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When Common Ground comes around, you know it must be fall in Maine. An annual event, it is sponsored by Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association, the mission of which is to educate about and advocate for organic agriculture, illuminating its interdependence with a healthy environment, local food production, and thriving communities.
From all over the state tens of thousands come to Unity to experience Common Ground.
Believe me, there is something for everybody be it tents promoting social justice
or informing people about available services in Maine
or offering demonstrations of every kind.
Tired feet? That can be helped by a few moments of reflexology.
Hungry? There is vendor after vendor serving all kinds of food, organic of course!
For me, where there is the hardest time resisting temptation are the tents offering handmade goods ranging from pottery
to homemade edibles
to a variety of wearables.
The fiber tent is one where I like to touch and feel.
Many of the yarns are hand spun and dyed, two things I never got into. The woven pieces I create don’t lend themselves to wool, but seeing all these beautiful yarns made me want to take up knitting! Can’t you just imagine what could be done with such a selection of colors?
Keep in mind that Common Ground is about organic farming so it’s a good time to stock up on produce. I so admire those who’ve dedicated themselves to working the land. Their fresh from the field fruits and vegetables have given me new appreciation for what really good is.
With all the displays and presentations, you’d think that would be enough, but there’s another thing that makes Common Ground such fun and that’s people watching. A whole new definition of styles exists, but, you know, that’s one of the things that makes Maine such a unique place.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
Because we were close to Notre Dame, we passed by several times a day. 
It was impossible to resist taking photos from every angle and at different hours.
Crazy as it seemed, we realized we’d never been inside, so one morning, with there seeming to be no waiting crowd, we went in. To say the least it is an impressive structure causing me once again to marvel at the ability to create and build that existed centuries ago.
Looking around at the people snapping selfies, I couldn’t help but wonder if they were more interested in capturing themselves in the building than in studying its grandeur.
Close by is Sainte Chapelle, one of my favorite places in Paris. There was no way I could pass by without going inside to again experience its dramatic beauty. 
Seeing the majesty of it and Notre Dame made me appreciate the courage of those who disobeyed Hitler’s orders to destroy Paris.
With those two visits behind, the remainder of our experience was exploring, primarily Ile de laCite and Ile Sainte- Louis.
I so enjoyed the characters on the street.
No matter the act, I can’t imagine the euros earned are enough to provide more than a meager livelihood.
What I liked best about walking the streets was capturing unposed versions of people doing what they do.
It might be a child finding a new friend on a playground
or two friends enjoying the sunshine while walking the dog
or a couple sharing a special moment at a sidewalk cafe.
In the dark of night Paris is aglow.
and a smaller version of the Statue of Liberty stands proud on the banks of the Seine. I had no idea that existed, but it makes sense as Lady Liberty was a gift to the U.S from France.
This is a good example. Though I did capture the moment, there is no story and the result is little more than an attractive couple taking a selfie. 
As I explored Paris streets, Peter Turnley’s reminder that life gives us pictures kept ringing in my head. More often than not the pictures involve people, and it is important that the photo be authentic, not posed. 
If people notice you pointing a camera, especially one with a big lens, in their direction, they may shy away. Asking permission, establishing a rapport before snapping away is a good idea. That can be a bit tricky, so it requires some doing to become confident making the ask to a perfect stranger. Once you are comfortable, however, the other person relaxes and, in some cases, rather likes the idea of being your subject. 
Showing the result of your photo gets a very positive response, and don’t be surprised if you are asked to share it. In that case, Turnley suggests that having a card with your name and email address is a handy way of dealing with the request. That puts the ball for remembering to follow through in the other person’s court.
Turnley emphasized having photos include a sense of place. As I reviewed my pictures, I began to see what that meant. Here, for example, it’s obvious the performer has drawn a crowd, but there is nothing that tells more.
The second photo is more successful as the buildings and street lights hint at place. I had to do a bit of body bending to get it all in which happens to be another challenge of street photography. Standing erect and shooting straight on just doesn’t always work.
Turnley suggests making pictures horizontal as more of the story can be presented in that format. He strongly advises framing the picture so that what you get requires minimal cropping. Talk about a challenge!
Whether to have your pictures in color or black and white is a personal choice. The difference, according to Turnley, is that color is rooted in present reality whereas black and white removes a bit of that.
My takeaway from a week of attempting street photography is that it takes a lot of practice and a keen observant eye. It also requires you to step outside your comfort zone and rely more on your own ability rather than on the camera’s capability. Remember, the camera is only a tool. What you do with it is what matters.
Where to begin describing what was an intense and fun filled experience? Thanks to an opportunity provided by Maine Media Workshop I traveled to Paris for a few days to focus on street photography with Peter Turnley. Now, that name may not be familiar to you, but chances are you’ve seen his work on the cover of Newsweek where it has appeared 43 times or on a Sixty Minutes segment featuring him and his twin brother, also a photojournalist. Peter is recognized as one of the world’s best, and he is also a renowned street photographer splitting time between Paris and New York when he is not traveling to one place or another.
So, what does it mean to take a workshop with Peter? Knowing his credentials, I thought learning from him might be a bit intimidating. Not so. Peter is not only interesting but interested in the people he teaches. He is warm and approachable, qualities which show in his work. Most importantly, he provides positive critiques that give clues how to improve.
What I focused on this week was seeing.
That meant walking with my head up paying attention to all that was around me.
I had my camera ready to fire away in an instant so as not to miss the moment.
I attempted to find a story in what I saw through the camera’s lens.
Most importantly, I tried to own the idea that I am a photographer which is a pretty tall order.
With those thoughts in mind, I hit the street remembering that, in Peter’s words, a camera is only a tool. What matters is what is done with it. 
Belfast once relied on chicken and sardine packing to provide its economy. Today, those businesses and the associated smells have been replaced with restaurants, galleries and retail shops.
Rockland has undergone a complete metamorphosis in recent years. When we started coming to Maine 26 years ago, we held our noses and quickly passed through. These days Rockland prides itself for being the state’s art capital.
It is home to the Farnsworth, one of the country’s best small art museums. It has an extensive collection of Maine related art, but the real draw is the work of the Wyeth’s: Andrew, N. C. and Jamie.
An exciting addition to the community is CMCA (Center for Maine Contemporary Art), formerly located in Rockport. Early on, some were concerned about its architectural style not complementing buildings dating back to the 1800’s, but that worry has dissipated and CMCA adds a vibrancy to the flourishing art scene.
As many charms as Maine has, the sad truth is that it is a poor state. So much of the economy depends on summer tourism, but aside from the coast there is not much to draw visitors. With dwindling opportunity, it becomes increasingly important for small towns to respond to changing times.
Like many of you, I’m crazy about hydrangeas, and here in Maine one variety or another blooms from spring until late fall.
The first to appear is the climbing variety. It does tend to take over if not groomed which makes my hubby crazy. If I don’t keep a watchful eye, he will attack with a vengeance tearing them away from whatever they’ve attached themselves to.
A favorite is the lace cap which starts blooming in late June and is still lovely as it fades away in September. These were almost lost as they were in the path of construction, but I dug them up hoping to save them until they could be relocated. Now there is a bumper crop!
This full bodied bloom changes from white to lime as it matures. It reminds me of my great grandmother’s house where outside the window of her living room was a hydrangea with blooms as big as my head. We called them snowballs and that is how I continue to think of this lovely.
Late August the hydrangea trees begin to show off cone shaped blooms that are first white and then turn to beautiful pink tones. 
When they have turned, it is a great time for gathering stems to dry for use in lovely arrangements.
How lucky am I to be surrounded by all this beauty right in my own yard!
It can begin with a kid’s toy
or a collection of sprinkler cans.
When the garden is blooming wildly, gather a handful of blooms and arrange them in a collection of favorite bottles. This is the simplest way to stage any tabletop.
Sculptural shapes are fun to use as part of a centerpiece and interesting textiles are great inspiration for color.
Seasonal creations can be full of whimsey
as well as reflect the season’s bounty.
There’s no time better than holidays for play.
Pull out those favorite things and let them star on a table.
Have a collection? Use pieces from it as part of a playful creation.
Even a serious table can be play as it involves bringing beautiful glass and china and silver out of hiding.
What is wonderful about creating a centerpiece is that it can be used again and again as inspiration for tables. Simple changes can create an entirely different look, so play and see where it leads!