kitchen table. Intense creative energy prevailed. We laughed as we reminded one another to breath. Creating can take one's breath away. Two hours later and the last egg was set-up to dry. We surveyed our efforts and announced with great pride, "Work well done.!"

EGGSPRESSION!

Easter Sunday presented us with gale force winds and sunshine. It was too chilly for walking but perfect conditions for a road trip. We gunk holed along the peninsulas visiting Spruce Head and Cushing where we stopped at the Olsen house made famous by the painting "Christina's World." Across the field Andrew Wyeth's headstone was visible. Horses grazed in the pasture. It was a scene he would have painted...and did. Onward to Camden where recent heavy rains had the waters rushing into the bay. Schooners were still tightly buttoned.

Back home we found e-mails from family sending images of their Easter brunch and decorated eggs. Almost as good as being together.

S....S.....S....SPRING

Stepping outside and my senses are alerted to this joyous season of re-birth. Just one warm, sunny day and the world is bursting with energy....again.. Robins, nut hatch and chickadees create a cacophonous symphony of chirping sounds. The lone woodpecker adds a tap, tap, tap!

The tightly shut daffodil buds have exploded into a profusion of yellow with spring blue-green accents. Nature provides the natural twig cross.Crocuses in pink, purple and white blanket the ground. The forsythia has a golden tint as it readies to bloom in all its radiant glory. Until the warmth of the sun produces the energy for the buds to come forth, we will hurry the process and force them by snipping a few branches and bringing them inside. In a vase filled with water, they should bloom in three to five days. Daisy waits...patiently.

And the smell. After a blustery rain storm, blowing from the East on Monday evening, the ground is totally defrosted and emitting the fresh scent of alivened earth. Yes, spring is very much with us.

Just as I was grateful for the winter and the slower pace of that season, I love the longer day light hours, warmer temperatures, increased pedestrian activity on the footpath, and all that April has to offer. Yes, even the rain storms and umbrellas turned inside out make me feel alive!

But I especially love:

Hot Cross buns on Palm Sunday and Easter.

Assembling Easter baskets for my son and friends. One is never too old to dye Easter eggs and wish for a chocolate bunny.

Planning and sharing Easter dinner with friends where I will return to "Sleeping in the Eaves" for a few days.

and......

Beginning each day with a sunrise over Casco Bay. Now that is GLORY.

PEACE....MY FRIENDS.

.

MAINE MORNING DUCK REPORT..APRIL, 09

A most unusual visitor frequented the "duck channel" this morning. First glance out the kitchen window and I noticed a rapidly moving item swimming parallel to the south bank. A few walkers on the foot path had stopped and were observing the quickness of this water creature. Not the usual bird life we normally monitor. My immediate thought was, "A muskrat." I watched it swim about for a few minutes and then adjourned to enjoy to my morning coffee and reading. Upon refreshing my cup of java and another glance out the window, there, before my very eyes, was a big, old bucky beaver sitting on the duck channel bank. More observers had gathered, many sporting cameras with telephoto lenses. Easing forward into the marsh grass, they were within feet of this unusual visitor to our neighborhood. Bucky took it all in stride and posed with confidence for a considerable time.

Taking time to watch this gift of nature made me realize that the days of fog and rain of late seem totally insignificant when I can look out my windows, in an urban setting, and experience a beaver's rite of spring in my own front yard. Just as I was thinking, "Not another overcast day," nature delivers a gift.

Bucky paddled about the duck channel (sans ducks) until the tide began to flow. Not to be left behind, he took natures lead and could be seen swimming with the tide.

It's evening and again the hour of full tide. Neither ducks nor beaver are to be seen in the channel or on the bay. Maybe tomorrow. But just for today, let me celebrate a brief encounter with one of God's many creatures and a break through of blue sky and sunshine.