We have to get on the road this morning by 8:00am if we want to get to Southport Maine at descent hour for lunch.

But it’s before 6:00 and the birds are chirping and the little red squirrels have been quarreling outside the sleeping porch.  Even with all of their racket, it’s so peaceful here.

It’s funny though.  Part of me feels as if Dennis, CP and Bailey have violated my private sanctuary.   I’ve come to feel that this is my place, my secret garden.  I’m having difficulty sharing it with anyone. 

Dennis really doesn’t enjoy himself up here.  He’s never been a real outdoors person, so he gets bored.  I could sit on this porch and simply listen to the sounds of the birds and the streams (when they’re running) gurgling down the mountain.  I hear an occasional car or truck on our road and an echo of one up on the main road.  I have no need of man-made noises. 

GK and I were campers for years.  We had a trailer and it was parked in a seasonal spot.  During the summer, we would leave our condo and stay at the camper, commuting back and forth to work.  He liked it for the male camaraderie and unfortunately the drinking.  I enjoyed being outside or almost outside at all times.  I also used to do crafts with the women that were also camped there.  I guess it could be looked upon as almost a form of a village with the men and women doing their traditional jobs.  Our civilization in a slightly more primitive form.

On our way up here yesterday, we stopped at the used bookstore in Enfield, NH.  I had emailed the owner with my list of desired Nancy Drew books and she had located one of them this past week.  I purchased that one and three paperbacks.  I love used bookstores and this one is especially nice.  The shelves are organized and neat and it doesn’t smell musty.

I'll add more to this later when we return from Maine.

Later...

I'm beat.  I don't know how Dennis can do it.  It was a 4 hour drive EACH WAY to Maine today.  Just to get lunch.  I had my usual lobster roll and they both had steamers and twin lobsters.  CP hasn't eaten that much in months.  The meal was very good, I just can't believe that we rode all that way for it.

They both just went to check on an auction in a nearby town.  I've got a headache and I'm just too tired to put up with an auction tonight.  I'm having some Annie quiet time in MY cabin.  I might walk down to the dam if the bugs aren't too bad.  That always clears my head.