Spring Break
by Rob

Okay, so I've been a little busy. Actually, busy has only been part of the problem. I have also had little interest in things like writing and blogging. Nonetheless, I want to spend part of this week getting back on track. I remain convinced that this can be a great way of keeping track of our lives over the long haul. I want to be able to look back and know what was going on. It's certainly going to be harder to do that when I have taken a six month break.

So we'll see what I can do this week.

King Arthur and the Old Woman
as Performed by Nate
Friday, November 16, 2007

Hair Line Fracture
by Rob

Nate and Phys Ed haven't always gotten along with each other. In the latest chapter of his journey through middle school "gym class" comes this one -- a hair line fracture in his wrist.

On the x-ray it appears to be a tiny little break in a tiny little bone. And yet, the best the orthopedist could tell us is that this should heal well, "considering his size and age," but in order to be sure that it heals correctly, he'll most likely be in a cast for "at least six weeks."

In the mean time...

- No more PE
- No more wrestling
- No more piano
- No more oboe
- No bongo solo in the Holiday chorus concert

Before and After

by Rob

Some people have been asking for some "before and after" kinds of photos from our recent renovations. This is what I was able to come up with...

Thankful
by Rob

Thanksgiving remains one of my favorite days of the year. Our day was laid back and full at the same time. Roger and Linda came for most of the afternoon. The meal was GREAT. We had way too much food. Later, we went to the Barnes' estate for a few hours. We ended the day by watching a few episodes of Alias together (we're into season two now).

It was a great day.

Soccer Star
by Rob

Yesterday, Abbie's soccer team, the self-titled "Orange Crush," had their next to last game for this season. Both teams had been undefeated. Although Orange Crush has rolled over almost every other team this season, it was clear from the start that yesterday's game would be a bit more challenging.

The final outcome? A 1-0 victory for Orange Crush. The winning goal was scored by Abbie Hileman! (Her first ever).

Sheep Island

By Rob

Today we spent several hours on Sheep Island. It's the island directly across the channel from our cottage, here on Hendrickson's Point.

One of the neighboring cottages is the year-round home of the McCartneys. Their 11 year-old grandson, Ian, has been here for nearly our entire vacation. It turns out that Ian and Nate have been good for each other. They haven't been together constantly, but have spent several hours together each day.

This morning Ian came to our cottage before our own kids were even out of bed. Did we want to go to Sheep Island? Ian's dad, Peter, had arrived a couple of days ago, and he was going to take Ian out in the boat. Nate, Abbie and I decided to accept the invitation. In all of our time here at Owls Head, we had never been out in the water on a boat, and we were all very interested in exploring one of the islands.

The McCartney's boat is moored at the Owls Head Harbor which is very close to our cottage. It's not a big boat, but it easily accommodated five of us and our picnic lunch.

After circling around the back of Monroe Island, we landed the boat on one of the beaches at Sheep Island. The beach is like most in the area, mostly covered in smooth, rounded rocks of every size. We unloaded, set down our stuff and headed out to explore. Abbie and I walked around the perimeter of the island with Peter. It probably took us about 4o or 50 minutes to make it around. We traveled over the rocks during most of our walk; only passing over a trail through the woods for a very short time.

After our walk, everyone helped to gather wood and we started a fire. We ate hot dogs and whoopie pies. After lunch, Peter and I relaxed near the fire on the beach and the kids ventured off to explore and play for awhile longer.

By the time we started back, it was after 3:30. Peter suggested that we take the time to circle back around the island and head back to the harbor through the channel right in front of our cottage. Nate got to drive the boat for much of this time. He did a great job following Peter's instructions and navigating around the buoys.

One of the things that seems to be happening as we return here each year is that we seem to meet more and more people and feel less and less like we're visiting. Peter knows this area very well, and spending time with him made me feel more like an insider than ever before. Not only do I hope that we'll be able to come back here for many, many years, but I'm also hopeful that as we do, we'll be able to have more experiences like we did today.