In Pursuit Of Maine: May 31, 2014 - Lily Ponds

Saturday, May 31, 2014

May 31, 2014 - Lily Ponds

I might as well set out the rules right now for lily ponds so that there will be no confusion later on. Rumor has it in the forest (and I've got a very good source) that there are three stages of magic at a lily pond, depending on the development of the lily pads. Number one: If you kiss a frog when there are no lily pads on the pond, you will turn into a frog yourself. That's why there are so many frogs in the world--too many eager beavers. Number two: If you kiss a frog when there are only lily pads on the pond, you will develop cold feet that will last for the rest of your life. Should you plant a second kiss, your feet will be wet too, although apparently some people are willing to risk that. Number three: If you kiss a frog when there are lily pads AND lily flowers on the pond, you may end up with a prince or princess. What you would do with that prince or princess after getting him or her is entirely up to you, but you had better be prepared for a lot of bowing and scraping. Still, it would be great fun to hang out with royalty. At least if it were dinnertime. And there was a cook nearby. And no flies, definitely no flies.

"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.