Weekend Highlights

The best singer. In. The. World.
Old School.......

These weekends always go by so fast, dont they?

Here are some highlights from what we did (it was busy)

1. We went out with the Daigneault's and Loftuses on Friday night; we hit up "You Know Whose" Pub for some good burgers, the Bruins game, and some lively conversation. We were all "kidless" which was nice for a change...but very weird!

2. We walked to Butcher's Choice for breakfast on Saturday, which was lovely. Callum enjoyed some scrambled eggs and pandacakes (what he calls pancakes)

3. I rode my bike out to Mt Vernon again, and Amanda and Callum drove. We went to visit Lynne, who is recovering nicely from her hyatal (spelling??) hernia surgery from last week. We killed two birds with one stone: We all got a good visit in with Lynne and George, and I got in another training ride for my triathlon and the "Trek." Of course now my bike is being all weird, but I hope to get that fixed SOON!!

4. We got home and Jon and Mel stopped by (they bought a futon at Winslow Mattress--where we got ours) and they came by to see CS after. "Yoojay" tried to get me all excited for the Trek Across Maine (this will be his third year) but all he did was make me nervous for the 180 mile ride...haha

5. Church this morning: We havent written about church a lot lately, but there is a lot going on there as well! We have our last "inquirer's class" this Thursday, and we are totally bummed because we LOVE this class. Also, this coming Sunday, we will "officially" become new members of the congregation, which is a big deal for us. And then, of course, there is Callum's baptism on May 17. Lots going on there!

6. We got a TON of work done this afternoon, most of it involving landscaping; for such a small yard, our little corner of the world demands a lot of attention! Cindy and Dana were great in helping us--Dana walked around our yard and theirs with Callum while I trimmed and mowed, and Cindy and Amanda cultivated and weeded out perennial beds. Amanda did some transplanting, I did some edging and clearing, and then I began to work on our latest project: A little front patio. I am putting in a little place to sit, relax, and read right in front of the breezeway. There was tons of spearmint and ferns growing there, but I've been working on clearing and killing it all (which is kind of like herding cats, but anyway....). Today, I removed a bunch of mulch and soil, did some digging, and even "tested out" some patio blocks to see where we were at. I think it will look nice.

7. Blah, blah, blah, tomorrow is Monday....

Wednesdays With Callum #3

Hi everyone. Amanda here. It's Thursday and I'm just getting around to doing my weekly Wednesdays with Callum blog. We had a great day together. I love being home with him because I get greeted by this when he wakes up from his naps:

If you enlarge this picture you can just make out his top left little tooth starting to show. Grammy, you called it! Jared says that he looks totally like me in that picture. And so this next picture, I think, is totally Jared. Wouldn't you agree?

Callum is a huge help on Wednesdays. Not only does he take time to help me with my work by banging on my laptop, answering the phone, dialing 11111115211111114444444, and working the mouse; he also keeps himself busy. This Wednesday he took time to read the paper:

He also helped me by doing some laundry. He has discovered how much fun an empty laundry basket can be. He stands up and pushes it around the kitchen floor, using it like a walker... This has given us some great ideas for a 1st birthday gift.

Callum loves to play games. His favorite game to play with Daddy is 'chase'; Jared says, "I'm gonna get you!" and crawls toward Callum while Callum squeals and crawls away as fast as his little body can go. They usually do a couple of laps around the house before they're done...

On Wednesday Callum discovered that he and I can play peek-a-boo using my laptop. He hides behind it, waits a few seconds, and then pops his little head around to surprise me. It is our new favorite game and I happened to catch him on camera one time:

I can't wait to see Callum when he wakes up in the morning. He makes every day a worthwhile and beautiful one...

I must be crazy....

My late spring and summer long schedule is filling up fast with all kinds of road races, bike races, and triathlons. What am I thinking?

Remember that "Dont forget to wear sunscreen" song that was big at the end of the 90's? That guy was basically giving a commencement speech, but they set it to music and it got really popular? It has all this advice on life, and one of his precepts was to "do one thing every day that scares you." So this is my way of doing that....

On May 31, I have the Bath, Maine Y-Triathlon which I am excited for since I've been training for it since the end of the winter. It involves a swim (in a pool), a bike ride, and a run...all in that order. Hopefully there is beer at the end...

Training for this is a blast, because I find myself exhausted, and it is the best type of exhaustion! Plus, it is going to be my "Golden Birthday," where I turn 31 on the 31st....what better way to celebrate getting old than by trying to kill myself....

On June 19-21, I am going to try my hand (or more like my legs) at the "Trek Across Maine." This three day event is known nationally for the successful way it raises HORDES of money for the American Lung Association. As a cancer survivor, this is a very important cause for me; anything we can do to procure clean air, stop environmental contaminants, and help stop chronic illnesses is a cause worth riding for. And I DID end a sentence with a preposition, so deal....haha. This several hundred mile trip across Maine "from the mountains to the sea" is in fact a fundraiser, so I'll be humbly asking for donations to my cause. I'll be riding on a "team" with the assistant superintendent for Winslow, some of his kids, and some fellow WHS students. Everyone who does it says its a life changing experience.

I hope to add some more rides and runs to my summer schedule, as its a great motivating force for me! There's the "Lobster Ride and Roll" bike race, the Sea Dog mother's day 5K, and many others to choose from....

So, if you see my out on the road, looking half dead on my bike, or hunched over in pain on a run, stop and say hi! (today, in fact, I messed up big time...I took the wrong street and turned a 3 mile run into a 6 mile run....so that sucked!)

MS Walk 2009

This morning the Goldsmiths participated in the MS walk....thanks so much to everyone who donated to our cause! It was a great turnout, and we saw a lot of folks we know. PLUS, the weather was beautiful! The walk started at the Waterville High School track, and went around in a nice big loop through the neighborhoods of Waterville. We ended at the track, where we decided to do a few laps to bring "closure" to our walk. The Winslow High School "Community Based Learning" class (you may have read about them in the NATIONAL WEEKLY "USA Weekend" magazine a couple of years ago?? Yeah...they were on the front cover....) did a lot of volunteer work for the event, and all the students always seem to love seeing Callum. They hooked him up with a balloon animal, a regular balloon to tie around his wrist, and even a medal for finishing the walks!! Below are mommy and CS after the walk.....

Here's Callum with legendary Winslow coach, teacher, mentor, and inspirational icon Jimmy Poulin. Coach Poulin is a Winslow mainstay, and his name is synonymous with the community. Suffering from MS and confined to a wheelchair, he retired a few years ago. But, as you can see, he is still very active. I wanted Callum to have his picture taken with "the legend." But, as you can see, Callum was more interested in checking out the Colby College hotties standing next to coach....

You can't hide that Black Raider pride!!

Here's me, Callum, and the Black Raider himself posing for a picture after the walk. Look at Callum's medal for crying out loud! Also, look at how fascinated he is with our mascot!

And here's Callum with his good friend Jessica. I have Jess in class this year, and I had her brother in class three years ago. Callum loves playing "Patty-Cake" with Jess, and he was excited to have his picture taken with her

Can you see the eagle? A homeowner out gardening pointed him out while we were walking. Click on the picture and it will blow up.....

Callum is napping now after a long walk. What will we do for the rest of the day??? It sure is nice out. Have a great weekend!

Meanderings 50!!! (Wow...50 lists of crap!!!)

(in the reflection, you can see Callum trying to grab the camera)

(a caption is needed here!)

1. Libraries are the only places in the world that require you to completely and selfishly use them for free in order to support them; think about that. The best way to help out, support, and patronize your local library is to take things, for free, from them. And, when your selfishness shines through and you forget to return your stuff on time, they merely ask for something like 31 cents or something like that. Where else does this happen in America?

2. Hockey is a funny sport in that it is the only sport I can think of that attempts to "publicly" shame its players for doing "bad things" in the game. The penalty box is so stupid, that it almost HAD to be invented by Canadians....I mean, does it really have have any effect on the players themselves? Do players "fear" that box, since they know they will be embarrassed if they are "put on display" for others to scoff at them? I mean, the idea in theory works because one team is thus left at a disadvantage because they are down one player....but for crying out loud, just have them sit out on the bench with the rest of the team, and stop this quasi-Puritanical public punishment. I mean, if you are going to do it, do it right! Like, waterboard them for two minutes....or have them be beat while they are in there.....or have the penalty box be smeared with animal and human fecal matter....or, in order to get "out" of the penalty box, have them have to eat the discarded toe-nail clippings from old veterans in area nursing homes. Or at least have the fans throw tomatoes at them or something....

3. Callum has a little dog he got from his Nannie, and when you press the dog's paw, the dog sings songs. Except (obviously) its now the dog singing, but the recorded voice of some woman who was contracted by Fisher-Price to sing 30 second kid's songs. So I guess that is my first meandering on this subject: Someone's job description reads as following--"25 second children's song singer for recording box inside kid's plastic and stuffed toys." Is that what they put on the resume?

4. One of the songs sung on this stuffed dog is the "ABC" song. Puzzlingly enough, the singer performs the piece with great gusto....and even bravado. I just dont think I could put a lot of passion, feeling, and heart into singing the ABC song. I mean, she just sounds stupid. Furthermore, I dont find myself putting the same effort into "Its a great big colorful world out there" as I do into an Elton John or John Mayer cover. Just saying. I wonder if they coached her while she performed...."come on....put some heart into this!! On the 'P' before the 'Q' you definitely sounded a little flat.....let me hear your soul, girl!!!!"

5. Why can't holidays and important events ever just exist in a linear straight-away fashion? Why do they all have to be on some kind of grid system or "switchback" sort of road? Christmas is always "just around the corner" from Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving is "just around the corner" from Halloween, etc. What the hell is with all these corners? Someone is going to get hurt! Why can't Memorial day be "just ahead" or Patiots day? I mean, at least have the winter holidays be on a straight road, since it is often times snowy and slippery, and if New Years is just around the corner from Christmas, we might be looking at a potential accident if people dont pump their brakes.....

6. Here are some weird foods that seem to be synonymous with each other, and I can't figure out why....We just sort of take for granted that these things go together, but if you think about it, its kind of weird....Maybe you can add some to the list.

Lambchops with MINT JELLY

Hot dogs with BAKED BEANS

chocolate with PEANUT BUTTER

Ham with PINEAPPLES

Apple Pie with CHEDDAR CHEESE

watermelon with SALT

steak with HORSERADISH

Peanut butter and MARSHMALLOW FLUFF

Collier House '09

What an awesome weekend....with amazing weather on the island! We're sad to be back, but happy to know it is only the BEGINNING of the season, and there are many more trips to Mt Desert ahead. We were very laid back indeed, just sort of going with the flow (depending on the naps of Callum). We enjoyed the downtown shops of Bar Harbor, the carriage roads in the park, the little taverns and restaurants the island had to offer, and (last but not least) the beautiful setting of the Collier house bed and breakfast itself. If you arent familiar with the carriage roads, you should look them up on line...they are very interesting, and quite the architectural and engineering marvel. They were built by the Rockefellers in the early 1900's, and they go throughout the entire park....traversing mountainsides, meadows, and coastlines. These 100+ year old roads are in better shape than our driveway....which was only re-done two years ago.

Here are Amanda and Callum near the summit of Day Mountain. We took Callum up on the carriage road--this is the only carriage road that actually goes to the summit of a mountain. He enjoyed it very much. We did, however, drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain on Sunday (Cadillac is the highest mountain on the eastern seaboard). Callum did NOT like this very much, since it was very very windy up there. But he LOVED his carseat after, when he napped the whole way down! We must have seen half a dozen cyclists riding up the mountain. What do you think Jonathan? Would we be crazy to ever try this? Have fun. I'll be at the bottom, enjoying a Bar Harbor Real Ale....

Again on the carriage road. Can you guess who is the happiest little guy on earth??
George, the owner of the Collier house, has this big wooden moose out front, which he decorates for the seasons. When we arrived on Saturday, "Merlin" was still wearing his Easter bunny years and holding a basket of eggs. Now, however, he is ready for all his spring planting and gardening. Obviously, we had to get a picture of Callum and the moose.

He already has the correct name.......

George Clemmens and his daughter (actually, especially his daughter, who has been living in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia for the past few years) are accomplished bagpipers. We often talk about bagpipes with George. For breakfast on Monday, George dug out his tuner to Callum to try. So, here is a picture of Callum playing bagpipes (sort of....). According to George: "With a name like Callum, he almost HAS to play the pipes!"

And who could forget: We ran into the Hargroves in Bar Harbor on Saturday! How cool!! We were walking down Cottage street when, all of the sudden, I saw an Amanda look-alike AND an idiot in a yellow fleece....so I KNEW it must be Jesse and Ciara! We caught up with them, and Callum and Aiden enjoyed some play time on the village green while Daddy and Jesse got some "guy time" to check out Bayside Liquors...one of the BEST beer and wine stores ever.

The two look like they could be brothers....

More pictures to come!!

My favorite writer (and my favorite trip)

Donald Hall

One year ago this week......and our beloved Thomas P.......
Tomorrow!!

Because I'm an English teacher, people sometimes ask me about who my favorite writer is, and if there are any good books they should read. The answer for the two questions has one answer: Donald Hall. Get your hands on something he's written about relationships, the nature of "work," the importance of silence and simplicity, baseball, and aging. And, when you do this, I can guarantee you'll be a better, more improved human being.

I had the unique honor of going to both meet and listen to Donald Hall this evening. Former U.S. poet laureate that he was, he humbled himself enough to come up to Maine (he lives in his great grandparent's farmhouse in NH) to read at the UMAINE Disgusta campus for the Terry Plunkett Poetry Festival. I met Melissa, Michelle Garner's sister at the event. Mr Hall read from his new memoir about writing poetry, and he read some heart wrenching pieces about growing old, outliving his father, losing his 20-year-younger wife to Leukemia, euthanizing horses, and you name it! After the reading, I was the third person in line to meet him and have him sign a copy of my number 2 favorite book of all time (number one is THE LITTLE PRINCE, of course), which is his autobiography LIFE WORK. I dont have the time or energy to go into the book now, but suffice to say it has changed my whole outlook on the idea of "working." A popular adage of his is "Don't let your work interfere with your job." I like that. And maybe that is why, each year, I somehow find myself being the only idiot on the street hand-splitting three cord of wood....

Anyway, I shook his hand, and told him what a pleasure it was to meet him. Furthermore, I told him (in my poor attempt at schmoozing) how I studied with Professor David Watters (his buddy from Phillips Exeter) who was my advisor for honors thesis....which in large part was inspired by Hall's work. Blah blah blah....I'm sure he hears this kind of crap all the time. But he was very gracious, and signed my book. I am very excited.

****

Tomorrow, we leave for my favorite trip of the year: Our first pilgrimage to Mt Desert Island, where we stay at the Collier house bed and breakfast. Its the middle of April....no one is on the island....none of the stores are open....things are "just" starting to come alive and wake up from the long winter....its just me, my awesome wife, and my beautiful son....and George Clemmens bakes the best bread I've ever eaten.

Who could ask for anything more?