So, as it slips away, here's a few notes and pictures of the summer.
Recently aboard Tramp with the Briggs
If you get here in May, this is what the pier at the Center Harbor Yacht Club looked like.
And this is what Katie's Garden looked like.
The Porch Party marks a start to the social season, hosted by the Art & Paul and Karl & Katie Schoettle. The invitation says "5 - 7 PM". The 80 or so guests arrive at seven after five and have consumed 17 pounds of crab dip and departed by five after seven. It's a great way to catch up with a lot people in a very short amount of time.
This summer was much like so many seasons spent at this corner of the peninsula. There were many dinners both as inviters and invitees. There were house guests both returning and new. There was gossip both ongoing and of the moment. There was sailing and there were naps on the front porch glider. There were lobsters and blueberries. There were concerts at Kneisel Hall. There was deliciousness at Arborvine and Aragosta and, if I do say so myself, at 41 Steamboat Road.
The view from the porch included the usual array of wild life, wild storms and wild colors at dawn and dusk, with an occasional unusual and often beautiful sailboat dropping a hook in front of the cottage.
When Chad and Matt were visiting the view was the Eggamoggin Reach through rose colored glasses.....
Other sad news for the summer was the decision Joe & Tom made to sell "The Old Vic". We're just hoping that whoever gets it will continue the Blueberry Martini tradition. Please help find some good owners/neighbors.
On a much more pleasant note, a small gathering took place at the end of Steamboat Road this summer to make official and celebrate the fact that after 40 years together,
ART & PAUL GOT MARRIED
Donald and I were late for the ceremonials but in time for the champagne....to no one's surprise. As with all weddings there were some sweet tears. Betsy Ann was in residence and improvised a quite spectacular cake. Emblematic of the level of sentimentality for this event was Paul's response to the question, "Is there any reason you picked today for the wedding?"
"Yes, because I'm leaving town tomorrow!"
The Honeymoon was about 10 days later when they drove a U-Haul full of furniture from Raleigh to the emerging year-round house on Reach Road.
Other events this summer included a few that would seemingly only take place in Brooklin...."Yes, because I'm leaving town tomorrow!"
The Honeymoon was about 10 days later when they drove a U-Haul full of furniture from Raleigh to the emerging year-round house on Reach Road.
Art made arrangements for the car that stays here to be out of the garage so we could pick it up in the afternoon. No one was anywhere around when we got there and not only were the keys in it, as is customary around here, but probably because the battery was a bit reluctant after the winter, the engine was left running.
As we were leaving a re-launching at the Brooklin Boat Yard the conversation naturally fell to the big project they are currently working on at the yard..... a 72' sailboat with marine architecture by German Frers and the rest by Frank Gehry. To think about the expense of something like that and how often it will actually be used sets normal heads to spinning. The story told that morning was that the owner is reported to be a friend of Mr. Gehry and to have said something to the effect of, " Really, I just write the checks. I wanted Frank to have something fun to do." As with most of Mr. Gehry's projects there is titanium ( "unobtainium" as they call it at the boat yard ) everything everywhere and, so as to allow for gracious space, plans are being drawn up for the support boat that will be the galley. Nothing beats money! A current phrase in the local lexicon is, "We're taking our friends to see the boat."
The most important development in social life here for almost everyone I know is the full-flowering of Sandy's Provisions, transplanted to town center and offering, beyond the goods for sale and the perfect coffee, a convivial social environment for a wide variety of people. The daily trip there for coffee and conversation and perhaps a pastry is now referred to as "Church". The scene there is worthy of a separate posting. ( Perhaps something along the lines of Humans of New York. Please don't click through to this site just now as I fear you may not return for the few photos at the end. )
I'll close this one up with a few photos
Life and death on a flower
A couple of reflection shots
Cricket keeping us safe from red squirrels
Some New England shots are best in black and white.
Swan's Island Light
Louie's official portrait
And a shadow wave until the next posting.
A delightful recap of the season that day to day is SO pleasant anywhere! But at its end, it is like the bubbles we blew out of the wand as kids and gone as quickly!
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