A great loss

This posting is for Sharon's mother, who we lost on September 18th. She would have celebrated her 81st birthday this December. There are no words for the hole in our lives left by this kind, gracious, generous, loving and downright impressive lady. Her loves in life were many with her family leading the way. She was so excited to see the postings of our home and the flowers in Maine. Here she was napping during her visit.

Final preps for winter

With mornings in the low 40s, we can feel summer coming to and end here in Maine. Although yesterday's humid high 80s still felt like August.

We decided it was time to begin finalizing (as much as is possible since you are never really finished) the outside insulation around the bermed buildings. In order to help keep moisture and coldness from the foundation area, a layer of styrofoam covered with 3 layers of plastic and then stone are placed around the house. We went out 12 feet at a slight slope around the house and 8 feet around the detached garage.
This should be the end of the "berming process".

The torrential rains over the last couple of days made a few ruts, but overall it seems like everything is 'doing its job'.

bermed
passive+solar
sharonbetts

Slated - finally

The slate countertops and windowsills are in place. Certainly easy to install countertops that weigh over 100 pounds each - just lay them in place. We used mottled-purple on the kitchen counters and striated gray at the windows. It really sets off the work so far.

I love them.
slate
sharon+betts

A Bird in the Hand

I just checked my favorite Phoebe nest and found that the last of the chicks has flown the coop (so to speak). This is my favorite Phoebe because she managed to raise 4 chicks all within reach of a a most bird-crazy leonberger's nose. She built her nest in the corner of Sophie's and Milos's dog shelter. This is the place that they get brushed - and all the undercoat just pushed outside (love living in the Maine woods). Most of the bird nests are golden red around our place! Now this building site may seem like a good choice for a bird -- protection from predators due to the dogs, lots of soft building materials, and shelter from the elements. But, there was one thing she didn't bargain for - Milos the fearless birddog. Not a dove, chick-a-dee, crow nor sparrow is safe within the range of Mighty-Milos. He spends most of his time (not counting his battle with the local red-squirrel family - another story) darting around, ferociously barking and working hard keeping all birds in the air at all times.

We noticed the mother bird checking out the area, but had no idea she would pick that spot. There was no problem while she built the nest and layed the eggs. Not many issues while she incubated them either -- then they hatched and started making "noises"! Bird noises inside Mighty-Milos's shelter was not acceptable. At first he couldn't figure out how to approach the nest of hair and twigs emitting these chirping sounds since he would always bump his head when he attempted to jump up. So, he resorted to sitting pretty in front of the nest and peeking inside. Finally, after a lot of practice he was able to stand up on his back legs and touch the outside with his nose. Ms. Phoebe would go crazy flitting around and squaking for him to leave her family alone. There was no way we could monitor him at all times and figured the end was near. Daily, I visited the shelter expecting the worst. Believe it or not - he NEVER knocked the nest down! And Momma Phoebe would always return to feeding after his visits.

The chicks feathered, flourished and flew away! (But she didn't lay anymore eggs there.) Somewhere out there is a line of phoebes with an affinity for leonberger breath. So, if you notice one riding around on your dogs head - they probably were "bred in Maine".

sharon+betts
phoebe
Maine