I'm Dreaming...

 ...of a white Halloween? Its still snowing pretty hard as I write this and we have about 8 inches on the ground. I do like the look of wet snow on the trees:

 But many of them are struggling against the weight and the wind. Its strange to see autumn leaves falling on top of snow:

 Of course, Baxter LOVES the snow. He likes to dig, run, and play in it:

 And he loves to watch it falling:

Most of it should be gone by the end of the day, so as long as we can keep our power it will be a pretty storm that won't amount to much.
~MET

Great Date in Portland

 Last night M-S and I went to Maine's only city for a long overdue date. The traveling version of Spamalot was at Merrill Auditorium - so it was a perfect night to get away. We started with a drink at the top of the Old Port at a place called White Cap:

 We had a nice talk, made each other laugh a bit, and anticipated a great meal and a wonderful musical. We had dinner here:

It was our first time at any of the 3 "rooms" in Portland. The Corner Room is all about Italian fare, and it was delicious. I think an imported cheese flight might be my favorite kind of appetizer. The main courses were awesome - and we had more fun conversation.
The show was great and we had a wonderful night. I am a very lucky man. Period.
~MET

A Few More of Maeve...Just Because

 My little booger of a niece is heading back to DC tomorrow. Allow me to post a few more pictures of her visit to Maine.

A few assumptions were reinforced by her visit:

• Maeve is simply awesome
• My brother is the best uncle any kid could have (I learned this in 1987, and not a lot has changed)
• My parents are the bar that all grandparents should be measured against
• Suz and Grant are already superior parents, and Maeve is a lucky little girl

~MET

Heading North Soon

On Friday I'll be wearing jeans, hiking boots, and a comfortable shirt to school. I'll be beating the buses out of the parking lot at the end of the school day and heading to Baxter State Park for a couple of cold nights next to Roaring Brook. I can't wait - mostly because I have no grand plans to tackle a mountain. My only goal is to walk to Sandy Stream Pond and take pictures of moose, sit next to the brook and read, enjoy some good food, some good conversations with friends, a good cigar, and relax. Its been a while since I've camped out in my favorite place on the planet, and I can't think of a better way to spend some fall days than in the great north woods of Maine.
~MET

What Kind of a Dog...

 ...thinks that squash is a chew toy? M-S put a pumpkin and some assorted squashes on the front stoop to celebrate the fall. Baxter normally spends his time out in his fenced in back yard, but today he sat with us in the front to enjoy this perfect fall day...and went nuts on a squash.

 He seemed to really like it.

It did kind of mess up the display a little.
~MET

Maeve's Maine Cotillion

 There won't be a need for many words in this post. A good time was had by all as Maeve was introduced to her friends and family from Maine. LOTS of people showed up in different waves to eat great food, talk, and take turns holding the star of the show. Here are just a few shots:

~MET

Maeve in Maine ~ A Walk in the Park

 Little Maeve has arrived in Maine! Needless to say, my mom is beside herself. I went to see her last night.

But the big day is Monday when all sorts of friends and family will be coming to meet her.

 About the only person who won't be in town will be Sarah, who is still adjusting to life in DC and seems to be thriving.

 This morning M-S and I took Baxter to Capital Park, and he loved it.

 It was kind of nice to see some things that I haven't seen up close in quite a few years.

It really is a great park with lots of walkways to explore and wildlife for Bax to stalk. Its been a great holiday weekend so far.
~MET

An Appreciation for Elementary School Educators

My mother taught 5th grade in Augusta for many years. I have been teaching at the high school level for 27 years. After I had become a secondary teacher she would remind me in a not so subtle way that I had it easy - that she was working much harder each day than I was. I didn't argue, but I'm not sure that I really understood what she was talking about.  Since I have become a local union president I have learned that my mom (as always) was 100% correct. I just want to say that when I compare my average day as a high school teacher with that of an elementary teacher and the contact time with students - there really is NO comparison. Thank you for all you do for those little boogers, and thank God its not me. If ANYONE in the State Legislature or in Congress really knew how hard these people work everyday, they would have no problem identifying those educators as American heroes. And thats just what they are - heroes.
~MET