Maine Charms

A Secret Pollinator Garden: Progress and Process

Published on April 17, 2023June 4, 2023 by Averyl11 Comments

A year ago this month Wayne rebuilt one of our raised garden beds and this is what our backyard looked like:

I suddenly had a vision of a little English-inspired pollinator garden behind our house that would attract hummingbirds, hummingbird moths, butterflies and more bees then we already have. We don’t “treat” our yard with herbicides or pesticides, so wild strawberry thrives behind our house. Some see this as a detriment. Besides creating a low-maintenance green carpet, bees love the blossoms. The tiny little fruits are enjoyed by the birds and wildlife. Wayne loves that it requires little mowing. But I rarely saw hummingbirds, just a half-dozen butterflies and never a hummingbird moth in our yard. It was time to create a new reality in my own backyard!

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Evolution of Enchantment

Published on April 12, 2023April 17, 2023 by AverylLeave a comment

I had always dreamed of buying a house on Higgins Beach but those charming seaside cottages sell for over a million, likely two, and they rarely come to market. But I do live in an affordable cottage of my dreams that’s only 3 1/2 miles away.

The shorebirds and I had the beach all to ourselves before sunrise this morning until a few surfers showed up. I felt very wealthy and blessed with such an enchanting place and production that made it seem as if I was in a Maxfield Parrish painting.

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Sunshine and Spring in Maine

Published on April 4, 2023April 17, 2023 by Averyl4 Comments

I’ve been making a point to witness more sunrises on the beach. It’s a far better way to start the day than to be reading the news and comments sections which are so toxic, yikes! It’s an ongoing effort to let go of what I don’t need that also brings me down when there is so much natural uplifting beauty waiting to be admired. I still read the news but I don’t need to wallow in it nor aggravate myself over anonymous opinions. At dawn you also never know what you’ll see, like this mink that ran onto the beach and then along the shoreline, it was so lovely!

During late March and April when the outside temps are in the 40s, my unheated sunroom reaches 70 degrees and above on a sunny day. I love listening to the oldies and country music on my vintage a.m. radio in my rocking chair that usually leads to a delightful doze.

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