MeInMaine Blog

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  • The Little Black Box.

    Staying Upright In A Maine Raft, In Life Situations, Relationships.

    When a plane goes down, what is looked for first? Well, okay, second after any survivors.

    The little black box. To explain, provide clues on what happened. What led up to the moment things began to right on schedule go haywire. All wrong.

    How well do you really know someone? Including yourself?

    Is the raft of life on the river level, upside down, tilted wildly? If a person hides, retreats, protects a heart that has scars, purple spots from earlier struggles, how close are you, any one allowed to get? How much distance for self survival or to avoid greater pain or suffering do you set up around yourself for the same reason? Like a force field to keep any one, every one at arms length or further? To stay in your own little life boat. To keep from sliding out, taken under by the hydraulics, forces of nature in the paddle for your survival down the river of life.

    And when the distance is created, maintained because of having to complete something you stand for, that is deeply engrained, or then later from sheer lonely pain once you are done, the other end of the tin can and string can perceive wrongly it all stems from anger. When it all boils down to just the need for silence. Space to take a break from the hurt, ache. It is not a case of why are you hurting the other intentionally. You are just hurting. Only capable of so much. Each is feeling much of the same heaviness from being apart. Getting away from the flame that burns when it is supposed to heat the bones. Be warm and fuzzy. More often then not. Causing greater misunderstanding. Hurt people hurt people and often without knowingly trying to. Surrender.

    We live in an age of smoke and mirrors.

    Games, spin to manipulate, to speed up the process to get what we think we want or need. With drive through efficiency. But sincerity, honesty, time help others around you get closer. To see your heart as an open book. The little black box pried open. Protective, fireproof, water resistant covering removed. You can not fix, soothe what is wrong if miscommunication, no back and forth face to face happens. Or when lacking back and forth of today’s truth is discussed. Put it out there to chew on, consider. When you bottom out, get broken, are too tired to be defensive, you retreat from scolding. You turn inward to salve the sores when it all spirals back to you are the only one in the room. With guidance, always always from above.

    And does low self esteem kick in to cause the image of just the opposite? Oh sure, some folks with a superiority complex actually think they are a legend in their own minds and time. But many that seem together are just the opposite. Partially to not show the world the real person for fear no one would like them. Trying to be what another needs, to make them happy leaves sadness. A hole that does not get fixed. And grows larger.

    Mistakes.

    Just got the memo. Everyone, I mean everyone makes them. Isn’t the secret to see the truth, not getting defensive and to not keep making blind mistakes? To realize why what you think will help does not work for the other as a solution. Because it does not consider the other person’s feelings totally when they need you the most. What they hunger, thirst for, appreciate.

    Everyone wants to feel secure, cared about, loved and that they matter. To be understood and accepted. It is a blessed event when you find someone who is not afraid to show you the good, bad and the ugly. And you do likewise. Simple. So the foundation for the relationship is honest, real, genuine, accountable. Not trying to be just what the other needs and losing yourself in the process. Just doing your best day to day. Trying to improve as you learn more about the other. And yourself in the process from the other. As both open up. Head to the “best is yet to come” stage of the deeper relationship.

    Maine, a place with space. Lots of nooks and crannies with drop dead gorgeous natural surroundings, less people and more wildlife. To be the best you can be, to grow, mature, to enjoy life more. The others in it. Get here quick as you can.

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

  • Maine State Soap Box Derby 2012 Video

    This Year's 17th Annual Northern Maine State Race Of Soap Box Derby Dedicated To Bill Weber
    Bill Weber, Zoo Crew Of The Northern Maine Soap Box Derby Gang

    This year’s Northern Maine Soap Box Derby race, the 17th annual running dodged rain drops.

    The weather cooperated to get the boys and girls from around the state of Maine up and down the hill. To complete heats to advance to create the pair of stock and super stock winners. To head to Akron Ohio to represent Maine in the All American Soap Box Derby world series of down hill racing.

    Images from this year’s 2012 Maine state derby race held in Houlton Maine, Aroostook County. Watch the videos and see the “thrill of the hill”. Derby racing is friendly, spirited, and teaches kids about mechanics of a car. Building one, maintaining one and along with parents, Uncle Bob, Aunt Sue or a big brother, sister, how to tweak. How to win and lose gracefully. To have fun with the learning curve like anything else in life worth pursuing.

    Fine tuning and developing respect for the gravity derby racing car.

    To get to the bottom quicker understanding the laws of physics, need for consistency. The luck of the heat sheet picks, compensating for the weather. And good sportsmanship, as this year’s memorial to Zoo Crew’s Bill Weber pointed out loud and clear to all at the 17th annual race.

    Maine 2012 Soap Box Derby Racing Videos.

    Maine, small town proud, family oriented. Kids know how to have fun. Adults do everything they need to on the local level to provide the stage. And to enjoy seeing the change from fear of the hill to the thrill, the grin of that long engineered two lane vertical highway. As the derby cars released topside pick up speed. Race along the cones to the electric eye timer at the end. Before everyone screams “brake”!

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
    Check out our new red Maine real estate property site link.
    207.532.6573
    info@mooersrealty.com

  • The Paul Harris Rotary Award Came As A Total Surprise.

    Paul Harris Rotary Fellow Award Earned By Donald Collins, Houlton ME
    Pitching In, Volunteering, Service On All Levels, That’s What Paul Harris Fellows Do.

    Ever tapped, had the honor to present an award but worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the recipient did not know it was coming?

    So the total surprise, caught unaware and “out of the blue” adds to the presentation impact? This week’s Paul Harris Rotary award receipient did not have an inkling, did not see it coming.

    For starters, you and I know many people but on just one or two levels.

    A co-worker, a neighbor, a service club member all show the public one side of the person. But interviewing family members, others in a person’s personal not so public life give depth, a greater perception into what makes the person tick. Who they are really are, what motivates them, fills them with passion gets revealed with a little digging. How they respond when the going gets tough gets brought out into the daylight too.

    I asked former Houlton Maine town manager Doug Hazlett from experience how he would describe the Paul Harris Award recipient and he said “positive, dependable, determined, creative”. A co-worker Dana Wright’s wife Nancy said her husband’s initial reaction to the new USDA worker was formed during instructional meetings the two attended. Dana said he did not pay such close attention to the teacher up front in the classroom but was very friendly, social with those sitting around him.

    Labeling him a positive people person.

    An important skill if you are a leader, want to get others excited to accomplish something as a group right? Dana also said this person never, never had a glass less than half full and always saw the silver lining, the positive in anything facing him in life.

    Greg Palmer told me when contacted this Paul Harris recipient worked on the new Riverside Park, golf course, Meduxnekeag River clean up projects and on the board of Vital Pathways he was always a positive force. Coming up with their slogan of “Making Good Maine Communities Better”. Serving as an area judge of science fairs, helping youth with skiing, sunday school, this latest Rotary Paul Harris Fellow went beyond just living in the community. To making it a better place because of his non-stop, positive hardwork in volunteer service to others.

    “No one else has the driving, intense positive spirit, faithful attitude like he does”.

    Observations relayed to me by Maine teacher Todd Williard, who this award recipient treated like a second Dad. “Anyone else would have been dead seven times over faced with all the medical set backs, numerous operations that went on and one with his Crohn’s, then cancer treatments. I don’t know of anyone else as God fearing, 100% faithful. Always radiating an “everything will work out” attitude then him”.

    His daughter Courtney shared with me …

    “Dad has meant so very much to me, our whole family. An incredible father, grandfather, husband to my Mom and really giving all of himself to us. Teaching me numerous lessons in life but there are a few that stand out. One thing that Dad does so well is living life to the fullest, Dad recognized early on in life that life is truly short.” (His mother died when he was fourteen and he helped raise two younger boys with his Dad alone.)

    “Dad counts his blessing’s each and everyday, he taught us all to do this too. Dad is so very grateful for everything in his life. Lets me, my husband and our children know how much he loves us, cherishes us. That it’s truly taught me to appreciate each day, to count my blessings too. He lives life with an awesome attitude, so often things could have gotten him down but instead of letting himself or any of us feel sorry for ourselves he reminds us how lucky we are. To stay positive. Often reminding himself and us to maintain the most positive spirit because he knows there are so many out there that are less fortunate. And feels grateful to just be here”.

    “Anyone that knows my father knows he has an amazing gift to gab, he can and does talk to anyone and everyone.”

    “Treats all as a friend, he knows no stranger and that taught me the importance of kindness, compassion for other’s. So often Dad will start a story and I literally can do the dishes, make a few beds and fold and put a load of laundry away but it’s times like this that I cherish. I am a better person for having the parents that I do. I know this world is a better place because they’re in it. Dad has truly touched so many lives and we’re grateful for him”. His son Chris echoed the same sentiments.

    This Paul Harris Fellow Award recipient’s best friend John Holmes writes to his daughter…
    “Nice to hear from you!! Thanks for the kind words. It’s easy to be a friend of your dad. There is a reason he was our class President, captain of most of our athletic teams and a friend to all. And is also an inspiration to all that know him. What you guys ALL have gone through is unreal. I know how tough it is on Marion but both you “kids” as well. It is a very difficult situation, with you both having “other” lives now, kids, jobs, and all other that life brings us. Every time I see Don, he ALWAYS mentions you both and how proud he is of your accomplishments”.

    “You are lucky to have parents like you do but they are just as lucky to have such good offsprings!! Again, so nice of you to let me know what it meant to Don to have that Championship ball!!! When I noticed it had been “removed” from the trophy case here at Dirigo, I quickly asked where it was. The new A.D. had put it “away” and I asked him for it. Being a member of that team, he allowed me to have it.”

    “I brought it home and IMMEDIATELY knew where it was going. (Presenting it to our Paul Harris Award recipient) Glad it has found its last “home”!!! Couldn’t think of a better place!!!! Thanks again for your kind words!!! Take care and know that your Dad will ALWAYS be special to a LOT of people!!!!” Love, Jon

    Always concentrate on after the life threatening, scary operations. Just serving to increase his faith not diminish it.

    Filled with intense hope for the future and not getting bogged down in the present struggles. Using them to make himself, those around him stronger the lesson here. My observations as a home property neighbor of thirty two years, being in the same church twenty four years is the the echoed always positive person day in and out. No matter what. In public, behind the scenes. Despite numerous cancer operations, treatments, battling Crohn’s disease since age 30, but always reminding there is someone else out there way way less fortunate so chin up, be positive.

    Congratulations to the latest Houlton Maine Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Fellow Award recipient Donald Collins. Who inspires anyone who he touches, meets to step up, stay positive and do more to help others. Maine, less people, but more involved. Find your place in the space of Maine.

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

  • Maine Lodging, Not Just Four Walls, Hotels, Motels.

    Spend Vacation At Tall Timber Lodge At Drews Lake Maine
    Rent A Log Cabin At Tall Timber Lodge On Drews Lake In New Limerick Maine

    On the bottom of every Maine license plate is the label of what the state is, Vacationland.

    And you don’t have to be flush with money to enjoy any of the four seasons in Maine either. But because there is usually a little drive involved to get here, staying overnight is a given. To sample Maine fully each trip you pencil in on your calendar. To be away for needed “R” and “R”.

    So options of where to stay beyond Maine hotels, motels.

    There are lots of them from camping in a lean to or pitching a tent at a state park. To hauling in a camper trailer to level, pull out the deck chairs and start relaxing by a nightly fire. As you plan the next day’s adventure in Maine. Don’t forget your swimming trunks, bathing suits and fishing poles either!

    In Southern Aroostook County, Tall Timber Lodge in New Limerick Maine on Drews Lake is worthy consideration for a night or longer stay too. The dead end road quietness on Baxter Brook and the North Shore of Drews Lake will enhance what ever activities you have scheduled on your Vacation.

    Wildlife from loons to Maine white tail deer and moose will entertain on your stay at Tall Timber Lodge.

    Take a day trip to King’s Landing in Canada. Or trek, hike the trails of nearby Mt Katahdin at Baxter State Park.

    The cabins at Tall Timber Lodge have everything needed to assure an affordable, memorable vacation. And the lodge with massive stone fireplace, an outdoor actitivies tent is ideal to rent for weddings, office parties, family reunions or business meetings.

    Make a mental note to check the Tall Timber Lodge at Drews Lake links. To consider the Southern Aroostook County rest stop as the one to book for your next vacation to Northern Maine. Take a video tour of Drews Lake. You are not going to spend the entire Maine vacation inside the cabins playing cribbage either! You will be outside, on the water all the time you can sneak away and to really relax.

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

  • Maine Summer Reading Program, Not Just For Kids.

    Maine Towns Often Judged In Part By The Health, Size, Use Of The Local Library
    Local Maine Libraries Get Lots Of Use By All Ages Of The Small Communities.

    More and more Maine homes that I am in are missing televisions.

    The electronic babysitter and killer of so much time where everyone gets the thousand yard stare, detaches, becomes uncommunicative. Even during commercials. Reading, other recreational opportunities being exercised instead of just plugging into the tube.

    When the kids were young beginning readers I was lucky to be able to get them into the local Cary Library summer reading program. As a parent starting the joy of nightly bedtime stories by reading, by sharing together books like the CS Lewis Chronicles of Narnia series to the kids caused a spark. One that flamed the desire to discover the joy of reading a good book.

    So it was the kids that exposed me to CS Lewis initially and I am still feasting on his works.

    My summer reading program today started the morning with passages from “Reflections on the Psalms”. Today’s food for thought from Lewis about silence.

    “Silence is a good refuge. People will not notice it nearly so easily as we tend to suppose. And (better still) few of us enjoy it as we might be danger of enjoying more forcible methods. Disagreement can, I think, sometimes be expressed without the appearance of priggery, if it is done arguementatively not dictorially: support will often come from some most unlikely member of the party, or from more than one, til we discover that those who were silently dissentient were actually a majority. A discussion of real interest may follow. Of course the right side may be defeated in it. That matters very much less than I used to think. The very man who has argued you down will sometimes be found, years later, to have been influenced by what you said.

    The book I read this passage from this morning retreived from the Maine farm home I grew up in that was loaded with a goldmine of literary works.

    To delve in to, digest and ponder. What makes the books extra special is underlined sections where a parent high lighted a key point that need emphasizing to the reader before me. Even when your parents are gone from this Earth, lessons they learned are still shared with those left behind it seems. Just like flower gardens they established, morals, values, life’s cycle continues.

    Cary Library In Houlton Maine A Carneigie Endowment Local Jewel Video

    Maine, grab a good book, pull up a hammock by some waterfront and feel a wash of contentment. Take refuge in the silence, the peace and quiet of the place with the space call Maine. Get your kids into a Maine library summer reading program!

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

  • Maine, Spend The 4th Of July In Vacationland.

    Maine Is Less People, More Outdoor Beauty.
    Find Yourself In The Space In The Place Called Maine.

    Small Maine towns take 4th of July, other holidays pretty darn tootin’ serious.

    And everyone in the rural areas of Vacationland steps up to be part of the celebrations. More involved, more fun, home grown on the local level.

    What are you doing for the 4th of July?

    Need a visual and audio suggestion? Thought you would never ask…toggle, look, listen. Consider being in Maine this 4th of July to enjoy Independence Day among the best people on the planet for the red, white and blue hoopla and fireworks!

    Maine 4th of July Parade, State Fair Video.

    Maine State Fairs like the one in Houlton are loaded with fun activities.

    Point the car, truck, SUV, motorcycle north up Interstate 95 to hit “The County”.

    Maine, find your place in the space of the Pine Tree State up here in the right hand corner of the country. Parked on the Canadian border on three sides. Maine, always you best case scenario.

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