Potters Need Not Apply

July 12, 2009, Potters need not apply

Since the official school doesn’t start until about 5:00 in the afternoon, I went cruising this morning. Actually, I was on a mission to go to Badaduce for lunch. It one of the top 10 places in Maine to eat. It is just a shack on the side of the road that has been in existence since the 1940’s. If you are ever in the area it is adjacent to the reversing falls at Brooksville. I did find one location that my cell phone works on the top of Caterpillar Hill. I might have to go back there and check in with Carole later in the week. It is about 20 miles away but the closest thing to cell phone coverage around here.

Speaking of Carole. Carol was in this morning to clean up the building. She has been working here for years. It was good to see and talk to her. Her accent is about as Maine as mine is Alabama. (I know all of you who live in the south don’t think you have an accent but believe me you do.) I love to listen to her. We got caught up on her kids, grand kids, her new husband, (the previous one died of cancer a few years ago), her sisters husband passing with cancer a few weeks ago, etc. I told her about our garden. She has never seen or tasted okra. You would have to wonder what she would think if we set her down in front a big plate of boiled okra.

There are a lot of places for sell here. Carol said that many are in foreclosure. If you want to buy, a house in Maine now is the time to do it. If you do, don’t think you are going to come up and do hand thrown pottery for a living. If a house doesn’t have a “For Sale” sign in the yard, there is a sign for hand made pottery. I guess all the hippies from the 60’s have retired to Maine and think they are going to make a good living selling pottery. I have actually heard this is a good place to buy art “stuff” because some many people have moved here to do their art. Because of the quantity of stuff available, everything is cheap.

The small boat regatta was canceled this morning because of rain and fog. About the time they all hooked up and headed out the sun broke thru and it has been a beautiful day ever since although it is a little warm. Must be about 70 in the sun. One thing I observed on my drive is how people put their lawn chairs out in the sun here. Now, no self respecting person in Alabama would put out a lawn chair that wasn’t under a good shade tree.

5:00 is the time for dinner and orientation. I have been orienteated again. I think Rich (the school director) had one new joke this year. The instructor for the course is Geoff Kerr. This is the 2nd time I have taken a course taught by Geoff. He is a great instructor and a lot of fun. With only 6 of us including him I am not sure how far we will get. This boat has a lot of planks to put on. I think it will be a great learning experience.

I will try to start posting some photos as soon as I get a chance.