Day 36

July 31, 2025

Hi! It's day 36, a rainy one, even a little chilly! This morning I woke up to no power, so I couldn't make my lunch (no going in the walk in). Instead, I grabbed a bunch of baked goods and opted for more of a boulangerie style meal. I caught a ride down to the Wharf with Alex, stopping at the store and the rope shed to put new signs on top of the ones advertising tonight's speaker event. In large letters on pink paper they shouted "TONIGHT" with a cute little sheep on each. I stuck one up on the wharf shed too, then stopped in to the barnacle, because when in Rome...

Turns out Rome was out of order (the espresso machine runs on electricity) so I took that as a sign to walk up to the museum. Today, I managed the whole day at work without using my computer. Why? The task was to make signs for the annual Museum Party Day. I cut sheep out of cardboard, painted them white, attached ears and ribbons, and began working on the text to advertise the activities. They're not done yet, but when they are I'll how a picture -- they're adorable.

My walk had 4 people today, three of which I knew already: my professor, the co-director of the Bowdoin Museum of Art, and a trustee for the museum here. The rain was at bay when we were walking out under the cover of forest canopy, but the moment we stepped out onto the cliff at Whitehead, it began drizzling. I really didn't mind it at all. I was surprised that we could see Black Head and Burnthead, because usually the rain brings obscuring fog. There were plenty of harbor seals down in the waters, playfully lounging on their backs in the rain. On the way back I could smell the balsam as we walked between groves of it's namesake fir.

One thing I don't think I've mentioned in this blog yet is bliss. Like, the concept. It's one of my most favorite feelings -- I think because it requires such a specific set of circumstances, which makes it so much more special when I experience it. I used to chase it, to try to seek out the necessary circumstances, but, as I've matured, I've realized that bliss comes when it wants. It's like, when you see a butterfly, you always wish for it to land on you. You reach out your hand as a supple platform for it to rest on. But it rarely happens. The butterflies only ever land on you when you're not wishing it. And that's what makes it all so much more special. Serendipitous, even. Bliss is serendipitous, and that's why it's so special for me.

Anyway, I felt bliss, walking back through the woods, smelling the balsam and feeling the rain on my shoulders. And it was special. I've felt bliss a lot here, and it's always been special.

Back at the Yew I showered then walked over to the schoolhouse to help set up for tonight's talk. Once that was done I went back to the Yew for dinner. Jorgie made pancakes of three varieties (blueberry, chocolate chip, and plain). I helped myself to a smorgasbord. I know my dad is jealous (sorry). He likes them with maple syrup, but I just split one pad of butter on all of mine. I returned to the schoolhouse for the talk, which was a conversation hosted by all three co-curators of the exhibit. They touched on how they discovered Monhegan, how the exhibit came to be, and highlighted some of their favorite artworks.

Then, I helped clean up and walked home under the cloudy and damp sky. Surprisingly, I didn't take any pictures today, but I'll add one of a gorgeous lichen-covered rock I found in Gull Cove yesterday. Ciao!