end of a season

going...

going...

not going...

going...

GONE!

So sad but oh so excited to head back to Texas soon!!!

searching

Don't you wish you had a map to guide you in the right direction sometimes?

or maybe even a sign to point the way.

Some paths don't look like much...

...but what if there's something amazing at the end of it?

or what if it looks like it will lead to something amazing but you can't get there by the path you're on?

What if you look around and see all the signs that you're in the right place..

but you still can't see what you're looking for?

What about obstacles in the road and not being able to overcome them (so afraid of failing!)?

What if it's too late by the time I get there?

Sometimes I just wish life had a few more "in your face" type clues for what you're looking for!

"jeep meets moose"

It sure would make life easier, but would it be as much fun?  maybe not!

stupid plane

I'm loving this picture I took a couple of weeks ago.  I even made it my desktop....and then I noticed it...

remembering

On January 24, 1963, a B-52 took off from Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts.  This plane was 160 feet long from head to tail and had a wingspan of 185 feet (that's about the same as half a football field).

As the terrain of northern Maine was considered the same as Russia, the plane was out on a low-level radar training mission.

Something went terribly wrong and the vertical stabilizer broke off and 10 seconds later it crashed into Elephant Mountain.

Nine people were aboard, six crew and three observers.  Two people successfully ejected out of the plane, spent a night in -30 degree temperatures and five feet of snow before being rescued.

Most of the passengers didn't even have the ability to eject from the plane - only the pilots and navigator.  Everyone else would have had to use a parachute, but on a low-level flight there's no chance.

The majority of the wreckage still remains today - strewn throughout the woods, in the trees, all over the ground.

photo by sean

People driving miles up the mountain, on dirt roads, to walk silently through the debris - paying their respects.

Everyone had their dogs with them but yet it was still a very quiet and reflective place.  It made me think about all the military people that risk their lives - not only in actual war but also just in training.

I thought this was a beautiful memorial to those lost in this tragedy and those that survived.

Then the next day I got up and hopped on a plane.

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All information from plaques at the site and research Sean did on the internet.  A special thanks to Amber for telling me about this!

they just know me

I now live with my best friend and have done so for over a year.  It's totally great and I wouldn't have it any other way.  But there's something to be said for girlfriends.  There's also something to be said for friends that have known you for 10 years or more.  This is what I miss the most out of this snowbird lifestyle we live.  I miss them even more than not having to share an office.

They know my weirdness, my love of birthdays, my love of spending time together, my love of adventure and travel.  They know my love of Mexican food and margarita swirls and go with me even if they don't like it.

They know when I'm mad and how to make me happy.  They know when I'm sad and how to cheer me back up.  They know how to plan and throw a birthday party for me even when I'm hundreds of miles away and know just how much it would mean to me.

photo by Susan

They know when I just need to vent or need an ear.  They know that if I don't talk to them for months I still love them just the same.  They know I get homesick.  They know if I have a work trip to Texas that I'm going to want to see them.

They ask me almost on a weekly basis when I'm coming back.

there are just some things you can't find in maine

Catching up with friends and enjoying margarita swirls for an evening is just what I needed to renew my spirits for this last month.  How can this not tide you over and give you something to look forward to?

If you haven't talked to or seen your friends in awhile, pick up the phone or stop by - you won't regret it - in fact you'll be so happy you did!

labor day weekend - according to duke

Duke's friend Miley sometimes gets to be a guest blogger on her mommies blog.  This intrigued Duke so I thought I'd give him a shot at blogging about his holiday weekend.

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Sniff, sniff all - it's me, Duke!  The summer at camp has been GREAT!  I've done so much playing and travel.  I love it when people come to camp to visit.  Over the weekend that mom and dad didn't work for three whole days we had visitors.  Cousin Cooper came over and we had so much fun playing ball.  He can swim out so far and get two balls at once.  I want to learn that trick someday - at least the two ball part, not the swimming out far part.  Look at him here with both of the balls.   Don't you just love his one blue eye?

photo by Sarah

There were a couple of times I couldn't get my ball so daddy had to help me.  I'm not sure what his plan was here but at least he didn't fall in.

I'm not sure why dad had to go all the way out to that thing that floats on the water but it sure made it hard for me to protect him way out there.

All that playing ball and playing host is tough work so I took a break and relaxed with mom (don't you just love the new bed - I know I sure do!).

I'm not so sure about these little people that sometimes come around.  They tend to grab my ears and fur.  I don't think this one was out to hurt me so I finally just let her do what she's going to do.  I think the look on my face says it all - I prefer the big people!

I also humoured mom and let her have some photo ops while I basked in the warm afternoon sun.  Yes, I know I'm cute but I'm not a puppy - I'm almost 7!

Oh and how could I forget Gram coming over?  We took a nap in the day bed and daddy took us on a boat ride around the lake for lunch.

Well, that about wraps up the fun - dock, sun, big dog friends, ball playing and boat rides.  Hopefully mom will let me blog again for her some day.

Woof!
Duke

recipe: spicy country ribs

A couple of months ago I posted about a recipe a farmer was going to send me.  I have since made it a couple of times and has been a big hit both times.  I made it with different meat each time.  The sauce that it makes is so good that I don't think it really matters what type of meat you use.  You can do so much with it - Sean's favorite is to just serve it over rice.  Since we've loved the recipe so much I wanted to share it with you all too.  Enjoy!