Our Nest is Best

A few weeks ago on a Saturday morning in Bath, there was music in the air. The birds were singing, and I was reminded of Oscar Hammerstein's classic song, Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’:
            Oh what a beautiful mornin’.

            Oh, what a beautiful day.

            I’ve got a beautiful feelin’

            Everything’s going my way.

Unlike Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones, however, Joe and I were in Maine, not Oklahoma! When we stepped out to meet the day, we were wearing woolen caps and long scarves. But to our surprise, we were greeted by a splash of color, which was clearly the last crimson and gold hues of autumn. Our neighbor’s Japanese maple was so spectacular I had to snap a picture. All summer long I watched people passing by take pictures of that magnificent tree, but I believe that particular Saturday was its best day, and I sealed its beauty in my photo album. As Joe and I walked toward the Freight Shed, home to Bath’s Farmers’ Market, I spied another one of my favorite trees, the enormous Copper River Birch Tree planted in 1871. On November 8, 2014, it was pure gold!

Our walk downtown was stop and go because the streets were crowded with so many beautiful views that we just had to stop and stare. Clearly, the light was  just right for gazing at 9 o’clock in the morning. For the first time, I noticed the stone bench in the shape of a bird on the east side of the Patten Free Library, and I had to sit down and look out on the Kennebec River for a while. Fortunately, this gave Joe time to snap a few more pictures. Both of us have always been drawn to benches. Perhaps that's because they're made for two, and that Saturday morning was definitely turning out to be a love song. Beneath my hand I could read the sculptor’s carved inscription: “Love from Ruth.” I don’t know who Ruth is, but I suspect she used to sit and watch the Kennebec, too!

Joe and I decided to fuel up and fully wake up at the Starlight Cafe. We ordered two mugs of coffee and two plates of sunny side up eggs with home fries. When I asked if I could substitute a blueberry-lemon scone for toast, the waitress recognized me! All the tables and chairs in this cozy corner of Bath were filled, and Joe and I enjoyed turning the pages of a newspaper left by someone who must have started their day an hour before we arrived. Why is it better to read a newspaper in a crowded place than alone in your kitchen? Whatever your answer, it’s a good thing for local businesses! After stretching out breakfast as long as we dared, we strolled down to the waterfront and stepped out of the cold and into the historic Bath Freight Shed, built in 1894. Once inside, the bright sunshine receded as twinkle lights and vendors transformed the space into a bustling farmers' market. Music filled the room, and I felt transported to a simpler time. Within a few minutes, I found the source of the happy sound, the Married with Chitlens Band. I saw a guitarist, a base player and a fiddler making beautiful music as three little girls and their dad watched in complete awe. Actually, the three little girls were watching the musicians while their dad watched them with a little bit of laughter and endless love. I snapped another picture!

Joe is looking for a few good apples. He is about to find many!

From time to time, we all encounter a gloomy day, and I find it infinitely helpful to remember how bright true love can be! With that in mind, I caught Joe on camera buying fruit and vegetables. It's a beautiful portrait in sepia, and I intend to keep it forever. Seriously, what could be more romantic than buying local produce at a farmers' market? It’s naturally delicious! And to add a touch of honey, I bought a candle made of beeswax in the shape of a turkey. There are so many treasures to be found in The Freight Shed!

The vendors at Bath's Farmers' Market are busy, and they're charming, too!

By Saturday night, the good people of Bath were ready to party, and there were several exciting venues available to everyone. Music was definitely the common thread: Melissa Manchester in concert at the Chocolate Church Arts Center and a Speakeasy Party with the Hadacol Bouncers at the Winter Street Center. Because Joe and I can never resist Chicago style jazz, we chose the brassy music of the Hadacol Bouncers. Truth be told, secrets intrigue me, and I wanted to use the Sagadahoc Preservation, Inc.'s secret password, "Bunny McClure," to slip into the WSC through the side door. Once inside, I thought I heard Louis Armstrong playing the trumpet! Gillian Davis, a key member of the Portland Swing Project, was also in the house, and along with her amazing partners, she made the WSC roar like the 1920's! I have never seen such fancy footwork look so smooth and easy. While the dance moves were dazzling, the signature cocktail, “Fireball,” lit up the night and kept us all swinging! Some of us even had a chance to sit on a paper moon and kiss the one we love! (Did you know there is a paper moon in the WSC?)

The Snowy Owl Room

In the wee hours of the morning, when I finally climbed into bed, I couldn’t help but count my blessings. As I pulled up the extra warm down comforter and laid my head on the divinely soft pillow, I thought about our “adult-children.” Next month they will be arriving in Bath to celebrate Christmas with us! For a night or two, our nest will be full again. What a sweet dream to place on a pillow! Upon waking up eight hours later, I told Joe we should officially name our guest rooms: The Snowy Owl, The Love Nest and The East Room! He agreed. Saturday, November 8, 2014 was an unforgettable day. As fate and Bath would have it, The Patten Free Library’s "bird bench" made a Saturday morning especially memorable. I truly believe that sculpted bench is a beautiful love letter to everyone who comes to Bath and sits for a while! Let’s feather our nest and enjoy each other this holiday season!