Anticipation tugs at us as we trudge through New Hampshire's January, February and March. We force spring to bloom a few days earlier each April so we can begin serious planning for summer in Maine.We spent two years looking for "The Camp". Just wanted something to compliment our love of nature and to accommodate children and grandchildren. The spot we found partners with a small Central Maine pond that welcomes kayak and canoe and offers wild blueberries along the shore. Each dawn the water surface shifts from glass to ripple as if cued by the chorus of bird songs. There is a resident pair of Robins along with Finches, Chickadees, Nuthatch and iridescent Hummingbirds. The Loons, Osprey, Heron and Kingfishers are elegant and aerobatic fishermen.The dock shadow is home to sunfish and perch. They practically leap into Maddie's net so they can be placed into a bucket of pond water, studied, named (usually "Sunny" or "Rainbow") and then released with the sincere instruction to "Go back to your Mama!". The swimming dock floats off shore and is, depending on your age, a spirited diving platform or a spot for sunny solitude.Rainy days are softened with 1,000 piece puzzles, coloring books and locally made ice cream.There is an annual contest aimed at guessing the date the first red tomato will appear in the raised garden.The town has a welcoming feel with church suppers, holiday parades and book sales on the library lawn.Adirondack chairs ring an evening fire hungry for marshmallows and laughter.We love summer in Maine. Last year we stretched our stay and returned to the "winter house" one week before Thanksgiving. I wonder if Christmas lights would reflect off pond ice?