May 5, 2024, Wells, ME- Lakeside Inn is one of those establishments that we used to call a Supper Club, in the ’60s. It still has that ambiance, though with modern, well-appointed rooms that simply lack refrigerators and microwave ovens, because, in the view of a proper hotel that is attached to a Supper Club, in-room food preparation is simply gauche. It also features special weekend concerts, which of course have another ’60s staple: A cover charge. As I was otherwise engaged last night, I passed up the throwback.

Lakeside Inn sits on the west side of Lake Quannapowitt, Wakefield’s anchor and a draw for tourists and locals alike. On the way out this morning, I took a couple of west side views

The main part of the day, though, was at Mom’s. Today, she mainly wanted to sit by the window, in the dining room. It was a Massachusetts version of May Gray, and unlike in southern California, the gray lasted all day. Still, she felt elevated, just a bit, by the bright flowers on the patio, just outside the window. She also noted the hummingbird feeder, set on a table on the patio. She was more her old self. Naps came and went, during the course of the afternoon. I even took one myself, while she nodded off, for about ten minutes.

She and I talked of my impressions of my siblings-all positive and of how I was facing life-with clear vision. She expressed amazement at what she saw as my “stamina”. I guess being in my early 70s is seen as an impediment of some kind-but I think when she was this age, she was still fairly robust. At any rate, she thinks I’m doing well. The visit lasted five hours, ending with her admonishing me, several times, to “be ready for tomorrow. Have food for tomorrow. Don’t eat junk!” Mothers never abandon their job.

I drove up to this comely beach town, nestled between York and Kennebunk, with a plan to re-connect with an old school friend and then to go on to a cousin’s house, in Boothbay Harbor, on the other side of Portland. Right now, though, I am nestled, myself, in a cozy room, in N’er Beach Motel, safe from the rain and chilly air. All that’s missing is a fireplace. I still feel affirmed.

Above is the house where my grandmother finished the job of raising nine children, Mom included, on her own after losing Papa, in the midst of the Great Depression. I have many fond memories of that house. It was fun to show the picture to Mom this afternoon.