Wonderful weekend...

We took a long weekend off to revamp the grooming studio. It was a good bit of work, but the end results are lovely.

It just so happened that the hottest days of the summer so far coincided with our efforts. After we put things back together on Saturday we were sweltering and a little cranky.  The decision was unanimous. We needed to go for a swim.  Rachel and I peeled off our sticky clothes and changed into bathing suits. We put Bravo and Opal into the car and drove to the Sennebec Pond boat ramp. To our delight, the place was pretty much deserted.

 Bravo was delighted. He knew what was in store, and splashed in for a cooling paddle. Pugs are not known for being swimmers, and Opal has had limited experience with water.  With their deep chests and squished faces, Pugs are far from aqua-dynamic.  But with a new bright orange life jacket on, and watching her buddy Bravo paddle around with ease, Opal was soon swimming with aplomb.

The water was just cool enough to feel fabulous on a hot day. And though the day got hotter, the refreshment lingered.  I went home and did some cooking. We had company coming for supper. I made up a big batch of pasta salad, and baked a lemon cake. I set the table and arranged flowers. The sky grew dark and thunder rumbled in the distance.  I hustled out to do chores before the rain came, and just barely made it. The rain came down fast and furious, thunder boomed, Bravo quaked, and cooler air blew in the open windows. When the storm passed, the heat was broken, a sweet relief.

Today dawned cool and crisp, the word "perfect" seemed the best way to describe it. We went out for breakfast, then headed to Belfast for Arts in the Park.

We enjoy this annual festival.  Clusters of tents, each filled with lovely things, perch along the harbor. There are food trucks, and wonderful music.

On a warm summer day the smell of fresh mown grass, salt water, and the wild Rugosa roses that bloom in profusion near the shore is indescribably delicious.

I bought myself a treat. A wind chime made from reclaimed silver plate. I saw them last year and regretted I didn't buy one. It makes a tinkling sound and I love the look of it.

Rachel and Evans joined us, and after we explored the festival we walked down town and had lunch sitting on a patio overlooking the harbor. The word idyllic comes to mind. Next we went home and had a peaceful nap, I am reading an interesting book, and snuggling up with the afternoon sun streaming in and a fan whirring in the window was so peaceful.

When we woke up we loaded the truck with our kayaks for the first time this year. We put in at 7 Tree Pond, paddled up the river to Round Pond, then back again. For a long while it was just us... no roads, no phone poles, no people. Our paddles dipping in the water, birds calling, frogs croaking, and minnows splashing silver in the shallows, the only sounds.To me this is as good as it gets, and to have Chris join me was icing on the cake.

Home again we sat at our picnic table and feasted on leftover barbecued chicken, jalapeno cheddar cornbread and pasta salad. We watched the animals graze in the sinking sun and felt glad. It was a wonderful weekend.