Diva Challenge-Stripes and Memories of Maine

This week's Diva Challenge was to use stripes as a string. I can't think of anything more 'stripey' than Hollybaugh so I used that as my 'template'. Fun! Thanks Laura for another great challenge!

I just got back from a couple of weeks in Maine and am having a hard time adjusting to 'real life' back here in Wisconsin. I love spending time with my Mum so much that it's always a week or two of the 'I-Miss-My-Mommy' blues when I get home. And this time around I have more to miss! I connected with my birth siblings this spring. I have four new sisters and a new brother! I got to meet up with two sisters, Doris and Dina and a brother, Dan, for lunch while I was home. They are all warm, funny, smart, caring folks and I'm so glad that fate (or as I like to call her, Shelly) brought us together. 

As an adopted kid, I didn't look or act like anyone in my family. It was kind of mind blowing to see baby pics of all of us and see that I look just like them! And we all have the same weird sense of humor, and we all love art. Doris does lovely pen and ink drawings, and Dan and Dina paint beautifully. It was an overwhelming, surreal, but awesome experience. I may have come to the game late, but they are stuck with me now! I also got to meet two nieces, Amy and Rebekka who are just as sweet and welcoming as their respective moms!

My Aunt and Uncle from California, and their children and spouses were all at the camp on Lake Mattawamkeag. I haven't seen my cousin, Mike, in years. It was a bittersweet reunion as they were all home to say goodbye to the camp. My Aunt and Uncle are selling it and closing that chapter on all of our lives. How lucky are we to have someplace that we'll miss so much? Millions of memories.

Mum and I got up to our usual trouble and then some. We  kayaked a bit. We went to the coast one day. Walked the Rockland Breakwater and Lincolnville Beach. We went to Shin Pond because I couldn't remember ever being there before. What a beautiful drive!  It's at the north end of Baxter State Park. There are cabins there and a little store right on the pond. Absolutely gorgeous!

We spent some time porch sittin', visiting with friends and playing Rummakub. I don't so much 'play' as it turns out, as let Mum monkeystomp me over and over! We don't have to do anything special. I love just spending quiet time with Mum. Although she will tell you, with me around, it's rarely quiet! I think she needed a full week's detox after I left!

So now it's time to settle get back in the swing of the Midwest. Lots of big plans for this autumn to look forward to! Onward and upward!