ME II: beauty

· Maine Event

Today was absolutely gorgeous and the temperature was just right! We headed to the Farmers' Market early for lettuce and a few things including oysters but we decided on having those tomorrow. On a work note, we are in the final stages of a new contacts database that will be cloud-based and accessible via your mobile device. It will be super cool but there is still a ton of work. This evening we had a lovely walk with the Moon and Jupiter and an incredible sunset.

I've been thinking about the housing crisis which I think is probably one of the largest social issues globally. By 2025 the housing crisis is estimated to affect 1.6 billion people. Here is an article that talks about the many years of not building enough in Maine that contributed to the crisis here. I did a little data digging and discovered that there are 919 active rentals. 80% of them are through Airbnb and 90% of them are entire homes and just under 50% of those homes are available year-round. I don't think Airbnb causes the housing crisis but it exacerbates it. Many homeowners are focused on how can they make the most money and they can match hotel prices. This is significantly more per month than anyone would pay for a year-round leased apartment. Most people rent for short periods of time and can pay the higher price on a nightly level. I wish I had more ideas on how to create a system where people have shelter and good food, water, and air. This seems like we can do this and yet because it is not profitable it is not happening. Capitalism doesn't serve the people very well.

Green Ash trees all turning yellow in early morning light
The Green Ash trees are turning yellow.
dark bean like pods with a gold curved spike of a sticker at the end
Check out these black heathered pods with their golden curved spike at the end. So beautiful.
long shadows across lawn with two perfect shaped trees looking out over an ocean with islands
Harbor View Park in the dewy early morning light. I love these perfect teenage trees and the view of the islands beyond.
Fore river view between houses and a tree
Sweet peek at the river in between houses on a street we don't often walk. Nice to be so close to the water by surprise.
brick sidewalk with houses
Brick sidewalk love.
Free sign next to several plugs and other tools and electrician stuff
Classic Maine: Free useful stuff.
Nice sky with clouds surrounded on all sides by trees
Nice clouds as the sky gets ready for the evening show.
crescent moon just over the horizon of bushes next to a house and in between telephone wires
Crescent Moon early on our evening walk.
10 foot skeleton with dog skeleton
Skeleton with dog skeleton. The dog is a normal dog size. The human is not.
sunset with trees silouetted
Nice show.
crescent moon with dark gray etched clouds over a deep orange sunset
What a treat.

Let's all pull together toward a better world.

Sending love, Tawnia

And a bird list tonight:

  1. Blue Jay
  2. Rock Pigeon
  3. Herring Gull
  4. House Sparrow
  5. Northern Cardinal
  6. American Crow
  7. European Starling
  8. Canada Goose
  9. Mallard
  10. White-throated sparrow
  11. Common Yellowthroat
  12. Black-capped Chickadee