field notes

 this summer i have met

a handful, a rather large handful,

of marvelous people

 one of these

 therese

 sent me a wonderful momento

that includes dear aimee, too

 a gifted vellum piece

that will become another of the hortus siccus books

 beckons

 and while walking

three bees

involved in something i don't understand

 a road killed flicker

beautiful,

i moved off the road.

 a failed family

at the new place

 morning dew/fog

 another one soaking up heat from the tarmac, 

but i moved 

so it would be chilly in the cool wet grass

but alive

 late august morning

 such beauty

 leaves gathered here

sugar maple sustains in so many ways

and this small leaf

both showing 

autumn's touch.

labor day weekend. 

hannah's birthday.

the end of summer.

more from maine

i really enjoyed

the northeast harbor library

i spent all day saturday there.

 the maine room had this treasure

hidden in the stacks

 with beautifully letterpress 

 printed words

and even more beautiful garden prints

 and this small one

 this!

 and this-- 

and more.

 and i got to page through this book!

 so amazing

 a cross, in a way

 between two other book artists that i stand in awe of:

 timothy ely 

and 

william blake

 my eyes would go fuzzy

and then i'd go back to the book

 and this reminds me of rima staines.

who was trained 

as a book artist.

 and maybe a botanical artist or two.

 here are a few of his words

 and a few more

maybe carol barton.

~~~

and these last two

which so amaze me.

~~~

i'm home again, with more pictures 

for another day.

i promise.

in maine

 this is where i'm writing this morning 

i'm in northeast harbor, maine

in the maine studies room

in the village library.

 a fresh breeze coming in that bank of windows

  the collection here is all about maine

there are a few secrets

rarities that need special permission

 a book by someone who

i remember from ages past

 and a few titles i'd like to get to know

 bad beaver tales, indeed

 boats and ships appear everywhere

 and history is palpable

 hannah is archivist at this public library

when she's not hiking

 showing me amazing rocky places

 she knows the park* well, now

 and has favorite quiet, 

almost hidden 

places to look long

when she's not

 at work

 this library is beautiful

and new

with profound respect for place 

and books

and bookish things

 with all kinds of art

 and even a few ancient 

beautiful things

 these ships are "woolies"

made from yarn scraps 

 they're all over this library

 the archive has many treasures

 all about this place

 this treasure i love,

a painted interior door

of a safe

in the archive room

 and down the street

there is a funny funny fellow

lest we take ourselves

too seriously

this little maine interlude

is special, because in a week i will be

back at work

teaching in a different program and school.

*Acadia National Park

Mount Desert Island, Maine