Big Dog Checks Out the Cove

Happy May Day friends! Yours truly, Big Dog, has just emerged from mud season here in Maine, and let me tell you it always flies by too quickly. Mud is a glorious thing to play around in all day. But life goes on as it will and it must.

To take away my end-of-the-mud-season blues, my pal Marcus brought me down to the seaside with Miss Mary on one of her sketching trips, and what was the first thing we spied down at Perkins Cove?  Miss Mary, can you quickly draw this little boat?!

Quite a few boats are still out of the water. I can see they need my help!

Hey Marcus, I have inspected this boat and it just needs a little more work.

Big Dog, take a look!  Who's coming down the channel?

It's the Michelle D., back after her morning run.

I wonder how many lobsters the two orange-clad gentlemen caught?

Cruising right behind is the Mary E.  I guess they are saving on letters, because nobody has a last name!

Marcus and I are posing in front of the only user-operated pedestrian drawbridge in America. It actually raises up when the tall masted vessels go through. You have to send someone ahead to go up there and push the button to open it. It's a big attraction down here in Perkins Cove.

All of this observation puts me in the mood for a nice cool dip, but Marcus, the kind friend that he is, says I have to wait a few more weeks!

Worker guys were getting the restaurant ready.

Here, let me help you with that!

I was happy to meet Jason, one of the worker guys.

Sorry Jason, I lick everybody's hand!

Marcus brought my attention to the Help Wanted sign. He thinks maybe I should get a part-time job.

I said, "Woof woof!"  Now they will never hire me!

Well, since we are right here, I wonder if they have a dog menu?

Check out these cool lobster boats. Yup, you are looking at Perkins Cove.

Here comes the Mary E. again, all loaded up with lobster traps and ready to go out tomorrow morning.

Hey Marcus, it would be fun to go out with them!

I am serious!  I want to go out on the lobster boat tomorrow!

I want to go!  Please.... can we, can we ?!!!

Sure Big Dog, we can go, but we'll have to be down here at 4 o'clock tomorrow morning.

Uh..., no that's OK, uh..., maybe some other time!

The high point of the day was meeting Shorty. We speak the same language!

The rapport was instant, and we promised to get together again soon!

Here is the VIP parking for the lobsterman guys.

Whew! I needed a break to chill out at the park for a few minutes!

Then what did we discover down at the dock? The S.S. Crusher! This little ship is the icebreaker that keeps the harbor open in winter, when the fresh water river emptying into the cove freezes on top of the salt water.

Hey, I can crush ice too!!

Has anyone seen Fred, the harbormaster?

Here is his boat.

He built it himself last winter. 

Hey Fred, nice to finally meet you. What a great way to end our adventure!  Everyone, I hope you all have a spectacular month of May!   Be sure to check back on my on-going Spring happenings.    

Peace & Love & Hugs, BIG DOG!!!

Laundry Day

As you may or may know I live in a swell house in Maine with my pal Marcus, the singer guy, and Miss Mary, the artist girl. Since they are people they have to wear clothes, and then they wash them once a week.  Yikes!  On top of that Miss Mary likes to hang them outside to dry as she is very green, thrifty, and also likes that fresh Maine breeze smell in the clothes. When Miss Mary is not around Marcus puts them in the electric dryer. Don't tell Miss Mary!

The other day I caught her in action. Hmmmm... those sheets are going to smell nice. I admire those who like nice smells. I live to smell!

It is important to balance the sheets just so.

Wooden gadgets called "clothes pins" hold the sheets on the "clothes line"

The clothes line starts to fill on this bright January day.

Moderate stretching is required to handle these sheets. Yet another benefit of "hanging out the clothes."

Looks like fun too!

Fine looking laundry catching the brisk winter breeze.

The sharp winter sun  illuminates the plaid of Miss Mary's homemade napkins. I will be writing more very soon on the habits of these funny people I live with up here in Maine.    Love & Hugs, Big Dog

North Berwick Tree Lighting

In North Berwick, Maine, the Saturday after Thanksgiving means lighting the town Christmas tree

on the town green, known as the Mill Field. A pair of local horses are kind enough to pull a wagon

giving rides to happy children and parents.

All bundled up on this brisk November afternoon. One of these children seems to be a lot bigger!

  

Yup, there it is , the official town tree. Students from the Primary School made the decorations.

 

Seacoast Christian School bell choir. Making heavenly music and having fun too!

Now that's a well decorated gazebo!

                                                                                

                                                         Blue skies and late fall breezes.   

It's always good to see Mrs. Claus again. This year she is sitting in for Santa, who was way behind on the

toy making and couldn't attend the festivities.

Mrs Claus, ready with the candy canes and waiting to greet the children.

                                                                                

Mail for Santa at the North Pole can be deposited here for overnight express delivery.

Brother and sister are very happy.

Hmmmm..... now what do I REALLY want for Christmas?

Another happy brother/sister team receives their candy canes.

Light is fading as the church choir sings.

 Marcus Gale takes the stage with some cheery tunes.

 

Town folk gather round. Soon we'll break out the jingle bells.

The tree is LIT!!

 

Night falls on North Berwick Maine as the holiday season begins.