Dancing in the Lupines

Spring has definitely sprung around Mooseville, we might even be on the edge of summer. The roadside lupines are in full bloom right now and Mooseville couldn’t look more beautiful. Did you see the crazy fun clouds swirling around in last night’s sunset? Did you ever notice that the greatest pictures seem to happen when you left your camera at home?

Gardens are sprouting up all over the neighborhood – after last summer season’s wet sopping mess, I am surprised anyone is willing to try again. But, of course, I think we are all tempted by those colorful seed packages and the promise of little boxes of tomatoes seedlings. I did see my friend put in an extra row of Brussel sprouts, I think he is expecting me for dinner!

I wanted to send out a big Moostulations to all the students graduating this weekend! If you still need a gift for your favorite graduate, stop by and check out the new Mooseville store in Farmington. www.mooseville.com

One last thing…

As the mayor of Mooseville, one of my sworn duties is to remind all the Maine residents to vote next Tuesday, June 8th. Remember, you can’t complain about politics if you don’t vote! We will be voting about spending our money, taxes and choosing the Republican and Democratic candidates for the November governor’s race. So head down to your town office and cast your ballot.

The itch of black fly bites will continue for a bit longer and that trick about putting witch hazel on them does not seem to work at all for me. Any other ideas?

Have a great week everyone!

Black Flies and Swimming

I was amazed at the amount of mail I received last week after my blog about fiddleheads. So many of you just did not know about the joy of that special little fern that grows along the banks of the Sandy River, but be sure to get some quick because the season will end soon.

Well, in my quest to bring you new and exciting news from Mooseville – this week I thought I would mention my most annoying friends. A hint: it is black, it buzzes and bites. The Black Fly is a my personal nemesis, so maybe I was being generous to call them friends! He makes picking fiddleheads a bloody nightmare even for a moose like
me. How can somethings so small be such a pain?

The only relief I can get is to go swimming, so despite the cool temperatures, I took my first spring bath in Mount Blue Pond yesterday – too bad that guy who was videotaping me near the road missed it. Depending on how I feel today, I might just take a bath two days in a row!

I do love to swim, but the water is still cold even for a fury moose like me!
Someone just forwarded me an email that asks what four places do you spend money? Moose money does not have the widespread acceptance as the dollar, but I always love to go to the Mooseville store for all things moose and I can have a good snack at the Salem General Store. If you need it for your house, they are sure to have it all at the Phillips Hardware Store. The Star Barn Uniques store offers great gifts and treasures, most made right around the neighborhood.

Have you been to the new Mooseville store yet? I sure have made some great new friends in Farmington, Maine and every time I am there, there is new stuff to see!

Check out all the new goodies here -- http://www.mooseville.com/xcart/home.php?cat=150126!

Frenzy about Fiddleheads

I have been so distracted by fiddleheads that I haven’t written my column in a few weeks. Do you know about fiddleheads? They are a most wonderful little taste sensation that grows along the banks of the Sandy River in the springtime. Many have described them as a cross between asparagus and broccoli, but I think they have a special flavor all their own, but you have to be quick because they will be gone until next year sooner than you think.

I like them raw, but most folks cook them. Or you can pickle them, steam or sauté them with butter, it is hard to go wrong with fiddleheads.

Everything is in bloom including my allergies, but it does appear that spring has arrived a little earlier than usual. Besides the fiddleheads, Corey and I have been busy at the new store in Farmington. He has ordered up some great new products that feature my friends, so be sure to stop by and visit us soon.

I wanted to send out a hello to my pal, Luke who celebrated his 105th birthday on April Fool’s Day. He is one old dog, but he is enjoying his retirement! I know you like to see pictures of me, but Luke really wanted to be on Willard Scott’s birthday list and this was as close as I could muster for this year.

Have a great week of fiddlehead eating ahead!

Census Time in Mooseville

Spring is just such a random season, last week I was lollygagging in the sunshine and this morning I was surrounded by snow. It is that wet sticky kind of snow that covers the trees and confuses the daffodils and tulips.

As you could see from last week’s photos, I have been keeping busy at the new store and we are getting ready to open soon. But I have been doing my best to keep up with mayoral duties, as well.

Around Mooseville, we are currently starting our decennial(a fun new word that means every ten years) count of all the residents. The Census only counts people, but I am sure they want to know how many moose there are too, probably just another part of their current work. So I will warn you, Census workers will be out traipsing around in the woods over the next couple of months just to see where you might live most of the time.

I met a new little guy yesterday – his name is Poke. He is a member of the rodent family and he can have as many as 30,000 quills. You guessed it, he is a porcupine and despite that challenging exterior, he is a nice guy...as long as you don’t rub him the wrong way.

I also heard that they are considering a new sport for the winter Olympics – snowminton. I can’t wait to see what that will look like, imagine birdies zipping past your head, rackets specially fitted with mittens and the funny looking hats that players will be required to wear.

Until next week, stay goofy! Check out our favorite website -- www.mooseville.com

Busy Times at Mooseville

It sure was a busy week here in Mooseville. I have been helping to get the new store in Farmington ready - but it is really just a pile of boxes so far. The nice UPS man keeps bringing more boxes for us, but I haven't even had time to investigate all the great things yet. Even though it isn't open yet, I had a lot of friends drop by the store to visit.

I think people have forgotten what it looks like to see a moose wandering around downtown Farmington, but as Corey would say "Get used to it, my friends!"

Gifford's Ice Cream is open for the season, along with the County Delite in Avon. Have I ever told you about how much I love ice cream? My goal for the summer is to do a walking tour of all ice cream shops around Mooseville. I have got to help eat some of cones and really I need to help decide the question about which is best plain, sugar or waffle cone.

I am also looking forward to the new Gifford's flavors. Have you tried these yet? Butter Almond, Cherry Amaretto Chocolate or Chocolate Rainforest Crunch.

I want to say a special hello to my pals Em, Abigal and Alice.

Spring seems to have come early to Mooseville this year and I saw my first mosquito on Thursday, but we won't talk about that.

Have a Mooserrific Day!

Happy Spring!

The balmy weather around Mooseville is truly splendid! It might even make it to 80 degrees this afternoon, but it does look silly to have patches of snow right beside those daffodils.

Yesterday, I checked out the happenings up at Saddleback – pond skimming on skis and snowboards. It sounds like absolutely ridiculous behavior, but it was precariously funny looking too. I went with my new friends Diana and Wyatt and what a time we had. I thought you might like to see a photo too!

I have been keeping busy surveying all those mud puddles and can’t wait to start swimming. I worry that many folks still have swimming pools in their basements, but a few more warm dry days ahead should help them out.

Can we talk honestly about chickens! I recently spent some time with Marigold and her ladies in Madrid and they are working hard to provide enough eggs for everyone’s Easter celebrations, but really, I have been hoping to inspire Marigold to start writing her own blog. She remains resistant, but I will keep trying. It seems like there might be some crazy chicken adventures that we are all missing.

I have also been in touch with the nice folks at CNN – they definitely don’t cover the most important Moose News. When President Obama comes to Maine, he gets full coverage, but when I open the new store in Farmington and they will not even send the TV cameras for a live shot. Imagaine!

And this week’s biggest news, the asparagus is coming!

Have a wonderful Easter, Passover, or whatever you feel like celebrating!

Frost Heaves and Bagels

Hello Friends!

Can you believe this weather – spring has definitely sprung around Mooseville! I have been keeping awful busy lately. In case you haven’t heard, we are moving the Mooseville store to Farmington, Maine. Our new place is right next to Java Joes, in the old Hallmark store on Main Street.

I am excited to think that at least I can get a good cup of joe and a bagel without having to go too far. Unlike our old store – we are sure to have plenty of room, but it may not last if Corey keeps buying new stuff. Have you been able to keep up with all the new things he gives me every week to share with you? Well me either, but we won’t tell him.

The clocks changed, the snow is melting and I am glad that winter is coming to an end. It was a weird one around Mooseville and those folks down south in Baltimore and Washington got more snow than we did, but they were overdue. Sugarloaf and Saddleback are both still open for spring skiing, but mud season is upon all of us!

Mud season you ask? Well, I'm sure some of you city folk aren't sure what mud season is all about. If you have ever lived on a dirt road or walked down one in the spring, or have a dirt driveway, in Maine you would understand. Some of those bumps and ruts are huge! I'm not talking about those ruts in the fall either if you catch my drift! The frost goes pretty deep in the ground in the fall and winter and in the spring when it warms up, the whole ground turns to mush, almost like chocolate syrup! So just be careful if you venture this way that you don't get stuck in a pot hole or a rut! If you do get stuck in a rut - just check out Mooseville! It's always a good place to lighten your moose, oops I mean mood! www.mooseville.com

And we won’t talk about the frost heaves – what do you really need a car muffler for any way? See you soon at the store – it is due to open sometime in April!