I’ve been riding the waves lately with a trio of book outings, three days in a row. On Saturday we zoomed past the ferry on our way to Diamond Cove on the water taxi. Marty’s likin’ it!
I was the third and final speaker in the Fort McKinley Museum Summer Lecture Series on Great Diamond Island. Built in the 1890’s as a defense for Portland Harbor, the fort is now a private residential community. Our hosts, Richard and Jane Cullen, gave us a tour by golf cart. Peaks Island has similar batteries like this, but not as old as this: 1899!
We stopped at the Fort McKinley Museum for a glimpse of the rich collection of artifacts.
Enjoyed a quick bite at the General Store, where hand-painted chairs welcomed us.
My house on Peaks Island is just up from the shore that faces the Diamond Islands, so I began with one of many pastels I’ve created from these views. Having gazed at these islands fondly for 20 years, it was a delight to actually BE there, among new friends.
The best part is always meeting kids! They each have a unique island story of their own.
Later, over dessert, I saw Jane’s lovely collection of hearts. Ah, a kindred beachcomber.
Thank you, Cullens, and friends of the Fort McKinley Museum for loving books, islands, and the gems we call home.
The following day, Sunday, I signed books at Take a Peak, a little shop on Peaks next to the ice cream store.
I sketched Caitlin, granddaughter of island librarian, Rose Ann Walsh, who helped me locate a lobster boat for Ice Harbor Mittens. She colored in her name on the drawing. Nice to have such cute company!
She and Daisy (now 15!) enjoyed a tea party, just like in the book.
Thanks to Eddie Walsh for loaning a swell vessel for imagined journeys.
On Monday, I was off to Bright Horizons in Portland, past Fort Gorges, seen here in my pastel, “Regatta.”
My amazing niece, Cristel Sanborn, teaches the preschool 3 class. I visited three classes, beginning with the youngest, ages 2 – 3, reading Seven Days of Daisy.
Those wee ones don’t know the days of the week, or even care. Oh, how I miss that chapter!
In the next class, preschool 2, ages 3 -4, the children know some of the days, maybe not the order. But they are FULL of it, questions, telling stories, and eager to create.
Cristel’s class is ages 4 -5. They mostly know the days of the week, and love to draw.
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