A Summer Full of Surprises

Darcy was now able to resume her gardening, kayaking, swimming and hiking. Wally finally got his wish for an ATV. Our new Yamaha Viking was going to be perfect for off-road adventures and carrying tools and building materials around the property. Life back at our Maine cabin looked like it was going to be quite predictable. But wait! What is this? Our daughter and family have sold their home in Atlanta, GA and will be moving to Orono, ME ... just 70 miles from the lake. Our son-in-law Brett has accepted a position as Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology at thee University of Maine. Yippee! Our sweet granddaughters, age 51/2 and 8, and their four-footed playmate joined us for the next 81/2 weeks and we quickly got trained up in kid and puppy care. Biking, fishing, jigsaw puzzles and Quiet Time were added to our daily repertoire of activities. Bailey, right away, chose to give up her training wheels, peddling with amazingly confidence. Big sister Emily was mightily impressed. Erin and Brett became “tear down and rebuild” experts on their newly purchased 1958 Cape Cod-style home in beautiful downtown Orono. They would break away to join us at the lake for R&R at the end of most weeks. Wally’s woodshop became a work-over area for the Orono project. Wally also spent a day-overnight-day almost every week on site working with Erin and Brett, returning to the cabin showing sure signs of exhaustion. With Brett’s muscles and engineering expertise added to Wally’s keen desire, our blacksmith shop received a roof extension, increasing the covered work space by at least 1/3. The space is now so attractive that it beckons for multi-use activities...a relaxing reading nook, perhaps. It's been 50 years since Darcy graduated from Mattanawcook Academy in Lincoln, Maine. Her Class of 1965 has been meeting monthly for four years in anticipation of this year's Homecoming celebration. Thanks to Carol and Linda, two devoted classmates, the Class of 1965 will long be remembered for their enthusiastic participation in both the parade float and the reunion party. The Celebration of Oric O’Brien’s Life was scheduled for August 15... with most family members and close friends arriving at the lake a week before. In preparation for the gathering, Darcy arose early and walked down to the camp that her dad had summered in since 1952. Using the family artifacts found in the Florida home and the Lincoln, Maine homestead, she created vignettes of the life and times of her dad and arranged them in the spaces between the exposed studs above the camp windows. It was a labor of love that she devoted herself to from 5 to 7 am every morning. Emily, Bailey and Cupcake brought her back to the “here and now” by running down the hill from cabin to camp, charging through the door, and announcing, “Pop says breakfast is ready, Nan...come on!”