In Pursuit Of Maine: April 20, 2014 - Transition Period

Sunday, April 20, 2014

April 20, 2014 - Transition Period

We're in a transition period here along the Atlantic. The ice is all gone now. The Canada geese have returned and so have many other birds. The "peepers" (frogs) are singing complex symphonies. The sun is shining. But . . . there is no greenery. Plant life is at a standstill with perhaps just a tiny hint of green here and there, but certainly nothing that could sustain the land. The birds don't seem to mind, though. The peepers don't worry; they keep singing. The sun doesn't care. All of the animals of the forest wait patiently with an inner knowing. None of them are afraid. None of them wonder what will happen because they all know what will happen. They know that any time now the world will explode in unbelievably fantastic greenery and brilliant colors all around them. Abundance will return with ferocity and all will be fed. The world will come alive again with magnificent colors, scents, sounds, and wetness. The animals have perfect faith that all will be well, and because they have perfect faith, all is well. I look at my many fears and worries and I am reminded of the lesson the animals are trying to teach me. Why do I always forget?

"The Plain Maine Cookbook" is my own collection of vintage Maine recipes that will immediately bring you back to a simpler time, a less confused time. These recipes are more than just comfort food. They're family food, traditional food, simple food, plain food. One bite and you'll say, "Ah, yes! I remember my grandmother used to make this. I had forgotten all about it!" Recipes for whoopie pies, funnel cakes, fried fiddleheads, haymaker's switchel, coffee can bread, glogg, and much more are in these pages. There is even a recipe on how to render lard. So open the door and go back to some simple, time-tested foods you can prepare easily. You'll find that you save money and waste less by "making do" with commodity cooking. What's in the pantry or in the garden is what's for dinner.

"So You Want to Move to Maine" is an invaluable little book in helping people to make a permanent move to Maine. It will save you a ton of time because all the initial footwork is done for you, including 100 links on how to find work and living quarters, getting your driver's license, pet requirements, programs for people with disabilities, programs for senior citizens, getting married in Maine, hidden taxes and expenses, hospitals, health insurance, handling a real winter like a pro, etc. Stop being "just a number" or another face in the crowd. Walk away from the rat race. Become boldly individualistic and make your mark in life. You can still do that in Maine, one of the last holdouts of ordinary, old-fashioned, kind, and decent American living.

I’ve chosen 37 unique fairy tales that will be loved by both adults and children as they can be read and interpreted on many levels. But if you are looking for only sweet tales that end in joy and fairness, you may want to pass this book by. Some fairy tales are simply “dark,” and that is because sometimes life is simply dark. Not always, of course, but often enough. Sometimes the hero lives; sometimes he dies. Check out my book, “Fairy Tales of Maine,” in the photo link below. If you are brave, you might just meet yourself in one of these tales.