Archive for July, 2010

Summer in Maine

July 29, 2010

When I was a little girl we visited family in Maine many summers. My grandmother was born and raised in Maine and still has family who live there year round. We had a family camp on a pond. Rustic, simple, and small, we would stuff as many family members as we could fit to experience blueberry picking, swimming, hiking and card playing during a week in July. My Maine memories are some of my strongest. It IS the authentic perfection of Maine that keeps it in my heart and keeps me coming back again and again. NOTHING could be added to make it better than it already is. In fact, spending time in Maine in 2010, it is almost identical to the Maine experiences I had in the 1970’s. Simple and endless beauty, tides, pines and birches, icy water, nature galore, bugs, arts, fog, ports, seafood…FANTASY!

I know in my heart that I should live a part of my life in Maine. I dream of one day arriving June 1 and leaving October 1 each year. When a place makes you feel as alive and happy as I feel in Maine, it should not be kept for 2 week vacations.

mainecollage
boats
lily
fog-r
charming
lobster

fishing
clamming
arts
fairyhouse

Dreamer

July 29, 2010

dreamer
Watercolor by mama
I am very “dreamy” these days. I have been flooded with ideas for what I want to do with the Buttercup Farm Goods Etsy shop. Lately I keep finding myself with either a camera, paintbrush or sketch pad in hand. I am going with it.

Letter

July 28, 2010

gabyreflections1

Dearest Daughter,

As I was about to leave you at your first overnight camp experience, you looked up at me with your beautiful eyes and asked, “Mom, what do you think I should sign up for while I am here”? I was filled with excitement about all of the possibilities you have at camp…horseback riding, tennis, art, drama, dance, gymnastics, sailing, archery, community service projects, etc, etc. and normally, would have been more than inclined to give you a list of exactly what I think you should sign up for while at camp. Instead, I took a deep breath and answered with a smile, “I can’t give you that answer. This experience about YOU figuring out what YOU want to do while at camp”.

When children are little, parents often try to expose children to many different activities. We sometimes fill your extra time with things WE think are important or that WE have a personal preference for instead of taking the time to watch and listen. Our nature as mothers is to want to solve your challenges, take care of your every need, and do what we think is best for you at all times.
maine4a
As you are growing up and changing, I too have to change my nature a bit. I need to give you a little more space to figure things out for yourself, to solve your own challenges, and to start making choices that are best for you. You are away from me for one month and although I miss you greatly, I am mostly filled with great anticipation about learning more about YOU.
gabysit4
I can’t wait to hear about what YOU loved, what YOU chose to do, and what YOU learned about yourself while away from home. Daddy and I look forward to hearing about which activities you chose…did you find a brand new passion or did you continue with an existing one. Did you make a lot of friends or did you bond with a small group. We want to know if you were homesick and how you worked through those feelings. We can’t wait to hear about your tent inspections to see if you keep your tent like you keep your room (wink) and what it was like to share a room for the first time in your life.