The End of Summer

August has been a lovely month with lots of warm, sunny days. We spend the last weekend of summer at the lake enjoying 80 degree weather in September. Andrew came to visit on Saturday and talked us into a new adventure - paddling kayaks on the lake. Neither of us had ever tried it before. Here are a few pictures of our afternoon on the lake.

This is the culprit who dared us to do it!

Here are Gary and Louise out on the lake.

Louise, quite out of character!

The lessons on how to do it! We finished our trip to the lake with a real end-of-summer activity - ice cream!

The Quik Stop II in Ashland has not closed for the season! Here is a close-up of a baby cone!

I've never met a baby who could eat two full scoops.

As the weather changes, the activities of fall take over. We have harvested most of the garden, and have been covering the flowers as the first frost hit.
For Louise her thoughts turn to knitting sweaters. On Monday we crossed the border to buy some yarn.

This is the Briggs & Little Mill Store in Harvey Station, New Brunswick.

The yarn was selected, washed, dried, and rolled into balls. Time to start the Christmas knitting!

The yarn all ready to start a new sweater! As the days get shorter and cooler, the activity changes.

Busy Weekend

It has been a very busy past couple of months for the Coles. The month of September is starting off with a bang as Gary has an art show and we make a trip to King's Landing.

 Gary has become the artist of the month at Northern Maine Community College. He has over fifty paintings on display in the library. Friday night for the Art Walk he had a reception.

 Many people came by to see his work and hear his talk about his artwork. It was great to greet so many friends and relatives.

Below you can see a close up of him and some of his paintings.

 

People had a good time and we all enjoyed some conversation and memories. We want to thank all of the people who made the effort to come, and made the night very special.

Bob came up Friday for the show, and on Saturday we visited one of our favorite places, King's Landing in New Brunswick. Gary was able to find a couple of the people that he has painted in the past.

Here are Bob and Louise headed to the King's Head Tavern where we had a very nice lunch. They are modernizing the village, including modern food on the menu for the first time. Gary had a hamburger! We never thought we would see French fries being served in the tavern.

 

The quiet rural setting was delightful on a beautiful day.

 

Usually we have visited this place in the late fall, but this year we got to see the gardens in bloom.

It has been a great summer and we look forward to a good fall season.