I enjoyed writing this post a lot. It includes much that’s near and dear to my heart: a book about stories, a movie and its soundtrack, one of the most lovely towns on the Maine coast, and a thin slice of a typing lesson. What more can a guy ask for? To start, I’ll tell you that I’m currently reading a book called, Object Lessons: The Paris Review. I discuss it here. It’s an excellent book for those who love writing and short stories. It’d be perfect for those who are studying critical analysis as well as comparative literature. Or for those who simply like to read. After that, I discuss a Christmas movie called Last Christmas. Nearly the entire soundtrack includes George Michael songs, so if you’re a George Michael fan, it’s a must see. There’s a nice twist near the end. I also talk about our recent trip to Camden, Maine at Christmas and then I delve into the interesting world of typing. Do you leave one space or two after a period while you type? I know, I know, exciting stuff. I get into it in this post. Click on through to read more. Continue reading…
Christmas Caroling & Rockport, Maine
A long-time Christmas tradition seems to be falling by the wayside in many parts of the world. It’s a shame, really. Many of us love Christmas and the traditions that come along with it. If that’s true, why don’t more of us participate in those traditions? I ask this question in this post and I attempt to answer it as well. And after I tend to this rather serious discussion, I tend to an amusing story that you’ll be sure to love. I loved writing it and I’m hopeful it’ll strike the right chord with you while reading. After that, I discuss a recent trip to Rockport, Maine, one of the most beautiful seaside towns in America. I show off a few photos and share about our adventure there. Finally, I give you a glimpse into the latest winter wonderland this side of Maine has to offer. Early winter is just the best and there really is no lovelier time of year. Click through to check is all out. Continue reading…
Visiting Camden at Christmas
A long time ago, someone called Camden “The Jewel of the Coast” and that name stuck. I’ve seen it everywhere. I suppose it stuck for a reason – Camden is absolutely stunning. Especially in December when all of their Christmas lights are on full display. We enjoy visiting the Maine coast during the winter months so much more than during the summer. There are far fewer people, the air is crisp, and everything is lit up. Out of all the towns in Maine we’ve visited so far, Camden has established itself as a favorite. The people of Camden just seem to know how to do things right. The entire Main Street is so inviting, the small shops are full of interesting gifts and people, and a simple walk is as enjoyable as they come. You’d think the Maine coast during the winter months would be windy, full of snow, and unbearable. While that surely can be the case, it can also be the most delightful place in the world. I actually can’t think of anyplace better. In this post, I first share a few facts about Camden and then I show off the photos I took during our most recent visit. You really need to click through to see them. Continue reading…
December Maine Coastal Tour
A little of everything: midnight mass, a tour of the Rockland Breakwater, a simple and tasty recipe, and a story about some wild, wild weather. This is an action-packed post. Perhaps the first story is nothing more than a reflection or a recollection, but it’s still fun to read. The real fun begins a bit further down the page where I discuss our recent trip to Rockland, Maine. We experienced some, let’s just say…interesting weather while walking from the breakwater lighthouse back to shore, but that was nothing compared to the flooding we experienced toward the end of December. I’ve even included photos of some of the damage. Click through to read this post – I think you’ll enjoy it. There’s a lot going on inside. Continue reading…
The Beauty of Western Maine
I’m constantly surprised by the beauty of western Maine. When Laura and I first moved to the state, we really had no idea where we were going. I’ve said this more times than I can count – “We got lucky. This area is NICE!” And we did too – got lucky, that is. As I explain in this post, I’ve never stepped foot in the state of Maine before moving to it. We purchased our house sight-unseen (in person) and Laura’s only driven through, from bottom to top and back, as a means to vacation in Canada. So really, neither of us knew what we were in store for. Apparently that was/is lovely hills and mountains, lakes, streams, abundant wildlife, and winters that make you proud. Maine is chock full of natural wonder and all a person needs to do to see much of it is hop in the car and drive around. That’s what we recently did and the photos I took while doing it are posted inside. I encourage you to click through to view them. Continue reading…
Rockport, Maine
It’s not every day someone gets to roam around Maine’s coastal towns during the month of December. Most folks usually visit during the summer months. I have to tell you though, winter is actually my favorite time to get out and about. There are very few people to navigate around, the towns are virtually mine, and to me, the landscape just looks more appealing. Instead of the trees being covered with green, each and every branch and twig is clearly visible. It makes for some wonderful photography. And one more thing – because the sun hangs so low in the sky, the lighting is simply outstanding. In today’s post, I share a healthy 38 photos of one of Maine’s most beautiful towns – Rockport. It’s a small place and generally not on the average person’s radar, but trust me when I say that if you’d like to experience quintessential New England, and more specifically, Maine, this town is a must see. It screams harbor and white clapboard and libraries and churches. And the best part is that it’s nestled right between Camden and Rockland, two other stunning Maine coastal locales. Click through to view all my photos as well as read my commentary on each. Continue reading…
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, Maine
Of the 65 lighthouses along Maine’s coastline, the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse might just be the most interesting. It’s not the best looking lighthouse to be sure, but it does rest at the end of a very long breakwater. That breakwater is walkable year round and if you’re lucky enough to meet some wind and snow while you’re walking it, all the better. In this post, I talk about a recent trip my lady and I made to an attractive little town in Maine called Rockland. Before this trip, I’d never stepped foot in Rockland, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found gift shops and boutiques, coffee shops and art galleries, antique stores and even the well known Project Puffin Visitor Center – all right along Main Street. There was a lot to see in Rockland and we saw a mere fraction of it. The real goal was to walk to the lighthouse. We did that. How did we fare? Well, you’ll just need to click through to find out. I ended up taking over 400 photos during the day, some of which I share in this post. I think you’ll enjoy looking at the photos. I sure do. Continue reading…
Raking the Roof – A New England Tradition
Raking your roof is one of those things you’ll want to do early on in the season, before previous snowfalls have frozen and are impossible to remove. In New England, snow can accumulate on a roof rather quickly. That snow is heavy and it doesn’t melt very fast. Storm after storm can have a profound effect on the structure of a home and if not tended to, all that snow can actually have devastating effects – and by that I mean the roof can collapse. Since none of us want that, we rake. Raking is simply pulling a shovel type thing that’s attached to a long pole in a “raking” fashion. That shovel collects the snow and removes it from the roof. To see photos of this in action, please click through. For loads more commentary on why, how, and when you might want to rake your roof, again, click through. It’s not the longest post in the world, but it may just teach you about something you didn’t know you should be doing. By all means though, if you’ve got a roof that consists of asphalt shingles, be very careful when raking. You don’t want to touch those shingles with the shovel because they can wear away extremely quickly. Continue reading…
Surviving a Bitter Cold Maine Winter
When we moved to Maine in 2013, our first winter was brutal. It was, by far, the most extreme winter I had ever experienced, and I’ve been through some pretty intense winters. While living in upstate New York during the late 1990s, the temperatures stayed below zero for nearly a month. That winter didn’t touch the winter of 2013 in Maine. Feet and feet of snow fell and the temperatures were nearly intolerable. Things did thaw out, however, sometime in early May. Yes, we still had snow on the ground in May. I’ll never forget kicking it around the dormant grass in an attempt at making it melt faster. However brutal Maine’s winters can be, they’re still utterly beautiful. To appreciate them, all one needs to do is prepare and take advantage of what they have to offer. In this post, I share some experiences of our most recent winter here in the state and I share some photos as well. Please click through to read my thoughts and view my photos. Continue reading…
Country Farm Fresh Goose & Turkey Eggs
One of the best reasons to live in the country is to take advantage of all the farm fresh food opportunities. We’ve been living in rural Maine for over 10 years and I can tell you that here I’ve tasted some of the best and highest quality food I’ve ever tasted in my life. The fresh meat is off the charts and the eggs – well, the eggs are the world’s best. In this post, I discuss how I recently happened upon some of the most luxurious and downright delicious goose, turkey, and chicken eggs I’ve ever tried. Given to me from a real farmer. Yes, that’s right, a real farmer. Up until this point in my days, I’d never tried some of these types of eggs and I can tell you the wait was worth it. Now I look for them at every turn. They’re not easy to find – I can tell you that. I suppose I’ll have to patiently wait for the next opportunity to arise. Click through to read about my experience and thoughts on my latest and greatest egg adventure! Continue reading…