AROUND THE HORN

The image above is a fishing boat in Laos made of Vietnam war-era fuel tanks from U.S. war planes. It's a good example of turning swords into plowshares. Isn't it reassuring to know that we left the people of Southeast Asia some nice gifts in return for enduring our massive bombing of them?

I'm starting work on our next Space Alert! newsletter. Yesterday I sent emails out to various people asking them if they wanted to write articles. Now I have to start working on the bits that I will write and then will have to make the tough choices on selecting the photos from the zillions that I have to choose from. But once it is done and in the mail I am always happy as a lark.

Speaking of birds, my Baltimore Orioles are now 39-36 and just won a big game last night in Chicago. People predicted they would be the worst team in baseball this year but so far they are leading the league in come from behind wins. Last night was another heart stopper, a 7-5 win. I watch the games on the Internet. I only pass this on because I know you all care so much.

Leaving in a few minutes with Mary Beth for points north. We'll stop to visit our friend Maureen for lunch in Lincolnville and then up to Brooksville tonight for dinner at the home of artist Robert Shetterly. Rob has become quite regarded for his inspiring work to do portraits of Americans Who Tell the Truth. Tonight Rob, and another friend Dud Hendrick, are organizing a showing of the video American Blackout and we want to be there. I highly recommend watching it if you have not already done so. Tells the inside story about stolen national elections in 2000 and 2004 and at the same time weaves in the remarkable story about Cynthia McKinney's work to expose the election fraud and her own struggles to remain in Congress as she was over and over again targeted by the power structure for daring to speak out. Heavy stuff.

This weekend MB and I go to a wedding at the Cape in Massachusetts (our housemate Karen's son is getting hitched) and then we take a 24-hour train trip all the way to Florida on June 29 so we can attend the June 30 memorial service in St. Augustine for Peg McIntire who recently died. Practically everyone we know in Florida will be there so it will be quite a party - and in true Peg form she insisted on lots of red wine being served.

Summer in Maine is approaching with alternating warm days, cool nights, and rain which our garden is enjoying. Our peas are doing well, my tomato plants are looking real good, and we have more lettuce than we can eat. Our short growing season is a challenge but people here love their gardens and it is a real tradition that when you visit a friend you must always first inspect their garden and lavish it with much praise!