more of Maine

Something I had forgotten from my days in Vermont - spring comes a bit more slowly up North. There are still patches of snow around, and some are not insignificant. A couple trails on the grounds of where I work are still under water, but that didn't stop me from checking out one after work last week. I am always fascinated by water and the beaver dam trail skirts a rapid and good-sized stream. While I was watching the water glistening in the late day sun, I noticed a vee approaching me. I had to remind myself not to jump to conclusions, but this time I was right. It was a beaver, and a pretty large one at that. In nature I love being unnoticed. I watched it swim to the farther shore, climb out and take a few nibbles on a log before it slipped into the stream. Maybe if I saw this every day, it would be less magical, but for now, it's always special. It's my own private show because no one else was around. I went back this afternoon with my camera this time, but he must have been at home. Odds are I'll see him again and maybe you'll see him, too.

A new place

It has been too long since I last wrote. On various levels I am in a new place. I am now in a new state (Maine) with a new job (yeah!!!), and, psychologically, I am happier. For a long time I suspected that living in a suburban community and working in a city was not the best fit for me, but it had been too long since I had lived in a less crowded place to really feel it. For too many years my workdays were regulated by train schedules. Tonight after work I went for a 3.5 mile walk on the local rail trail along the Kennebec River; yesterday I visited the local arboretum. So far my spotting of wildlife has been limited to a couple of turkeys and a few deer, but I'm looking forward to more adventures. People are friendlier and so ready to talk. It's a culture shock and I have to mentally pinch myself after every encounter. It feels like a new life.