Maine: Boothbay & Beyond

MOON DAY If you’re of a certain age, you probably remember exactly where you were fifty years ago today on July 20, 1969.  I had a summer job at Cornell University and was living in a rooming house near the campus.  My fiancé, now the Chief Penguin, was doing Air Force training in northern Maine at …

Portland: Food & More

PORTLAND—FOOD AND MORE Like Julius Caesar’s army, the Chief Penguin and I travel on our stomachs.  Despite what it may seem, we did do more in Portland than eat. But, knowing the restaurants mid-coast are not as varied or inventive, we took advantage of Portland’s wonderful foodie scene. DINING Hugo’s The food at Hugo’s is sophisticated and …

Tidy Tidbits: Reading & Eating

CONCERT NOTE Kudos to the Ladies Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel was a talented and precocious composer and pianist.  But, she was female, and as sister to her talented brother Felix, she was relegated to the back of the room.  Their father declared that Felix would have the musical career and she would not.  In her day, some of her …

Tidy Tidbits: Screen, Page & Plate

SMALL SCREEN Shetland (Amazon Prime & BritBox) We recently watched Seasons 5 and 6 of this Scottish detective series and it’s excellent.  One of the best of its kind!  Each season consists of six episodes and there is only one case that’s ongoing across the entire season.  More than most, this is a character-driven series, and Douglas Henshall …