Acadia Trip Part 2

Some more from our MDI adventure last week.....

Below is a picture going down the hill onto Sand Beach....I like how the trees go right up to the water....it is a gorgeous spot....

And here is the famous "Thunder Hole." Thunder Hole is a pretty neat attraction if you have never heard of it. Basically, as you can see below, there is a narrow 'chasm' carved into the rock by years and years of crashing surf. You can't see it now, because the water has just come in, but underneath the rock is a 'cave' like kind of space. Thus, when the tide comes rushing in with the force it has, it has nowhere to 'expand' inside the tiny cavern, and essentially a big 'exploding' sound is made--like thunder. This was the first time the kids had ever seen this, and they did not want to leave!

This gives you a little more perspective on Thunder Hole: The water from the ocean rushes into the narrow inlet below the railing there. Callum could have stayed there for an hour just being hypnotized by the ebbing and flowing of the sea....off in the distance (at the top middle of the picture) are the famous Otter Rocks....

A Thunderous family photo...

Then, later, walking along the 'shore path,' which starts at Sand Beach and goes for a long way along the craggy coast. Below, we were walking towards Otter Cliffs, and enjoying (finally) the smell of evergreen trees as spring continued to attempt to make its presence known. There were still little pockets of snow here and there....I wonder if it will all ever melt?? Also, if you blow up the pic you will see that Callum carried his lobster for the whole hike...

From Otter Cliffs looking back toward Sand Beach--blow up the picture for greater clarity and perspective, but you can see the swath of sand in the middle (that is the beach we were on earlier). The mountain in the background might be Cadillac....but I am not sure.....go google it if ya want....haha

Windy-apple kisses......

First Acadia trip of the year Part 1

Oh hi. So we decided on a whim to take the kids up to Mt Desert Island for an overnight trip. We seem to always do this on my April vacation. So, once again, we did it this week. We went up Thursday morning and came back Friday afternoon. Our beloved Seawall Motel was closed (Dave and Vicki were themselves traveling out of state) so we stayed at a place called THE ACADIA INN which was very nice--it was directly across the street from the College of the Atlantic--but it was, of course, no substitute for our beloved Seawall. The hotel where we stayed was right in the heart of Bar Harbor proper, so our visit focused more on the downtown and the surrounding park loop road (which the kids have actually never done....which means that Sally and I havent done it in 6 years!!) instead of the quiet/Southwest Harbor/Bass Harbor side of the island....

The kids, more than anything else, simply LOVE just staying in hotels. Seriously, we could go to stay at the hotel connected to Governor's Restaurant, and the kids  would consider it a vacation. The hilight, for Maira, was the little mini fridge in the room, and she kept both a glass of water AND her peanut butter crackers in the fridge to 'keep them fresh' and such....

On Thursday, when we got there, it was freezing and VERRRRRY windy (Gale-like almost)...and it was pretty rainy: A typical Downeast kind of day! We took a walk through the campus of COA, and then we meandered around downtown Bar Harbor. Each of the kids were allowed to pick out either a book, coloring book, or puzzle at Sherman's Bookstore OR they could pick out a Christmas ornament at the Christmas store in town. Since 'all the things you let us pick out at Sherman's are WICKED BORING, Maira and I want to pick out an ornament.' So they did. Then we had a nice dinner at Geddy's, which is a wonderful pub by the water where they serve the kids' meals on frisbees. And Callum, thank goodness, got a blue one (his fave color now)

Bedtime at the hotel! If I had a panoramic camera you could see the 16 stuffed animals CS brought with him....and the zero that Maira brought. Maira is a minimalist when it comes to sleeping: No stuffed animals. No pillow. No people. I like her style. After they were asleep, Sally and I played a couple of games of cribbage. I love cribbage....

On Friday morning, we headed into the park. I will post and write more about the part tomorrow...but we stopped to show the kids one of our favorite hikes: The Precipice. It is the backside of Champlain Mountain, and, as you can see if you blow up the picture, it is extremely treacherous and technical: iron rung ladders anchored on steep cliffsides...steep drop offs...ropes to climb up steep boulders...and more are all the name of the game for this hike (actually, it is more like a climb). It is closed (like it often is) because Peregrine Falcons nest there and they, like all the illegal immigrants in this country, are protected and taken care of by the government.  But we stopped to talk to one of the park rangers there about the birds, and the kids liked that....

Maira at sand beach......very photogenic little lady...

And Callum and I looking out to sea off of sand beach. The island near the top middle is often times resplendent with seals. The water here at this beach, at its 'warmest' point in late August, has never topped 58 degrees.....

...me and this hot chick I met by the ocean......the cliffs in back of us have trails on them,, and that is where I asked Amanda to marry me.....

April Vacation 1

On April vacation this week, and having a great time with the kids! April vacation is almost a moot/obsolete vacation for me, and sometimes (even though I love the time off) I kind of wish we could just keep the momentum we had going #thatswhatshesaid and finish the year--I mean, when I get back, my seniors only have about four weeks remaining in the year, ya know? Oh well. Dont look a gift donkey in the butt, as the expression goes....

A pretty low-key vacation....the kids are anxious to get outside whenever possible even though we have really only had one decent day above fifty degrees. Today I rode my bike around a bit, and it was freezing; the wind whipped all over the place today. Crazy. I went to Agway today (on April 22 or whatever it is) and their greenhouse was JUST starting to come alive....no one is planting anything or working outside at all. In fact, yesterday was the first day (I wanted to document this) that we were COMPLETELY snow free at the Goldsmith house!! Nuts.

On Tuesday, we took the kids down to LL Bean so I could spend a fifty dollar gift card I had for the place...it was a red letter day in Callum's life because, for the first time ever, he didnt make us enter the store in a different entrance all in the name of ignoring the HUGE BOOT they have in front; the kid has been petrified of the boot all his life, and this year he, suddenly, totally loves it. We had our lunch at Gritty McDuff's in Freeport, and they make fantastic beer there--I got the 'Best Bitter' and it was lovely.

Maira continues to be a star working on her potty training, and is virtually done having any 'pee' accidents. We are still working on the poop part. In fact, the other day was the first time she went pee in public--she went in the men's room at Gritty's--surely this is cause for celebration...haha

Here are Amanda and the kids at Gritty's.....whenever we ARENT at Governor's Callum gets spaghetti and meatballs. Maira gets hot dogs everywhere she goes....

The Boot!!

so....like....he picks out his own clothes.....

notice the pigeon from the Mo Willem's books? PJs and rain boots you say? Well, keep in mind that both these pictures were taken before eight in the morning.....#whynot

Easter 2014

I've been dyeing to post these

Holy Week

First of all, today is April 15 and we woke up to about three inches of snow! Erskine, the 'high school' in China, had a two hour delay. In mid April! Crazy.

The roads were actually terrible today....very icy.

I was actually planning on writing today that ALL of our snow was finally gone....but this morning's snow added to our pile...so we still are not snow free...

Also, Maira has the entire DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SNOWMAN song from Frozen memorized. Verbatim.

During Holy Week the Goldsmiths are very involved in the processes and traditions and goings-on of life at church. Tomorrow, for Maundy Thursday, little Callum has been asked by Pastor to be the one who gets his feet washed in the middle of the service. Callum, who is exceptionally shy, is being a good sport by doing this, and he is actually pretty excited to sit in the aisle and be Pastor's 'helper.' The choir is VERY busy during Holy Week for the Maundy Thurdsay, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday services....there are many new hymns I have been learning. All of which are beautiful, especially when played by Rick on our gorgeous organ.

I am singing a solo tomorrow evening at the service. Then, on Good Friday, Amanda is singing a solo. In addition, I will be up on the altar with Pastor on Good Friday to assist him with all the Bible readings commemorating the "Passion" of Christ--his betrayal...his arrest...his torture and execution...etc. I have been helping out with this for about the last four years or so and, I have to admit, even though I know what is coming up in these readings, I still have a tough time verbalizing all these things; I find myself getting a bit choked up sometimes. Weird. It is an especially powerful service because after each of the 7 readings or so a portion of the lights in the sanctuary are extinguished, rendering the church in total darkness as the final reading--the one where Christ says 'It is finished' and dies--is read.

Holy Week is my favorite time of the church year--I love the solemnity of it. Although I have to admit I do not enjoy the Easter Sunday church service. It has nothing to do with anything religious, liturgical, etc....I just hate all the spring apparel because I hate spring....haha

Spring?

Perhaps. 

This weekend (yesterday--Saturday--in particular) was the first evidence we have actually seen of anything even resembling spring weather. I think it was about 55 degrees yesterday, which is the warmest it has been since probably September. We did a lot of our usual 'spring stuff' like put winter stuff up in the garage attic...pick up remnants of stuff like twigs, etc...get down 'summer' toys...stuff like that. Yesterday was a sad day, too, because I finally put my snowmobile on rollers and wheeled it into the garage where, after I clean it, it will stay til next winter (which cant come fast enough!)

Callum and Maira were elated to 'eat lunch outside' on the picnic table....and they enjoyed soaking up some rays of sun. Maira is hilarious though--not only because she is, for some reason, photobombing this picture by showing off her belly, but also because even though it is warm she still insists on wearing her winter hat and mittens. Fun. Also, you can notice Annie in the background; the kids played with her most of the day as well....

I am really proud of Amanda for all the training she has been doing lately--running, strength, etc--to get ready for the 'Color Run' race is she doing at the end of the month. Yesterday Amanda and Beth ran a practice 5K to get ready for the 'big one' in a few weeks. I was jealous to not be able to run yesterday....but the tramadol made everything all better. At any rate, I cant wait to see Amanda and her gee-effs in Bangor cross that finish line all pastelly-powdery!!! Great job ladies!!

And, in my heavy state of depression, I spend a lot of time secluded from the world resplendent in a hooded sweatshirt while I bask in my reclining chair hiding from the realities of life. Callum, however, loves to climb all over me while I try to withdraw, depriving me of even THAT one simple pleasure. But he is a great cuddler.....and we had fun watching some Peter Rabbit (the REAL bbc one! fun!)

Mainely Brews party....

But first, a picture I took yesterday afternoon of our front lake...I mean yard....

The snow is melting I guess....but it really has nowhere to go. It is a very low point here (really??) and this happens when we get lots of rain...but I have never seen anything like this. Then again, I have never really seen a winter like we just had. It was amazing. 

Last night was little Emily's 8th birthday party, and she had a surprise party at Mainely Brews, which is definitely becoming one of my favorite places--they make terrific beer, they have the best burgers I have had in Maine, and the atmosphere just cannot be beat...or beaten...or whatever the heck it is...

Isnt it cool that an 8 year old would choose to have her party at a pub?? I think so.

Below, Callum and Maira look on withi the Wilcox, Carlton, Vigue, and Hallen kids as Emily opens her gifts. She got tons of books--she loves to read. And Amanda knit her a beautiful cover for her Nook....

Amanda and her good friends Lisa and Alicia. Alicia is from Ireland, which is very cool. I like hearing her talk. What also makes her cool is that her husband is a professor at UNH. And Lisa is just plain cool no matter what...she dont need no prof hubby or nuthin.....Oh...but one cool thing that my mass readers will like (that is pretty much just you, dad....IF you still read this even...) is that Lisa and her husband Pete both went to Bridgewater State....

Maira and her buddy Andy. No idea what he is going with all those singles. This photo should have one of those caption contest things. Or maybe not......haha

On Tuesday evenings they have 6 dollar burgers at the pub, and this guy named Dave Mello plays some cool acoustic music. One of the many cool features of the pub is that they have a great dance floor/stage...the kids love to dance around and play on the state, etc. Also, to the right of that stage, there is a pool and fooseball table; Callum loves 'playing' pool, and last night Callum, Maira, and Lucy were having a blast putting the balls in the corner holes so they could see where they came out. Below, I tried to take a picture while Maira was still in the hold-hands-circle-dance...but our camera sucks and wasnt fast enough to take it before she dropped out of the dance. Oh well.

And here is Callum's spaghetti. He loves the spaghetti there, and he wanted to be sure to take a picture of it. It is pretty good, I have to admit....

That is all. Goodnight.

BREAKFAST WITH MAIRA AT THE FLATLANDA

So Saturday mornings are usually 'daddy dates' in some way, shape or form--either with JUST me with Callum or JUST me with Maira. This past Saturday was a date with JUST Maira and I....and usually all she ever wants to do is go to Dunkin Donuts, get a pink frosted/sprinkled donut, and lick the frosting off in under 20 seconds. But this time she wanted to go to the Flatlanda' because they have, according to her, the 'yummiest pancakes and bacon ever!' 

I love the time I get one on one with my kids--it is a rare treat. Here are some pics from our time....

While we waited for our food we read two books: Nurse Nancy and Max and Ruby: Max's Dragon Shirt.

I love this picture below....look at that snarky little smile....

Maira has some VERY particular eating habits--Amanda and I were just talking about this yesterday. For example, Maira has to have ALL of her food in some type of bowl or plate. She can NEVER just, say, take a handful of Goldfish crackers and be happy; she always needs them in a little bowl. Furthermore, she has never eaten anything with JUST her hands...she always needs a utensil like a fork or spoon...even if it is for something that the rest of the world views as a finger food. She detests getting her hands dirty. It is kind of funny...

Look at the size of the pancakes they give you! Also (and I just noticed this) it looks like  Maira has her ear pierced in this picture...she does not. Haha

And this one is for Jawn. (the decor at the Flatlanda is all vanity plates from all over the country)

Texting

I dont text and drive. And I dont text. This is mostly because I dont have a cell phone...but mainly because no one would want to text me anyway

If I DID text, I definitely wouldnt text and drive. That is just stupid. I cannot even tell you how many people I see texting and driving in a given day; I would say at least half (if not more) of the drivers I see are looking down at their phones. What is so important?

I find it ruder than drinking and driving actually. At least a drunk person's senses are disabled; people who text while they drive are in the right and legal frame of mind (unaffected by drugs, anyway).

In Maine, it is illegal to text and drive. But how is a police officer supposed to enforce this? It is almost impossible-if pulled over and challenged, couldnt the person just say they spilled something on their pants and were wiping it off...or something like that? How can a cop actually see onto the driver's lap? Weird. I wonder if anyone--seriously--in the state of Maine has ever been charged and convicted of this.

I have a great idea to curb this problem. All the cell phones have cute little bluetooth devices, right? They should make a special red strobe light thing that goes off on both the INSIDE and OUTSIDE of cars whenever the driver is texting. Other people in the car (not driving) could text at will. But each driver's seat would be fitted with some type of weight bearing mechanism or something that would sense when the person in that seat was texting...and then the strobe lights would go off on both the inside and outside of the cars. This way, cops would see these idiots more. AND, perhaps most importantly, people like me (and other innocent people whose lives are so rudely put at risk) could stay away from these selfish individuals.

I dont see this violating any civil liberties because if you are obeying the law, then you are fine. No action should be prohibited simply because it doesnt make it easy for people to 'break' the law. Does this make sense?

Vote for me.

Our world on April 1....

So it hit 40 at least....and people think it is spring outside....but it is still very much winter, here in Fairfield Maine, on April 1 (I know it is APril 2nd today...but I took these pics yesterday). Outside the world is gray and dirty and puddly and miserable and muddy....people are desperate to get outside and try to 'force' spring, but it just (sadly enough) doesnt work. Kids, as I drove home today, played baseball on partially flooded streets....teens ruined perfectly good rollerblades polluting their Rollerblade ball bearings with coarse sand and grit as they tried to play street hockey. The world doesnt want you outside until it is ready. There's a poem there, but I havent eaten yet and I have low blood sugar and I dont feel like writing a poem....

As much as I want to get the kids outside, it is still very much an INSIDE kind of mindset at the Goldsmith's. Playing dollhouse is the norm for sweet little Maira Girl......the kids desperately want to be outside, but it is that in between time when you cant really play in the snow because it is coarse and crunchy and dirty (like day old soggy newspaper that Robert Frost writes about in A PATCH OF OLD SNOW that I have referenced before). Art and books and PBSkids.org games on the PC are still the norm....at the 20th of April last year Callum started tee ball practice....just saying....

 Here is what our front yard looked like on April 1st....out in front of our the 'red' front door is still a Christmas tree buried from December....and our yew bushes are still stretched and mangled in the clutches of a tortuous, draconic winter. Look that word up. You will learn something today. ...

Disgusting snow. Serves us right--all the blackness and grit is our own fault for trying to get rid of it; snow doesnt want to be 'gotten rid of;' it wants to leave in its own time and now the ugliness is the price we pay for rushing it away....

Our backyard area....for the first time, last week,  we could open the back door of our breezeway; before that, the snow drifts made it impossible to move the storm door. Hard to believe that in about a month that forsythia will be resplendent with gorgeous yellow flowers, fleeting, totally unlike the snow. Isnt that such a paradox--the winter sticks around for so long--such a bully it is--but the beauty of spring is so transient and fragile; it seems oppressed, like a season 'without a country,' almost, afraid to be constant and stalwart--it quickly is bullied away by summer, leaving only the wet tears of muddy grass creases and skids in its wake....

I hate spring. But I want it. It is time to move on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5o582N3wOQ