The teaching room.

The board room.

Our awesome instructors.

More photos: The Lobster Ride!

On Sunday last… I rode in the Maine Bike Coalition Lobster Ride. The event allows riders to choose their poison: 15, 30, 50, or 100 miles. (I’m up to 30 although my husband would have much preferred 50 or 100.) The entry fees go to help lobby for improved bike infrastructure in Maine, and to build a positive relationship between bikers and car drivers. You might be surprised by how anti-bike some people can be.

I did not ride this.

Or any of these wonderful vintage bikes from the Owl’s Head Transportation Museum.

Here’s me with my modern, light weight carbon fiber FELT bike.

Which rides like a dream so that I could ham it up with the Lobster Queen at the end of 30 miles!

The Photo Journalism Continues- Monhegan Island

Yesterday, I posted some pictures of my journey to NYC in hopes that I’d make up for the huge lag in written posts that I’ve made this summer. Today, I’m taking you on a virtual tour of Monhegan Island and Midcoast Maine.

I bid on the ferry ride and stay at the “Trailing Yew” inn through the Maine Women’s Lobby auction. MWL is doing amazing things to support women and families in Maine and I thank them!

photo (16)

First stop: Mt. Batte in Camden. Think… Down to the Sea With Mr. McGee.

Shop Indie Bookstores

My cairn from the rocky mountain top at the end of a lovely hike. My husband and I were pleased to find wild blueberries nestled amongst the rocks and nibbled just like SAl. Or were they tremendous mouthfuls like Little Bear?!?

Shop Indie Bookstores

In Rockland… a fabulous dinner at FOG Bar and Cafe. BBQ Tofu topped with tempura pickle strips on a bed of cilantro pesto cauliflower.

Followed by breakfast at the Atlantic Baking Company…

YUM!!!

On the ferry to Monhegan from Port Clyde.

The view from our room at The Trailing Yew. Fabulous food, a great group of artist visitors, and oil lamps. So fun!

photo (24)

The island was all abloom with flowers– the air full of sea roses and balsam scent. These climbing roses caught my eye.

Me on “Pebble Beach.” The “pebbles” were more like boulders or as we said, dinosaur eggs.

So majestic and magical! We hiked the trails all around the island and let me tell you… it was some strenuous hiking.

A wonderful sunset on a VERY hot day. Good-by Monhegan. We’ll be back!

Summer Blog-lag and A photographic apology

It has been a busy summer of trips both expected and unexpected. My constant travels have taken me away from social media which is a mixed blessing. On one hand, it feels great to be unplugged and to have relief from the constant stream of information. I’ve made some progress on my WIP, caught up on some reading, and had some wonderful family time.

On the other hand, I feel guilty not to be contributing to said constant stream. “My blog readers will go elsewhere for pithy observations, book reviews, and industry buzz.” C’est la vie.

If you need time-wasting excuses, I’ll be posting pictures from my recent adventures over the next few days. Enjoy! Then go read, write, draw, and enjoy the summer outside unplugged.

Trip One: To NYC

I went to NYC to be with my brother who has been quite ill. Happily, he is making steady if slow progress towards healing. I did take one morning to visit THE A,B,C’S OF IT: WHY CHILDREN’S BOOKS MATTER, a free exhibit at the NY Public Library. If you get a chance, please visit. Fabulous artifacts (primers from the 1600’s) and great history of children’s books and how they’ve changed to meet the educational philosophy of the times.

Who doesn’t love the iconic NYPublic Library Lions?

So happy to see my friend Michelle Knudsen’s fabulous book, Library Lion, in the display case!

New Yorkers! You are so lucky to have this amazing temple to the book!

Winnie-the-Pooh and friends took a journey from their usual spot in the children’s room to be in the A, B, C’s exhibit!

The wonderful Wanda Gag. (Rhymes with fog.) I’d never seen her picture and was struck with the thought that perhaps Kirsten Cappy of Curious City Books is Wanda Gag reincarnated.