SLEEPING IN THE EAVES: MAINE ISLAND LIFE

It was a summer of fog, rain...lots of rain, then an abundance of sunshine to finish off the final days of island time. Although it's officially summer until the 22 of September, high season on the island ends on or before Labor Day. From the final ferry out on a Sunday afternoon to the packed return boat a week later, each day served up the best of island life and conjured up memories of summers past.

It was the last week of August and finally the conditions of warm temperatures and strong sun rays produced that intoxicating aroma when the sweet scent of earth, wild flowers, ripened berries and fruits combine. Add the humming of grasshoppers and buzzing of bugs in the tall grass, and you have the quintessential sound and scent of "A" MAINE SUMMER DAY. That is what lingers in my mind, from childhood to now, and memory never fails to make it perfect. So it was a week of walks, exploring new places, revisiting some old and that smell of an August day in Maine prevailing. In this day and age of capturing everything in a bottle, would I want this as room spray? Absolutely not. I want it left to nature, where to experience it continues to be a gift that is always a joy to receive.

The week was flush with activities: artist reception, gallery opening, short film screenings, talks by resident professionals, assisting in the gift shop and leisurely socializing . And there is always taking time to sit on the deck and watch the ferry arrive and depart and the water traffic move through the passage connecting West Penobscot Bay to East Penobscot Bay. It is ever changing and always interesting. But island time is different. The clocks may read the same as those on the mainland, but we move more serenely through the minutes, hours, days. We try not to crowd our schedules, but that is easier said then done. Sometimes it just gets too busy. That's when the eave calls for a respite or reading indulgence. This summers most captivating read? THE LOVELIEST WOMAN IN AMERICA by Bibi Gaston. (http://www.authortracker.com/) Had this book not been available in the gift shop and had I not met the author, I probably would have completely missed this enthralling story of three generations so eloquently recounted by Miss Gaston. Beyond the family specifics, it presents a message many women will empathize with.

The final gallery exhibit of Julia Greenway's watercolors and oils presented the artistic find of the summer. Her delicate, detailed watercolors are in extreme contrast with the force found in her oils. "Could this be from the same hand?" Julia's work exposes insight into her depth and I like that. She creates from her soul. Everyone attending the opening night reception must have felt the same way as seventy-five percent of the exhibit sold at that event. A mere handful of works remained by the end of the week. When Julia gets her web site up, I'll include the direct link.

The final lingering memories are those appealing to my taste buds. Again, island life encourages one to live in the present and that means partaking of foods readily available. My hostess' son was delivered thirty mackerel from which he produced "potted mackerel" derived from a vintage old fishwives recipe. The cleaning of all those fish and making of that epicurean delight is another story in itself. The sampling has me yearning for more. Berries and fruits abound this year...so do fruit cobblers and compotes. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, plums, apples: serve them solo or combined. Spectacular colors (like the blackberry - peach compote seen here) and sweet sensations to conclude any dining experience.

Island life has taught me that less is more. It seems that all aspects of life are minimized but the experience is richer. It's not quantity, it's quality. And I'm always a better person when I return from the island.

Back on the mainland, my sense of balance needs readjusting. It seems that eight days on the island has me feeling a bit like I would after days of sailing. Sea legs vs. land legs.

Firmly planted on the Back Cove once again. let me leave you with an island sunset.

MAINE MORNING DUCK REPORT: ONE YEAR LATER, SEPTEMBER

The vigil is over.

Daisy, perched in the window providing a straight shot view to the duck channel, has been patiently watching and waiting for days that have led into months. It has been a very long time since our friends left. Egrets and The Great Blue Heron departed with other snow birds last November. Some went south, some to more sheltered coastal Maine inlets. The ducks sought quiet nesting grounds the end of April and have just now returned. But they are all back and through our open window passes the "quack-quack-quacking" of Mallard families as they glide effortlessly on the glassy Back Cove tidal basin. Daisy responds in her own sweet Maine coon cat voice. Not distinctively a "Meow." It can only be described as animal kingdom communication. Not for me to decode....only to enjoy the unadulterated pleasure it bespeaks. "THE DUCKS ARE BACK!"

During the duck's absence all has not been still on or around the Back Cove. Along the Rt. 295 corridor, YARDSCAPE,

a low maintenance garden, has emerged from layout stage a year ago to fully planted, bordered and blooming. Set back from the high tide mark of the eastern shore flats, the winding garden footpaths are positioned at an elevation that makes one feel as though they are walking below sea level! I don't have the the exact grade elevation of this "unexpected" shoreline floriculture to affirm that "feeling," but it works for me to have a momentary sensation of "walking on water!"

In the center of this meandering landscape, one will arrive at center court, a clearing with a geometric configuration formed from Maine granite. Research requires that I investigate the meaning of this specific design....if there is any. Maybe it's simply geometric.

Further along the footpath I observe the Great Blue Heron standing guard on the bird rock situated just inside the channel connecting Casco Bay to the tidal basin.. His view; 365 degrees. He is motionless. Standing, watching, taking in and monitoring all movement. Nothing will get in harms way. On two separate occasions, sans camera, I have watched, mesmerized as this graceful bird stretched his neck and head and tucked it completely around and under a wing. On another, I watched as the feeding hour was in progress and the Great Blue Heron only had focus for food within range. My close proximity did not deter his primary agenda; hunting.

With or without water fowl, life's renewal is ever present in this Back Cove neighborhood. On the southern shore, an industrious person, finding magic in washed ashore sea scraps has created a dining El fresco scene, complete with an arrangement of wild ragweed set upon the table. Can you guess who's coming to dinner? We'll have to wait and see.

Today, as with most days, it's a wonderful day in the neighborhood. A year ago I wrote three short paragraphs about a mystical walk I had on the footpath. It was the first MAINE MORNING DUCK REPORT. From that germinated a more expanded "Duck Report" and eventually the mainemorningreport BLOG. Thank you readers for your encouragement and support. Maybe, just maybe, there will be a birthday party El fresco. Watch for a cake with one brightly glowing candle taking center table on the banks of the footpath. See you there!

DEMOCRACY AT WORK: THE LITTLE SCHOOL THAT COULD

I recently attended the ribbon cutting and celebration of a new school for an island community that didn't qualify, and probably never would have made the State's designated school funding list. This school is a testament and living monument to what can be achieved when the "hand that promises to feed us" proves once again that "talk is cheap", fails, and good old individual American ingenuity steps in. The North Haven Community School on the island of North Haven, Maine should inspire us all to ask, "Not what our government can do for us, but what we can do for our ourselves."

It's a common story. Little player, some big problems, no government funding and a very small, weak tax base. That didn't stop the North Haven School Committee from taking on a mountain of obstacles presented by the State Education Accreditation Board. They had choices. Stand in line for state financing that would essentially never come. Send their high school students to another near-by island for schooling. (It had a new facility.) Or they could take the facility situation into their own hands, develop and drive a fundraising campaign and keep the education of their students on their island.

One thing they knew for sure. The island was producing amazing students that were consistently admitted to the top schools in the Country. And it's not all academic. This little island has produced a plethora of artists, writers, performing artists , fishermen, lobster men, teachers, boat builders and other great contributors to society.

I have to think that "blind faith" must have been the state of being when this little island community, never knowing that odds were against them, undertook an eight plus million dollar capital campaign to raise funds that would be needed to design and build new halls of learning.

Through a tax assessment they were able to raise $1.3 million. That left a mere $6.23 to go! Most people in the public domain would role over and call it quits. But not this group, spear headed by Nancy Hopkins-Davisson. Nancy is an island girl and proud of it. She went to North Haven Schools. Her children did and her grandchildren are. Her team was tireless. Her team was committed. Her team realized a true AMERICAN DREAM.

When classes began on September 8, 2008, it ushered in a new era for the North Haven Community School It represents the best of education, community spirit and the American Dream. I'm sure during those years of just dreaming, the committee must have been saying, "I think we can, I think we can." What else would keep them going but faith and true grit.

The day of the "New School" ribbon cutting everyone on the island was invited to the opening ceremony and a volunteer catered luncheon. Once again this wasn't deli purchased from a local supermarket. It was home grown, prepared and served up with pride...as was due.

There was something about the reality of this school that reminds me of the good old fashioned barn raisings of our ancestors. A community coming together for the betterment of all. Isn't that the way it's supposed to be? I personally think we do it better at home. NORTH HAVEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL is a living organism proving that. Each day it prepares people who will enrich our lives.

Many years ago I began my education in a one room school house. I have never forgotten those years and the wonder and thirst they instilled in me for learning. I want to think that a similar yearning is still experienced by the students fortunate enough to attend NORTH HAVEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL.

For more information: www.villagesoup.org

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK: SEPTEMBER

Looking up Congress Street from Monument Square, the fog was shrouded over Munjoy Hill and creeping down to the center of intown Portland. Summer temperatures availed and the sidewalks bustled with outdoor diners, gallery strollers and September "Seasoned" travelers that energize our economy during Indian summer. It was a great evening for the "Back to School" First Friday Art Walk and I was looking forward to returning to the swing of things now that our July 4th - Labor Day "lazy days of summer" was behind us. In Maine, we indulge in "nice days" like we have "snow days" during our longest season!

The energy felt on the streets did not transcended into the galleries. In fact, attendance was very minimal. But I did find a couple of exhibits that interested me because of their mediums and refreshing execution.

At SPACE GALLERY, http://space538.org/, kyle durrie presents a collection of quill pen and ink line drawings that are reminiscent of vintage geographical topography illustrations. Her interest in maps, charts and geometric shapes is evident and combined with her art history education, the marriage of art influence with clean. architectural lines and shapes creates a refreshing, new interpretation of pen and ink. Kyle feels the old fashioned quill pen is instrumental in the execution and achievement of her desired look.

At THE DANIEL KANY GALLERY http://dkany.com/, it's the creations in the rear room that captured my attention and heart. Tucked in a corner, one very toothy whale and an equally friendly school of fish called me to closer examination. Prehistoric in presence, each piece could have been excavated from the Fore River. But they weren't. They are 21st century works from Benjamin Lambert.

It all began with a tooth! The thought of implanting bad human teeth in a form as unnatural as a fish tickled Benjamin's"funny bone." Then came the utensil appendages, positioned to propel but functionally useless as a mobility source or for serving up nourishment. Under the gills are a set of geometric forms intended to be the immobile beasts energy source. Oxygen , collected through its gills and transmitted through a lateral tube on the under body , will eventually reach the fish or whale tail and produce the power necessary to propel. Are we seeing creations as originally intended, with teeth and utensils that became extinct due to lack of use? Did they go the way of the dinosaur?

It's the imaginative creations of "Friendly Jonah and the School of Fish" and the possibility that just maybe they did exist at one time that I find so compelling. As Ben explained to me, "This fish should be confusing and uncanny. I want it to be respected for its ability to cope with its odd peripherally constructed condition."

Constructed with Stoneware, each creature is thrown to about the size and shape Ben ultimately envisions. Through the settling process and patience, the vision for each piece emerges . With a clear personality in sight, Ben begins the molding and appendage attachment procedure that develops the "raw" beauty. The process of drying, first firing, glazing and final firing to Cone 6 temperatures (2165 - 2169 degrees Fahrenheit) in an electric kiln ensues.

As I make very clear, I'm not an art critic but a patron of the arts. What captures me is when I see the soul of the artist in their work. With both the quill and ink drawings of kyle durrie and the amazing creations of Benjamin Lambert, I felt touched by their soul. If you can catch these two exhibits, DO! I would love to hear what you think of these two significant emerging artists.

Till October 3 and the next First Friday Art Walk in Portland, enjoy and celebrate the arts. They abound.