Dear Lewiston

Dear Lewiston, Maine,

You have not always been my favorite place. You're a bit drab, a bit run down, and tend to be the butt of a lot of unflattering jokes.

I'll be honest - I've been a bit of a snob when it comes to you, Lewiston. But I think I can change. I think we can change together. After all it was from you my husband came, and as much as I'd like to give him back sometimes, in the end, I love him and I appreciate all the cultural charm you've given him, like his really weird Maine/French-Canadian accent.

What's more, I am starting discover your charms. Tonight, for example, I enjoyed a really incredible dinner at one of your local restaurants and there were no french fries or lobster rolls in sight. And what was in sight was a delightful mixed bag (at least for Maine) of people, types of people who I do not get to see every day in our neck of the woods. I had never fully appreciated that about you Lewiston - you house a fascinating collage of folks who I do not meet and experience life with every day.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say, Lewiston, is that I'm sorry and I am, if you are, willing to give it another go.

What do you say?

Weekend Lovin'

I've often said to folks, "When my husband's gone, he's gone." Meaning, he works an hour away at a job that requires him to work twelve hour shifts doing some really tough stuff. When his days off turn up during the summer we're pretty relieved to have him home and are ready to go out and have some fun. Unfortunately, our kind of summer fun takes us to the great outdoors, and up until this month, the great outdoors has been pretty soggy in these parts, especially, it had seemed, on my poor husband's days off.

But finally, finally we've had some truly fabulous weather, and every day he had off the weekend we found ourselves out doing something just so nice.

Friday:

Out on "grandma and grandpa's lake" with my parents. The sweet sunshine, delicious food, jumps into the lake, and looking at beautiful lakeside homes. 

Saturday:

We were up at 4 o'clock Saturday morning to drive to Lewiston to watch the morning launch for the balloons at the annual Great Falls Balloon Festival. It was a beautiful morning that was followed by a yummy breakfast at a local diner. E. had a wonderful time and was very happy to finally have a chance to wear her balloon outfit. 

Sunday:

It seemed fitting that the week of our wedding anniversary my husband wanted to take the kids and I up to Frenchman's Hole in Newry, one of the places he took me when we were first dating. With a little grilling and some swimming later into the afternoon, it was a very pleasant and relaxing end to a really perfect summer weekend.