Tag: maine living blogs posts

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
Life’s Bumper Car Experience, Who In Audience Is On The Ride With ME?

When you are a new born child, brought in to a warm healthy loving Maine home, the world revolves around that precious package wrapped in baby sized pink or blue blankets.

People you meet in public toting your bundle of joy for all to see start to coo. Their voice raised an octave or two. Strange, exotic new ways of talking happen as they crowd around for a peek, look see.

Suddenly a shift to new alphabet of letters introduced to create special unique forms of speech. Communication in shorthand, morse code, index glowing finger up ET fashion. Kids and small new born animals have that effect on people.

Pure, new, smelling like A and D, Desitin ointments and products made by Johnson and Johnson. Near and dear words in your life like “woosie” (small horse) and expressions they use become yours like “last time” said in a small toddlers vocabulary tone. Speech patterns that anyone outside your circle raises an eyebrow and wonders what in the world you are talking about. And what’s so funny or going on? Its all about kids when you are lucky enough to have any. It’s hooskerdo fireworks excitement, wonderment. Kicking Wing had the right idea. Did not give up.

In my life I have been blessed with four children of my own and the opportunity to blend in two more bright, sharp, articulate children.

As a kid I knew I wanted to be a parent, to have children of my own to raise, instruct, enjoy. To prepare them for the wild bumper car “thrill a minute” experience ahead of them at the amusement park with the neon sign glaring harshly over the entrance to the ride called “Life”.

There are many twists and turns, sudden grind to a stop bumps on this life ride. Coming at you from all directions. So keep your hands and arms inside the car compartment at all times. We are in this round and round circular journey together. Maybe alone inside our car but at least not unprotected. Sitting.. it gliding on the steel mixed with iron floor.The sparks sputtering overhead from the electrified wire grid that is the source of all our power. Until it stops. And you are asked to exit from the opposite side of where you came in. Don’t get out, stay in the car.

Theologians can argue if that swaddling clothed baby mentioned above is brought in to the world pure as the white driven snow.

Or born in to sin marked with imperfection because we are mere mortals. Beginners of wet, goopy balls of clay on a potters wheel ready for shaping, forming, detailing. To become useful pitchers, vessels, cups that runneth over. Able to retain fluid, filled with joy, kindness, peace, and most important of all love and respect. For something outside of ourselves.

It is not about you, it is about others. Our successes are not just ours alone. Because more than one bumper car on that ride. We are not, or should not be alone. Needing constant improvement and to be humble, grateful and never comfortable. As we strive to learn more about the bigger picture, the quality of life that involves others. I am glad I live in Maine where the number of “others” around me is much smaller.

In a small Maine town, we need each other and are tighter knit, caring than being raised in a big populated state.

We are connected growing up together that a new out of state person coming in to it missed. Especially if from a large urban area. Not the same bumper car ride. We picked potatoes as kids for our winter jacket. We attended church, heck I took organ lessons at one with Greta White, my childhood piano teacher.

You are much more aware of others in a small Maine town. I remember as a single full time Dad being at a spring parks and rec soccer game with the kids all around seven years old. And seeing a lady on the aluminum bleachers, head on one hand supported by her knee, held low. Watching her daughter hustle hard but looking so sad, very tired, unhappy. You don’t know what folks have been through if you are wrapped up in your own problems. I knew the mother only because her sister had married a first cousin that I later sold a house for as they moved to the Bangor area. I thought I need to reach out, lend a sympathetic ear.

My heart hurt from just that look, visible pain as our kids chased the soccer ball around the Just For Kids playing field with mouth guards and shin guards in place.

I wanted to shield this lady that I did not know from any more pain or suffering. Much much later, I ended up marrying this “County girl” who too picked potatoes, understood well the simple living in Aroostook. Had munched the same Sadie’s Bakery donuts, enjoyed the same flavor HFD ice cream sundaes. And then I made a terrible mess, botched up the blending of her two with my four kids.

Room for improvement, how many in the room in this class, raise your hands for a head count. Oohh, big class. High divorce rates happen for many reasons because of the overbooked, pace of life we lead. But also because if the person we are with and you quarrel, there is a thinking a new and improved mate is what’s needed. Will fix the ills that leave from one marriage and follow you in to the second and more if you don’t just sit in that shielded, protective bumper car. Slumped low in the seat, taking a deep breath. Then pondering, considering what is going on here. What’s my mission and how do I help or hurt the process? Taking ownership for my role in the good, bad and the ugly. You need that other person.

Happiness is an inside job of being grateful and not having others define you as having very few redeeming qualities.

You and I have lots of goodness, well intentioned “hearts in the right place” purpose. The secret is when you meet someone willing to share all their baggage they carry and add to along the way, is to realize change happens with you and me, not the other person when life’s rough spots happen. Those set backs are not time to get off the ride and head for the exit. To repeat the same mistake of running, hiding and looking for another to fix the stuck in the groove skipping music cause by the diamond tip riding on vinyl.

There is a time to grow up, admit you and I are a big part of the problem. It adds to the confusion if other well intention family members have their spin on what you should do. And march in to your home, finger pointing, wagging and say do this, do that right now. Driving your own bumper car has to happen. Because it is your life and divorce just adds extra layers to the make it foggy, confusing to maneuver and see the right path to take today.

I think listening to God’s whisper that becomes a shout if you ignore him is the start for peace, contentment and patience that our drive through society struggles with.

Then the mate you chose that you can trade hearts with and protect needs to be listened to, loud and clear. The communication of what’s wrong when silence happens and they retreat or shut down needs to be opened. Rather than hurt defensive hiding, opening up and trusting that what they need to say is what the other needs to be more sensitive to, for understanding the what is going on. Not shutting down, getting hurt, defensive, bitter or harboring deep resentment. The looking for a brand new blank etch o sketch that starts out clean, new and different. Don’t skip out, dig deep and stay put.

I get on my knees, need to stay there and ask for help in becoming better, for understanding.

And knowing I have something good in me that someone else sees, needs. We all need cheerleaders to uncover and bag balm our insecurities. As we lick our life wounds. And that lovingly will help with the clay forming defining me process on that potter’s wheel. To have a hand I trust, believe in as part of the low RPM shaping wheel turns, spins. Then I in turn am called on, needed to do the same with a mate as we grow, learn, explore our purpose in life together.

In small Maine towns, the whole village has a hand in that refinement process. The polishing of rough edges we all carry. To repair the cracks, accept the blemishes. But sometimes smack dab in the middle of trying to juggle it all, the important keys points are missed. Your hurt and feeling sorry for yourself selfishness kept you from realizing what you need to do too late for the person you should be living your life with.The one that God brought, provided for a supernatural love answer to your prayers. Delivered to you, entrusted as the precious one to share, learn and care together.

Side by side in one bumper car, not apart in two alone in the dark.

I’m no angel. But let me start a fire with the spark in our hearts. And keep it from going out. I don’t know all the words, but Momma told me as I sat beside her as her young son that some day I’d realize that “I’m a simple man“. Some day is here. A simple man, that’s the kind, all I am.

Maine, the place to come to figure it out because less people, more wide open space to think, ponder, and improve happens every day in Vacationland.

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

March 7, 2012
You’re Lucky If You Grow Up In A Rural, Less Populated State Like Maine.

Being raised in a smaller, rural state like Maine has lots of advantages.

Everyone’s In The Maine Small Town Parade.
Besides the rock bound Maine coastal way of life, the mountainous sections of Vacationland, many areas rely on woods and agriculture production. Two industries that are pretty essential and age old. That have both become highly technical like most things in today’s hurry up, faster, drive through life blur or race.

And many in today’s society besides wanting it not now, but right now expect the cherry on top.

Every time, likes its a given, expected, “owed”. To have desert before working for the meal. In large part because they somehow have come to expect the best without a huge supreme effort. Without the hard work, sacrifice and patience learned if you are not born flush with cash. If stacks and stacks of dead presidents do not fuel your lifestyle day to day. The expectations from situations, from others is more realistic, honest, down to earth. Not so spoiled child like.

The difference in a rural state like Maine is in the ratio of lifestyles. The mix is a little different.

Our way of life is simple, the people are not.

Mainers are survivors. Prepare for hard times, expect them. But are grateful for sunny days, periods in their life when everything goes right. And suddenly quick to rationalize when the going gets tough. To convince themselves that when things are bad, it could always be worse.

That is not a defeatest attitude. More like a Rocky who may get knocked down. A lot. Hit hard and often. Like a boat off the coast of Maine being hit hammered by gale force winds. Dangerously close to rocks, shoals, shallow water, hazards. This Rocky from Maine, raised here in Vacationland does not stay on the boxing ring canvas floor. Gets up, keep fighting his way out of the roped in area, despite it all.

There is a little going without but getting so much more when you live in Maine. Much of what we don’t have on a daily basis you don’t need. Or it would cloud the fun of simple homemade experiences. More often than not happening outdoors, any season. Wildlife, waterfront, four season scenery are usually our “cherry on top”.

Maine, Whew. Relax, You Made It To ME Video.

Natural, real, honest and not spun or polished by a Madison Avenue advertising agency… that’s what Maine is.

And why she stands out so classy. The people work hard, not just for the pay check but because it reflects on them. And lazy is stealing, not pulling the oars in the community boat. Not putting your all in to the area you have fierce, protective pride for. Just like you do with any family member. You raise your kids to expect more from themselves, to dig deep and not just think someone else will always come to the rescue.

The folks in Maine are connected, you feel others in your area care and share in your highs and lows. They do. We make eye contact. We wave in Maine. The kids are raised by the village, not just the parents, relatives. Everyone in a small Maine town pitches in. Like the pot luck supper, having something they bring to the event that is good, sweet and from the heart special.

It’s not about “ME”, more about them, others. Because alone we can not accomplish much, if anything. And none of us in Maine in a small town can or should take all the credit. There are other crayons, colors in the box that add the splash, cause the spark, paint the picture of what it is like in that particular Maine town or region.

To appreciate Maine, you have to work hard for all she offers. It’s earned, not just handed over to you. A mind set that sure I could make more money heading to the city. But it would cost a lot, more than just money, on what it takes to live there. What it takes out of you. The biggest loss is the closeness, feeling others care, check in on you and you do the same with them. Bright lights, big city living has glitz and sparkle that come with a cost. That can not compare with Maine’s natural beauty that does not wear a price tag. She wears no make up, doesn’t need to and will grab you heart. And never let go.

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

February 11, 2012
Crusty, A Little Obstinate Sometimes Way Maine Protrayed.

Explore, Discover, Sample Some Of All Maine Has To Offer.

You know the joke about an out of stater lost along the coast of Maine asking a local how do you get to (fill in, pick the ME location).

And after a long pause, dead pan expression, the guy in the overalls, piece of hay dangling out of the side of his mouth drawls after much thought “Chummy, you can not get there from HERE-ahhh”.

For someone on a cruise ship parked off the Maine coast for a night or maybe only a few hours to come ashore, pick up some knick knacks, a t-shirt and tender back to the big boat before it leaves harbor, this coastal experience may be all she wrote. And the rest of what is Maine is like is figured, supposed to be more of the same. You need to return for another visit. Many treks to the Maine inland.

Maine is a big state, sixteen counties worth. The people are hardworking, God fearing, family and local community oriented, driven, passionate. Would do anything for you, help you out. But as far as playing games, being highly political and manipulative, Mainers are not. They don’t jerk people around, hold hidden agendas as a rule. What you see is who they are. All the time. Day in, day out.

The life here in Maine is simple. The people however are not. They have their feet on the ground.

Their heads not in the clouds and there is one intense yet peaceful awareness of all the drop dead gorgeous Maine surroundings.

And each and everyone of us taught to respect it, other people’s opinions too. With the same expected in return. A fair trade.

Anthony Boudain’s “No Reservations” globe trotting local food, spirits with a little middle age philosophy wantonly thrown in to make it all well rounded, entertaining did a show on Maine. And in it, the distinction of perceptions depending on where you live in Maine was there in living color.
Backed up by naturally captured audio starting from a Milo resident’s perspective, that the folks in Portland Maine are a little snobbish.

And if you asked folks on that end of the Pine Tree State, depending on the day, you might get a response that those north of Bangor are a little hickish. One quote in the show from a recent transplant from Vermont indicated folks way up north are 200 and 300 years behind the times. Ouch. From an expert who had never been north of where the Maine turnpike stops collecting quarters. Setting travelers loose to speed up the rest of Interstate 95 to where it connects to the Trans Canadian highway in my home town of Houlton Maine.

Come see for yourself, sample the areas, meet all the people. Stay, visit long enough to draw your own conclusions and chew the fat with the locals of Maine. Fill up with local naturally grown, raised food and take in the jaw dropping out of this world scenery. Maine, too pretty not to be shared. The secret is out about Vacationland. Get here quick as you can. Experience our refreshing tell it like it is candor, without the spin, games.

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

July 25, 2011