In Pursuit Of Maine: June 15, 2014 - Lazy Days

Sunday, June 15, 2014

June 15, 2014 - Lazy Days

What a lazy day. I couldn't muster up the gumption even to go fairy hunting, it was that lazy of a day. And anyone who knows me knows that's saying something. For once, it was okay to just be lazy. It occurs to me that humans never allow themselves to do that. Oh, they take "time off," but they never just do nothing. They do "extra" work. Or they force a busy schedule of "fun" onto themselves and everyone around them. Or they become lazy but cringe with incredible guilt and "pay for it" later. Or they become lazy and then hate themselves for it. Animals are different from us. They take every opportunity to be as lazy as possible, and they absolutely love it. There's no guilt, no "I could or I should," no paying for it later. When they have the opportunity to lie in the sun or lounge under a shade tree, they gratefully take it. Yes, there are times when they have to hunt or run or search for food or water, and when they have to do these things, they do them uncomplainingly. They also relax uncomplainingly. We could take a lesson from them. Enjoy this lazy view of Days Cove in Damariscotta, Maine, one of my favorite places.

"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.