The phoenix always rises

There are just some days that sparkle even more than others. Some days that serendipitously become memories you will cherish as long as you can. I've had a few in my life and remember the details of the weather, who was there, where we were and the casual flow from one moment of joy to the next. Always tinged with love, these days are the crown jewels of my life and should be recorded so that I can savor them again when my memory no longer holds them.

I recently had one of those days and it started early on a friend's birthday morning on a small island off the coast of Portland, Maine. Coffee first of course before our party of 5 headed across the bay during low tide in our golf cart caravan. The neighboring island, Great Diamond, was hosting a fundraiser, bake sale, silent auction, raffle art festival. My first outdoor market since before quarantine produced on a patch of Americana homespun unique to small island communities. We shopped and bid and sipped mimosas and helped Arthur protect his position in the silent auction to win the blow up pool.

With the first glows of a pale sun behind the clouds which have covered the island way too much of the summer, the troupe needed to continue our island exploration and discovered a perfect little lunch spot with the yummiest cocktails that you can buy in 4 oz flask bottles to go as well. We nibbled perfect french fries dusted with Old Bay before hurrying back across the bay before the tide took away our path.

I am re-thinking some of my gulf coast seafood snobbery and have to admit the local seafood we gorged on all week was some of the best I have ever had. Soft shelled lobster with plenty of sweet, tender meat, smoked mussels with mustard sauce, succulent and perfectly grilled swordfish, oysters that I have no words for and on this most perfect day - pan seared scallops in brown butter. And of course a triple layer chocolate cake with white chocolate buttercream icing (gluten free btw). And of course there were more cocktails and wine and ...

It is hard to properly end a day of such bliss but there is one that I know of - the lights of Little Diamond Island. Standing in the dark in the blue-white glow of giant balls made of twinkle lights suspended throughout the branches of giant ancient oaks, we remember a time past when we came upon a dance troupe who happened to have performed at a private event earlier and choreographed their own ballet against one of the most fairy-like backdrops I have ever seen.

And so it was, here with my dearest friends, awash in their love and support, that I remembered who I am - the phoenix who always rises.