We arrived home yesterday afternoon, just in advance of some mighty thunderstorms that rolled through all last night. While we were gone, other storms took down a huge loblolly pine which fell across our driveway. We had to arrange for its removal to an area out of the way from Maine.
We had a grand time, eating lobster and more lobster, whole body clams, scallops, mussels, Atlantic halibut and more lobster. Oh, and those delicious little wild Maine blueberries in scones, waffles, pie and crisp. We had to bring back some jam.
The views in the evenings while dining were wonderful.
While I was there I popped into an antique shop and discovered a Staffordshire ware plate that spoke to me because it depicts the courtship of Priscilla Mullins by John Alden (both origine Mayflower passengers) as immortalized by Longfellow. WWL imagined a triangular courtship with Myles Standish asking Alden to speak for him to gain Priscilla’s hand. All fabricated of course – there is no record of this happening – but it makes for a good story. I enlarged the back photo so you could see the plate had been for Smith’s store in Plymouth (I wonder how it got to Maine?) in 1957. Smith’s was an upper end gift store my family used to patronize for wedding gifts and oogling, but it’s been closed for probably 30 years.
My book signings went well – sold out the first and most of the third books in Boothbay and Camden – and I plan to return to Damariscotta in October for their Pumpkin Fest to sell more of Death by Pumpkin, since one of the festival events inspired the book.
I visited the Boothbay Brewery for an incredible lobster roll and slaw made from vegetables (including kale) grown on the brewery’s farm and sampled their beers. The brewery might be featured in my next book – it even has a friendly ghost.
All in all an pretty fun time, but then I always have a good time in Maine.
I’m glad your book signings went well. I’ve been meaning to get back to you for some arrangements but things just got so crazy busy. Things have been chaos lately but should be settling down soon and I will be coherent again! That plate is amazing and the family connection to the store makes it even more special. I wouldn’t have been able to resist either. Enjoy getting settled back home and no more storms!
I am so familiar with family chaos, so do let things settle down! I love this plate, wish I could find out more about it. We are enjoying nights of thunderstorms every day (?). Tried swimming today, but the thunder started early!
It sounds like you had a grand time in Maine and ate lots of great seafood! Kudos for your successful book signings too. 🙂
Book signings are very tiring – you have to size up people walking by the bookstore front to approach. I am surprised at how many people are willing to stop and talk, then I just need to get them to buy a book or two.
I’ll be buying the other books in the Rhe Brewster series in the next month or so, so I hope that helps! I do enjoy the characters and pacing of the one I read a lot . 🙂
Sounds like a great vacation. I miss the Maine seafood. We don’t have lobster on the west coast. Glad your book signings went well too!
Thanks, Diana. I will NOT eat lobster anywhere else but Maine …well, we do import lobsters from Maine once a year to celebrate the end of the NCAA basketball tournament, but they are flown in overnight and are fresh. Did you know that MacDonald’s in Maine has lobster rolls?
I didn’t know about MacDonalds’ lobster roles! It makes sense. BTW, I picked up your book 🙂
Thanks, Diana. I would have some doubts about the McD’s lobster rolls, mainly because the company would buy lobster in bulk, probably from Canada. Canada does not have the same rules and regs about lobstering that we do – our lobstermen are first line conservationists! – and the quality could be problematic.
I don’t eat fast food anyway, so I’m safe 🙂
This is a wonderful post with great info and photo support. Sorry about the tree but the FOOD memories will last through the ups and downs of coming home. Welcome back.
Thank you, Stepheny. The food memories are lasting – right around my waist!
Welcome home. I love Maine as well – and adore fresh lobster! The only down-side is playing catch-up with everything that went on while away. Take it slowly (good luck with that!) 🙂
I’ll be looking forward to reading more of your interesting posts.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
– ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
Sounds like you had a great time. Sorry it’s over.
Me, too – no more lobster!