May basket

After a visit on May Day at the Barron Center with my cousin, Betty Stearns, I had a surprise as I got out of the elevator on the first floor. In the lobby I was greeted by a group of young girls, and was handed a pretty May Basket. It was a gift from Hall School girls, made by them. On the handle of the light blue paper basket were the words, “Happy May Day.” In the basket was a pretty flower made from pink and yellow tissue paper, and pieces of wrapped chocolates. Also there was a small wooden sign with a flower design and the word “Herbs” printed on it. Also inside was a printed verse titled, “May Song.”:

Spring is coming, spring is coming,

Birdies, build your nest:

Weave together straw and feather,

Doing each your best.

Spring is coming, spring is coming,

Flowers are coming too:

Pansies, lilies, daffodillies,

Now are coming through.

Spring is coming, spring is coming,

All around is fair;

Shimmer and quiver on the river,

Joy is everywhere.

This basket reminded me that, when I was young, we made baskets, too. We filled them with candies and delivered them at our friends’ doors.

May musings

Isn’t it pleasant to be greeted with early flowers and flowering bushes now that May has arrived? Our yard has many purple and white violets in bloom, as well as a few dandelions, as well as lilies of the valley (soon), daffodils, narcissi, and several forsythia bushes, so bright and full. I also enjoy the many forsythia and magnolia trees (both deep pink and white) growing in yards, as I drive from the Deering section of Portland to Westbrook. I often stop for a minute or two to admire them. Soon the trees will all be leafing out.

Our son Tom has brought me some lovely mayflowers from Hiram. They are so pretty and dainty, with pink and white petals, and so fragrant. I used to find early mayflowers at the end of our property in Hiram, on the pole line, but they are also growing in the fields near the house. They really mean spring to me.

Making us proud

We were pleased to attend the April 28 investiture of U.S. Magistrate Judge John Rich III, held in the federal courthouse in Portland.

We have known John for many years, as his parents, John Rich Jr. and D. Lee Rich, have spent many summers at their home at Hannaford Cove, Cape Elizabeth. John and Harry Foote were classmates at Bowdoin College, were Japanese language students in Boulder, Colo., during the war, and our two families, the Footes and Riches, have remained close friends. We watched John III, whom we call Johnnie, grow up, along with his sister and twin brothers. He worked for the Perkins, Thompson law firm in Portland for 25 years, where he was an attorney. The firm ran an ad about John’s appointment as a judge in the Portland Press Herald, saying, “His service to the Maine Bar and the community has always been of the highest quality. He will be sure to serve the bench with equal ability and integrity.”

His fellow federal judges all spoke about him. Chief Judge George Z Singal gave welcoming remarks and acknowledgment of special guests. Speaking were Judge D. Brock Hornby, Chief Bankruptcy Judge Louis H. Kornreich, based in Bangor; Magistrate Judge Margaret Kravchuk, also based in Bangor; and Bankruptcy Judge James B. Haines. Also speaking was lawyer William Kayatta, who led the merit selection panel that suggested John and four other applicants from among 50 who sought the job.

John was one of the last law clerks to the late U. S. District Judge Edward Gignoux, as well as serving under Gignoux’s successor, Judge Gene Carter, now retired and among the guests. Gignoux passed his judge’s robe on to Carter, and Carter gave that robe to John at the end of his clerkship. It was that very robe that John donned (with wife Jo’s assistance), after taking the oath of office from Judge Singal.

One of the speakers joked that he expected John to grow a foot taller and his voice to drop an octave once he put on the robe of the tall and deep-voiced Ed Gignoux.

John certainly looked most judge-like once he put it on, and he delivered a fine speech of his own to end the ceremonies, before the almost boisterous throng of judges, law colleagues, friends and family repaired to the courthouse corridor for refreshments and chat.

Maine classic

Today’s recipe is from “The Maine Apple Barrel, A Guidebook to an Adventure in Good Eating,” published by the Educational Committee of the Maine Pomological Society, 1944. It was given to me several years ago by my good friend, Isabelle LeBorgne. Her husband’s name, Alphonse LeBorgne, was handwritten in pencil, on the front cover.

The book describes popular varieties of Maine apples and includes several recipes, including this one.

Apple Crisp

8 medium apples

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup flour

6 tablespoons butter

Pare, core, and dice apples. Fill greased individual custard cups or a 1-1/2 quart casserole with the apples, water and cinnamon. Blend the rest of the ingredients until crumbly in consistency. Spread this mixture over the top of the apples and bake uncovered in a moderate over (350 degrees), until apples are tender. Serves 6.

Ramblings