Maine History Mural - by Christopher Cart

 We got to know Christopher Cart's work when one of his paintings of dancers was for sale at the awesom Harbor Square Gallery in Rockland, Maine.  Often of dancers, his paintings are powerful portraits.  We let our favorite slip past to our regret.  So when automobile repairs drove us to Augusta we stopped at the Kennebec  Capital Justice Center where the entrance to an auditorium is framed by impressive murals of scenes from Maine's history.

My favorite is the ice harvesters - because I know from my Peace Corps years that some of that Penobscot River ice made it to the `ais haus' on the Bombay waterfront - now a bus terminal of the same name.

Snipe '# 28,199

 

f/v Isaac & Colby, Friendship, ME

 

Greek traditional wooden boat builders a dwindling craft

Greek traditional wooden boat builders a dwindling craft

by Elena Becatoros

DRAKAIOI, Greece (AP) — On the forested slopes of an island mountain, early morning mist swirling around its peak, the unmistakable form of a traditional Greek wooden boat emerges: a caique, or kaiki, the likes of which has sailed these seas for hundreds of years.

Each beam of wood, each plank, has been felled, trimmed and shaped by one man alone, hauled and nailed into place using techniques handed down through generations, from father to son, uncle to nephew. But the current generation could be the last.

Wooden boats are an integral part of the Greek landscape, adorning tourist brochures, postcards and countless holiday snaps. They have been sailing across Greece for centuries, used as fishing boats, to transport cargo, livestock and passengers and as pleasure craft.

But the art of designing and building these vessels, done entirely by hand, is under threat. Fewer people order wooden boats since plastic and fiberglass ones are cheaper to maintain. And young people aren’t as interested in joining a profession that requires years of apprenticeship, is physically and mentally draining and has an uncertain future.

KEEP READING

Heron at Heron Bend

 

Thomaston to Eastern Egg Rock

Crew: Paul O'Hara

 

Busy morning at Brian's Wharf

Brian's Wharf, Hatchet Cove, Friendship, Maine

Unloading `bunker' we call 'em in New York.  Catching your own bait helps the bottom line.

Barrels  of pogies today.  Back at the dock about 11:00 AM - the fish were near and many.

Jack Thomas - Globe writer - I have only months to live

 

A beautiful farewell by Boston Globe writer Jack Thomas.

It is attached - or at this link to the Globe which may allow you to view it there.

Of course he has a small sailboat. And a family.

- George

Robert Gould Shaw and the African American 54th Massachusetts Regiment National Memorial

The Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial

Boston National Historic Park, Boston African American National Historic Site

On Boston Common, opposite the Massachusetts Statehouse

 

Robert Gould Shaw and the African American 54th Massachusetts

Regiment marching off to war, Beacon Street,

Boston, MA 1863

Cast in bronze by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, unveiled, Memorial Day, 1897

"We would not have his body removed from where it lies surrounded by his brave and devoted soldiers....We can imagine no holier place than that in which he lies, among his brave and devoted followers, nor wish for him better company – what a body-guard he has!"

--Francis G. Shaw - son of Col. Robert G. Shaw, Massachusetts 54th Regiment

On Hyndford Street - Van Morrison - the only time is now

Van Morrison grew up on Hyndford Street in Belfast, Northern Ireland, not far from the Bloomfield Gospel Hall.  He listened to Radio Luxemburg late at night when contemplation is best.  He recalls Jelly Roll Morton and other greats.  Over the years Van has written many reminiscences about his childhood and growth in music.  One of the very best is On Hyndford Street.  

Of course many in Belfast grew up listening to his recollections of Cypress Avenue and the clickety clack of high heel shoes. This short film captures a rapturous moment as Van, marking his 70th in 2015, sings to his neighbors at a local music festival on Cypress Avenue. - GWC

Brisbane man Tom Robinson, 22, getting ready to row his handmade boat, solo, from Chile to Australia - ABC News

I love single-handing.  Sail, row, power. Always have.  I like being caught in storm, heading into a short sea///if there's a shower at the end of the day. So I've never understood the transoceanic single-handers like Australian Tom Robinson.

But he knows his own mind and has built a boat tha looks fir for the voyage.  His story follows. - GWC

Brisbane man Tom Robinson getting ready to row his handmade boat, solo, from Chile to Australia - ABC News

When Brisbane man Tom Robinson was 14, he woke up early for rowing training with a big idea lodged in his brain: He was going to row across the Pacific Ocean. 

Key points:

• Tom Robinson, 22, has built his own boat to row solo across the Pacific Ocean
• He will start from Chile, and wind his way home to Brisbane
• Some of the biggest potential dangers will be coral atolls and reefs

By the time he'd put the oars down that morning, his plan was already in motion. 

Fast forward to today and the now 22-year-old — who has completed his apprenticeship in marine craft construction — is putting the final touches on the rowboat in which he plans to make the epic voyage.

Mr Robinson hopes to become the youngest person to row across the Pacific Ocean, and will embark on the solo journey from Chile, in South America, to Brisbane.

"Ever since I was a kid, I've always loved rowing and I suppose I'm a bit of an adventurer," he told ABC Radio Brisbane.

Tom Robinson's boat, which he made himself, is almost ready to be shipped to Chile.(

ABC Radio Brisbane: Edwina Seselja

)

His boat is named Maiwar, the Indigenous name for the Brisbane River. 

"I grew up on the river. I rowed on the river. I built the boat on the banks of the river and, hopefully, it will return there."

Once completed, his rowboat will be shipped to Chile in October.

Mr Robinson plans to reunite with his vessel in January, before making his way to Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Tonga and, finally, home to Brisbane. 

"That's the plan, but when you're in a rowing boat, you can't always end up at the island you wish to end up at," Mr Robinson said.