September came so fast I had to be reminded to write a post for this blog. August is always chaotic but it seemed like everyone and everything was an extra bit out of control. It definitely wasn't as social a summer, I hear that from a lot of people and certainly experienced it myself. There were plenty of social events but that is one pace that lessened a bit from last year, thankfully.
Now that September is here I am determined to celebrate each day. Labor Day was spent with dear friends getting to visit and explore Swan Song for the first time then an afternoon in the Schoodic section of Acadia National Park. More and more, it's my absolute favorite part of the Park system. It's not only that it is less crowded but the beauty seems more expansive and sitting on the rocks, either alone or with friends, leads to this delicious contemplation. You feel so grounded but at the same time there is this ethereal feeling of being above too, maybe it comes from watching the birds soar and dip and letting your imagination run wild and put yourself in their place. Whatever it is I love it and I just want to spend more and more time there and can't wait until it is home.
My Bar Harbor house actually borders the MDI section of Acadia National Park yet, other than for a friend from out of town visit, I haven't ventured into the Park at all and certainly not the Sand Beach/Thunder Hole or Cadillac Mountain circuses. But I get it, it is spectacular and we take it for granted, yada yada, and I'm thrilled for the people who see it and love it.
One of my favorite things to do is walk around Swan Song's 53 acres - it's like my own personal park. There are over 3000 feet of water frontage so you can imagine, that will take a long time. I would venture to bet that I haven't walked even half of the property.
I had the opportunity to explore a part of the Farm that I had never set foot on on a recent Sunday. I had worked my way down to the stream that borders the eastern side of the land and felt horrible when I startled a great blue heron just minding his own business looking for snacks. I still marvel at the prehistoric image the herons create for me when they fly.
As I walked away I thought this is all mine and as always could not really believe that this glorious spot was owned by me and me alone. THEN, an overwhelming of NO came over me, a feeling or voice if you will, this is not your's, it is their's but they will share as long as you respect them and the land. Them of course are the myriad bird species, the fox family hollering for dinner that I thought was a dog barking from a neighbor's porch, the triplet fawns who had just bounded across the fields, the raccoons who regularly party in the boat house and of course the Canadian Geese, yes birds but in a class of their own. I love them so much but the goose poop - what to do. They were here first and I am so incredibly sincere that all I care about is finding a way for all of us to co-exist. I experience so much joy when I get close to the geese on a walk about and when they are startled and I say don't worry, you're fine then they settle down. I pretend they can sense that I am a friend.