As I sit down to write this morning I can’t help but think of those truly hardy
souls who set sail for the East Coast 400 years ago. They headed
toward new life, homes they would build themselves in the woods, unfamiliar
land, unknown relationships, and a faith that all would turn out well.
What courage and determination they demonstrated. Enter
Cheryl. Enter Kirk. Enter Jayne.
I visited Anam Cara and my dear friends there in September…dearer
to me now as I know them as friends who are truly living their dream.
I knew the Michigan side of their journey, followed their progress
online, and felt called to pay a visit. How good it is to make the
effort to visit and keep in touch with such friends.
I am impressed with all that they have accomplished, and not at all
surprised. They made a plan for their new life and followed
it. With a plan from a permaculture expert in the area they are
building their home, and new life, just as they said they would.
The land they built on has a welcoming quality to it.
Cheryl showed me the large old Maple tree in back…I’m sure that tree
knows many things. I discovered beautiful yellow Birch trees that
I never knew existed.
We pot lucked one night with the local
permaculture Meetup – a friendly and committed group of like-minded
Mainers. The chickens in the yard gave us eggs for breakfast and
the local fishery gave us ocean perch for dinner.
Cheryl and I took a bright sunny day to explore and headed north to
Rockland.
I wanted to see the Farnsworth Art Museum and the
collections of Wyeth and other Maine artists there (Hopper, Homer).
What a great way to spend a day.
| "Sunlight" - Frank Benson |
The air in Maine is
amazing, crystal clear, fresh, and expansive. We drove through
small towns and ate some really good barbeque in a gas station parking
lot. The museum was wonderful and I was especially excited to find
the works of American Impressionist Frank Benson. He painted from
his summer home in Maine and captured the fresh quality of the light and air
very well I think. On the way back we stopped at Owl’s Head Point
Lighthouse. The wild blue views of the ocean and surrounding
shoreline were unlike any I’ve seen. We rock hounded to our hearts
content and the ocean gave us her treasures. Maine is a wonderful
place.
Two months has passed and I’ve thought often of my visit
to Anam Cara. When hurricane Sandy hit I wondered if my friends lost
power, and knew they would be fine if they did. An invitation has
been issued to come back. I have no doubt that I will.
Happy Thanksgiving All. May we all know the blessings
of a warm home, a full meal, good friends, and dreams realized this holiday
season. With love from Michigan, Beth Lively
