In Pursuit Of Maine: May 13, 2014 - Transformers

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

May 13, 2014 - Transformers

I found this old tree stump covered in quartz crystals, and they were not placed there by me. Maine is a rock and mineral rich state, and crystals and gems are easy to come by. However, they are not usually found on old tree stumps in the middle of the woods. If you look closely, you can see that the bark has pulled away from the inner wood, marking this stump as being fairly old. Upon closer inspection, you will see that new shoots are now growing up out of this dead stump. I might have expected that for the first several years after the cutting but not at this stage. I have deduced that new growth in this old "dead" tree is a direct result of the quartz crystals.

Quartz is extremely abundant on the Earth. Its structure--silicon dioxide--has piezoelectric potential. So when heat, pressure, or impact is applied, the electrons begin to jump from their orbit and release a mild electrical charge, which can be harnessed. It is an oscillating vibration that is constant and accurate and is used for radios, computer chips, and watches. Because of our understanding of quartz, we have been able to create lasers, ultrasound, television, etc., all fascinating but lifeless technology.

But I wonder . . . as the sun shines its blessed heat upon the quartz on the stump, what magic might be taking place? It is the woodland fairies who the know the secrets of the crystals, and it is their job to tend to the prana--the life force--in this forest. Every day they teach me something new.

"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.