Closet Camera Comes Out of Hiding

It's true that I have a back-up camera in the closet. I've been too stubborn to use it, believing my replacement fujifilm finepix would arrive any day. On the phone with thecameraprofessionals yesterday I persisted for exact information, and was told the camera is actually on back order. Would they refund the $19.95 for three day shipping? NO, they will upgrade to overnight delivery when it comes in, but there will be no refund. I want the camera too much to make a stink. Can you get blood from a stone?

The rechargable batteries in my Canon A540 have been dormant too long and only retain a charge for under an hour. Still, I was able to document new mifflettes who have been waiting in line to be photographed since August 3. This family came first. (They can be found at Etsy)

AND, two of the grandkiddies are here (with their parents) so tomorrow I promise some photos if the batteries cooperate. We've cleaned up the lobster mess and are tucking S and D into their respective sleeping quarters. S claimed the closet where she sings herself to sleep.

Still Waiting

thecameraprofessionals.com say my tracking number will be available after 5 p.m. tonight. Does that mean it has shipped or not? It means it has NOT shipped. I'm so glad I paid an extra $20 for two to three day delivery on August 3. Grr. At least I saved $250 by not ordering through Amazon, right? It might have taken just as long through them.

We loved our trip to Portland yesterday to celebrate my birthday at Evangeline in Longfellow Square on Congress St and a trip to the Portland Museum to see a fascinating Georgia O'Keefe exhibit. The exhibit focused on photos of O'Keefe, as recorded by many well known photographers. It included some of her paintings as well.

The dinner at Evangeline was delicious. We shared a skate wing, escargots, endive salad and a refreshing melon sorbet ensemble with melon soup.

My REAL birthday evening was spent happily at J's cottage, surrounded by friends. Thank you all for friendship and love. I feel very glad to be 63, very spoiled.

Aftermath of the Accident

Ahem. I love my fujifilm finepix f20. It's not a sexy camera but it takes spectacular low-light photos because of its iso 2000 capacity. It has 6.3 megapixels which are plenty for me. It has a very low lag time between shots, restrained flash, and the photo quality is very high. It's my favorite point-and-shoot even when given the option (by my husband) to replace it with a pricier, fancier camera, the camera of my dreams. The finepix IS the camera of my dreams.

Amazon is currently charging $379 for this camera and thecameraprofessionals.com is charging $99 so you can guess where I ordered. But that was a week ago and I upgraded shipping to two day delivery. When it still wasn't here today, I grew suspicious. There's no charge on my amex so I guess I need to try again.

I've missed the camera but more than ever today on Monhegan with my friend whom I only see once a year. We saw an older resident with a fantastic hat, a straw fez completely filled in with feathers in the most artistic way and all found feathers, including four parrot feathers. I admired it extravagantly. Then I noted her jacket: a white blazer embroidered with personal scenes of Monhegan, including the captain of the Laura B. I'm ready to return soon, armed with a camera and hunt her down.

The Accident

We had a wonderful party tonight, our annual beach party, though we never made it to the beach. As the last of twenty guests left, my arm was knocked and my camera fell from my hand onto a dish of ocean rocks that sits by the door. No camera lens could survive that. And photography is the foundation of my posts, so I will be on vacation until the camera is replaced. I hope to be back within a week.

Homemade Helicopter

Friday:
Artist friend from Alexandria, Jann Gilmore, held a reception for a year's worth of watercolor painting at our village library. It drew quite a crowd (50+) which made Jann very happy. Her architectural and structural painting is spectacular. I'll show a close-up on a forthcoming post. Afterwards, the crew who helped to set-up had supper on her downtown screen porch. You know I want to live downtown!

Saturday:
A wedding celebration for two middle-agers, in a field on the edge of the forest - 150 people were there to celebrate and dance to the Grey Goose Band, and eat delicious offerings from friends, and of course, wedding cake. It was one of the sweetest, most beautiful weddings ever attended, with babies in backpacks of dancing parents, mothers and sons, daughters and fathers doing the polka together, and well-called contra dancing which T and I loved. We connected with some wonderful people whom we never met before, and T saw some folks he hadn't seen in years. The couple arrived by helicopter and when T asked the story of that, the groom sheepishly admitted he BUILT IT HIMSELF!

Sunday/Tomorrow: Our annual beach cocktail beach party. I've got to CLEAN HOUSE, in case it rains!

Mifflette Famille Lapin

It's been quite a while since I made a mifflette family. One was requested by a friend, so I think I'll make several and let her choose. I'm fond of this just completed rabbit-ish one. Faces and paws are made from a recycled extra fine merino wool sweater.

I think s/he could be either a mama or a papa. What do you think? T thinks she looks like s/he is wearing pajamas, a comfy look. Note the Rosa Pomar waistband! It's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the most beautiful jacquard ribbon around. You can order it at Retrosaria.

And this is definitely a big sister and little brother. I keep DOING that combo! Little brother is made from a vintage corduroy shirt and so are big sister's ears. Her body is Kaffe Fassett cotton and some of my grandmother's lace. She was born in 1861 and I never met her, but I inherited a suitcase full of her lace.

Cousins, Cousins, Everywhere

T's cousins annually spend a week together at the ocean. That's one family of five brothers and one sister and all their spouses and kids. They come from MA (2), CA (1), NH (1), ME (1) and Cambodia. Since T spent summers with these cousins, he is always invited too. Yesterday was our day with them.

Shimon is a fabulous twelve year old who has lived all over the world, currently in Cambodia. He is relaxed with adults, quick witted, funny, entertaining, self-contained, patient with his six year old sister. He tried to teach me some contortionist skills.

Ruby is his younger sister who deserves rave reviews as well. She is the six year old version of her brother, able to spend all day with grown-ups without whining. She's gregarious and engaging and one hundred percent six year old with no pretentions. WHAT GREAT PARENTS THESE TWO HAVE!