Vet Day!

Monday morning started off with blue skies and warm weather...

Big puffy clouds.

But then it was time to take a special trip to the Fish House... for a very special visit...

A visit to the vet! Twice a year our vet travels to Monhegan to give shots and services to island animals. It is awesome because we don't have to bring our animals on the boat to get vet services!

Poor Millie though did not quite understand HOW the scary vet people got on HER island!

She was brave though and we were in and out of the Fish House in about 5 minutes flat.

As we came out of the Fish House, Barbara was coming over to serve some delicious Black Duck beverages to the vets!

On our way back to school we spotted these gorgeous pumpkins.

Millie has learned to carry my lunch bag to and from school! She is the best!

It is almost the end of butterfly season.

And the end of pizza season!

Goodnight skies.

Goodnight Millie.

Weekend with my Aunt and Uncle...

The gray skies continued to stick around into the weekend...

Which I was a little bummed about since my aunt and uncle were coming out to visit me. The good thing is they are tough cookies so the rain, fog, and humidity didn't keep them down.

We enjoyed the gray day outside and Millie was very thankful for that. The ice pond looked like glass.

A wet walk in the woods.

Lead the way puppy girl.

Hey up there.

Manana? Where are you?

We could hardly see the village.

Me and my girl.

Wet dog.

Back at the homestead (after we dried off) my uncle starting cooking up a storm!

TEMPURA! YES!!

Lord help us!

Dinner is served! I ate SO much!

And leftovers for lunch the next day! (Red hotdogs is a family tradition!)

On Sunday the sun finally broke out of the fog! It was like August on island!

So we headed back out onto the trails again!

It was a perfect Indian Summer day!

I think my uncle liked my island.

I can understand why!

It is pretty wonderful sharing this beautiful place with people I love.

Backside.

Crystal clear blue.

We made it to Lobster Cove and MAN we were hot!

Before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye! Thanks for the visit guys!

Millie and I went out for one last walk of the evening. It was just too gorgeous to stay indoors.

Sun going down after a wonderful weekend.

Pinks and yellows.

Flowers and some veggies in my stir-fry I looted from a summer neighbors garden who has left for the season! The perks of staying past summer season :)

Another gray day in the neighborhood...

Well, the weatherman said that it was going to be gray with no breeze today... and gosh darn it, he was right!!

It was absolutely FLAT calm all day today... but the skies were just gray and icky.

But that didn't get Millie down... she still wanted to take lots of walks

(she walks herself you know, I figure I am still obeying the "leash law" if she is carrying it in her mouth)

And she still wanted to stop and get treats from all her favorite people.

This evening we had a community cookout in honor of all the fabulous volunteers we have on island!

It was a dog-friendly event... so Millie got to come. She figures she volunteers all the time... you know, like volunteering to chase those pesky birds off of peoples lawns, cleaning up after some of her kitty friends (disgusting) , and taking care of some of the compost on Fish Beach. It really makes her feel good to help others.

Not only do we have some fabulous volunteers on this island but we have some stinkin' fabulous chefs! Good meal and good folks...

Now... good night!

Gray Skies... Bright Classroom

It was a gray day on Monhegan today.... we have been so lucky with such gorgeous, sunny Fall days that I actually did not mind waking up to the sound of rain and the sight of gray clouds. I feel less frantic to get outside on gray days and seem to slow down my pace a little... that is always a good thing now and then.

Although it was dark outside our school was bright and alive with activities today... we had September BINGO tonight (this makes our 25th BINGO game) which always brings lots of laughter and fun. I so appreciate our loyal BINGO players and just the simplicity of the night. I think we could host BINGO in our sleep at this point.

I also love this photo. Everyday I find myself being SO grateful that I get to have my best friend and canine companion as apart of my school and you know what is even better? How much my students love this puppy dog. That brings pure joy to my heart. All schools should come with dogs.

And lastly this photo... I just can't put into words how much I love this classroom. I remember the first time I ever stepped foot on Monhegan was for my interview for the job. It was a super gray and drizzly day, the boat ride was awful, the island was not as majestic and stunning as everyone had told me it would be and I remember thinking, "This place may not be for me." But then I walked into the school. It was bright, colorful, alive, and exciting! I could sense happiness, community, and fun as soon as I walked into the door and I have to say I still feel that when I walk into my school everyday. I love everything about this school house... the big open room, the beautiful wooden floors, the tall windows with ocean view, the mini kitchen where we get to bake and store goodies, the bulletin boards that are always plastered with student work, the mess, the chaos, and the fun. It will be an honor to always know that this was the first school I ever taught at.

It is now time to jammie-up and drink some tea to soothe my post-BINGO-goodie tummy ache.