catching the sun's last rays...

Elizabeth Edwards died yesterday. I can't help but be grateful that at least I did not develop cancer as my husband drew away from me, and left. She lived what life she had left with more grace than anyone should have, and she set an example of openess that all of us who've been abandoned should share.

But back to East Boothbay where they are blasting away again. This time, though, it is for the new Bigelow Ocean Lab being built over on Farnham Cove. The big dump trucks rumble through between 6 and 6:30, and then the blasting starts around nine. My old house shakes with each blast, but so far nothing has broken or cracked except the hand-painted Greek platter which broke last year during the water main blasting.

That project did the Town Manager in. John Anderson, beloved supplier of the Camel during last year's blasting siege, took a job in New Hampshire, which of course, pays more. His last gesture for the Town was to put two speed bumps in the road by the Post Office and by the General Store. Well, you would've thought the world was coming to an end at the resulting hubbub. The big dump trucks had to slow down to about 20, and the shipyard workers had to start to work earlier to get to the yards by 7. Time was awasting! We even had some graffiti painted on the bump by the Post Office! So no sooner than John was gone, but the Selectmen in their wisdom, had the speed bumps dug up. And now we're back to wide open spaces by the Post Office and trucks careening around the corner by the General Store.

The only good news in this scenario - which is really not good news, - is that the General Store has closed for the season, i.e. until next May. It is very sad though all of us know that we alone cannot support the Store, and since the shipyards have put in vending machines, the guys spent less money in the Store anyway. But we miss Liz and Dom and little Sabine and Crystal and everyone else, and mostly pizza on Friday nights, and for breakfast. So for now, the trucks can whiz by without a pause - at least until next May 1. By then, who knows? Some of us old ladies might put a petition together to replace those speed bumps and even add another for the Camel Crossing!

I'll get an update on the steeple tomorrow night - the steeple which was trying hard to hold onto the sun's last rays tonight. It couldn't do so well as last year because it is still shorter. I'll let you know what's happening.