MDI...that's short for Mount Desert Island in Maine, home of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Bill and I have just returned home from a wonderful vacation there, seeing friends, making music and soaking up the beautiful landscape and spirit of coastal Maine.
We spent several nights in our friend Debby's guest house, which doubles as an office for her rare print and book business. The many books there were such a temptation that I'm afraid I didn't read a single word of the novel that I'd hoped to finish over the vacation.
Have you ever seen such a big pepper mill? It is truly inspiring and makes one want to use a lot of pepper! I believe Debbie said it belonged to her grandparents.
No trip to Maine is complete without a fresh lobster roll...there is just nothing like it. Sure, you can try one somewhere else (even in Annapolis), but it is not the same. This one is from the Bar Harbor Inn and was served at an outdoor table overlooking the harbor. Couldn't be better.
One really should follow a lobster roll with some locally made ice cream. I love to treat myself to a single scoop at the above place once a year. Interesting and unusual flavors combined with lots of cream-a winner! Now I hear they are opening a shop in Washington DC- a fun outing for Zev and me, perhaps?
Bill was thrilled to see his chamber music friends Heidi and Nancy.
Our time on MDI was partially a working trip for me, work that I was more than happy to do. I played a noon recital at St. Saviour's in Bar Harbor and spent several days with my good friend, the Visser-Rowland organ. How I love to make music on that instrument.
My dear friend and organ technician extraordinaire, Bill, surprised me by showing up for the recital. Just a couple of days earlier, when I'd been in touch to complain about the Swell Gedacht, he'd claimed to be way too busy to make the trip from MA. How I miss his good ear, troubleshooting ability and concern for the instrument, not to mention his ever-present sense of joie-de vivre.
We spent a couple of nights with Debby and Paul, their three Corgis and four cats, and had our annual lobster dinner. Just before I took this photo one of their kitties was peering down from the piano lid, eyeing the lobster with a gleam in her eye.
A sense of sadness came over me as we drove off the island and headed home to Maryland. But I also felt such a sense of gratitude- for our many years in Maine, the friendships we continue to hold, the natural beauty and the knowledge that life is deep and meaningful. Thank you.
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