MeInMaine Blog

Author: Andrew Mooers

  • Maine Simple Living, But Still Not One Size Fits All Here.

    Maine Sunsets, Collect More Than One Weeks Worth.
    Maine Sunsets, Collect More Than One Weeks Vacation’s Worth.

    Watch, listen, read the national news and more often than not, summing up an issue, story with one size fits all application happens a lot.

    But due to the sheer size of our country, broad brush generalizations miss the unique personalities, backgrounds of everyone that is one of a kind unique, special. Each and every Mainer especially.

    Everything used to be local when small vibrant towns were the norm. And community spirit, trade done with your neighbors was the rule. But interstates, shopping malls, television and folks leaving the farm happened. Now eight out of ten people live in urban, city areas. So the bulk of our news is tailored, geared with a city slant mentality approach to stories. That approach does not make the news go down easy when you live in Maine. And it’s not like that here in so many ways.

    One size does not fit all.

    As absurd as expecting one national weather forecast to apply coast to coast, top to bottom. Unless the forecast is pretty bland, watered down weak and lame. Like “Today’s weather, expect periods of light with gradual darkness toward night fall. Temperatures will be what they are in your area and prepare accordingly”. That was helpful.

    Tallking Head’s lead singer David Byrne reminds “You’re talking a lot, but you’re not sayin’ anything. When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed. Say something once, why say it again?”

    Which because it is Sunday the blog post comes around to the right way to worship.

    Wait! This just in. There is not just one right way. And like praying, mourning, dancing, singing, kissing, cooking, painting a picture, everything reflects our unique personalities, characters. And the way we get “fed” with the holy spirit and strive to improve, tend our personal gardens and learn to surrender to self. Love, relationships are what matter most in life and busyness, pride are just two obstacles interferring with our intent focus needed to improve, enjoy them more.

    Mainers are naturalists that are inspired to feel closer to God in our unspoiled natural four season surroundings.

    On a mountain top you work hard to climb, or peering in a detached way out over all the waterbodies Maine is famous for, you can not help but feel closer to our creator. No words need to be spoke, you get hit with one awesome wash of powerful understanding just how beautiful life is. And how short at the same time in a humbling, not about you or me alone sort of way. Get on, stay on your knees in prayer, without ceasing.

    Gary Thomas in his book Sacred Pathways identifies nine ways to worship and being a naturalist to draw closer to your daily time sharing with God is just one. But there is not only one way to worship. Toggle his Gary Thomas video about different ways to worship because no two of us is the same.

    Discover your unique pathway no matter if you are a Naturalist, Traditionalist, Sensate, Care Giver, Activist, Contemplative, or a variation on all nine. Or more you add to the mix. The freedom to worship with discipline, but desire, passion means devotional time is enjoyable, a vital part of our every day. You and I do more of what we enjoy and finding, adjusting for the right fit means more than once a week for an hour worship has to happen. Make it part of your every day for life.

    Any way you slice and dice it, one size does not fit all.

    And just one hour per week can do very little to meet most people’s spiritual needs. I live in Maine so get to tap in to all the wonderful outdoor recreational options she affords me. But I am fully aware that most people have to look forward to just one teenie tiny week. To save up, savor, then go home and look back foundly at that seven days or long weekend a year in Vacationland.

    For me, one or two weeks in Maine would never cut it, not be nearly enough.

    Starving, thirsting for more Maine would happen not living here. And I need a steady IV drip round the clock of Maine. Infused with a never ending bag of multi colors hooked, swinging on a flexible pole with all terrain knobby wheels. To be able to explore her nooks and crannies all of my life here on Earth. As long as I can draw a breath, have enough marbles rolling around between my ears, behind my eyes to experience her one more time.

    Maine, if you’ve been here you clearly understand what all the hub bub, hoopla excitement is all about. If you have not yet, what are you waiting for? Maine, the way life should be. Used to be other places until all those people showed up to crowd out the small town, down home friendly experience of daily living. Be yourself, find yourself in Maine.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
    207.532.6573
    info@mooersrealty.com

  • When You Live In Maine, Everyday It’s Vacationland Fun.

    Explore The Allagash Wildernerss Waterways In Piscataquis County.
    Maine Yesteryear Locomotives In The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Area.

    Maine is a state loaded with chances to get outdoors, your limbs exercised and your heart, head, lungs renewed with fresh air, natural beauty.

    And when you are lucky enough to live in Maine full time or as a snowbird here for spring, summer, fall, options are numerous to consider for outdoor recreation.

    Don’t get me wrong about winter either.

    One of my favorite seasons and Maine winters are not spent on a couch with the channel clicker held high surfing. No one shivering, hibernation winters in Maine. Love to Maine down hill snow ski. One suggestion for winter is to tour the Allagash Wildernerss Waterway and the old dinosaur steam locomotives used in lumbering Piscataquis County wilderness. Snow sledding in to explore this by gone lumbering era west of RT 11 is one adventure not soon to be forgotten. And returned to again and again. More images of the middle of no where Maine iron horses.

    Or lombard steam log haulers used to yard out the timber from Northern Maine wood basket of fuel are worthy of study, your attention. The Patten Maine Lumberman’s Museum has exhibits to showcase early lumbering history in the state.

    And while in the Shin Pond, Mt Chase area northwest of Patten Maine, lots of other outdoor recreational options exist. Consider this partial list of Northern Penobscot County hiking, photo opportunities for never fade memory making with your family.

    For twenty two years, winter snow sledding trips were annual events to Bowlin Pond, the Mattagamon area around Hay Lake, the north entrance to Baxter State Park.

    Learn more about Maine flatwater kayak paddling, canoeing in this and other regions of Vacationland.

    Get In The Water, Make Traditions, Do It Again And Again In Maine Video.

    White Water Rafting The Dead River Video

    Plan to white water raft the Kennebec, Penobscot, Dead Rivers in Maine.

    Find a partner who loves adventure. It is a blast, something the boat load of family and friends will never forget. Make it a tradition. Have a son in Maine leading boats for Northern Outdoors this summer, another one in Colorado doing the same on the Arkansas, Colorado Rivers. Get off that couch, don’t waste daylight, life.

    Maine, she is some kind of natural beautiful, unspoiled. A tad unpredictable. Anything but, never ho hum. Get places where few do and hear yourself think. Spend some time in ME. The way life should be.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
    207.532.6573
    info@mooersrealty.com

  • Maine | Keep A Child’s Heart With A Grown Ups Head.

    Simple, single minded, affectionate and teachable … you and I were all kids once and hopefully still are in
    Kids Raised In Maine Do Well Because The Right Ingredients Go In Bring Them Up.
    Maine Is The Place To Raise Kids, A Family Because We Keep It Real, Simple.
    some ways in your heart.

    A child’s imagination has no limits, no concerns about mortgage payments, whether the car’s oil is overdue for a change. The little details that can clutter and detract from a person’s quality of life is not a concern to a young child.

    Have fun, be kind and considerate and sensitive to others are qualities most young kids have unless spoiled, taught otherwise. As a parent, backing off and watching kids work out a problem on their own is a powerful experience. They have much more natural goodness inherit in them than we often realize until put to the test. Kids are very resilient and ones raised in Maine deserve more credit because not just the parents are involved in shaping them for the real world.

    Picked up the youngest child Elliot at the Portland Maine jet port last night and back home to help pack the Honda to get him to his summer job today.

    Leading groups rafting the Dead River and living at the Sterling Inn is his employment experience until heading back to Colorado Springs for his final year of college next fall. His older brother Alex is off on his own after college graduation. Also rafting for a job on the Arkansas and Colorado Rivers until Arapahoe A Basin ski area opens up again this winter.

    The youngest daughter Amanda lives in Boston. The oldest sister Elizabeth in New York City and off to Costa Rica for a few months to immerse in Spanish to become more fluent to tie in with her job, continuing education pursuits. I’m proud of graduated step daughters Keegan and Lindsay’s accomplishments who live in Maine too. That all six grew up in Maine. Learning from picking potatoes, having lots of folks in the village besides just family help shape them. To pitch in, aid to define their purpose, talents, skills for life survival. They are all good kids that are grown up but hopefully keep that youthful, child like spirit needed to have quality of life, joy, happiness, contentment.

    Elliot is a thinker, philosopher and tender hearted. Conversations with just he and I are always spirited, engaging, flushing out lots of wisdom to chew on. His grandparents helped all the kids see the bigger picture in life. To enjoy, glean and enjoy the ride of life’s short journey. They helped add so much to all the kid’s childhoods to prepare them for their lives. And I have no doubt all the kids will be good parents someday and help shape their young minds in the same manner.

    Elliot said you could tell on the flight back from Colorado when you were getting closer to Maine.

    The last “puddle jumper” smaller plane from Philadelphia to Portland had more animated people on board. Friendlier, chatting it up. He said he always feels the cabin of passengers on that last smaller plane is more at ease. Opening up and not so too into themselves self contained or rushed. Like the larger airport ticket holders become that are used to a fast pace, crime, being rushed to and fro with such a sense of urgency or impersonal disregard to others around them.

    I told him that is why I wanted the kids to be raised in Maine. People wave, hold doors open, make eye contact, pitch in volunteering in their local small town proud communities. They care about others and are not so self contained. Not just out to take care of number one. No matter what the expense. Mainers are God fearing, respectful, hard working and aware how important keeping it simple is. That outdoor natural living is part of the spiritual experience of worship. Where you get answers to twists and turns, rises and dips in the road of life along the way.

    Money in Maine is not used to impress.

    Maine is not a state flush with cash anyway. Swanky, costly purchases or extravagant maneuvers to call attention to yourself is not the insecure game of keeping up with the Jones. Or trying to set the pace, to be the Jones in Maine. If a person needs to be center spotlight important and noticed, they quickly move away to the bright lights, big city. C.S. Lewis was right. Too much pride in life is a bad thing. Because a real Mainer is less showy, more behind the scenes doing the right thing for others. Without need to have anyone know the act of kindness. The concern for others less fortunate or just needing a friend. Someone to listen. To be there when they are struggling, confused, sick, or just lonesome.

    A real Mainer is more aware and strives to keep their life simple. The ornaments that some collect to define themselves materially are stripped away. Replaced with natural gems of our many lakes, rivers, miles of rugged rock bound sea coast line where the real value of life is found. Maine is outdoors all four seasons.

    I am proud of all the kids I was lucky to be able to help guide, educate, enjoy for the brief stint they are small, growing up, under the same roof. You have to let them go and start their lives. And at the same time, have lots of freed up opportunities alone to add to my own new life adventures. With all that Maine and her outdoor drop dead natural beauty provides. I am so lucky to live in Maine full time. And not have to settle for one or maybe two weeks a year like out of staters have to get by with on just vacation visits. Maine, don’t stay away too long.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

    207.532.6573
    info@mooersrealty.com

  • Maine, Move Here To Get Back What You Used To Enjoy.

    Maine Family Outings Any Of The Four Seasons. Get To Maine.
    Life Is A Journey, Take The Family On A Winter Maine Snowsled Trip.

    Small town living, Maine is famous for down to earth real genuine people that care about each other.

    Many out of state Maine real estate buyers repeat the same regret. The nice little town they used to live in is not any longer out of state. What happened? Simple. Too many people moved in.

    Because Maine is a tad up the Interstate 95 in the right hand corner of the country, our location almost in Canada means insulation from over crowding. Small Maine towns are tighter, special, more home grown too. Because it is up to us to pitch in, volunteer to step up and do our part.

    Making Music In Small Town Maine Community Band Video.

    Fresh Veggies Home Grown, Locally Raised Farmer’s Market Video.

    Mainers are more involved, aware of the people around them.

    And the four season natural beauty we enjoy year round, not just sample one week a year in Vacationland means we are grateful. In our right place and know it.

    I am some kind of happy that my kids were raised in a small town atmosphere where the entire village has a hand in raising them. We rely, can depend on each other. Everyone has a purpose, talent, skills and raises their hand to throw their weight in to local community events.

    Community, civic club, school and church service are a given when you live in Maine.

    A state not flush with cash to hire what needs doing to create the local flavor. But Maine individuals coming forward to whole heartedly do their part for the greater good. That is selfless which society is not so prone to be these days of “it’s all about me”.

    Maine has lots of beautiful adjectives to describe her. But family, local home town proud is the real sparkle on the natural gem. If you live here, compare her to other places, I am preaching to the choir. If you are in an urban, city area high in crime and expense physically, mentally, financially to live there, have hope. Don’t stop dreaming.

    Look over the images, photos of Maine and see why the setting of four seasons is one big ingredient for better living. Watch a few Maine local community video events and meet, hear from the people. And the cherry on top besides 4th lowest crime state, 46th lowest for FSSR, is low cost real estate.

    Are you ready to take the step in relocation, moving to Maine or owning a piece for vacation recreational use? Can help you out in that regard. Maine, I am a personal fan like everyone who lives here. Get here quick as you can.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
    207.532.6573
    info@mooersrealty.com

  • Special Times Spent With One Maine Kid At A Time.

    Spending Time With Your Kids After They Grow Up And Out.
    Maine Ski Trips, Easy Way To Stay In Touch, Enjoy Your Kids After They Grow Up And Out.

    There is nothing like a quiver full of kids, children to enrich your life when you live in a rural state like Maine.

    Activities outdoors, all four seasons are the norm for Maine family living. I had the priviledge to be blessed with four kids, two step children. All unique, special, individual just like you and me.

    Group trips to Akron Ohio for soap box derby racing’s World Series of downhill excitement were special the two times we all went west. Ski trips here and there. Cruise vacations with a boat bobbing on blue green water were fun with a bunch of kids too.

    But one at a time events with your kids.

    Where the child does not have to share you or take turns. Having you, plus you them, all to yourself is needed too.

    Today on the ride in to the real estate office from the lake I thought of oldest daughter Elizabeth. And just she and I jumping in a white Jeep when she was five. And heading to Beaver Cove Marina in Greenville to fetch a boat that was bought over the phone. Needing to be picked up.

    I texted her this morning and asked her if she remembered the trip. She lets me know what is happening where she lives in NYC with back and forth text communications. A call once in a while.

    Or the time just she and I went to her Mom’s brother’s wedding in The Forks.

    Because her Mom was not able to travel, had to stay home and due to have enough child soon. The child being the center of all your attention is healthy, special.

    Riding a Maine ski lift talking to just one or two of the kids due to seating. Or one child having to stay home due to last minute sickness. And shuttled to the farm for expert care from Nurse Nana. The trip not canceled, but one member missing the outing due to illness. With the show going on without them.

    Had one of those ski trips to Rangley Lake to swish swish down Saddleback Mountain.

    Where Elliot, the youngest had to bow out due to the flu that arrived just as we loaded him in to the jeep. Ready to leave the driveway when oh oh, here comes breakfast. Again.

    Building one soap box derby car at a time in the basement with each kid. Teaching them about allen wrenches, steering turn buckle cables, washers, nuts and bolts. Then guiding each down the lanes, advising as Mr Goodwrench for support.

    Or even spending time in the hospital waiting room while a bottle of vital Vitamin B mixture is IV pole dripped in to another step daughter. While watching a movie or delivering a pizza, something to eat.

    Or walking between little league fields to juggle two baseball games with different kids not on the same teams.

    Not on the same level of games due to age differences. Doing the best you can to attend individual games for hockey, baseball or basketball, soccer, tennis, track and field as well as group trips with all aboard. Helping find their first car within a budget. One on one. Trips for teeth brace tightening. To college campuses for tours on which one for the sheep skin.

    When college happens, loading up the SUV to deliver the kids to dorms, out of state schools becomes the new activitiy. Video those college trips, take pictures of cross country trips with just you and one child. As a parent, the teaching never stops to prepare each and every kid for the wild blue yonder. College experiences are the threshold of their lives on their own, not with you day to day.

    Trip To Colorado College With Youngest, Elliot Video

    Looking back before empty nest syndrome, you wonder how you did it all. But savor the times when lots of kids in the home. And many of their friends in and out growing up in a small Maine town. Enjoy your kids, one at a time, collectively. Finish raising those kids. Put them first and foremost. Video those college graduations. Keep taking those Maine ski trips, other family vacations. Make the time.

    Maine, the place to raise a family. Have kids with their heads screwed on straight and happy, productive, not with their hands out expecting something for nothing.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
    207.532.6573
    info@mooersrealty.com

  • Maine Living Means Being Good Stewards, Energy Conservative.

    Maine Living Is Simple, Powerful, Natural.
    Living In Maine, Unspoiled Natural Wonders Surrounds Us Every Day.

    If you lasso the guy or gal on the street outside of Vacationland, Maine.

    And ask them what does the word “Maine” mean, the short list would include unspoiled, natural, not crowded or over built up. Oh sure lighthouses, lobsters, the sea coast tourist traps for trinkets would come to mind. Mt Katahdin, hot fresh blueberry pie and Maine potatoes would also be uttered in the man on the street survey interview too.

    Being a good steward means respect for the land, water, natural resources in Maine.

    Protecting it, cherishing your Maine surroundings. Living a simpler life and with energy conservation, frugality in mind. Not wasting anything. Not because you are miserly but because it is living in moderation. Not prone to excess. Less is more. Having all you need, not everything you want. Being grateful you have anything at all.

    Henry David Thoreau appreciated life in Maine too. Was deeply interested in the idea of survival in the face of hostile elements, historical change, and natural decay. His valuable Maine writings also at the same time advocated abandoning waste and illusion in order to discover life’s true essential needs. Henry David Thoreau’s stand the test of time thought provoking literature using Maine as the creative backdrop for inspiration is available for you too. Get to Maine. Often.

    Survival in life amidst hostile elements and carving out a worth while existence any way without natural decay or expense to our surroundings. Thoreau promoted abandoning waste and illusion in order to discover life’s true essential needs.

    Thoreau did a lot in his short 45 year old life that included insightful writing, reflections done in Maine.

    To make people think about being good stewards. To not live in excess that clutters a person’s life. Robs them of precious time to enjoy the little things money can not buy. That are the real gems of existence on the revolving blue and green marble.

    The animated film “Why I’m Moving To Maine” nails it rather simply too. Man does mess up this Earth with the hunger and waste for energy to fuel life made more complicated than God intended. Strive to keep it simple. Always.

    Maine, only one place was made like her. Treat her like a lady. What are you waiting for? Sample ME. Get here quick as you can, as often as time allows.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
    207.532.6573
    info@mooersrealty.com