In Pursuit Of Maine: April 14, 2016 - That's Maine

Thursday, April 14, 2016

April 14, 2016 - That's Maine

I think if I had to live in a shack on the ocean, it might as well be here. I mean if I were forced. If I were held at gunpoint. If a masked bandit said, “Live in a shack on the ocean or die now,” I would accept this paltry shack. Oh, what a sacrifice. Oh, what a travesty.

In pursuit of Maine on the ocean . . .

Imagine how awful it would be: Brilliant sunshine, thick and magical fogs, the cleanest air possible, fresh fish to eat every day and lobster, too. Imagine waving to boaters as they lazily drifted by and folks paddling in kayaks and even brave swimmers. Picture the burden of finding sea treasures on your doorstep every day: shells, claws, snails, seaweed, and sand dollars. Imagine your boredom at seeing the gulls and eagles and seals every day. Day in and day out. The same old thing. Imagine the drudgery.

And then, imagine to yourself, dear reader, that in reality this really is just a shack in Harpswell on the ocean in Maine. It’s not a house. It’s just an old shed where someone keeps some fishing and lobstering supplies and any old junk that no one else wants to look at anymore. And it’s just sitting there on this idyllic, heavenly spot, watching the world go by. The people they come, and the people they go. The shack remains.

But that’s Maine for you. Wild. Without pretension. How I fervently pray it will stay this way forever. If I have any say in the matter, it will.

"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.