Tag: maine blogs posts

You Are Not Going To Like What I Have To Tell You.

What I am about to share with you, brace yourself, it may be something you just don’t want to hear.

I have got some bad news to deliver. You better sit down. Not sure how to begin to tell you this.

How does that Maine blog post lead in with the H1 bracketed amplification emphasis hit you? Do you tighten up, look away? Wondering what the frig is this all about? You definitely don’t feel like wait for it, wait for it, here it comes.
Flak Happens, Bad News Comes In Lots Of Forms.
Something pleasant, light, airy with a delightful easy to swallow bounce to it. Bright, warm and fuzzing is not the expectation right?

Somebody has died. There’s been an accident, many people seriously injured. The IRS audit team just called.

There’s a registered letter dodging you like a deputy needing to serve you with some legal papers. Or you can sense it is going to be like the “you wait until your father gets home” as a kid. Or a lecture about “now you’re done it, smooth move wedge head” is about to begin. Run for cover. No, you don’t have to sit in the corner or go to your room. Because you’ve done nothing wrong to feel guilty about right? (Pause) I can’t see your eyes. (Pregnant pause) Right?

The older I get, the more I like blunt people.

No punches pulled. Straight forward, no manure spread around the dance in the conversation. No bottle whitened pearly teeth flashed in straight formation while a pitch is delivered. The knife of there has to be a catch slipped between two ribs. Or arm twisting to make you reach for your wallet, purse suggested.

What are you selling? They want something, are peddling some product or service.
Your Neighbors Four Legged, Furry, Curious, Shy.
No arm around my shoulder to pull me close and make me think the guy or gal talking is genuinely just glad to see me. Unless a true family or long time friend. And not out of the blue needs to talk with you about the circles, pyramid, being a seller of soap products and other whiz bang gotta have items.

Straight forward conversation comes from someone busy and as if words cost twenty dollars a piece.

Chose wisely young Jedi and trust the force that is strong within you grasshopper remarked with grandparent wisdom tone style. Candor, being candid does not set well with everyone in the audience. Maybe not enough people are and go apathetic. Or the extreme of don’t want to offend anyone so don’t look at me for any opinions on any topic whatsoever.

Because there are folks that just don’t take very well any constructive criticism or differing opinions. You are with them or against them. Friend or foe happens. It can be the way you and I are judged, labeled. White or black hat wearing. Or some times it depends on the day for the color you see. Like you are a loose cannon. Not sure how they feel with you at the moment and gotta get back to you on that one.
How To Cook Up A Happy Household, Create A Happy, Responsible Family Member.

A friend of mine was a Maine junior high soccer coach.

Kai is a straight shooter. Not just in the job as a now retired US Border Patrol guy wearing green with a 223 rifle. Or out hunting. But in his approach to life. Say it like it is and please return the favor so we are on the same at ease solider wavelength. He has to wear a hat. Doesn’t pick or care about the color. Is his own boss so to speak. Right behind Tina.

A mother was on his back during a winning season where his soccer team did not lose a game. But she was unhappy with him as coach. He was not playing Jimmy, Joey, it does not matter the name. Whoever he was, spending way way too much time on the bench. Developing sores for her, not the kid. He was after all she reminded the coach on a regular basis, his best player. Increasing the volume of her son should be getting more playing field dirt, grass stains to shout out in his uniform this season whine.

After a practice, pulled aside and lighting up a cigar he started his conversation with Mom.

Low voice aside, out of earshot or to observe visually, he let Mom know “Your son is a great kid. You’ve done a super job raising him. But. Frankly, he just lacks soccer talent.” Her jaw dropped. Conversation had a lull. The bottom dropped out and she was speechless. I said whoa. You told her that face to face with a Cuban going? Without pleasure, not delivered meanly, he spilled the beans out of sight of the team that had dispersed. Relayed what she did not want to hear. Not expected, had not considered but believe it or not had to process. To explain why he was not out on the field in the game rather than sitting watching it.

If your conversations, what you write, how you communicate, do you dare to be open and honest? Not provocative, exotic or for show. But because it cuts to the chase. Says it like you mean it, see it. Shooting from the hip. Life’s short, people are busy, be tough skinned, tender hearted. Be kind, be honest. Put all the cards face up, down on the table more than holding them close to your chest. But there are situations where it’s no way feelings don’t get stepped on. Instead of respect and going along to get along, you could end up on the you know what list for the “somebody had to say it”.

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

April 8, 2014
Moving To Maine, Living Off Grid.

The vehicle you drive is loaded to the gills, pointed north up Interstate 95.

You are headed, moving to Maine. The return address on next year’s Christmas cards is going to read somewhere in Vacationland.

The plan for the Maine move started to simply lighten the financial load.
Fresh Fish, Your Are In Maine Remember?
No more, stop the flow of small white envelopes. With the cellophane clear plastic window from utility, energy companies.

With your name peeking through and coming at you in waves. In too tall monthly or more often leaning sideways stacks. Tossed in your mom’s inherited pull down writing desk for annoying attention to the household bill paying.

Some of your friends wonder if you are on medication. Or should be. If they have the meds mixed up and ask are you feeling alright? You smile. Say nothing. But have done your home work. Before pulling, yanking hard on the three prong grounded plug. Setting up the living off grid by double clutching. Shifting into a lower, slower life gear. 10-4 good buddy. Wait and see. Give me a little time to lay the ground work in Maine. Then come visit and see who’s crazy. Like a fox. Change their tune 180 degrees.

Become more self reliant, very sufficient living off grid in Maine.

You still have juice, just not the kind Public Utilities Commission (PUC) boards regulate. With no more bang bang bang systematic rate hikes to stomach. Like it or not. Living without the corporate profits, surcharges, transmission and extra tax feeincreases is what you dream about, see. All to reduce your carbon footprint.
Aroostook County, Northern Maine. Ideal For Off Grid Living.

Thirty percent of your power consumption is lighting. Build your new energy efficient home with the southern exposure for free solar heat, an even lighting sun or not. You’ll be hanging out clothes on a line to air dry. Or placed on large wooded racks in front of a winter wood stove to dry, get some needed inside air moisture.

Heating with birch, beech, maple, ash, other natural hand split, you stack, pack, you deliver fuel.

From your Maine land wooded sections. No oil truck going beep beep backing in the drive way. With a guy leaping out to hook up, screw on the hose for Texas or wherever it came from fossil tea to flow at four dollars a precious gallon.

Self inflicted pulling the plug. Not forced on you makes it a challenge, sport, passion, obsession. Not a lament, curse or anything to cause anger. Because done by choice, with a sound mind. Lots of careful planning, timing.

Also the living off grid does not mean you are anti-social, a hermit, recluse or a loose canon that should be worried about, watched closely. Lots of folks are already doing it. Heck before those high power lines, everyone lived quite nicely without the 120 AC DC hooked to the house.

Not going undercover for an illegal wacky tobbacky below radar grow or as a member of the witness protection group.

That’s not the reason for the pulling away from all those plug in outlets. The gadgets, some you keep, just not sitting around on all the time. Parked, wasting fuel you have to pay dearly for is the big twist.

Here are 10 off grid homes. Or take a gander, gawk at this extra 15 homes for off grid living.
Your Neighbors Four Legged, Furry, Curious, Shy.

Maybe living on a Maine island, self sufficiently is more the solitude, protection of natural beauty you crave.

Growing your own Maine food. Selling the surplus. Raising meat, collecting eggs, the hands up and down moving, squeezing for the milk. An army of one or couple of peas in the same pod.

Reading up on blog posts about which direction the wind blows in your life. To know how best for you to approach the exercise, transition. To give up, cut one by one the strings of dependency that web more and more around all of us today.

Leaning on local Maine Amish settlements for guidance and to observe so this is how it is done huh?

Raising kids on the off grid Maine spread where simple living is the common denominator on every decision you make. For the grand scheme to be free, less complicated and more enriching, empowering. Maybe in retirement in Maine after your family is raised. Have flapped their wings hard to move away from the nest.

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

March 19, 2014
Dating Sites, 2nd Most Popular Way Of Meeting, Becoming A Couple.

The brutally honest heart to heart talk starts with the me, myself and I before reaching out, playing footsies with another single person.

What is the definition of dating again? Got it.

Expectations, meeting needs, balance. What you hope to accomplish and pretty much a matched check off list the person sitting across the table is holding. The date at your side in the corner booth with the flickering candle low light.
Floating Your Boat, Bopping Along Together In Maine.
Soft jazzy blues music mix. Tasty fresh Maine seafood to die for dishes arriving right on schedule to sample together.

And you talk, enjoy each other’s company. No matter what you are doing or topic discussed. Learning about the other. Sharing. Observing, collecting. Just being together feels comfortable. And the spell lasts, endures, deepens. Or get me out of here happens. Check please. Back pedaling. Swimming to shore.

Because that is dating. How the cookie crumbles.

To get back out on your own again. Zinging down the open road moving. Not parked. Or going backwards in life, relationships. Radar love turned way up loud on the radio. Driving 10 and 2 with the seat pushed back. Scanning, waiting, learning lots about yourself in the nice to meet you, tell me more process.

As what you are capable of bringing to any relationship, need coming back the other way too formulates. Is taking shape. Rack focused crystal defined in your head. Down in your gut where instinctive decisions are made. Inside your heart that you guard how close people are allowed to get from experience, survival, for healing to happen. As you get ready.
Speak Up, Be Picky, Be Positive In The Date Your Mate Hunt For A Partner.

You need to be somewhat picky, selective. Or you won’t get what is best for you and the other person unless you are right?

The person is not good or bad. The relationship is all about the peas in a pod. It works well, barely at all. Or somewhere in between. You are not going to settle but can you be too picky?

Or is that high limbo pole standard a safe way to keep you off the dating singles playing field altogether? In a fool yourself self inflicted time out justification when someone asks “so how come not dating huh?” Or “Gee, really? Not seeing anyone at all. How come”?

More than a feeling needed as Boston sang. Because the lovey dovey warm and fuzzy has to turn the corner. Continues to lub dub chug chug into a strong, growing friendship. As you log the miles, put in the time together. Grow closer. You like the person, not just love them. Because both partners arrive at the same conclusion at pretty much the same time. This works. Is good. Me too! So do I!

Both are better off with the pairing than each would be wandering around by their lonesome unattached, single. But neither just joined at the hip and clinging together to simply avoid being alone. Wait, don’t be afraid of being alone.

Amy Webb explains the engineering of online dating, a new creative reverse approach.

How to rough sketch, do the math. Study the spread sheet numbers. For your own self designed, dating site framework for love algorithms. How to put your best sexy foot forward in this Ted Talks video on dating sites. You need optimistic language in your online dating site profile, 97 words or less, and to ask questions. To be more approachable. In your search for the glass slipper fit. The right one for you, you for them out of the herd.

The scientific approach, the least expected approach way to bump into someone, the probability to find your life partner with online dating. All gives you pause to think, ponder dating today and the options to reach out but avoid those $1300 plus out to dinner tabs to pick up.

How you fill the empty questions on profile surveys, superficial data in, garbage out happens.

Say what you want, mean what you say, be who you are. The rest will fall into place like Amy’s grandmother above predicted. Thank you to a Texas blog post friend who made this topic suggestion. Good luck, staying away from those courtship catfish relationships.

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

March 9, 2014
Forget The Gauges, Idiot Lights, Experts | Turn Up The Senses In Maine.

You know how when you really have to stay focused, have a task at hand requiring your full attention?

When other things going on around you are a distraction and trying to pull you away from that goal? What do you do? In Maine, simple living is the approach to everything that happens.
Lots Of Senses, More Than One Egg In The Simple Living In Maine Life Basket.

Some retreat to a small Maine woods camp to ponder the problem. The whispering wind in the pine needle vibrations. Howling, cold swirling around the eaves. Heard inside the warm as toast, wood stove heated simple log cabin helps clear the head.

Just getting, being away from people all hollering what you should do is control, alternate, delete poof. Gone. Replaced with solitude Maine is famous for, has plenty of if you make the time.

Adjusting, tweaking the life dials. Happens in Maine way way easier. Than a crowded urban setting where there is just not any easy direction to run, hide and think.

Maine is a good place to regroup. Step back from a situation. Take the long way home. Spending time on an open porch or tree canopied deck. In front of an open rocked fire pit circle to collect positive ions.

Coming Together, Working Out Solutions In Maine Small Towns.

To gain the 20 20 needed to trot right back in and know the best course of action in what to do now.

It avoids the looking back and second guessing. Because what you did, chose in your life at the time of decision making was the best for all concerned. When all the exhibits, A through Z were eyeballed, punched, poked, studied from all angles.

Others find the solitude of downhill or cross country skiing. Hiking, biking. Being out on an open lake fishing. Kayaking down a challenging section of waterway the key to release.

Frees up, defrags the mental hard drive. For the guidance in your life, living in Maine comes from being outdoors all four seasons. Space, wildlife, scenery. Away from people so you can hear yourself think. Get caught up in the real not fake in our everywhere you look. Drop dead gorgeous natural Maine simple living.

Had a lady in the office looking at Maine homes from Canada this week. Who indicated most of her life “I was never really on my side in arguments”.

No room. Too many strong willed, bossy people telling her you are wrong for how she felt, what she thought. No matter what her position, the topic. It was like walking underwater growing up difficult. Thinking like a driver, not the passenger works best in life. Ever seen households, families where all the relationships in them have to run through just one person? Instead of encouragement to think on your own, dare to be different? To find, define, refine, be just you.

Ate breakfast with a Joel Graham at the Elm Tree Saturday morning. His Dad Jack was short, carried a tall, big blue bottle of Maalox under his arm at all times. Like the green tanks on wheels you see following people connected with one long clear tether cord of piping. He was one of my Dad and Mom’s best trailer truck drivers for Prem Pak. Heck of a roller skater too my Mom said when growing up. Before he added the bright blue bottle to the look. Popping, throwing, flicking Rolaids into the air wrist action. To catch on the tongue habit into his daily living routine.

Jack trained a lot of truck drivers in his family.

Son Joel while working his way through a ham and cheese omelet, home made toast triangles, a couple of midnight black coffees said instead of trusting gauges and idiot lights, you just have to listen. To how the truck was sounding, running what his Dad taught he, his brothers. And with your pair of ears you could pick up on the change in the sound. The pitch, buzz, rattle and hum loudness.
Look For The Sunshine. Unplug, Recharge In Maine.

Which meant there was a reason for something in the machinery not quite sounding right, normal. Catching the problem, picking up the cue before the gauges or idiot lights told you what you already knew.

But too late.

It is awareness. Looking for red flags, not being so caught up on the blur of other people, their demands around you. Using, relying on the five senses God wired into all of us. Joel said ice fishing is his best therapy. To untangle the mental knots, kinks in the hose affecting your life.

It’s start, end with what do you want to do, think is best in the long run in small town Maine living.

Then branches out from there to hopefully help. Please lots of others along the way too. Beyond your family, out in the local Maine communities. Because we are all connected in a special way. Have to be by design. Because when you look over your shoulder for a replacement if tired, overbooked, you figure out like the others shoulder to shoulder around you. You pretty much signed on for life in this, this and that job or position in the small Maine town. The burg, village, hamlet that is depending on each and every one of us. To sparkle, struggle through the low points. But survive no matter what and shine brightly, uniquely.

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

March 2, 2014
Here They Come, The Seed Catalogs For Spring Garden Planting.

Excitement, anticipation builds as right on time, the seed catalogs for spring garden planting show up in Maine.
Healthy, Large Helpings Of Garden Fresh Home Grown Food You Produce. Priceless.

One by one the mail carrier delivers from the leather heavy pouch he totes the here and there, food for thought in the what to plant. The Troy-bilt rototiller is parked. Waiting, thirsty to be gurgled with gas. Fired up and put into action.

To push the lever forward, to make the tines turn. To till the dirt. Smooth, churn, break up the ground to prepare it for whatever was started for seedlings on the kitchen table. On the glass sun porch window sill.

The card table unfolded and layered with old newspapers. When the time is right and the sun’s angle of its powerful rays tell you it is time to think about spring garden planting the contents, green chutes from the peat pots.

So do you have the tendency to make the flower or vegetable garden you plant bigger and bigger?

Ignoring the “easy does it” temptation to keep it expanding? Knowing all too well that chaos happens if you don’t tend to the weed, feed, water and guidance along the way. To the rich, satisfying harvest time. To cash in on the fruits of your labor for veggie production of good, wholesome, nutritious home grown produce. You can sell what you don’t place on your own family dining table right? Or give away the bounty, half the fun of sharing the fruits of your garden labor, dedication.

Maine Farmer’s Market Video

Gardening tips from Mother Earth News, an old companion, friend that gives you the skinny. The straight manure on what works, why and where in the backyard gardening roll up your sleeves. To dig in the prepared, stone and grass free dirt and produce the most bountiful harvest ever. Sometimes it is not about the food you will reap, but being on your knees in your spiritual garden that feeds your hunger best.

So what are you going to plant in your garden this year you never have before?

Do you grow Kale? Where to plant what in the garden. Knowing use of the real estate, space is key. Planting early varieties of this there. So late arrivals to the gardening party spread out and use that vacated space like squash, cucumbers do. Like cooking a meal and making sure all the pots on the stove, meatloaf and baked potatoes in the oven come out on time, in synch with harmony when the supper bell triangle is ding ding dinged. For the come and get it.

So seed catalogs for spring garden planting? Is that a highlight in your day to browse through, dream about and get your motor running to get down on your knees in the dirt?

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

January 12, 2014
Merry Christmas From The Me In Maine Blog

Packing, Racking, Stacking Maine Christmas Trees.

Here’s hoping your Christmas is bright, personal, family close and memorable.

Passing on those traditions. Remembering loved ones departed but not forgotten. Christmas is a time of reflection, inner searching, greater awareness of what is important in your life.
Which One Do You Want In Your Living Room?

For some in the kitchen creating pans of fudge, squares, candy, cookies, coconut balls, mocha cakes, fruit breads made with love goodies.

Delivering them to be enjoyed by many that look forward yearly to the sampling. For many making Christmas happen in places where none would without them. Taking a card from a Christmas tree of a young child and shopping for them to make Christmas possible. Only knowing it’s a boy, eight or a girl fourteen to go on for the present. But it all shows someone cared, knows the true meaning of the Spirit of Christmas.

Ringing the Salvation Army Kettle drive bell.

Wishing shoppers Merry Christmas and watching a child excited about depositing money. For others. It is all about others less fortunate. Caroling to shut ins. Visiting hospitals, nursing homes. Preparing meals at a local Elks club to disabled vets, the homeless. To make sure everyone feels the magic of Christmas. Feels the joyous spirit of the season beyond the commercialization. The pretty paper and bows and ho ho ho’s. Maybe giving blood, reading Christmas stories at the local library in front of a crackling, dancing flame fireplace.

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Some egg nog, peanut brittle and frosted sugar cookies in shapes of the season trees, bells, reindeer. Only you know what makes it special, so near and dear for you. Cherished and enjoyable. Maybe it’s oyster, lobster stew, crab dip, steamed shrimp or lasagna on Christmas Eve. Family feasts, gift exchanging. Office parties. Maybe a cocktail, hot toddy festive drink someone stops in for around the holidays. Decorating with twinkling colored lights out front your home. Cousins sliding, building snow forts, digging tunnels. Pond hockey, bon fires and skating parties.

Church candle light church services with sanctuaries filled with the sight and smells of greenery.

Pine boughs, child choirs, angels, night filled starry skies guiding the way to the place of a special child’s birth.

Christmas is hope, faith, peace. Reruns of Rudolph, Home Alone, Charlie Brown Christmas.

Bing Crosby, other standards, favorite Christmas songs, hymns, carols. It is Santa and 8 sets of hoof prints, the overloaded sleigh on the roof top. The hand kid written letters, cookies and milk. Carrots, apples too left for the round guy in red velvet, white fur, the belly laugh, pink cheeks, black boots. Merry Christmas from Maine faithful blog readers.

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

December 24, 2013