This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The psalm is a reminder to pause, look at life as a gift from God, and choose joy instead of worry. Many people often use this phrase as a positive morning greeting to encourage others to find peace and happiness in the present moment.
Susan and I (And our dog, Freddy) arrived at my sister Darlene’s home (Owned with her daughter and son-in-law.) on Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, Maine on Friday, August 28 and here for a few days we found peace, happiness, beauty, love.
Let’s enjoy a few photos, some with an explanation, some not.
Looking out Oarweed Cove the day we arrived.
A view from my sister’s deck out to the Josiah River which is a is a short, 2.7 mile coastal stream that empties into the Gulf of Maine at Perkins Cover in Ogunquit; it was rather low due to the on-going drought in the Northeast, probably caused by climate change.
Each morning Freddy and I woke at 6:00 and walked. Here we see the sunrise over Oarweed Cove on Saturday, August 29.
Many boats are docked in Perkins Cove.
Photos along the Marginal Way. The name refers to the “margin” between land and sea and it is one of New England’s most beloved scenic coastal walks.
This is the beach where I got my feet wet in the Atlantic Ocean; wish I was wearing my Darlington Park Lifeguard swimsuit and brought a towel! The water was crystal clear and refreshing!
Susan and Freddy out on Darlene’s deck.
Darlene took us to visit The Nubble Lighthouse.
There we met and chatted with artist, Pat D’Amico, a charming man and gifted artist.
Practically next to Darlene’s home is a beautiful bookstore–The Perkins Cove Bookshop where I saw my internet friend Maggie Smith‘s poetry book displayed.
And just as you can’t go into a barbershop and not get a haircut, you can’t go into a bookstore and not buy a book. My purchase:
It is a darkly, comic, warm-hearted novel about a 63-year-old lottery winner who embarks on a chaotic cross-country road trip to reunite with his high school crush–bringing together his adult daughter, two orphaned kids, and a cat who can predict death!
That night Darlene and I cooked dinner together. I made Cod Cakes and she made Stuffed Clams. So delicious!
We had a dinner guest, too. Darlene’s neighbor and friend, Linda. It was a great pleasure meeting her–smart, witty, funny, curious, filled with life and love. Plus, she LOVED my Cod Cakes.
Susan and Linda.
How about a Poetry intermission from Wendell Berry, an American novelist, poet, essayist, environmental activist, cultural critic and farmer, who died on August 31 at the age of 92.
Accept what comes from silence.
Make the best you can of it.
Of the little words that come
out of the silence, like prayers
prayed back to the one who prays,
make a poem that does not disturb
the silence from which it came
Poems. Prayers. Paintings. Often come from silence. And vacations can often be exhausting both for the host and the guest. Sometimes all that is needed is a short afternoon nap. And some silence.
A minute or two walk from Darlene’s home is Barnacle Billy’s . Great Lobster Rolls and Steamers, which we devoured–and if you sit outside on the brick patio or on the upper deck, you can being your dog, which we did.
We spent an extra day in Ogunquit. This is the day I went back to the beach and got me feet wet in the Atlantic Ocean. OM…….
How about a black and white photo of the beach area where I enjoyed the refreshing clear water; a spiritual cleansing.
Our last night we enjoyed wine, cheese and crackers at Linda’s house. We sat outside. I saw and heard a Kingfisher for the first time! This was our view of Perkins Cove:
On September 1, Freddy and I woke at six and saw one last sunrise at Perkins Cove over Oarweed Cove.
Here is a bookend to Psalm 118:24 from a favorite poet of mine– Mary Oliver:
Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.
P.S. On Sunday, the 3oth, Susan, Darlene, and Linda went to the Ogunquit Baptist Church. When they returned home Susan exclaimed “That was the best sermon I have heard in years!” It was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Brian Shore, who is a great orator and teacher (He once taught a class of third graders!). I can say he is great because I have watched this sermon , which was on “Fear and Faith,” on the church YouTube Channel.
I am reminded of Psalm 23:4–“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” And I am also reminded of my recent kidney and bladder procedures and the fear I at first felt until I turned to faith.
And my affirmative prayer during these procedures was an interpretation of Joshua 1:9:
“I am strong.
I am courageous.
I am not afraid.
I am not discouraged.
For the Lord my God is with me.”
Peace be with you.
P.P.S. Speaking of third graders read this https://brucebarone.com/2017/09/26/what-a-wonderful-world/
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