In Pursuit Of Maine: June 22, 2015 - Smart Duck

Monday, June 22, 2015

June 22, 2015 - Smart Duck

Most wild animals are camera shy. That is, they do their very best to get away from me when I try to take their picture. Farm animals are friendlier, but wild animals are usually quite wary of humans, and with good reason since humans can often be dangerous creatures. But today, this duck decided to stare me down. It surprised me so much that I almost didn’t take the photo, which was his goal. Clever bird.

This is a male mallard (drake) whose plumage is transferring over to “eclipse” plumage (non-breeding) because the time for breeding is about over. People say that ducks in general are not very smart, but I have to wonder. He swims in the sun whenever he wants to and takes shelter in the cool reeds. Other than finding food, which every living thing must do, he does not work. He never exerts himself unnecessarily. He doesn’t worry about money or the economy. He doesn’t try to keep up with the Joneses, and he doesn’t worry about war. His life is completely peaceful.

Compare that to humans, and then ask yourself who is the smarter? We like to think that we are the most intellectually evolved creatures on this planet. However, I’ve always had this nagging fear that perhaps we are among the least intellectually evolved and that most of the animals are patiently waiting for us to catch up. After all, why would an evolved creature create a lifestyle of permanent work and slavery? I wish I were as smart as a duck.

Mallard drake in eclipse plumage.

"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.