Category: Uncategorized

Maine, Some Call The People Out Spoken…Frank.

Maine Delicacy, Fiddleheads Are In Season Now, Taste Special With Vinegar.

Maine is a state where all of us living here try daily to keep it simple.

Not needing flash, show, lots of attention. Because most of that dog and pony is surrounded by insecurity. You are going to be very unhappy if impressing others with money, material objects is your primary goal in life. Prepare for deep disappointment if being better than someone else is the way you roll.

Maine people admire hard work, pitching in to make a difference for the common good of the small vibrant communities around the state. Finding your creative talents, purpose for being in a Maine community comes easy. Because the low population means everyone has to step up. Take their part in the role of the local flavor, spark of each and every Maine town.

We take the privledge of having kids seriously, raise Maine families that will do the same.

Using tough love, the word “no”, establishing limits, boundaries, household rules. Not just taking care of own needs. But putting the families, area’s ahead of our own in Maine. While enjoying a drop dead gorgeous natural four season setting only Maine can offer to round out the life experience. Striving to keep it simple, real, honest.

But being frank, a tad outspoken is part of the atmosphere, happens a lot in Maine too.

How you react to it is something you may need to work on. Getting tougher skinned, bucking up. Letting individuals be who they are, hearing them out and seeing the wisdom of what they say is key to being happy, content, at peace in Maine too. How candid are you, do you enjoy candor in other people? I have to be as candid, use candor in my Maine real estate practice daily.

But the truth, setting expectations early on on what you can deliver, what you can not. You do the best you can and look for ways to do even better. But improving situations, relationships with others takes time, consistent hard work. Careful study with help from others. By reading and polishing who we are. Seeing where we need to be.

But reality, and can you handle the truth happens, just like in the movies too.

Maine, we strive to get it right, not make the same mistakes over and over. And don’t take the easy route out of just blaming others when things go wrong. Not in the habit of taking all the credit when everything is going right. We try to be candid, say what’s on our mind trying to use a little tact in the process. Speaking the truth not to hurt feelings but stay on the right path if wandering off it, getting lost starts to happen.

We strive to keep our eyes on our own paper but speak up when situations warrant.

When the truth is needed to avoid confusion, hurt feelings, heading down the wrong rabbit trail. The truth can hurt, maybe cause a phone hang up, silence for a few days. But when you love someone, you need to say what has to be said. That is not uttered out of anger, but out of love for another person. If you don’t, if no one else does, life will not get better, easier.

You and I can get through this life on Earth with its ups, downs, twists and turns easier if we use candor. Are not afraid to speak up and contribute when the going gets tough, bogged down. We are all here to learn, need each other. And remember our kids are watching. Taking their cues from us. Don’t miss the cues. You and I are not always right, have to learn to surrender.

Can you handle the simple honest truth, embrace the candor to see the life course you need to charter?

If yes, you are going to love spending time in Maine. Come for a day, stay a lifetime. If you play mind games, think others are placed on Earth for your happiness alone, like drama and to stir things up in other people’s lives, Maine is not the destination to program in to your GPS.

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

May 23, 2012
Maine Ten Year High School Reunions… Beware Of Snarky.

Maine Little League, Being On A Bleacher, Cheering Under A Summer Sun. Priceless.

Had your tenth Maine high school reunion yet?

So many classmates are glad to see you and want to catch up on what is happening in your life. But a few that tool in with exotic cars and long stories of adventures as big as life can become a little snarky. Critical of small town living Maine is famous for and that is the big key to their success outside of Vacationland.

Mainers are not lazy.

And discrimination happens in a good way when in a large employment line the question comes up “who’s from Maine?” Raise your hand, you have a job. The word is out that Mainers know how to work, give a honest day’s labor for a fair wage. It is not all about the money and pride in what we do is part of the payment, reward.

The same few cats that start in on “I thought you were smarter than hanging around Maine” dialogue eventually admit they are jealous.

While they are stuck in hours and hours of traffic with not so friendly people to go short distances as life flies by, Maine small town living provides a different approach to living. No taser worn on your belt needed.

I can be done work, within a minute after leaving home, thirty two feet from my work and be at the little league ball field to help coach. Or hoot, holler, root for the home team riding a bleacher. With other “family first” folks to socialize between which team is taking the field. Which inning are we in, top or bottom? And the kids can ride their bikes to the practice or the early be at the park to hone their skills before the game too. No crime, less people, no traffic, friendly folks that are your neighbors that help raise the kids is why.

Service is big in a small area Maine home town.

Because the joy of pitching in for the common good is its own reward. And in small Maine towns not flush with cash, creative volunteer effort is the only way what needs doing would ever get done.

It’s not about the money, a larger salary, a big car that is an extension of an ego. It is about your purpose, what you are shaped to do for talent, skills. That you can like the covered dish public supper bring to the table. And plan that year after year that is your contribution to the small town community flavor.

Because tons of other local Maine people step up to do their part, in their own special way.

Not for recognition, but for their own personal satisfaction. We are all different, all can contribute in some small or big way. There is no shortage of avenues of service in a Maine small town.

Many involve activities your kids are in. But others are around hobbies, outdoor recreation. Passionate, fire in your belly areas that you can easily pitch in without effort. Not because you have to, because you want to. Heck need to. It’s all about relationships in life. Not glitter, gold, stuff.

Maine is simple living, that’s how we roll here. Don’t move here for the money, or to use it to impress. That card being played, layed down won’t work here. Come sample ME.

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

May 22, 2012
Maine Soap Box Derby Car Tech Day Sunny, Fun.

ME Soap Box Derby Tech Day This Past Weekend, Big State Race June 23rd In Houlton ME

Saturday’s Maine Soap Box Derby Tech Day was picture perfect weather wise with blue skies, sunshine, a slight breeze.

The sixteen annual tech day for the Maine Soap Box Derby went smoothly and a big group of second grade, eight year olds made the event extra special.

I am so lucky to have the privledge to help brand new racers. The ones with butterflies, nervousness because of the sheer size of Derby Hill, an engineer race track. But with walking them down the hill, patience, after the first run, that never raced, not so sure driver is a whole new cat. And from there on out, it’s the parents that are nervous, the kids that become some kind of excited.

Three of six race cars I am lucky to be sheperding this year for derby racers are new racers with no experience.

But those are the most fun to work with. One, Anna Hogan, top left in image is cute as a button. And her older sister Lauren was a great little racer that grew up through the ranks. Improving year after year. Making the trophy round and sticking with the challenge, learning curve.

Watch A Maine Soap Box Derby Race Video.

The 16th annual Maine Soap Box Derby State Race Is June 23rd in Houlton Maine.

If you have nothing penciled in on the date, love the excitement of youth spirited racing, plan to take in the Maine Soap Box Derby. For a memorable event, bring your cameras, lawn chair, and enjoy the day outside.

Listening, watching and enjoying friendly competitive down hill gravity kit car racing. Stock, superstock, master cars are divisions for different ages in the 8 – 17 year brackets. For five years in a row, the Houlton Maine soap box derby race was the largest in the nation.

The sixty six volunteer Maine Soap Box Derby adult workers that show up, put on, work the race rain or shine each year are the spark. And the look on new and veteran racer’s faces as they come down the derby hill makes it all so worthwhile to stay involved in the program. Maine, the entire villiage raises your kids.

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

May 21, 2012
Maine Simple Living, But Still Not One Size Fits All Here.

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

May 20, 2012
When You Live In Maine, Everyday It’s Vacationland Fun.

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

May 18, 2012
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
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

May 17, 2012