Day 1 of My Maine Vacation

It was Sunday and I set my alarm for 6 a.m. I had a quiet morning getting ready to go with my Uncle Pete and Aunt Fran Addicott to hear them sing in a church choir. After I was dressed I went out on the front porch and watched the fog slowly slide off the mountains to show the glass mirrored lake. It felt as if nature had allowed me to watch it dress for the day. It was a cool 58F with a nice light breeze. I could hear the leaves rustling and the crickets chirping very low. As I peered through the white birches, I was happy that the mountain road was still made of gravel. The spiders pulled up their webs from the night before. What a beautiful morning! I was so thankful that my Heavenly Father made it possible for me to have the funds, arrive safely, and be present in Maine at this particular time in my life.

The church was located in Weld, ME where I had once hiked Mount Blue. It was the church's 200th year anniversary. The Weld congregational church was first organized on August 17, 1809 with 18 members. The visiting choir was a combination of college, other surrounding church choir, and community choral members. It's Director was a member of the Weld community and church for a number of years. According to the minister, the church was using a tape recording of music because they didn't have a choir or pianist. The music was beautiful and well performed. I was so proud to have my family members deliver the musical gift. I was also happy to be present at the bicentennial event. After the service, a homemade light lunch of deli salads, delicious baked beans, and tempting desserts was prepared by the church members and all were invited to share in the meal and fellowship downstairs in the dining hall.

Matthew woke up later in the morning while I was at church. He went with Mary, Wyatt, and Chloe to the Addicottage on the lake to swim. They spent all afternoon laughing and playing in the water. It was the first time he met Jerry and Sue Ellen Addicott.

After church, I stopped by to see Tracy Ladd, my cousin (13 days older than me) at the other side of the lake at the Bigelow Cottage. She had no idea I was coming to Maine. I left Facebook messages on her daughter's (Molly) wall but she had been working all week and hadn't had the opportunity to tell her. It was great to see her eyes fly open. She was having a yard sale and waved thinking I was an interested customer. She dropped what she had in her arms, and yelled " BARBIE?" as I slowly got out of the car with a big smile. Her husband Hal asked me if I had dropped from the sky? We laughed and spent about an hour catching up. It had been six years since I last saw her. We agreed to spend the day together the next day.

Back to Herrick Mt. Road for rejoin my Addicott family for dinner! As I drove up the gravelly bumpy road to Sky Farm, I reminisced about the years my sister and I would walk between the Bigelow's and Addicott's homes. We spent some nights at Sky Farm, or with Tracy, or at the Rick, or down at camp. As I entered Sky Farm, I sat down at the piano and played some jazz tunes as Fran and Mary sang along while preparing dinner. Matt was playing badminton with Wyatt and Chloe, and Uncle Pete was sitting with Grandma out on the porch. Within the hour, we were holding hands around the dinner table as we asked for blessings on our family and the food! A beautiful salmon dinner with lemon rice and snap peas from the garden were presented. A nice discussion of family members from across the miles we wished were with us, music, spiritual beliefs, and past summer days came to an end when Grandma became tired and the sun rested between the mountains! It was time to retire to Giggleswick once again! I didn't want to the evening to end. I wanted giggle about the different loud gulping frog sounds coming from the pond with my sister.....

Where had the day gone?

Maine or Bust

I've decided to post each day of our trip separately! There were so many memories and new ones made on this overdue and much needed trip to Maine! Matthew and I were able to stay in Giggleswick all by ourselves for our 6 day visit! After our traffic jam in Ct., we were happy to make the last leg of our trip to Maine in no time at all! As we drove up Herrick Mt. Road, we looked up the first big hill and there was Uncle Pete waiting for us with keys and an invitation for dinner. We quickly unpacked, freshened up and headed up the road to Sky Farm for a perfect light supper of chicken, salad, and blackberry ice cream. As we were eating, Matt quickly perked up and said, "Oh my Gosh, it's all coming back to me! I remember the pond and being here at Sky Farm with Uncle Pete and Besse!" Besse is their loveable furry family dog! It was so nice to see Grandma Jane, Peter, Fran, Mary, Wyatt and Chloe! We quickly became familiar with each other again by swapping stories and life adventures. I couldn't believe how quickly Wyatt and Chloe had grown. Sitting and watching the sunset in the mountains, and having family near made me feel like I was home once more!

When Matt and I arrived at Giggleswick, we got out of the car and looked up at the stars. They were amazingly bright and plentiful! Matt realized that without our town lights, TV, internet or usual suburb traffic sounds he was "roughing" it. Now what? he said. I laughed and suggested we play a few rounds of Mancala to wind down. Before bed, we sang Beatles songs out of a book left on the old player piano. Finally, at midnight, the sound of low humming crickets and the smell of a pine breeze called us to our beds for sleep. A perfect ending to our journey to Maine!

Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT.

On our way to Maine, we were grounded! That's right what should have taken 5 1/2 hours from Delaware to Mystic, CT (original plans) ended up being 9 hours with bumper to bumper traffic (20-30 mph) from the George Washington Bridge, NY to Norwalk, Ct. Interstate Highway 95 was shutdown due to a five car pile up! We made the best of it, however! We planned on visiting Mystic's Aquarium and Seaport. After feeling "stuck" on the road for so long, we decided to stop in Norwalk after seeing the place advertised at a rest stop. Why not? What a charming place. We pulled into the parking lot, and stretched our legs as we made our way into the entrance. Initially, we weren't sure if it would be worth the admittance fee. However, as we made our way around, the place grew on us. The Maritime Aquarium gives visitors a window into Long Island Sound, officially designated an Estuary of National Significance. This veritable rain forest of the sea is rich in aquatic life. Not just fish but frogs, snakes, seals, sea turtles, and otters. Just think, 20 million people live within a one-hour drive of the Sound. The cumulative effects of their actions make sustaining the natural functioning of the Sound a real challenge. But in this challenge lies opportunity— to foster an ocean conservation ethic that starts with this fine body of water in Connecticut’s front yard.

Finally, the big tanks we were looking for...shark tank! Matt just loves aquariums and jellyfish!

He says, "It's that part of our world that is peaceful and relaxing!"

A Family History Event

On Saturday, August 1st, I was one of many volunteers from our Smyrna Ward to help with a Free Family History Event. Our jobs were to help the exhibitors watch their tables, answer questions, and direct the public to the building facilities. The Wilmington Delaware Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did a wonderful job presenting it. It was from 9 am to 4 pm at their meetinghouse in Newark, Delaware with the theme: "Around the World in a Day: Let Your Fingers Do the Searching." Their keynote speakers included Paul F. Smart and Paul G. Nauta from FamilySearch.org, and the author of "Google Your Family Tree," Daniel Lynch. Classroom sessions, interactive exhibits and cultural rooms focused on various online research sources and geographic regions of the world. Registered visitors came for an hour or stayed for the day! It was very informative for the beginning genealogist to the professional. Not only did I share my Bigelow and Addicott family roots but also my membership with those that were interested. It was a very spiritual day because I not only felt the companionship of other members, but also felt the members of my dearly departed relatives.

Visit from my Dad

Do you believe that when your die your spirit leaves your body? Are you resting and waiting for you to be called to heaven? If so, do you visit your loved ones? Are you able to communicate with them? I'm not sure how my blog readers feel about dreams of deceased loved ones. However, I would like to share my experience.

My Dad passed in 2002, while we were vacationing in Maine. I wanted so much to know he was okay, and that he had made it to heaven or that he was at peace "somewhere" in the after life. I missed him terribly. During that year of his passing, I wrote notes to him on my spiral bound notebook and left it out, hoping words would mystically appear to answer my thoughts. In the morning, I would run downstairs and check it thinking to myself how silly I was. But, the next evening for the next three months I continuously wrote a few sentences for him to read. For some reason, I couldn't understand why I wasn't upset or sad, like normal people.

After he passed, an older new coworker was introduced and he became somewhat of a father figure to me. He helped Matt with a badge in scouts, we talked about swimming, scouting, his childhood, and many other interesting life events. His ability to share and teach things to me reminded me of my Dad. He tragically died while I was vacationing in California with my sister. I was devastated. I had lost two fathers, and this is when my "dreams" began.

At first, I was visited by my coworker in spirit the day of his death. He came in the restaurant door where my family and I were dining. I saw a shadow from the corner of my eye and then the feeling that someone was behind me. Next I felt his chin on my head and hands on my shoulders. I looked back thinking it was my Uncle Joel trying to surprise me. I was waiting to see him and my Aunt later that week. I turned around and no one was there. It wasn't until I was spiritually prompted to check my email from my sisters house when we returned from our meal when I found out he had been run over that morning and had passed immediately. After going to his funeral three days later, he appeared to me in a dream. I asked him if he was okay, and how happy I was to see him. He looked at me with so much love in his eyes that I woke from the dream crying as if I had visited him in heaven. To ME, it was real. A year later, when I was thinking of him at Christmas, again I dreamt of him and we had a conversation. He asked if I was okay, and I told him I missed him. I woke up crying knowing it was real!

I was happy when I finally started having dreams of my father from time to time just sitting across from me at a kitchen table or in a car . I put my head on his shoulder or give him a big hug. I look at him, knowing I'm visiting with him. I tell him I love him and he smiles and only speaks my name "BJ". It is quickly over my recognition of him still being around me. I haven't learned to slowly relax and open my eyes after these dreams. Instead, I cry as feel as if my breathe has been taken away or perhaps just put back into my body after these dreams.

This past week, I've been so excited about going to Maine to revisit my family, my happy childhood there, and connect with where my soul is happiest on Earth! Last night, I realized that I have not been back since scattering Dad's ashes some six years ago. Life sure keeps me busy and time has passed quickly.

This morning, I awoke at 4:00am from a vivid dream of seeing my father. It has been at least two years since I dreamt of him. In my dream, I could hear my sister call to me that Dad was "Alive" and to come and see him. I turned the corner hoping to see her, but I didn't. Instead I saw my father sitting quietly on a wooden stool. He looked thinner, but it was him. I was so happy. I put my arms around him and hugged him. I pulled back and told him he looked great, for a dead man (our Bigelow humor here) as I we were still holding both hands. I exclaimed, "I can't believe you're here!" He replied, "I'm here!" and smiled back.

Immediately, I woke crying because I knew he sending me his love and was glad I was going to Maine. I was wondering if it was the right decision to go at this time. Would we be safe driving?...all the concerns with travel. Also, I could smell him and felt as if he had just left the room. What a gift to be visited by your loved ones!

Have you ever had these dream experiences? I would love to hear from you!

Riding the Cape May-Lewes Ferry

More than 11 million vehicles and 34 million passengers have crossed the 17-mile mouth of Delaware Bay via vessels of Cape May-Lewes Ferry during its interesting 40-year history of operations that began July 1, 1964. Between 6 to 7 million visitors come to our Delaware beaches. This year, there are 10% more visitors, and they are staying longer. Why? Not just because the gas isn't as expensive, but because the cool spring and rainy weather lasted longer this year. In other words, we are just finally getting to that perfect beach weather.

Matt and I decided to drive down this past Saturday in the late afternoon because we had heard the traffic was crazy this summer. We weren't looking to swim or sunbathe. No, we just wanted to have fun on the boardwalk and smell the salty air. Apparently, everyone in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and New York had the same idea! We were only 20 miles into our drive, when traffic was at a dead stop. We were determined to have a weekend adventure. As an hour turned into 75 minutes, and still another 45 minutes to get to Rehoboth Beach (only 20 miles) we decided to take a detour to Lewes, DE where we could take the ferry over to Cape May, NJ. We were determined to have an adventure no matter what! Instead of taking the car, we parked and went as a foot passenger. We made the 4:00 pm ferry. We were out only a mile, when we could feel the temperature change. The ride was only 80 minutes. The wind was chilly so we went inside for refreshments and some arcade games. The boat was a little rocky but it was fun trying to make our sea legs cooperate. When we arrived at the terminal at Cape May we decided to stay and have a nice evening meal. The view was wonderful as we overlooked the beach and watched the boats coming in and out. Matt enjoyed playing the video games and the view too! We stayed for two hours just talking, walking, and enjoying the breeze. It was 20 degrees cooler in Cape May, NJ than in Lewes, DE just across the bay. We caught the next to last boat, and to our surprise it was much larger than the boat the brought us over. We had fun exploring the boat. There were 5 levels counting the top (employees only) level where the captain obviously steered the boat. Our cruise became a night cruise as we spotted the lights of both shores midway. The lighthouses were doing their job, and the winds were steady at 40 mph. The steady rocking of the boat made us feel relaxed. Before we landed, Matt and I went out to the bridge to feel the rush of the air on our bodies and in our lungs. We were ready to get home. It was a nice close the evening as the ship approached the landing with only 73F 5mph light Lewes winds . Matt exclaimed, "Now that's what I call an adventure!"

Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia

What do President Thomas Jefferson, Bill Cosby, and Groucho Marx have in common?

They have all been to the Walnut Street Theatre.

It was founding in 1809 and is the oldest theatre in America. With more than 56,000 season ticket holders, it is the most subscribe theatre company in the World. It was first home, not to actors, but horses. 1809, the theatre opened as "The New Circus" and hosted equestrian acts. There were many new theatrical innovations at the theatre. In 1837, the Walnut was the first theatre to install gas footlights and in 185 - air conditioning. There were many new up and coming actors that are now our famous "Acting Royalty" that got their start during the 19th and 20th century.

If someone asked you to come and see a free touring broadway show?Are you kidding me? Where, when, and what do I have to do for you? My good friend, Monika Dougherty and I saw "The Producers" at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia.

Monika and I met at the Smyrna Opera House. She and I love to attend the local high school musical productions together. There's nothing like watching the young people light up and perform or seeing their reaction to applause!

Her mother has ushered at many of the theatres in Philly and for close to 30 years at the DuPont Theatre in Wilmington. According to her, as an usher at the Dupont theatre, you are are actually paid. However, it is more stressful because you have to walk each party down to their seats. I've been on the upper levels and that can be hard with depth perception and older knees.

Well, Monika and I had the fun experience of being ushers with our white tops, black bottoms, and no perfume allowed. We stuffed the playbills, got our name tags, became familar with our doors and assigned areas. As soon as it was 6:30pm, the theatre doors and stairwells were opened to the patrons. We smiled, helped people find their proper level, used our flashlights to view the tickets in the darkened theatre, and warned them not to bring in any snacks or liquids. Monika was stationed right beside me as she handed out hearing devices for those that would like to hear better. I handed out playbills and helped people find their row in the orchestra section. As soon as the lights dimmed and the music started, we took the open seats only half way back from the orchestra! It was an amazing experience.

I don't care, which theatre I'm in.....I always feel somewhat at home. I only had two sections two work with in the small theatre. We had two duplicate printouts and a lady with a walker. Patrons in Philly are very unusual in many ways, but passionate about the Arts!

4th of July 2009

At 8:00 a.m. sharp, all scouts, leaders, and former service men were called to raise the flag at our church while the other members gathered round outside in the parking lot. We walked shoulder to shoulder, saluted, and then presented, fastened, and raised the flag. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, an about face to leave the flag, and then fall out to our families. We sang "Our Nations Anthem" and then retired inside the building for a lovely pancake and fresh fruit breakfast. After the meal, the remembrances of our freedoms and liberty were spoken by two service men. Brother Gorham (Ret. Major in Air Force) displayed a flag that was sent to him by his son that served in Afghanistan. He read a proclamation that came with the flag of its service - when & why, including the thoughts of those that lost their lives to the 911 attacks. Lastly, Brother Biang (served in Desert Storm & Afghanistan) gave his testimony of what the flag means to him. He mentioned the countries that fly our flag and welcome the soldiers because of our liberties and freedoms that they so desperately want on their soil. It gives him hope and solace that our flag is a symbol of peace and unity to the world.

After the breakfast, we cleaned up and made way for Sister Mary Hall. She is an elderly woman who's mother joined our church many years ago. She was baptised by our Bishop Gordon Rich. The missionaries asked me to play the piano for the event. The talks on Baptism and the Holy Ghost were spiritually moving. She was so happy to be a member, and felt such joy and happiness that she asked to say a few words of gratitude.

There are quite a number of special 4th of July's I'll never forget. This one, is a day to remember. What way to start this holiday!

Day at the Camden NJ Aquarium

Matt and I decided to make the most of my Alternate work schedule - Monday's off. We are going to make an adventure out of those days rain or shine. Instead of the beach we went to Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ. Besides anyone can go to the beach, right?

We didn't want to go where there would be a big crowd, so we picked Camden vs. Baltimore. What we like best about the aquarium was the hippopotamuses. They were fun to watch as they bobbed up and down and swam gracefully around each other. In fact, they almost seemed plastic and robotic behind the glass. Their eyes didn't even shut going from the surface to underwater and back again.

Matt likes to take pictures, so he took mine with a camera phone at the diver exhibit. They dove into an 800,000 gallon tank full of sharks, turtles, stingrays, and school fish. As they sunk to the bottom, they took questions from on lookers and talked about the ocean sea life surrounding them.

Matt mentioned his two favorite places in the aquarium. The 40-ft. shark tunnel is awesome! You are looking at least 20 pairs of hungry eyes and rows and rows of sharp teeth as they swim over, under, and around you! Also, the ghostly jellyfish are strange and yet fascinating as they pulse and move their tentacles with the flow of water. Are you sure they are not aliens?

We had a great day! We made three rounds....and just couldn't get enough. Go to the website and you can get a 360 virtual tour inside the whole building!

http://adventureaquarium2.reachlocal.net/

25th High School Reunion

This past weekend, I attended my 25th High School Reunion. It was held at Dover Downs Casino & Hotel in Dover, Delaware at 7pm. Jim & I graduated in the same class (1983) and decided to attend and drive down together. Inside the casino, near the slot machines, behind a large circle shaped bar, the lounge seating area was facing a stage and dance floor with loud 80s era music playing. Was I dreaming or having a prom flash back?

In the last 25 years, I've kept in contact with my classmates by running into them in town or emailing long distance. Every now and then I'll get a "Hi" or a "Whatcha up to?" I'd hear about the new baby or here's the picture of the family. I was so excited to finally see my high school band, drama, and classroom mates after 10 years of quick conversations.

It was my recollection that at 18 we all had so much in common. Right? I mean, come on, we had our youth and our future ahead of us. Now? We've got families, children, spouses, jobs, and life! Many of us live near or have returned to the Smyrna area. Thankfully, we are still looking young and fabulous! Our kids are playing ball at the same fields, going to the same schools, making friends with our classmates children.

After talking about our jobs, families, and what state(s) we've lived in.....we did what most teenagers do....danced and giggled as a little of our "teenage personalities" popped out for the evening. After we ran out of things to say, most of us paired off or formed the same social groups from school. Generally though, we were grateful to be together again. It was familiar and nostalgic. Luckily, most of us had good high school memories. However, within two hours of the event, Jim and I agreed that we were ready to head home. Even after all these years, we prefer hanging out with each other and reminiscing about our own silly fun memories of high school. Even though Jim's hair is graying, and my body is sagging.......we see each other almost every day and don't even notice the "big changes." To me, he doesn't seem to be 40 something; maybe only 20 something. And so, he tells me the same thing, but I'm not so sure (giggle). I'm glad to be grown up and reflect on the wonderful life I've led.