Click on image for a larger view.
September Seas
From Schoodic Point in Acadia National Park. The scale of this place is hard to imagine. The rocks in the foreground would dwarf a human. Click on the image for a larger view.
St. Lawrence—Apples of Maine
The St. Lawrence is an old summer variety thought to have originated in northern New England or Canada. Its appearance is quite striking with dark-red stripes over light green. The white flesh is crisp and light. Very much like a Granny Smith, it is tart with a lemon undertone. The St. Lawrence is a great desert apple, but not a great cooking apple. Like many early apples, this fruit does not store well. Click on the image for a larger view.
Wood, Rock, Water
The west branch of the Peabody River flows down the Great Gulf Wilderness Area. It is not so much a river like the bodies of flat water that meander through landscapes, but more of an oversized mountain stream moving through and over rocks and boulders. Click on the image for a larger view.
The Northern Forest
Naomi and I took a trip to the Great Gulf Wilderness Area last weekend. Instead of standing on the head wall of the glacial cirque, we had entered the base of the valley. The Northern Forest is a unique ecosystem that stretches from the Adirondacks in northern New York, through Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and into the Canadian maritime provinces. At the base of Mt. Washington, the forest is mixed. The structure is complex: life carves out spaces in a three-dimensional world that stretches from the forest floor to the canopy. Even glacial erratics, large rocks dropped by retreating glaciers, become home to fern, moss, and trees. Click on the image for a larger view.
Our Books Have Arrived
Naomi’s poetry book has arrived. Naturally, we are very excited about this. The text is in Japanese and you can find out more about her book here. On that page you will also find a link for a pdf sample you can download and two audio tracks of Naomi reading her poems. You can purchase the book from us. Shipping is free, but we do not accept returns.
Common Ground Country Fair
The Common Ground Country Fair is this weekend in Unity, Maine. If you love growing fruit and vegetables, raising livestock, living self-sufficiently, or eating good food, this is a great event to attend. There is fun for the whole family—bring your kids or take a few home with you. Click on the image for a larger view.
Yellow Brandywine—Tomatoes
This is a big fruit, but not quite as large as its red cousin, the brandwine. The tomato is not juicy, but has a soft flesh that melts in your mouth like firm tofu, only sweeter. A thick slice on handmade bread and covered with freshly ground black pepper makes an excellent sandwich. Click on the image for a larger view.
Day’s End
Yesterday was overcast and rainy. After dinner, I noticed the clouds breaking. I walked out to our field to watch the fading light of the day.
These events are fleeting. Clouds from the valley climbed the ridge and would obscure the view a few minutes after this image was taken—you can see those clouds just above the trees. And while we imagine the vivid color of the clouds would show some tenacity, that color can drain from the sky in seconds. Click on the image for a larger view.
Under a Full Moon
Last Sunday I went to our field. The night was filled with the rhythm between silence and songs: an owl, frog, and whip-poor-will. The sweet scent of goldenrod mixed with the slightly acidic scent of a skunk—I whistled to discourage a meeting. Click on the image for a larger view.
