In between showing Maine properties yesterday I was able to catch the start, the middle and finish of the Meduxnekeag Canoe Race in Houlton Maine.
This is what happened in case you missed it. Or if you were there did you make the video of the Maine river race? Can you spot your Maine canoe or kayak or the fan club members cheering you on?
The water in Maine’s rivers swelling and increasing the ride for those wanting to get on on the river or stream in Maine during the start of spring.
One more event to have an excuse to be outdoor in Maine any of the four seasons.
Maine, Disover ME and all she has to offer. The way life should be. Wake up, start the dream with all the great outdoor recreation right in your backyard in this state up here in the right hand corner of the country.
Maine Birds Hungry For The Good Stuff, Mom Out For Take Out.
No man is an island, although Maine has a slew of them off the rock bound rugged coast line.
And out in the middle of many of our 6000 lakes. In my job as a Maine real estate broker, I find many relocating or retiring buyers often cite getting away from people as the primary goal of the move. They enjoy the low prices of Maine real estate. But it is the space, the ability to get away from wall to wall people that is the largest carrot being south, chased, causing the move part or full time.
It is not that the folks that share this philosophy are anti social. Many are the most creative, interesting people you could ever hope to meet and learn from, share stories with.
But it is just where they used to live, it was becoming a constant case of who am I bothering today?
Or who is going to be in my face and irritating me today thinking, situation. Whether in grid lock traffic, worrying about crime and gangs, or just not feeling like you can ever get away to your own personal space place. New Jersey has 1000 people per square mile, Maine has 11 in that same area where I live. Alaska has one so harder to bother someone who is not right on top of you.
The older I get, the more I enjoy blunt, outspoken say it like it is people. No punches pulled, cut to the chase about what they are thinking. Nothing held in. I don’t react to them as rude, insensitive. Just keeps it simple when they plainly state what they want, hope for in situations, conversations. I respect that. But some would not. Saying they have no right, or well, I never and suddenly getting in to a huff, borderline snarky starting to happen. With lips curled and an “I’ll show them” vigor and borderline hatred brewing. Taking it way way too personal.
Misunderstandings happen from missing information, something left out that is vital, key. Or because of what we see, hear based on earlier life experiences recalled by others with versions that may not be close to the truth. Example, please pass the pepper could be interpreted from the other side of the table as “don’t talk to me in that tone of voice and demanding tone”. All I asked for was the pepper, please, when you get to it.
Expecting others to be twins, feel the same about life, events, other people in it is unrealistic.
And frankly boring, narrow, limited. Different opinions are healthy and how we grow.
And if you carry deep insecurities from something lacking as a kid like not being hugged enough, affirmed that you do have value rather than what did you do wrong now, it filters how you see, react to others. If you were abused, or spoiled or neglected, and learned behaviors from your parents like green eyed jealousy, hoity toity arrogance or just garden variety lack of personal responsiblity when things go hay wire, that adds another lense or two. To the process between the ears of how do you see the reality of day to day with all the colorful people we have in it.
Especially the people with purple ears, that get all their news, do their summing people and events up with what they hear through the grapevine.
Which sometimes is pretty darn accurate or hopelessly wrong from the get go.
In Maine you can do your own thinking, people respect others opinions but it starts with your own personal journey to be a better person. One who contributes to society, has purpose in the local community volunteering from as many worthwhile causes as possible to make a difference. Not for attention but because everything in a small Maine down is home grown not store bought. I don’t take another person’s opinion on what kind of place is that new diner that just opened up with the Maine seafood? I try the fried or steamed clams and let my own stomach decide if it is worth a return visit but reserving judgement until the honeymoon newness is over and all the wrinkles, bugs are out of the operation and it’s running smoothly.
Exploring, Teaching, Sharing With Kids What You Learned When You Were One In Maine.
With gardens, crops, the better the soil, the warmer the surroundings, the better the outcome.
Growing up in Maine is the same way. The kids learn responsibility, are part of a family, have a distinct role. Contributing to the the household day to day. Taught respect, being responsible.How to manage money, their time. Being self sufficient. Having a life with purpose. Contributing, volunteering in the local communities in Maine is all in the mix of growing up in the Pine Tree state.
I was lucky to have four kids and this is an image of Elizabeth Mooers, the oldest who loved to hike, be outdoors.
Being outdoors and not missing a trick with her brown eyes. Now she is in New York City, her younger sister Amanda lives in Boston. Both graduated from college in those cities where they now reside. The oldest son Alex is ready to graduate from college in Washington DC next month. The youngest son Elliot is close to finishing his second year in Colorado Springs. The two boys, youngest kids will be home in Houlton Maine this summer and I am looking for to their being home.
Family is everything.
Being in one, having one is the greatest institution, feeling there is. What makes it all worth while and where so much pleasure comes from over the years. Raise a family in Maine. Or at least plan to spend time here in Maine any season, anytime you can get away to Vacationland with yours kids, brothers, sisters parents and favorite aunts, uncles.
The Maine Soap Box Derby State Race Is June 18th In Houlton ME, Aroostook County.
On a specially engineered hill, racers learn the effects of gravity in two lane races. After each initial phase of a heat, the same racers swap wheels, re-race in different lanes. The best over all time of the two runs moves on, on the heat brackets. Hopefully with a chance to represent Maine in the All American Soap Box Derby Race in Akron Ohio.
I’m partial to the Maine state musical competitions with all the talent of Vacationland in one venue. Houlton Maine was a host two years running and I was lucky enough to help out as an MC for part of the performances. Here are some of the musical highlights of those performances.
Plan to take in a concert in Maine this spring and summer.
And if you are lucky enough to live here in Maine, become involved in the nearest local community chorus and band program.
Making music to listen to or for others enjoyment is one of the greatest pleasures and a healthy life habit. Come on, it’s summer in Houlton Maine and McGill’s Community Band is set up in the park, it’s must be thursday night. Music makes you hum, sing, tap your fingers, lift your toe and smile, feel good. Which concert are you chasing tickets for, excited about attending in Maine?
Sunday in Maine is supposed to be set aside to count your blessings, relax with family, remove your nose from being pressed tightly to the grindstone.
To take a deep breath, reflect on how you are doing to be a better person helping others around you where you live. And thinking of those far far from where you lay your head down at night. Awareness. We all have room for improvement but most would get an “A” for trying. Our hearts in the right place with our daily efforts around the blue and green marble.
In Maine, there are many places that feel spiritual, special and where we gravitate to often to listen and learn. It is not just under a steeple, inside where pews are lined up like rows of Christian soldiers on Sundays. Or prayer meetings on Wednesday nights. Climbing Mount Katahdin with the kids, skiing down any size Maine mountain, can put you in that place. Heading out on to a bottle smooth, calm Maine lake at 5 AM in the morning as the sun comes up is another setting ripe for that same connection. So can watching Maine wildlife from lake loons to white tail deer and bald eagles soaring over head scanning for lunch below.
Working hard on a Maine farm to get the hay in before those black threatening clouds roll in, open up and ruin the cutting you just baled. Struggling with tractor problems, baler glitches. But then closing the barn doors tightly.
The Maine hay crop all in where it is nice and dry.
Safe and secure just as the hard, increasing force pelting rain drops violently begin the attack on the barn metal roof. Just in time. There is an awareness, a closeness to what matters and giving credit where it is due. To God and community, your parents who shaped you. And for just being in your special place on earth every day in a rural off the beaten path state like Maine. We all consider ourselves very fortunate, lucky, grateful to live in Maine. And we are. It is not like this every place.
Today’s sermon is about gratitude. Being grateful is being rich.
My Mom, Dad preached it often, reminding their four boys that gratitude is riches. It is a life long adapted, perfected habit or skill that no matter how bleak or dire, something good comes out at the end of the personal or family or community storm.
And when everything goes your way and you are singing inside, happy radiated so loudly everyone knows for miles around without you uttering a word, telling them, you don’t take personal credit. And are humbled, aware that life has twists and turns but this is one scenic turnout to enjoy, bask in, reflect over. Maine has lots of “scenic turn outs”. Internal and external “photo opportunities“.
Everything happening with casual speed is how most folks lives play out. All the events, one by one unfolding, arriving, playing out right on time. The way they are suppose to day in and day out. If you are lucky to have been blessed with kids, live in a state and town that gives you a sense of purpose, you are fortunate. It is not about you, it is about others and being grateful for all you do have. I am a personal fan of Maine and love where I live. I think you would be happy here too. Here are some options on breaking off a chunk of Maine for your own. Get here quick as you can.
