Every summer a gaggle of women, usually six of us, spend the weekend at my sister's rustic camp in Woodstock, Maine for a couple of days of food, drink and catching up with one another.  By rustic, I mean no electricity or running water and an outhouse across the yard.  I am not a country girl, even though, as a child, I spent my summers in a log cabin on Farwell mountain with the same lack of amenities.

This year we met at my sister-inlaw's gracious home situated on the Damariscotta River with all the amenities and a clean bed for each of us (i.e. no sleeping bags).  We ate, drank and went shopping.  And I noticed that we all got along better than in the past.  At first I just thought it was because we are older and more settled (content) with our lives.  But I think now that it had more to do with the civilized accomodations and the lack of mosquitoes.  We ate dinner overlooking the river and all had at least one shower while we were there.

We were comfortable and felt pampered in the lovely surroundings.  My sister-in-law is a great cook and served us breakfast on the sun-drenched deck, again with expansive views of the river dotted with  colorful fishing vessels  and a variety of birds circling  above.  It will be interesting to see what happens when we return to our usual retreat in Woodstock next year.  I will no doubt have an entry for that weekend.