Scene One: The Eastern Phoebe family on the back of the garage is growing nicely – a little pile of chicks stacked up waiting for their flycatching parent to bring them bits. Simultaneously the Dragonflies have hatched and they work hard like aerial acrobats saving us from being devoured by mosquitos (ok, I just like to think they are working for us – it seems like a public service) – they are Josh’s favorite to watch swooping above us. And then the bats come out and do large circuits of the lower yard.
Scene Two: I’m watching the baker make bagels. It’s not something I see very often because he normally does it at 5am, but with the holiday our schedule is pushed a bit. I watched him make the dough, rest the dough, and shape the dough the night before – little lifesavers ferment in the freezer on trays overnight. The next morning he pulls them off and chucks them into boiling water and fishes them out with a big spoon strainer. While they are still wet he shakes their preferred toppings on, lets them rest a moment, flips them (it’s his secret so the toppings adhere better), and then puts them on a piece of parchment paper over a semolina dusted peel. He then shakes the whole thing into the oven and reaches deep onto the hot baking stones to arrange them to his liking. They bake, then rest on a rack, and then call to me – I love a fresh bagel. Another J came by and we discussed the merits of crunch versus chew…deep topics of bagelness.
Scene Three: Walking along the path above the river, we watch a pair of Great Blue Herons flirt. They don’t like me watching so they move behind tall weeds. An Osprey hovers above the Kennebec and we hope to see him catch a fish but he doesn’t find anyone to eat right now. We talk to the marvelous mushroom people, the friendly meat guy, our CSA guru, the cheese goddess – it’s a lovely market with a lot to offer.
Scene Four: The Peach and Me (wo)man the store while J does the Portland delivery. She bakes my favorite Rhubarb Tea Cake, we play a bit of boggle, and interact with lovely members and various customers. After our excitment the other day with a visit from the very friendly Gardiner Fire Department (no fire, just a sensitive gas alarm), we’re looking forward to a quiet week before we have a plethora of Summer events at the store. New goods (hint – starts with c and is good enough for me!), new books, and poetry readings! Fun things to look forward to.
Rock Bottom Homestead 