In Pursuit Of Maine: March 2, 2015 - Adaptive Tree

Monday, March 2, 2015

March 2, 2015 - Adaptive Tree

This tree fell long ago but didn’t die. Two of its branches, small at the time, straightened out and grew straight upward. Now each branch itself is big around as a tree trunk, and it appears as if there are two separate trees here, but this is not the case. Somehow the tree has managed to stay alive, level itself out, and choose two new apical branches to grow upward, while remaining strong and supportive underneath. The branches seem almost to grow out of mid air. It’s a sight to see in summer, but in winter it’s doubly noticeable because of the snow covering on the bottom prone trunk.

Against all odds, some things just survive. Sometimes they do it just to spite themselves, I guess, but that’s the will to live for you. We think of the will to survive as being an animal thing only, but plants will fight to survive, too. They’ll fight “tooth and nail” as well as any animal, just in a more subtle way. They can also change and adapt to their circumstances. Sometimes I think they do it even better than human beings, and certainly they do it quieter.

The fallen hero that didn't die.

"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.