Walking past the fields with my love, talking about our beautiful children, counting our blessings, so numerous...

I've tried, for the most part, to shy away from the political, but now I'm thinking it's time to speak my mind. You wanna know what makes me want to throw up? Pictures of so-called liberals protesting wind farms. No coal, no deepwater drilling--OK, I get that; but no wind power, because it ruins your view? Please. These same people, with their Prius cars and IPads and cell-phones, believe they're the righteous ones--but it's just a different flavor of the same old HYPOCRISY. I'm a hypocrite myself, I make no bones about it, but at least I understand there's no perfect solution. Everything we do is a trade-off--natural fact--and losing the precious view from Martha's Vineyard to save the planet, hmmm.... Thoughts?

The other day I mentioned my return to the day job. I love what I do, and there are moments at work when I feel filled with actual joy. Kids can bring that out of people--even tough cases such as myself. But I've been in the above-pictured office (I also have a larger attached group room) for 10 years now, and sometimes by Spring it feels like the walls are closing in. As you can see, that is nothing but illusion; the walls are closed-in from the get-go. Sort of reminds me of my childhood bedroom--but without the big oaf a few feet away.

Why would I need a flannel shirt in Costa Rica? Pop, remember that "offer" I made when Cara and I first married? That you and I sell everything we own, split the proceeds down the middle and move to San Francisco. The offer still stands--even if we do have to leave the country.

You gotta understand that Birch Wisdom/Wisdom in the Birches--it means nothing. Not even close to the original name I wanted, which is itself lost to the faulty memory. I'm sticking with BW, though, because Birch Wisdom is what it is. Remember how I started out with my Tao interpretations? What happened to that? Too much happiness is what killed it. All this sunshine and fun is not conducive to reflection. It's dreary and gray right now, though, and this winter, according to my neighbor Bob, promises to be long and hard (with lots of snow). So I'll probably get my existential groove back, which means you can all relax and stop pestering me for poetry.

We're on injured reserve here at BW. Threw the old back out trying (and failing) to start a weed-wacker. Well, perhaps we've overdone it a bit this summer, but we've been able to cinch the belt up an extra spot or two, so it's all good, as they say. Now, today, it's back to the grinding stone, the funny little thing called a day job. It's true, we were about ready to let BW die a graceless death, but when the Sweet makes a request, you better bet it's honored. So, photo or not, we're back!

Well, today's the big day in Machias. Yes, it's Blueberry Festival time. A couple of years ago ESPN showed up to film the blueberry pie eating contest (of which our very own Eve is a former champion). But there's probably nothing in our sporting history to match our friend Walt's breakout performance in today's Blueberry Run. He blasted out of the gate and crushed the competition in his division (Pharmacists from Cleveland). Now just imagine what he would have done if he hadn't eaten ALL OF THAT CHEESECAKE. At least he doesn't scarf down a chocolate coconut donut on a daily basis (Mitchell!!!!).

Late bloomers in our Rosa Rugosa patch. Jake goes back to UMaine tomorrow; Jessie leaves for Colby in less than two weeks; Eve's hobnobbing with the likes of Stephen King (buys his own cat food; well I'll be darned) and Cara and I prepare for life in the empty nest.

You know how I have that pathological car-buying thing? Well, I've owned my car now for just about three years--probably a personal record. So today this guy (shall remain nameless) literally just drops a car off in my driveway. His mother died recently and he's convinced that I'm the one to buy her car. Of course, I love the car (Volvo S60, if you're curious) but the fleet's quite large enough, thank you.

No, no, no: I've got to have it. So which of you followers wants to buy a 2007 Subaru (that's right, I'll secretly sell Cara's car)? You know what they say: once a used car salesman, always a used car salesman.

Today we field-tested Jessie's new backpacking gear. She'll be going on a three-day hike as part of her Colby orientation. You know what's better than being on the trail with Jessie? NOTHING.

Sorry about the long delay in posts. We at Birch Wisdom have just returned from our summer tour of Bridgton and Boston. Kevin and Jen have just purchased a new pad in the Mission Hill section of Boston. Although they're in the city, they have a lush garden resplendent with veggies and flowers. The place they bought is a former commune/squat brought to life with scavenged materials and purchased from the city for a dollar. Alas, Kevin and Jen paid a bit more than that for their new abode as yet one more hippie took the money and ran.

The day we visited Kevin and Jen's awesome new place also happened to be the birthday of the big galoot pictured above. The days when I get to see Max and Alice are the best days of my life. Let me also mention that Chris (standing behind Alice) had his birthday on the 12th, and we won the sweepstakes when we took him into the family.

Evie is now working at Hannaford. Yes, working. So, of course, we are very proud. And look at her: she even manages to make the supermarket polo look glamorous.

Our time in Bridgton was pure enjoyment. Richard is pictured with the Omaha Steak platter provided courtesy of the people at Birch Wisdom. Debbie is the best hostess in the world, but I do need to blame her for the couple extra pounds that were recently added to my formerly sexy body.

Happy birthday to my beautiful wife!

Piazza Rock. A young family was having a picnic under the rock, and you can make out the Dad's head at the bottom of the photo--just to give you an idea of the scale of the thing. It's like something Frank Lloyd Wright would have designed if he was God. A couple summers ago we visited Falling Water and it was a bit of a disappointment. You can't improve on nature was the lesson there...

Not to get political, but this plaque, on a big rock in the wilderness, brought to mind all that is wrong with our current system. It made me think about how my NYC high school couldn't compete with its suburban counterparts as far as facilities go, yet we had an indoor pool thanks to the WPA. Obviously this tribute to the CCC points out another lasting benefit of the New Deal, as the Appalacian Trail is a natural jewel enjoyed by thousands every year. But what will we have to show for the governmental response to the latest economic crisis? Junk cars (think Cash for Clunkers), used appliances and bloated bankers. Well, let me tell you how I really feel: we should have let Goldman Sachs and their ilk twist and die and funneled all of the "stimulus" money into the environment and alternative energy. That's called a legacy; but when the economy is an end in itself, that's short-sighted stupidity. Sorry about the rant and the rave...

How is it that when you climb a mountain it seems immense and wondrous, but in the photo it looks like an anthill with trees? Guess I really do need Max's Panoramic Head. Our trip was amazing, though, and Saddleback (pictured) was especially neat because you spend so much time (2.9 miles) above the treeline. It's just you and the clouds. We got lucky with the weather because I seriously would not want to be traversing that bedrock when slippery; as it is you have to do a fair amount of climbing on all fours. In all we climbed 10,000 feet on this trip. Not a bad day at the office!