I finally cracked! I couldn’t take it anymore. Too much rain. Too much wind. Too many trees, branches fallen. Too big the waves. Nothing I could do.

“Punxsutawney Phil” made a gross miscalculation, at least for us Mainers. The hog didn’t see his shadow. If he had looked for it around here over the last week I believe he would have run the risk of a fatal appearance! We took another big hit and shadows were rare if available at all. There was not much sunshine.

Nat Wilson is very well known for his sailmaking. For just shy of 50 years he has been building and repairing  sails for an extraordinary number of sailing vessels from around the world. He has produced over 2,600 sail plans and worked on tens of thousands of sails. His work and reputation are exceeded only by his good looks and charming personality.

One of the most challenging photographs for me to make is of another photographer. They know too much and often are better informed re: the craft than I am. And, often they are on the back side of a camera for the same reason I am – not wild about being photographed! It’s not a coincidence that I prefer to be the clickster more than the clickee!

Every year, during what might be considered the “off-season,” the Boothbay Harbor Opera House hosts “Open Mic,” an opportunity for the less famous but no less talented individuals of the surrounding communities to share a song or two with neighbors and friends.

Just when we thought we had seen the worst of it, whacked again!

These occasional “so-called” 100-year storms seem to be becoming a little more frequent. Somehow we have lost track of the timeline. Perhaps a new name could be “Seasonal weather dysphoria” – unlikely weather events becoming more likely!

Over 300 people attended the University of Southern Maine Hannaford auditorium on Sunday, March 3 to honor Kirsten Neuschäfer, winner of the Golden Globe Race, solo sail around the world. The Portland Yacht Club sponsored the event which allowed everyone to hear Kirsten speak about her experience accompanied by photographs from the race.

A very long time ago a friend gave me a book with photos and text by Ansel Adams, one of the most recognized and accomplished photographers of the 20th century. It was a random gesture offered partially as a bit of a joke at the time since I had no specific interest in photography. But the book made a big impression and sort of jumpstarted my curiosity about and experimentation with black and white film, its processing and printing. Mr. Adams’ work helped me see things in a different way which encouraged an adventure never imagined.

Life was normal and calm in the Hannaford vegetable display zone. Celery, carrots, avocado, apples with a small dash of organic romaine. Done! In the basket. On to the dairy area and then to check out. Items 14 and fewer, please. I was just under the limit – 13 items and a speedy checkout person. Happy camper to avoid the self checkout which causes me to return to the aisle for antacids! For the life of me I cannot explain why scanning so provokes me and frustrates all those nice people behind me in line to check out. It has something to do with my annoying attitude regarding computerized everything. This, I fear, is a never ending affliction. Please give me human contact and someone to pack things properly in my carry on baggage. I don’t care if it doesn’t fit in the overhead compartment.

In my senior high school yearbook, all students were asked to list clubs, sports, awards, etc., and to state what might be accomplished after graduation. We got all sorts of ambitious comments like skateboard to the moon and back; lay rubber down Front Street in my Falcon station wagon; eat 40 ZAGNUT candy bars while painting the principal’s pickup purple! You know, the usual. But then there were some of my more reasonable classmates who planned on going to college, enlisting in the Army (it was Vietnam time), traveling, mining, becoming a doctor or an engineer or starting a trucking business.