Did you ever go to the grocery store without a list? Not intentionally, but by accident leaving the list on the kitchen table after laboring over what to buy? Items listed so the resulting purchases are in the neighborhood of what is needed?

It’s just about time for some special boats to arrive in Boothbay Harbor and surrounding coastal communities. The sailing cruise ships are back on the high seas and with fingers crossed we hope many will visit us for the famous Windjammer Days.

How often, on our walk to pick up the mail, do we think about the means of delivery? The person who delivers? The people who sort? The people who load? For the most part, I think, we just take for granted that, if there is mail, it will come. In the dead of winter, the heat of summer, when it's pouring down rain or blowing a gale. If there is mail, it will come.

This time of year always makes me think of my visits with Barbara Cooney of “Miss Rumphius” fame, at her home in Damariscotta. The lupine plants are hitting high clover now in what seems to be a bumper crop year, albeit a slightly different one, at least for me. The plants seem to be popping up in different areas from past years, that is, less likely in places where they seemed more plentiful and more frequently in new spots. I’m wondering if that seems to be the case for other lupine observers?

One of the very most wonderful gifts of this photography business is the many friends I have made over the years. I have photographed with thousands of people both here in Maine, around the country and abroad. The experiences of meeting, working with and being in touch have created an exceptionally heartwarming and meaningful part of my life. To hear from old friends is richly rewarding.

Before I get ramped up for this week in my adventure series, I wanted to share a subject unrelated to the photo. How unlike me!

So, as I have mentioned in the past, for those of you who follow along this meandering path, we have a very energetic 3-year-old Labradoodle who needs to be ambitiously exercised regularly (chasing tennis balls would be of paramount importance) or she becomes a Monster from the Black Lagoon! Getting her YaYas out, is what we call it! We are very fortunate to have some large open space to exercise Leica, much of which is covered with meadow grasses and low bushes, prime, unfortunately, tick-haunting grounds.

A long time ago (I seem to be saying that a lot lately) I met Edith Hazard at Bookland in Brunswick during a book signing. Edie, as I have come to know her, was meeting and greeting with her newest book, “Singing for your Supper,” and I was signing my first book “WINTER.” We weren’t overrun with interested customers – well, at least I wasn’t, so we had some time to visit. Bookland was approaching hard times as bookstores everywhere were beginning to feel the pressure of online shopping. However, the wonderful managers of our “local” stores were committed to promoting Maine authors and artists. Karla and JoAnn were huge supporters who, despite waning markets, really emphasized, in their respective locations, Maine products. I guess that’s what Edie and I were, however, I hardly put myself in the same class with Ms. Hazard. I did photographs, she does words, and has continued to pursue and develop her craft over the many years since our chance meeting.

I was standing at the kitchen sink last week, helping to clean up some dishes from the evening meal, when I looked up from my basin full of pans to see all sorts of flashing lights at the end of the driveway. I thought it a bit peculiar. I had not ever seen that particular array of lights before and hoped there hadn’t been an accident. I grabbed a jacket to take a walk down to see what was going on and, by the time I got back to the window, the lights were gone! False alarm I hoped. Sort of put it out of my mind.

So fun to see Lara Tupper on home turf again! She and hubby Bobby Sweet, who now live in western Massachusetts  (no apology necessary), provided a lovely evening of entertainment at the Boothbay Harbor Opera House this past Saturday.

Alert! Critters are on the move – skunks, raccoons, porcupine, etc. Keep an eye on your pets!

The osprey are back. And all those single out in the open high in the air landing zones are back in use.

I finally cracked! I couldn’t take it anymore. Too much rain. Too much wind. Too many trees, branches fallen. Too big the waves. Nothing I could do.

“Punxsutawney Phil” made a gross miscalculation, at least for us Mainers. The hog didn’t see his shadow. If he had looked for it around here over the last week I believe he would have run the risk of a fatal appearance! We took another big hit and shadows were rare if available at all. There was not much sunshine.

Nat Wilson is very well known for his sailmaking. For just shy of 50 years he has been building and repairing  sails for an extraordinary number of sailing vessels from around the world. He has produced over 2,600 sail plans and worked on tens of thousands of sails. His work and reputation are exceeded only by his good looks and charming personality.

One of the most challenging photographs for me to make is of another photographer. They know too much and often are better informed re: the craft than I am. And, often they are on the back side of a camera for the same reason I am – not wild about being photographed! It’s not a coincidence that I prefer to be the clickster more than the clickee!

Every year, during what might be considered the “off-season,” the Boothbay Harbor Opera House hosts “Open Mic,” an opportunity for the less famous but no less talented individuals of the surrounding communities to share a song or two with neighbors and friends.

Just when we thought we had seen the worst of it, whacked again!

These occasional “so-called” 100-year storms seem to be becoming a little more frequent. Somehow we have lost track of the timeline. Perhaps a new name could be “Seasonal weather dysphoria” – unlikely weather events becoming more likely!

Over 300 people attended the University of Southern Maine Hannaford auditorium on Sunday, March 3 to honor Kirsten Neuschäfer, winner of the Golden Globe Race, solo sail around the world. The Portland Yacht Club sponsored the event which allowed everyone to hear Kirsten speak about her experience accompanied by photographs from the race.

A very long time ago a friend gave me a book with photos and text by Ansel Adams, one of the most recognized and accomplished photographers of the 20th century. It was a random gesture offered partially as a bit of a joke at the time since I had no specific interest in photography. But the book made a big impression and sort of jumpstarted my curiosity about and experimentation with black and white film, its processing and printing. Mr. Adams’ work helped me see things in a different way which encouraged an adventure never imagined.

Life was normal and calm in the Hannaford vegetable display zone. Celery, carrots, avocado, apples with a small dash of organic romaine. Done! In the basket. On to the dairy area and then to check out. Items 14 and fewer, please. I was just under the limit – 13 items and a speedy checkout person. Happy camper to avoid the self checkout which causes me to return to the aisle for antacids! For the life of me I cannot explain why scanning so provokes me and frustrates all those nice people behind me in line to check out. It has something to do with my annoying attitude regarding computerized everything. This, I fear, is a never ending affliction. Please give me human contact and someone to pack things properly in my carry on baggage. I don’t care if it doesn’t fit in the overhead compartment.