Blue Hill, Blue Skies

posted by Mary Lello, Friday, July 24, 2009, 5:40 AM

We took Donna and Mark to the airport yesterday after 9 glorious days playing with them. Seems they took the sunshine with them, it's pouring here this morning. But our time in Blue Hill was absolutely, picture perfect Maine summer weather. Clear, blue and just warm enough without being sticky. We saw a lot of all the Jaffray's (they are family, just not by blood) who gave us the fabulous place we stayed in. Every evening we would all gather in the kitchen and watch the grand kids run and giggle all around us.

I got a bike ride in while up there. It has to be one of THE most gorgeous places to ride. Between the coves, views of the mountains on Mt. Desert across Blue Hill Bay and riding through the blueberry barrens it can be just breath taking .... well, the hills around there do that to me too!

We took the Gray's to Acadia and drove the Loop Rd. and then drove up Cadillac Mt. For those of you who saw the picture and thought we had climbed that mountain - we didn't. Jim and I rode our bikes up that auto road last Fall with some friends. He and I decided we would do that ride again .... and we really plan to! .... in the future.

Back in Portland we took a lobster cruise aboard the Lucky Catch. Our good friend, Tom, is a lobster man and started this business a few years ago to supplement the lobstering. It's so much fun and Tom is truly great at showing tourists what lobstering is all about. Donna was in her element on this trip. I think Tom must have the cleanest, least smelly lobster bait of any fisherman on the Eastern seaboard!

Mark took some great pictures of Jim while on this cruise. Jim agreed that he 'looks like himself' in these pictures. Might be the angle coming from the left side of Jim's face but still - he LOOKS like Jim again. And since I've always liked the way this man looks it a pleasure to see that face again.

So a good time had by all. Jim is doing really well these days but seems to actually be more depressed and frustrated. We watched a movie yesterday about a man who had a massive brain hemorrhage and the road back to recovery from this. The doctors in this film said that as "Jason" healed he might become depressed and this is a good sign of healing since he now has an understanding of just how limited he is. POW!!! This was exactly what I have been telling Jim so it was nice to hear that validated.

I get depressed too, though I'm not sure this is a sign of my healing. Vacations for me right now means I don't go into the office - but I can not take a vacation from my life. But I truly believe, in my very bones and being, that Jim is going to continue to improve and that our lives will continue to be filled with wonderful people, experiences, adventures and the love that we share with each other .... and all of you.

We are not out of the woods yet but we seem to have found some clearings. We so appreciate all your support and prayers.

Loving you all back,

Mary