A Fall Drive

Fall is seeping down south in Maine; forcing leaves from trees, turning grass brown, and nudging temperatures below the frost point. The crisp smell of fall makes me smile and eager to put on my itchy wool jackets and retire my iced caffeinated beverages.

On a quiet fall morning I took the long way home through the rolling central Maine farmland and made frequent stops.

Moo's at a local organic farm. MOFGA represent.

These photos give context to a way of life that I romanticize from afar.

In the end, the detour took an extra 45 minutes, time I would give up in a heart beat.

Here are some more links,
A Drive in the Fall (Picasa),
Fall (ART).

Out of Reception: Changing Leaves

Seasonal business are closing, leaves are changing, and the first frost has come.

Chips.

Dead grass at the Common Ground Fair.

Making Beams.

Portland Museum of Art.

I love living in a place with seasons.

Here are some more links,
Out of Reception: Changing Leaves (Picasa),
Out of Reception (ART).

The Common Ground Fair

In the last weekend of September, fifty thousand people descend on a small organic farm in Unity, Maine to celebrate rural living, local crafts, sustainable lifestyles and local farming.

Hand made ladders: more bars in more places.

Curing a deer hide in preparation for tanning a hide with mayonnaise. He got the half moon on his left index finger from a casual, "slaughtering a chicken."

Chop Chop, these axes were used to shape beams.

This guy is the real deal. The Maine Guide badge denotes his title and his Maine Hunting shoes complement his Johnson Woolmills digs.

Chestnuts roasting on the opening fire.

The Maine Hunting Shoe was all over the place. I want a pair!

Well loved.

This guy has probably slept outside a night or two; all wool and leather, a pair of Quoddys and a bow drill.

This team makes barns and other structures without nails, using only hand cut beams.

This single beveled broad axe is used for putting the finishing touches on each beam.

Hand-made snowshoes and canoe paddles.

I want one so badly.

I love the Common Ground Fair because it reminds me of a life without computers and iPhones.

Here are some more links,
Common Ground Fair (Picasa),
Common Ground Fair.

Out of Reception: The Beginning of Fall

The leaves are turning and at night and the temperature drops into the forties. It is Fall in Maine.

I love my bike.

A farm near school.

It's fall!

Here are some more links,
Out of Reception: The Beginning of Fall (Picasa),
Out of Reception (ART).