And here we are...

Well, we did it. Most of you who have found me here know about our move already, from the outer limits of Rockland, Maine, to the heights of Appleton, Maine- known as The Ridge.

In some ways, it is hard to believe that we have only been here barely 3 months. We dug in hard- painting, ripping out, adopting chickens, meeting neighbors, replacing appliances, mowing and rototilling (well, hardworking locals did that...), and dreaming, always dreaming of where we are headed next.

The kids run and tumble and thrash through long grasses as they head to the pond to see how many hoppers we can catch (with the waning of summer, the numbers are down but- wow- were they prolific at times!!) Raelin has become an expert with the net, scooping up tadpoles and full-fledged frogs alike. And she is not the least bit squeamish about holding a big green one in her hand... Liam has improved his gentle touch and no longer tries to grab at them like a water balloon. Wow did i have images of frog guts ooozing out from between his fat little fingers... Lol...

From the pond, we wander to the swing set, then down to the shade under the cool pines near the house where a soft bed of fallen pine needles makes for good sifting and tossing and making of fairy houses. "The Park" as it's called is a grassy, treed yard with 2 good trees perfect for Raelin to climb in, and lots of space just to run and romp. Dense stands of milkweed pods hide not nearly enough monarch caterpillars for my liking, but hopefully they will increase with time. On super hot days, we pony up the Chariot and make the mile or so walk down the dirt road to Piery's Pond for a sweet, cool dip. A favorite local swimming spot- Raelin sprouted gills this summer, thanks to those waters.

In July, the fireflies were thick... I'd come home to mini fireworks in the field after work on hot nights... my drives home from town in the midnight hours often revealed foxes and porcupines, the occasional skunk, but never the coyotes, though we hear them yipping nightly, and from not so far away.

Though it was painful not to have garden this year, we are already prepping for next year. We have probably a good 1/4 give or take plowed for next year. I'll be planting winter rye cover crop seeds this week... they'll sprout and grow in the fall, then overwinter and be plowed under in the spring to provide some nutrients for next year. our friends and future neighbors, the Wymans, will be gardening with us. I can't wait to see the 4 kids out in the Kid's Plot...

There's so much, both in the doing, and then just in the being. How do you describe and convey what it's like to have found your *spot*... that place you knew was out there for you, and then to finally be on it?

It's awesome, and i dont' just mean cool.

So, stay tuned. i'm going to do a bit of a photo essay tomorrow and get that up for your viewing pleasure. The before and after pictures of the newly painted house are especially exciting!!