March 19 - Maine

Orion, 2004 - 3/13/2017

Rest in peace, my love. Fly high and roll around surrounded by unlimited kibble, and whatever else your soul desires.

~~~     ~~~     ~~~     ~~~

I took Orion to the vet last Monday to say goodbye. It was not easy; it never is. Never has been.

Orion has been ill for awhile, he had CRF (chronic renal failure - kidney disease). Common among cats unfortunately. This past weekend he took a bad turn for the worse. Would not eat (and he loved his food!) or drink much. What he did get down came right back up.

When I moved up here and was able to let the cats out of their carriers, Orion jumped up on the bed and looked at me. A chill went down my spine. A feeling came over me and I knew he would not be moving with me again.

I adopted Orion in the fall of 2004 when he was about 6 months old. I named him for the mythological hunter son of Poseidon. He turned out to be... not so much :) Orion was content to eat, snooze in the sun, eat, swat at things when the feeling moved him, and eat.

Such a love though! He slept next to me at night. The past week closer than usual.

I have had cats all my life. Some would say I should be used to this, or, "you have to do what you have to do". The latter is true. It does not make it any easier. Ever. They have all left indelible footprints on my heart.

When I adopt a cat, it is for life. The beginning of the circle; the promise. What they add and give and bring to your life - so much joy, love, and happiness - is not repay-able [yes I know that is not a word].

Then comes the time to make good on that promise; complete the circle. No matter how much it hurts us. We are obligated to perform that last act of love. I owed him that dignity and stayed with him until the end.

And I firmly believe cats have souls. If you have had the privilege of sharing part of your life with a cat and looked deeply into their eyes as they purr away... you know.

March 10 - Maine

Salt Water Marshes

Good afternoon, intrepid followers! This has been a very busy week for me (fodder for another blog), and while I was out doing errands I finally remembered my camera! There is some gorgeous scenery locally, and a lot of it has to do with the salt water marsh which is located nearby. Not only is it beautiful, but it is crucial to the ecosystem here.

It does have a distinctive sulfurous odor at low tide (especially in the summer), and there is a reason for that. From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's website: "Salt marshes are coastal wetlands that are flooded and drained by salt water brought in by the tides. They are marshy because the soil may be composed of deep mud and peat. Peat is made of decomposing plant matter that is often several feet thick. Peat is waterlogged, root-filled, and very spongy. Because salt marshes are frequently submerged by the tides and contain a lot of decomposing plant material, oxygen levels in the peat can be extremely low—a condition called hypoxia. Hypoxia is caused by the growth of bacteria which produce the sulfurous rotten-egg smell that is often associated with marshes and mud flats.

Salt marshes also protect shorelines from erosion by buffering wave action and trapping sediments. They reduce flooding by slowing and absorbing rainwater and protect water quality by filtering runoff, and by metabolizing excess nutrients."

The marsh that is located nearby where I am staying is the largest salt water marsh in Maine, 3100 acres. It is owned and managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. It is comprised of tidal marsh, salt creeks, freshwater marsh and uplands.

Aerial view

From the Audobon website: "The marsh is particularly important for wildlife as a resting, breeding and feeding ground. It provides critical habitat for a broad array of wildlife, particularly birds. Waterfowl, egrets, herons, glossy ibis and many species of shorebirds depend on this rich ecosystem for food, a place to rest during migration and, in some cases, nesting habitat. The marsh is also an excellent spot to find a number of grassland songbirds not commonly found in other parts of Maine, as well as various birds of prey that hunt in the marsh throughout the year. Muskrat, mink, otter, and deer also frequent the wetland.

The Sokokis Indians hunted, trapped, clammed and fished on the wetland. When European settlers arrived in the 1600s, they harvested the salt hay as fodder for cattle and sheep and used the marsh as summer pasture. The 19th century saw increased ditching, filling of pannes and the introduction of tidal gates, which prevent the tide from flooding portions of the marsh. Channels were dug to allow boats built inland to float through the marsh out to sea."

Channels (in good weather)

The first two pictures above are stock photos from the websites to give you an idea of how extensive the marsh is. In summer one can rent a kayak or canoe at high tide and explore the channels (I have never done that). The photos below are pictures I took while out and about.

That was your science lesson for the week :)

Enjoy!

March 2 - Maine

I am going home.

After much soul-searching (and apartment searching), I have decided what I really want most is to go home. Back to Massachusetts.

I suppose it comes mostly from a lifetime of living there; born, brought up, etc. I have been very fortunate to have been able to travel as much and experience the things I have in my life. This winter in Maine - it has provided me with a lot of introspection and food for thought.

I have enjoyed it, and have been productive. Both in my thinking and my painting :) The people up here have been very friendly and quite kind, but after all is said and done it just - does not - feel like home.

Due to some unseasonably warm weather this past week I was able to get out a few times and take care of things (like laundry - ugh - but I made a new friend!). My sister and her significant other will be up tomorrow night for the weekend, and I look forward to that.

When I first arrived in Maine I was unsure what the purpose was for me ending up in this space and time (as mentioned in previous posts). Now I know. Not many people get to "try out" living somewhere temporarily before moving there permanently; I count myself lucky in having to been able to do so.

Many reasons for my decision: the taxes (Maine state tax is 8.8% on everything, including food), lack of reasonably-priced and good-size rentals (with weird fees!) even several hours away from here, missing my brother, and fickle weather - I decided no. I am working diligently on finding housing at home, with several options on the line.

Besides the "trying it out in Maine" thing, another very positive thing has happened. I have always had a good relationship with my sister and we have always been close. Staying up here and seeing her for long periods of time every few weekends, talking so much and spending the time with her, has altered the tides. I feel we have become a lot closer and our relationship has shifted for the better. It is very hard to explain. It has been a subtle, yet positive change. I believe it has been good for both of us.

And as Dorothy says, "there's no place like home".