Bath, Maine

Maine is our second home - we have a small house there on the river bank. We visit once or twice a year, usually in the summer and again in fall. Bath is located on the central coast on the bank of the Kennebec River as it makes its' way to the Atlantic. Two miles down river on a boat will take you out to the tossing swells of the Atlantic Ocean - you can see lonely Seguin Lighthouse on an island off shore near Fort Popham.

Bath is known as "The City of Ships" because of the long history of ship building. The Bath Iron works shipyard is still the major employer in the region. the population of Bath is about 10,000. The town is an honest and hard working place with its gritty places rubbing up against lovely neighborhoods on the river where beautiful old houses show off their acres of green lawns in the summer. The lawns are all freshly mowed with islands of daylilies, black eyed Susan and hostas enjoying the short summer by blooming madly.

My husband Dennis was born and raised in Bath. He knows a lot of people here. We are treated as members of the community even though we don't live here full time. He belongs. Because of him, I belong also. It is comfortable to be here as a result. No pretense about anything, least of all, ourselves. Neighbors drop by and stay and chat for an hour. It's that sort of place.

This painting is of the Maine pine trees in our driveway looking towards Barbara's house across the street. These trees are large and very old. I love their grace and sculptural aspect - they have seen a lot of weather in their time, from blizzards to a hurricane or two. The young Osprey fledglings cling to topmost branches on their maiden flights, squawking with fear. Their large nest is at the top of an old light fixture. We can see the nest as we look out of the sunroom. Watching the Osprey family is part of the summer morning ritual as much as a cup of coffee. The nest is used every year for a new family of Osprey chicks. During the winter, a bald eagle moves in.