It's Bill, 7/5/26: Long Way Home

The Long Way Home

When we left the Marathon Finish Line on Water Street, I decided to go through the side streets of Lubec Village, away from the crowds. Departing through the library parking lot, we turned left onto Pleasant Street. We passed a lady peacefully rocking on her porch with a puppy at her feet. Had to stop—we love dogs! We had just seen an Anatolian Shepherd, and now a cute puppy!

Charlie, on his long lead, trotted down the porch steps to say, "Hello!" He was more interested in digging and playing in the dirt than listening to his mistress. The lady introduced herself as Mary and asked who we were. Bill, South Lubec, old Coast Guard Station. Patricia, North Lubec. Both of us wearing West Quoddy Station long-sleeve tees. Mary's husband, George, came from the house. We fit right into the Lubec community. We were invited to join them on the porch; however, we moved on.

Charlie quickly stole our hearts, happily greeting us before returning to the far more important business of digging in the dirt.

A Walk Through the Neighborhood

We continued a bit on Pleasant Street, then turned right uphill onto Summer Street. A good old-fashioned neighborhood, a relaxing mix of older, well-maintained homes. We saw Annie coming down the street from her home. She was meeting her friend Jess, both ladies from our Fit and Strong class taught by Teri. They were on their way to take care of Ellen's dogs. Ellen, the chef, owns Cohill's and operates it with Glenn, the best bartender, and Michele waitressing.

Annie said, "That's my house up there, the one with the three dormers." So, we hijacked the girls and went up to Annie's house. Wow! Beautiful, well-maintained gardens of annuals, perennials, and vegetables filled the front and side yards around the white house with its white picket fence.

Annie, Jess, and Patricia pointed out the plants, some with Latin names. I just listened and admired. Not moving on quickly, we eventually continued uphill on Summer Street as I pointed out friends' houses.

Remembering Friends Along the Way

At the end of Summer Street, we turned left onto Church Street. We looked downhill, and there was Gretchen's house on the right. We were silent as we walked by, each of us with separate and shared memories of Gretchen, our friend and Garden Guru. Gretchen had operated Cottage Garden on North Lubec Road, near Patricia. Gretchen built a new home at Carrying Place Cove, near West Quoddy Station, staying at WQS while building her new home. She quickly established gardens all around her new home, mostly perennials. Gretchen moved into the village last year.

Diagonally below Gretchen's, on the corner of Church and Washington Streets, was an old Cape. We could see the fine, established gardens through the fence. We went over to view the gardens when Patricia said, "Look! There's a man!" I said, "Yup, it's a man gardening in his garden!"

An Unexpected Garden Tour

Charlie, the gardener, happily got off his knees, followed by his dog Danny. Introducing ourselves, we were invited in to enjoy an impromptu garden tour, with his wife, Kris, joining us. We talked about Gretchen and how she had advised them with their gardens.

Leaving our new friends, we realized we had turned a 10-minute shortcut into an hour and a half. Smiling, we finally went home for a light lunch and a four-hour nap.

May every day be as good.

Our "short cut" became an unforgettable adventure, proving once again that the best days are the ones with no hurry to get home.