Maine Event: Day 53

I don't know about you guys but judging from my inbox, the 2022 elections are tomorrow. Local politics here in Portland for the election this November is heating up also, there are many signs in yards. It could be very easy to get caught up in the issues. 

It was a gorgeous day with pure blue skies. We had a high of 70° and a low of 48°, the humidity was not noticeable, and there were light breezes. Overall perfect.

Similar to San Francisco, there are very few houses here that are derelict or even look a little in disrepair. That isn't always true on the islands where houses melt completely into the ground and there are a few in various states of disrepair. In Baltimore, there is an art project of putting QR codes on vacant derelict apartments that linked to information about the property including the owner and pending court cases. Here is the link to the full article about that "The Tech That Slumlords Hate" This reminds me of the year Katrina hit New Orleans (2005) when the APHA was scheduled to be there. They had to quickly move locations and the only place open large enough was Philadelphia. Hesperian always tries to stay with friends and allies to keep costs down when traveling for conferences. We had the good fortune of staying with Jean Mouch, a Medical Mission Sister who had worked with us for many years. She invited us to her building that was a kind of convent located in Camden, NJ. We arrived well after dark and the snow and ice were thick on the ground and the sidewalks were tamped down but not plowed. Nearly every house was a beautiful brownstone that was vacant or occupied by "squatters". I'd never been exposed to that kind of urban poverty. I made connections on that trip that have lasted many years and inspiration that will last a lifetime. 

We only have a few more short weeks and we will be home. There is much to love about Maine and this adventure, yet I sincerely miss all of you as well as our home.

I think Mr. Pumpkin heard me and got more orange overnight!

Beautiful fava bean flowers in the morning light.

It looks like fall on this block.

This fine specimen of a house is also designed by John Calvin Stevens. It is located at 6 Bowdoin. It is from 1890, I couldn't easily find the 1924 tax documents indicating that the address changed.

This one is extra lovely coming from the side with the ivy growing on the brick.

I spotted the first instance of yarn bombing today. It is a different style than ours in SF.

They even build the mice cool houses.

Time to rest up tomorrow is the weekend! Remember to have some fun.

Sending love, Tawnia