Original, raw, real, everyone wants the full meal deal.
Heck super size it. Why not? To make it better than the real thing as Bono sings. Because people are hungry for what is missing. Crave being entertained too. And to always top whatever seemed the greatest at the time.
That leaves many wondering somehow, somewhere there must be better. More. Because just not good enough for long hangs around. Waiting for the Fat Lady to sing. Hitting the high note of whatever is missing in the grand finale to stop the craving. For now. Maine Farming, Life Is Hard Work, Spent In The Rolling Field, Big Barns, On The Tractor.
Unhappy people become bored the easiest.
You have to be grateful first before happy enters the room right?
Maybe Maine’s magic is she is not slick, not hyped, not pushing and shoving for show. Not just a clever assembly of buzz word metrics that happen to be trending at the moment. That the herd chases in a cloud of churned up cattle trail dust.
Maine, she is not a follower or a sheep.
That in an era of constant change to search for what is missing, she kept some black and white certainties. Like flour, sugar, rice, salt and pepper basics. To create a rich, fulfilling life in all this unspoiled natural space. We have more than we need to do that in Maine. Kind, Hardworking People. Small Maine Town Volunteers Are Like The Fresh Tasty Fruit. Adding The Special Home Grown Taste To Communities.
Her location sticking up like a thumb. Off in the upper right hand corner of the country, almost in Canada helps insulate Maine. Not retarding her progress, but preserving the basics.
And from the grumbling sounds of city dwellers, it is contagious, a delicious notion. Not found in high supply or at all in crowded landscapes of the concrete jungle.
So back to the copy of a copy that NIN recorded. Machined, the tracks layered like lasagna in a pan for the 375 degrees. Big Pets, Maine Horses Are Also Workers. More Than Hay Burners. Not Just Pretty Against The Green Backdrop.
Waiting for it to bubble on top. Parked on that middle rack of the pre-heated oven. Stewing, simmering in a good way in its own juices tasty.
But still without hesitation marks, bits and pieces to bolt together for a new production. A copy of something that came before. With a dash of nutmeg, a twist of lemon. Whatever moves you wearing the white cooking apron.
Get away from the copy of a copy of copy and sample ME.
Refreshing, satisfying, one of a kind, genuine. Deep, not just skimming the surface or going through the motions. That is not good enough.
She grabs your heart strings by the hand full. Tugs playfully. And you don’t mind in the least as she whispers why don’t you cross that big green bridge to the south.
Maine, 11 out of every thousand people are involved in a divorce yearly.
Maine the state shows up, gets a score of 88 out of a 100 for ease of filing for a divorce. This according to a nationwide divorce review to see how the states all stack up in the USA.Small Maine Towns, The Entire Village Helps Raise The Children.
But what about the kids involved in a Maine divorce?
The Kids First Program has been supporting families of divorce since 1998. The four hour sessions, classes for parents are extremely helpful.
Input from others who have gone out into life after a divorce. The different stages of a divorce discussion from those in the trenches day to day helps those who have not done time yet avoid mistakes.
It is all about learning how to put the needs of the divorcing or divorced couple’s children first. While dealing with the legal, financial pressures of separation, post divorce adjustment. Any problem or issue is solved easier when you realize others are struggling with the same life transition.
Eighty percent of divorces don’t land or stay in the high conflict category. But the ones that do work through family problems using bitterness, bullying, fear and anger. Instead of logically responding to a situation, an issue, high conflict divorce parents just react instead. Emotional upheavals hurt everyone. Begin Again, Rebirth, Renew, Maine Spring Flowers So Up Right On Cue.
They are on a long difficult painful journey.
Like traveling fearfully through stormy weather into the unknown. Robbing the good times between parent and child. The common target to bull’s eye. For everyone in the family who sincerely wants the best for the son or daughter. Which at the beginning, end of each day is peace, love, respect and a healthy routine.
The kids especially that try to duck, strap on flak jackets but get caught in the not so friendly cross fire anyway.
It can happen because the angry, hurt parent is struggling, depressed, embarrassed, broke, lonely. Or continuing to bully, lie, cheat, steal or over power any way possible.To get the result they used doing it in the marriage. That fight for control that ended up causing the divorce. That put the transition into the works from household life on the rocks causing the shipwreck conditions.
So going with a knee jerk, think the worse gut reaction. The fight or flight kicking, over the top instinct that harms the children. Takes its toll in added stress, toxins for all involved surrounding the detonation. With parents who fall into the high conflict category of divorce using tiresome, harsh approaches to co-parenting. Of intimidation, cold shoulder treatment, sulking, dishonesty to discredit the other parent to make themselves look the better of the two.
Don’t alienate the other parent who the kids want to love along with you.
Communicate with respect. Keep it civil and business like. Avoid contentious transition times when the kids go back and forth from the two households. Make it a neutral “pass the kids please” location if you can not as a parent respect the other’s home. If you walk in like you own the place and nothing has changed since the divorce, the move.Raise Them With Love. Kids, Flowers, Animals In Maine. All Need Peace.
Respect the other ex’s space.
Their mates. The blended families. Don’t share with the kids, feel sorry for being alone, or get self absorbed as a parent missing your kids. But instead turn that corner quickly.
Making it an all out effort into creating the visits, the meals, activities, any time you do have the best it can for your family. So they can look back and have happy thoughts. Holidays, lots of moments with each parent to reflect on and adopt into their parenting style.
The kids of a divorced couple are watching, learning and can feel peace, calmness and a loving spirit.
Or live in fear. Eventually end up wanting to get away from the negative atmosphere. That takes two to create. The unhappy children ending up coping in unhealthy ways. Or simply distancing themselves from both divorced parents to survive the warfare.
Because the reasons for the marriage breakdown continue to circulate. Instead of adopting ways in two shared households free of the poisonous air they have to breathe. And taking it’s toll on their future relationships because they missed out seeing ones that worked. Sometimes the problem is the divorced parents don’t act like they are. Still relying on the other for mental support. Maine Is Outdoors, Wild Lupines. Summer Living.
If he or she needs support or to talk about personal matters, each should call a friend, not the other ex.
There needs to distance, moving on to happen. To establish, maintain boundaries that create the safe space the kids expect. The critical spouse becomes the critical ex, co parent for a reason that may have nothing to do with you.
Or one co parent continues the denial that anything that goes astray is because of their doing. Everyone has inside homework to do. Crack the books. So each parent can move on in life and love. And the kids can too. Don’t end up confused, stuck without solid ground. With only thin ice to stand or build on.
Living in limbo is like treading water long after you lose feeling in your arms and legs.
Cold, numb, all alone. Where in the dark of night all hope can wane, depression can germinate and fully blossom. Kids are not equipped to handle that kind of pressure or mind game battle conditions turmoil. They are counting on the parents to “make it all better”.
If there is a blur, or one is stuck and hoping for reuniting. Or just lack of setting boundaries for the ex, the kids to follow. That just adds to the confusion of setting the stage. For how life will unfold, the set of expectations crystal clear. To help moving on for the kids, for each parent in life after a divorce.
Grandparents, extended family, teachers, coaches, ministers, neighbors and the entire community in a small Maine town all help raise the kids. Take their turn. Don’t leave anyone out and keep it light, bright, upbeat around the kids. Our greatest resource and the most rewarding responsibility, honor any of us has on this Earth to be a parent.
Saw a blog post this morning from a Florida real estate broker feeling sad for anyone in a snowy climate.
I made the comment that no need to feel sorry. No sympathy cards to mail out to anyone in the Northeast, or with a white covered landscape. Spring Skiing, Mix Of Two Seasons Meeting Makes For Fun In The Sun Conditions.
Because winter in Maine is one of the four seasons. That we enjoy them all. And for proof, pinged him an image of Maine in winter. Here are a few more Maine winter images.
Folks don’t hibernate in Maine or hide out inside and wait for the calendar sheets to one by one get flipped or ripped off.
In fact, spring like conditions now, the overlap of winter with what is about to explode is bitter sweet. Because the things we do for fun outside in Maine change with the seasons. We have to let go of those past times and replace them with the new set for the one by one seasons that follow in Maine.
But one thing does not change. We are still outdoors most of the time. It is why we live in Maine full time. Why folks visit Vacationland around the year for those same recreational pursuits. More on the Maine weather, climate. Maine Living, Any Season, Winter Included, It’s All About Being Outdoors.
I guess it could be a reverse of seeing southern residents during a scorching, dry, blistering hot summer with no moisture.
And heat stroke like conditions where everyone hurries inside to be in space that is air conditioned. Chilled like a meat locker. We are extreme heat intolerate. Like Maine’s comfortable summer living. Like to work, putter, relax outside year round. And if the temperature was too hot, it would interfere with getting things done on the other side of the home’s four walls.
There is no poor weather in Maine during winter. It is bad layering.
Poor choice of the garments worn to match the conditions. But with experience, help from the locals, we’ll help you figure it out and get comfortable in Maine.
We crave the fresh air, blue skies, sunshine no matter what the season. Maine is the place with the space to enjoy it. Unplug, recharge and sample our pure, unfiltered simple living in Maine.
Out of state real estate buyer considering moving, relocating to Maine. “Things would be easier in life if I could get away from all these people.” Do you believe the bulk of your problems are caused by other people? That don’t always agree with your outlook on life. That possess a different way of sizing up the events unfolding around them.
Much of life is your reaction to it. Because it shows what you are made of or become along the way.Being Able To Hear Yourself Think Is Easier In Maine.
Maybe it starts with youth, over the top enthusiasm to be all you can be.
And when the one path you thought you were the sole marathon runner on looks well worn as you glance down. And notice that others are on the same one.
So don’t take yourself too serious, stay humble, be positive, don’t be cocky.
Let out the slack.
Easy does it and think of how fragile relationships really are. And need to be protected. Watered, weeded, fed to grow strong and last.
Keep your eyes and ears open to learn the things you don’t. About yourself, others, and how human nature rock and rolls. But blaming others for your bad behavior patterns. Maine, One Blue And Green Dream. Wake Up, Get To Vacationland.
We need other people.
They accept us, we let them be them. Black and white, see Dick, see Jane, where is Spot easy right? Blaming them when things go sideways is like lost faith. You need it the most when gale force winds swirl around you. Not just during fair sunny weather stints.
The calm before the storm. That happens pretty much right on schedule. With casual speed, ready or not.
The solitude of Maine not flush with lots of people does help in creating the space to collect your thoughts. You can hear yourself think in Maine.No Neighbors, The Wind In The Trees. Crunching Fresh Snow Bring In Some Stove Wood For The Fire Would You Please?
The knee jerk of reaching for someone to cuff up the side of the back of the head like Jethro.
To blame or chide or ridicule. Instead, be kind, be patient and often be silent. Until those thoughts connected to the end of your tongue become captured. Before the damage they can caused are released out into the conversation.
Blame puts you in a corner that is hard to get out of because it is unhealthy but justifies why you are there. The actions of another is the lazy way to run your thoughts. To control your actions. Avoid the stinking thinking and embrace the spring in Maine that is underway.
Despite the wise crack about mud season and winter. There is not bad weather in Maine but just poor layering of the clothing to fit what is happening on the other side of the kitchen window. Folks that work the day without a roof or walls, no matter what the forecast catch that drift quickly.Do You Have This Kind Of Natural Beauty Where You Live Now?
So spring, the best skiing, snow sledding happens on the tail end of a Maine winter.
We savor an old friend when their time with us is short. Seed catalogs, greenhouses, where to plant this or that is the buzz in many Maine households. As the red in the glass tube climbs higher.
And from budding and return of snow birds in spring, we leap into lush summer Maine living.
When You Live In Maine, Everything You Need Is Right On Your Back, Carried With You Daily For Skills, Talent.And the calendar peels off the pages. Spins nicely toward the brilliant explosion, second bloom of fall foliage in Maine. Land of four seasons. Not just the white of fluffy winter snow. We have no igloos, don’t hibernate or become glued to the couch in Maine during snow covered months. More about climate, weather in Maine, the nitty gritty details.
“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”
― John Steinbeck
“Summertime is always the best of what might be.”
― Charles Bowden
“When the sun gets hot and the moon gets hazy
good girls go bad… and it gets crazy!”
― Rachel Thompson
Find what you are missing in Maine where it all happens outdoors year round.
More space, all natural, pure and kept simple. Life is more enjoyable without the crime, the traffic, the billboards or cans/bottles along the highways. The layers of players pushing the pencils in regulations are missing in Maine too. Lots Of Churches In Maine. More Than Worship Happens In Them. Fellowship, Community Meetings, Counciling And Not Just Used Sundays Mornings.
Come for a day. End up falling in love, staying for a lifetime. She improves, challenges, inspires you this state of Maine does. Don’t stay away too long, or be such a stranger. Get to Maine, plan the trip.
Here is a a little help on places to stay in my area of Southern Aroostook County. We have hunt and pecked lots of other helpful blog posts on a slew of the FAQ subjects. Just reach out, connect and ask. Don’t swallow those questions about what is it like in Maine.
Anything in a Maine community or one of the sixteen county regions is stronger with grass roots collaboration.
Locally sourced Maine farm or fisheries produced quality food hands down strengthens the economy. Creating a diverse income stream to support all the other livelihoods needed to make the burg or village. To fund the intrastructure. To create wealth, keeping the dollars in the small Maine communities turning over, flowing strongly.Slow Money Maine Meeting In Gardiner ME Held At The Episcopal Church.
From highly creative, tightly run micro, close to home Maine food enterprises.
Maine farming that entices our young to stay in Maine. Not cross the big green bridge on the southern end. To do more than carve out a meager living. To enhance the uniqueness of the small Maine community in other ways. And assure there is always that small Maine town on the map. Not a last guy or gal out, remember to turn out the lights situation.
There is a shift from just you are what you eat, to how, where it is produced agriculture wildfire going on in Maine.
A storm of not just about sitting down to eat. But “feeding” yourself with all the other experiences your body, family, community needs in this short lifetime on this blue and green marble. Pitching in to create home grown not store bought to dine on in Maine. That like hunger improves the taste because your farm neighbor grew it, your fisherman raised it. Bringing The Investor, The Maine Micro Agriculture Producers, Co Op Vendors Together, Slow Money Of Maine Organization Meeting.
The small Maine town is not just a collection of houses, a selection of government buildings and downtown commercial outlets. It is the people. Each bringing talents in their skill set to create the buzz. To differentiate the small Maine community, to make it truly all it can be.
It is not just about for you quality food you toss down the gullet either.
Not fast cheap who knows where it comes from food, but slowly raised and cooked healthy local Maine food. Way more than just setting the table with healthy fuel to keep you and the family going too. It is an attitude, a philosophy, an approach to everything you do and teach your kids in Maine life.
I traveled to Gardiner Maine yesterday to hear several speakers showcase their local food operations.
To highlight where a little help in financing. Could take it to the next step in expansion to extend the market.
Slow Money Maine is one of the Maine partners that gets the discussion started, keeps it going. Breaking down barriers. By bringing investors behind the desk to make the connection with the small farm or fisheries producer out in the field or sea. MOFGA Representatives Mingle, Network With The Micro Producers, Co Op Vendors At Slow Money Maine Meeting.
The dialogue created by this group’s tie in with MOFGA, a slew of foundations pushing, promoting the same thing.
To find ways to compete with the big cheap food policy of the nation.
From bread baskets out west. Out of the country too. Where the national focus has been a cheap food policy. Less concern for the healthy quality of the food. Just make sure there is lots of it.
For years small local farming trumped, squashed by the almighty dollar bottom line. Everything about just in time inventory, volume sales like other industry business models.
Food from outside Maine’s collection of mostly small towns with shrinking populations. With fewer farms until the resurgence of local growing to feed the populace.
Eight out of ten people live in an urban area. Not by choice, but for survival.
Have A Maine Maine Oysters…Their Reputation Is Catching On!
But you have to do more than eat.
Feeding the mind, spirit, and in the process of putting the best locally sourced Maine food on the family table working together. That leads to everyone in the small Maine community to step up.
To know if it is to be, it is up to you and me.
You and I are the “they” in the Maine community. Don’t bitch or complain, wait for someone else to do it. What is needed to enhance. Expand the unique flavor of our many Maine small towns, the handful of cities.
Yesterday in the Episcopal church in Gardiner my partner and I heard presentations from the Brunswick Food Shed. A group converting slow but sure a set of derelict train storage sheds, to develop the old right of way track pathways to create a food hub and more. And from None Such Oysters talk about their coastal 6.5 acres operation. That enterprises tourist/fisheries production tale and needs. Peakes Island Micro Farm Producers, Lana and Sara Cannon Talk About Their Micro Maine Enterprise.
Also a set of sisters, Noon Family Sheep Farm, creating Peakes Island farming off Portland Maine on a small scale. Growing slowly. Same themes. Almost below radar compared to what you and I think of traditional farming. All the mountains of overhead debt, giant equipment payments, etc that come with the typical agriculture operation.
But the pair now supplying a school kitchen and growing by inches not yards or acres. I was there at the Slow Money of Maine meeting to help out with a pair of presentations from Aroostook County. From both ends of “The County” the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined. Up here in the “Crown Of Maine”.
Keep it simple. Let’s grow it here in Maine and feed ourselves.
And attract tourists to sample the delicacies of carefully grown, all healthy food. To create sustainable agriculture systems for right here in Maine. The space I call all natural, unfiltered, always pure. The place to unplug, recharge. Where if we all roll up the sleeves, pick ourselves up by the bootstraps in a shifting economy great things happen. The awareness shift back to local food happens. Leads to other home grown endeavors. All started by the back to the land thinking about everything. Presentations By County Co Op Of Houlton, Market Street Co Op In Fort Kent Maine At Slow Money Of ME Gardiner Meeting.
Making us depend less on outside Maine forces that cripple. Siphoning the money in a state not flush with it which weakens. The farmer’s markets, pop up tent outlets, food co ops, acoustic soup, Taste Of Winter suppers all helps out the famous Maine tourist industry too.
It is way more than just creating health food systems from wholesome organic food in Maine. But making healthy communities in the Pine Tree State that starts creating the richness. The real wealth locally out in the local not out of state farm fields.
