The current political events of the day, seem to get me wound up on so many levels. I believe that the destruction of the US dollar, our economy and Capitalism are inevitable because the new global economy, and world health system, redistribution of wealth will replace our current government. I believe that Capitalism needs to be destroyed if it is to be replaced by a new global government and currency.  Capitalism is a threat to the new world order, I believe. After all, why would anyone ever want to get ahead? Of course I am being facetious .I think our grandfathers who fought in World War 2 would not recognize what they were fighting for today because today we are becoming more of a communistic society.  Their war would not be won, because of 24/7 newsfeeds. Then everyone was part of the war effort, not like today where America is so far removed from the warfront that they are most likely shopping somewhere. Soldiers and their actions would be scrutized, held to a standard which nobody could attain. This is only my belief. Unfortunately , some news stations warn of the US government straying from the US Constitution. It stirs discontent amongst us, which is good, because we need to be aware. However, the US government has been far removed from the US Constitution since before the Great Depression. People lost everything during the Depression, had land confiscated and generally lost all their properties and basic human rights which were violated. Some were even murdered by their own US soldiers, including a time when Patton, Eisenhower , and other notables took orders from their Commander in Chief (US President) and fired and bayoneted the citizens of the US because the citizens only wanted their Bonuses for serving in WW1 which they had been promised. They had marched on Washington, ten or so years after the war  and after the attack, they left empty handed  with no bonus money. The reason for the Bonus Marchers journey to Washington, was that many were unemployed and had very hungry families at home . Today unemployment in many counties across America is at twenty percent. People who worked on the trains allowed many to ride the rails for free hopping on boxcars all across America to convene in Washington DC to collect their bonus money. It happened then and it can happen again. People were starved and it continued for much longer than needed- all because those in power wanted to keep the average person down. Though President Hoover was pretty much blamed for the Stock Market Crash, it was FDR who was accused of prolonging the Great Depression, a time when people in America actually died from starvation. Many people interviewed in Studs Terkel’s  book, Hard Times, referred to FDR as the Great Destroyer. Knowing the history of our country can help us not to repeat the same mistakes . Today, so many rely on the US  government to solve so many of their problems, and some are seemingly just plain lazy, that we are not so different from our Communist counterparts, waiting for that check to come in so we can buy our food, pay our rent and get whatever it is that we are ‘entitled’. It reminds me of the time I lived In Germany when the wall came down and the feelings the West Germans had for their East German neighbors. Many felt that the East Germans had become lazy over time, waiting for the government to solve their problems and they became infuriated when the East Germans came to West Germany to take jobs and get priority housing and retrieve their government checks at the work station. The East Germans received assistance and discontent grew amongst the West Germans because they subsidized those entitlement checks. We have grown lazy and I wonder why our grandfathers ever fought WW2, because they would not recognize the complacency which has replaced being actively involved in government affairs. Complacent,uninformed,and many uneducated citizens have replaced the last generation. Is it always a good thing to give your children everything, so that they may have a better life than yours? My thoughts are as follows. After reading a lifetime’s worth of diaries from the mid 1800’s of an ancestor, I have found that money was regarded as a highly valued tool. My ancestors did not have their mailboxes filled with catalogs, or a television selling them 24/7 items that they felt they needed, or malls or magazines…or grocery stores They took a  newspaper once a week which had advertisements. My ancestors, bought only what they needed, spent very little on frivolous things, and more importantly had a great deal of money because taxes were not that high .I read about transactions of thousands of dollars, in a time when taxes were 24 dollars per year, including property, and poll taxes. I read most often that money was used as a tool, and when loaning to relatives, the stipulation was to always pay back with interest. Nobody was ‘given’ anything. There were no free rides .It is interesting to compare that time period when prices were tied to the land, for instance the cost of grain compared to today and how the dollar is all afloat, not tied to anything of great value. I have come to believe that were are chained to China and Americans may want to rethink their dependency upon China. Americans should be concerned.

            The past few months have been very busy. Since June, I made a commitment to myself, to change my ways and make exercise a part of my life. If it was not for my husband, I would not have connected with a trainer who changed my life. My husband paid my trainer up front for a few months of sessions, so that I could begin to feel better. He gave me a business card and told me to call the trainer, whose name is  Davis. Remembering our first meeting, I recall how scared I was to meet with my trainer. I was embarrassed that I had let myself get into such bad shape over the years. Since Davis was only 20 years old, I was also intimidated by his youthfulness and athletic ability but I quickly realized how dedicated he was to health and fitness. I knew I had to make some changes because I felt I would not live long as I did not feel well. Davis was committed to me three times per week. Every visit was different as he mixed up the circuits and exercise. He quickly learned what my abilities were and planned every meeting with my exercise program in order. I can honestly say I seldom did anything twice. I ran up and down the stairs at the old Dana Warp Mill, lifted weights, did cardio workouts on the stair master , hopped, jumped, ran and did extreme abdominal workouts. I did jumping jacks, hopped across rope ladder rungs and threw heavy medicine balls. I laid on my back doing abdominal twists, scissors and bridges. Later on, I would meet him at a track and I was able to work my way up to running nonstop for one mile. I ran up and down the football field, ran up and down the bleachers and also ran up and down the hill. Davis has been a wealth of information and as I told his employer, “Davis knows his stuff and has changed my life”. I learned how to do planks, bridges and rows, and dead lifts, thanks to Davis.
             My reason for mentioning all of this is that it has been six months and we have reached the end of our 3x per week training sessions. I have lost 22 pounds and about four inches around my waist. If I can do it, any one of you can do it. Too many people are looking for quick weight loss solutions but I firmly believe that it takes very hard work to achieve your goals. I have done things I never thought I could do and Davis pushed me harder than anyone ever has pushed me. There are no quick solutions. The best advice I could give anyone I know is to hire a personal trainer because I have learned so much from Davis. I would highly recommend him because he is very serious and he is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. You can't put a price on good fitness and I can honestly say I feel like I have my former life back. My weight was about 190 lbs and it incapacitated me. If anyone is serious about changing their lifestyle, I can put you in touch with Davis. I am going to miss my sessions with him. Thank you Davis, for being committed to showing me the way to a lifestyle filled with better health and fitness. You have changed my life. I hope to still see you at the gym.
 
 

The Day the Music Died

 

                    1970……doesn’t seem very long ago. In the seventies, various forms of music delivery were possible. Everything was hard copy. I had friends with eight track players, cassette players and we all had vinyl. As a young teen, I had a large vinyl collection which soon sat on the shelf collecting dust as I began purchasing cassettes as they became my music media of choice. As an adult, I prefer to purchase CD’s now digitally mastered. Today my kids listen to YouTube or they purchase iTunes which enables them to prepay for downloads. Vinyl had dimension. In comparison to listening to a digitally mastered CD, my belief is that the music is very flat, no volume. With technology continually bursting upon the horizon, something is always lost however the excitement of something new and innovative holds our interests. The day the Music died, doesn't just refer to the death of Buddy Holly from Don McLean's song  American Pie. The music has changed today.
                    Back in the fifties,, several artists might sing the same song hence many covers available for purchase. I think today several artists are doing the same thing. The technology is amazing. The popularity of YouTube is partly due to the social networking it promotes amongst the people. The baby boomers enjoy the nostalgia of searching for old clips from television programs, and all ages enjoy the tutorials. Occasional humorous clips entertain all ages. It is a tool, also a way to spread messages across the masses. Now imagine if we had to go back to the days before the internet. I read an article from WebBiz Winter 2010 issue. It stated that the internet had first been available to college students. A college student Marc Andreeson, age 21, worked on the first browser Mosaic which quickly spread by “word of mouth” [the viral loop] over the internet. According to the article by Adam Penenberg, when Bill Clinton became President in 1993, there were approximately 20 websites. Penenburg said today there are over one billion websites today. From the days of my youth, I would write a letter and anxiously await a reply when today I can have an instant reply either by email or by instant messaging via the web. I can probably say that I am grateful I did not have these distractions as a young girl. How could our kids possibly understand our world before the internet?

            The Wall Street Journal dated January 11^th, 2010 had an article by L. Gordon Crovitz {Information Age} entitled ‘China’s Web Crackdown Continues’ kept my interest as I read about Nicholae Ceausescu and his oppression of the people of Romania. Who would have thought that owning a typewriter warranted registering it or one could be committing a crime punishable by death?This was in 1967. It was all about the control of information and the power to censor material written against the leader who was eventually tried and executed with the collapse of communism some twenty or more years later. Today, no matter where one lives, governments control the flow of information to the masses. In the United States, we may be known to have several alternative forms of media, unlike the rest of the world, however it is my belief that our delivery of information is somewhat censored depending upon the subject matter. I can safely say after reading the article, I feel fortunate that I can access sites such as YouTube, Twitter and Face book, all sites banned in China. However last week many Chinese, some 300 million internet users were surprised to find they could access sites for a short time until the government stepped it up to replace the sites with error messages. I think it is basically a tool to keep the people suppressed, so they will not revolt against their government. Those in charge are afraid of the masses because we out number them. Their government monitors the people through their internet use. Hmmm… I wonder what our government is doing in this regard. This all reminds me of the mill workers in the late 1800’s. Mill bosses would place many different nationalities on each floor so they would no organize against the bosses and cause a mill shutdown, due to bad working conditions. If the language equation is then dismanted, then the power of a united voice is lost. This kept the bosses in power. There have been many times in history when governments have monitored the people and this has been bad. This is a perfect example of the people fulfilling their duty to keep a watchful eye on the growth of government. We should never feel that circumstances are beyond our control.

 

            Each year, I like to get together with my mom and sisters and go window shopping in Portland. We usually buy a few trinkets and some real gifts however the time we spend together is most important. Driving through Portland, I am delighted each year to see more and more of Pandora LaCasse’s illuminated sculptures adorning the buildings and trees throughout the downtown and the parks.

            This year,we walked around the streets darting in and out of shops looking for unique treasures. We went into Gritty McDuff’s for some food and drink. I can think of no other way to spend time during the holidays than with family. Receiving Christmas cards from friends near and far allows me to realize how lucky I have been in life, to have a been a friend and to have friends.

            One can’t help but to think of family and friends who are no longer part of our Christmas Tradition. Each year we recall those we have loved and are now gone, keeping their memory close to our hearts. Still, Christmas is about celebrating the gift of the birth of Christ. If anything, it is not our place to cast judgment upon others. When I read tragic news headlines, I wonder how families can cope with their tragedies. Then I think that we are human so it is beyond our ability to sometimes forgive. I suppose that is one of the reasons I believe in a higher power. I believe casting judgment is in God’s hands, not mine and I also believe he is not vengeful, because that would make him human- like. Treat others with regard to how you would like to be treated. Unfortunately, Christmas is stressful because many emotions are tied to the holiday season. Christmas time is when we think of many with whom we are acquainted and for whatever reasons, we have lost touch. Maybe we had a falling out, a misunderstanding, a fight, yet we are too stubborn to make amends. Pride stands in the way. Time does not heal wounds, it only masks them. Years pass and memories come and go and I often wonder how people are doing at this time of year. I know there are many who struggle this time of year. Every family experiences loss.

            This Christmas was spent at my parents’ home with my sisters and their families. We had a wonderful dinner and spent a great deal of time playing games organized by my sister, Sharon. It was a great way to spend the day. It was perhaps the simplest Christmas we have ever had, very few gifts and little stress. It was all about spending time together. On one shopping excursion, a cashier at the bookstore told me that many people this year were paying with cash and using their debit cards, instead of credit cards. In the city, several vendors told us that it was not a busy year. The Santa Claus fund in the local paper was 100,000 dollars less than last year. I pray that families find new and creative ways to survive this year.

            Wishing you all the very best for the New Year, in prosperity, health and the compassion and love we all need to get by in our lives. For those of you with children; remember a television does not teach our children to love and to have compassion. There is no substitute for family, one that is involved in each other’s lives. A family is about caring for one another. It is about treating grandparents with respect and making them feel they are still vital members of our families. The older I get, the luckier I am to know I have had the love and support of my family all along the way.

            Today, Dec 11th, there was for the first time a H1N1 flu clinic for people with chronic illnesses, especially adults. Previously, healthy schoolchildren and babies have been vaccinated. The old, sick and those living with chronic illness have been having difficulty getting the shots. I spoke with the public health person for Cumberland County and I was told the healthy are being vaccinated to prevent the virus from spreading fast amongst the general population. Each week, I have been calling all of my son’s specialists, with no information on when the H1N1 shot would become available. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is an illness which should be at the top of the list for the vaccine, but that has not been the case.
             Today I prepared to be at the clinic when it opened. I drove to 180 Park Avenue, in Portland and was there maybe fifteen minutes after it began. I saw swarms of cars entering the parking lot, so I followed them. The lot was full and I saw many turning around on the street trying to find a close parking space. It was very bitter cold outside. All the handicapped spaces were full, with vehicles which did not qualify, I might add. So I drove off trying to find a place to park. My son and I were able to park about 1/10th of a mile away. After maneuvering the sidewalk, we approached the building. I saw many people in the hallway. When we opened the door, it was complete chaos, not noisy, but people all over the stairs with their strollers, children and no apparent sense of order , very unorganized. Worst of all there was nobody there acknowledging the crowd. I waited for about ten minutes at the most assessing the situation. I looked into the room from where I stood, near the entrance door, because we could not move any further. The room where people would be getting their shots was standing room only, no order whatsoever. I saw two men filling out paperwork on a clipboard. I am not sure where they received the clipboards. After ten minutes, I turned around and left. There were hundreds of people there and I felt we would be there all morning. To be honest, my first thought was that the room was probably a germfest, and may not be the best place to be. Much to my disappointment, I left very upset and drove to the pulmonary doctor’s office on Congress Street. They had no vaccines for adults, only children under 36 months. 
             Could the delivery of these vaccines been better? Why is it not accessible for the chronically ill? Portland Public Health knew a large shipment was arriving so why wasn’t it divided amongst the many specialists who deal with the chronically ill? Perhaps it had to do with the source of the funding. I am not sure, but I am very disappointed that it has been unavailable.

                    There is a time for everything. We never know when our time is up or what reason we are here. I have come to believe that everything falls into place, with or without our intervention. It has been awhile since I have written, but it is because I was very busy preparing with my siblings a party for our parents on their 50th wedding anniversary. It was perhaps the most important event we have planned in our lives. My siblings did an exceptional job. I have also been working to maintain good health since June 1st, working with a trainer three times per week. In the meantime, I have been busy doing craft fairs, ornament parties and staying with my parents since our kitchen is in the process of being remodeled. I guess I am a gypsy of sorts.
                     I have missed writing so I will share a few things that have happened. Recently I went up to visit Saccarappa Cemetery and found some stones which were completely vandalized. One stone belonging to Elmer Mitchell which is made of tin, was seemingly vandalized with a sledgehammer. It nauseates me that people could spend their time smashing the memorials of people who are long gone. The stones of many of Westbrook, Maine’s earliest residents are mostly shattered. Of course one cannot hurt the dead, but it sure casts sadness upon the survivors of the dead. 
                     I have been thinking about connections in my life. Recently I told my son, Mike, that he should check out www.winheldsworld.blogspot.com , a site written by a man with Muscular Dystrophy. Coincidently, later that afternoon I saw a post on my Face book page, that he had passed away. Previously, I had only checked his website maybe four or five times. Josh Winheld was an inspiration to many who knew him. If you check the comments after his brother posted the news of Josh’s death, it will break your heart to read a post written by a woman whom was very close to him. It made me cry to read her thoughts. Josh taught me that as parents, we sometimes place limitations on our kids… and that is not good. He taught me that my son could get a college education, could get work, and could find love. You have to admire people for just living their lives despite whatever obstacles they may face. I am thankful I knew about his blog. I am not sure he knew how valuable he was to his readers.
                     I wish you all good health, less stress, and the good fortune to still have a job and a roof over your head. Times are tough. It is time to get back to basics such as learning some new things.  This year I learned to make my own butter, plant a garden, and can jam and jelly. Sundays may be a good time to start getting together with family and friends to start a tradition. My own sisters and I have talked about working on crafts, or bake bread, or work on scrapbooking. It is always good to learn new skills.
 For several years, I have taken the day after Thanksgiving off from work, so that I could take part in the Bonny Eagle Craft Fair to make hand-lettered ornaments while people wait. Part of me was afraid I could not keep up with the orders, so I never acted upon my desire to be in the fair until this year. I sold my ornaments at three craft fairs and did pretty well. I was even asked if I could do an ornament party which I agreed to try, though it was something I had never done. So next year will be more exciting because I have new avenues I want to explore.
                     Today, it is snowing heavily in South Portland, Maine where I am located. It is beautiful outside and soon it will be time to get outside and snowshoe. Enjoy your day.

                    All weekend I have been thinking about Shiloh’s parents. She recently passed away at the tender age of ten. She was one of only three known worldwide who lived with sirenomelia, commonly referred to as mermaid syndrome. She was a true spirit, full of life and determination. As a parent of a child with a disability, I have learned a few things. Some things in life may seem unfair, but life was never fair. I also had a cousin with severe limitations and when she passed, I grieved over what she had been through in her life, but I was grateful that she was part of our lives, in the sixties; a time before inclusion.
                    In my experience, I believe most parents who have children with disabilities sometimes experience chronic sorrow because their children will lead dramatically different lives than their peers. It seems much of the child’s energy, is sometimes spent making others comfortable with them. Parents also feel compelled to have their children accepted by their peers as well as adults. There were times, I had to step back and not put those burdens on my shoulders because I needed to save my strength just to be a mom. I also wanted my son to see that I was dealing with things the best way I knew. When parents finally stop fighting the disability and gain acceptance, then the children gain self acceptance, which is most important.
                     Disabled kids teach their parents just how strong they are as human beings. The strength of the human spirit is remarkable. Inside each and every one of us is that need to live our lives. Sometimes we are not tested early on, like children with illness and disability, until we are older. Then we find that we have great strength when we need it. We will experience denial, fear, anger and sadness but that will take the back burner to acceptance and happiness in the life that we have today. Our children do not want to be made to feel they are a burden, or they are special, or they are fragile. They want people to talk to them not at them. My experience as a mother is not that different from any other mother. I want my children to accept themselves and be the best they can be. My experiences have been intense at times. It was not always easy trying to juggle meeting the needs of my able-bodied son as I was care-giving for my other son. There were times when I had nightmares over my inability to do both. For the most part, I believe I am a better person for having the experiences I have had as a mother. It may be difficult to believe but I would never trade the experience of raising a child with a disability. Of course, in my heart it has been difficult to watch my son experience his losses. It has been difficult for our whole family, especially my youngest son who watched his brother gradually stop walking and lose abilities. They have a very tight bond, which is just what a mother wants with her kids. 
                    When I think of all the people I have met whose children have been sick or living with disability during our many hospital stays and also families I have known with disabled children, I am humbled to be part of this circle of friends. I have several memories of parents who have lost their children and they still reach out to me in my time of need or they are there to offer me their wisdom. So today, as I think of Shiloh’s family, I am sure they feel very blessed to have had such a beautiful daughter and I am willing to bet they too would not have traded their experience as parents to such a determined young girl. This story is dedicated to the strength of the human spirit, the love we have for life, and the courage to carry on with the burdens that we all sometimes carry. To LIfe!

            Please excuse my long absence as I had a longtime visitor at my home and enjoyed the visit. This is not to say I was empty of thought as each day I would write notes to myself about topics with which I was concerned. The following gives testament to some of my mind wanderings. Oh the places I have traveled……
            Each day, we are updated with blurbs and headlines regarding current news across the Globe. How much news do we really need? When 9/11 occurred, I became obsessed with news 24/7 and in fact found my sleep interrupted as I would awaken several times during the night to keep updated, as if I might miss an important piece of news. Some would call this phenomenon a little crazy. I must agree now, that it probably was crazy, and I was not the only person in the Nation watching CNN Headline News at all hours of the night. I continued watching the CNN Headline News for over a year. Then I realized that this was not the norm.
             Once I read an article which mentioned a concept that we reserve the right ‘Not to Know.’ I believe over one hundred years ago, an idea that one day we would become over saturated with so much news that we could actually go crazy. Today, I can be watching something on television and it will be interrupted with a sensational crime story, with no warning of graphic material. This is total disregard for any children who may be watching. It is as if sensationalism has replaced decency. I am not really sure that what I see portrayed as news is really news. What I sometimes see and read is more information than my brain can handle. Sometimes, I do not know what to do with disturbing graphics and information and I am not good at processing it. I wished I had never even heard the story, because it continues to haunt me Surely, I cannot be the only one who feels this way. My belief is that we will never have the ability to keep up with the fast pace of technological advancement. We purchase our computers and they are obsolete before we bring them home. The news feeds which bombard us minute by minute are similar in the way that it is unfiltered, out of control information and media.         
            Everyone has a cell phone with a camera, a digital camera, spy novelties, or a video camera. At any time, you can be filmed and never know it. I saw quite by accident a piece of footage showing a young man’s death on his motorcycle doing a stunt he had probably done hundreds of times. It had been posted You Tube and unfortunately, I never intended to see it but caught the gruesome scene. I wonder how anyone tcould take footage like that and post it with no regard to the grieving family. Although I live in a country which has alternative media, uncensored this and that, I would fight to keep it this way. I would prefer to filter out the nonsense myself, by avoiding horrific headlines and turning off the TV and radio when I am feeling bombarded. Who really needs news 24/7? Long gone are the days when my ancestors read a weekly rag which covered topics around the Globe. I think there were fewer crazier people back then too.
             The media has a way of pushing our buttons and even if we enjoy a certain program, sometimes we need to control our response to the material… and turn off the radio. I am not sure our media is doing a good job covering important issues. It seems the local town rags do an excellent job of covering the responses of everyday citizens to the news media. I was not interested in the antics of Britney Spears or the death of Michael Jackson or the OJ Simpson trial. Why do we hold these Hollywood types in high esteem? Do we wish to be like them? I think if we all took an interest in what is happening in our own four walls, the world might just be a little more interesting and healthier.
               Another topic of interest is our dependence on China. We owe them a great debt, because we think we need all this crap made in China. How much junk do we really all need? The proof is in the hundreds of yard sales in my own vicinity. If we were not obsessed with stuff, there would be no yard sales. It reminds me of an old newspaper article I read about the American South while sitting in my doctor office. The South was very angry with the North shortly after the Civil War. The wounds were very deep. One Northerner wrote, “You can’t blame them because they wake each day from their Yankee made beds, which are covered with their Yankee made sheets and pillows. The slip into their Yankee made clothes, and groom themselves with their Yankee made brushes, combs and razors. They sit down at their Yankee made table and chairs and eat from their Yankee made dishes and silverware”….You get the point. Look around your home to see all the items made elsewhere, usually China. Today, we are like the Southerners of long ago in comparison with our dependency on China. The Chinese said that America spends tomorrow’s money today and the Chinese do not do that. 
             Even the media cannot keep up with the pace of the wonders of the Internet like Twitter, You Tube etc. One has to research so much to gather stories of interest and to investigate. I do not see much of that going on in too many newspapers. You would think that the newspapers would complement their news stories with the likes of alternative media sources. I would think in the news business, one would have to search and search for newsworthy items in all types of available internet media. Perhaps this is why the newspapers are failing. Soon they will all be similar to the Tabloids which are commonplace in England. News as it is delivered will be over, if that is what we will be reduced to for our news. It is not unusual for me to read a story and leave with the feeling that the story was unfinished. I always look for what is unwritten, much like in conversation, the unspoken is sometimes more important than what was spoken. Maybe too many choices are just as bad as not enough choices. That is why I believe the online comments are a fine addition to the online newspaper editions. Sometimes the comments are disturbing, but usually they give a sense of closure to the story and commenters even  question pieces of the story.
             On another matter; a short time ago that there were no supermarkets, only corner markets. As a child, I seldom recall going to McDonald’s Restaurant. We went to Old Orchard Beach for rides once. As a big family we did things together, and went places which cost little to nothing. There was not this urgent sense of consumerism. Why do so many feel like they cannot ever wait for any purchase? They want it all now. Supposedly ATM card users spend more than people who carry cash spend.  We are still in control….turn off the TV, throw out the sale flyers, stop shopping on the internet, and don’t allow yourself to be told what you need. Most of all on a humorous note, don’t look at those magazines at the checkout, always reminding us of what a man needs. No wonder we feel inadequate… and to think we even pay for it at the checkout! Come to think of it, I have not seen many magazines about what a woman wants… unless of course a woman is writing it for another woman. You can make that choice not to buy everything in sight and put a few dollars in your pocket.

 

                    Looking back, I suppose we have all wasted time. When I was a young woman, it was all about my friends. I had the love and security of the family I grew up with, but we all struggle to break free of our family, only later to come back and realize they are the best support we have in our lives. I had so much fun growing up with all my many friends, each one a friend for a different reason. I have friends from my neighborhood, friends from school, friends from the night club scene, friends of friends, college friends, friends in the sign trade, friends from work etc. There are friends I have known since kindergarten that I am still great friends with today. I have my mom friends who have kids with disabilities. They keep me going and give me inspiration. 
                     As I grow older, I am careful how I spend my time because time is a limited commodity. Last week I talked to a friend who is a mother of boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It was unusual for me to talk so long but our conversation was important to both of us. So this was not a waste of time. I have friends I touch base with on occasion because they are very important to me. My family time is of utmost importance to me because they are the investment of my husband and me. Outside my immediate family, it is my sisters with whom I wish to spend time. We have our differences occasionally but we have only admiration nd respect for each other. 
                     I was conversing with a fellow employee this week and he mentioned a childhood memory. It was a sad memory about his young brother’s death. He was in fifth grade and his brother was in the first grade. His family was very large. Since he and his brother attended the same school, he was asked by his mother to tell the brother’s teacher that his brother would not be back to school because he has passed away. It was perhaps the strongest memory of my fellow employee as a child. He told me that he went to see the teacher who was conversing with a few other teachers when he interrupted them. They all stayed to hear his message, “My brother won’t be back to school because he passed away last night” He remembered bursting into tears. 
                     I have thought of this fellow employee for the past few days and am humbled that he shared that story with me. I am not sure why he was comfortable with sharing it, but am glad he shared it with me. We all have stories. That was certainly no waste of my time. It reminds me of the book, “The Five People you Meet in Heaven” It is also in movie form. In life, we never know who affects us and who we affect. 
                     I also read a story about a local doctor who has ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig ’s disease. I was immediately struck by his wife’s comments, that the first year after diagnosis was very terrible. I felt the exact same way after I found my son to have a serious illness. I cried every day and night for what seemed like months. It had a profound effect on my marriage, and my parenting to my other child as well as my affected son. I was devastated for a very long time. After some time was I able to find some peace and learn to live life. Then I could teach my children to live their lives. 
                    A diagnosis is not a death sentence and nobody can take away your hopes and dreams. There is no person on Earth who holds the crystal ball and by no means do we all fit inside a nice box, with all diagnoses having the same exact reactions. We are all very different. Choose your time wisely and surround yourself with positive people. My best to all my friends because I am truly blessed.

           

 

            There is something about the allure of the sea and growing up on the coast of Maine that there are certain pleasures not to be taken for granted. The smell of the salt air and the sounds of bell buoys and foghorns on a foggy night are good memories of living along the coast. Having lived on Peaks Island for a short time, my ties are strong to the sea. Painting mussel shells with designs and combing the beach are among my favorite things to do along an ocean beach.
             The sea creatures seen in the tidal pools and the sight of seals as they feast along the jagged rocks were truly a pleasure to witness on a recent excursion to Monhegan Island. A gem in Muscongus Bay, Monhegan Island is nearly ten miles out to sea. We saw a lone fisherman out there in the middle of the bay, and I realized that it must be a lonely job for hardworking fishermen. I am sure that the catch can be plentiful but their livelihood is tied to the sea. With regulations and the current low cost of lobster [current prices are about 3.99 lb]; it must be very hard to make a good living at times. I am reminded of my last trip to Damariscotta, when I purchased native artist Dahlov Ipcar’s children’s book, The Lobsterman, filled with delightful night scenes of the lobsterman at work. Matinicus Island has been in the headlines regarding fishing territory disputes. I wish their island community the best to come together as a community again.
             Prior to the boat ride to Monhegan Island, I went on a trip to downtown Damariscotta, on our yearly visit to Reny’s. I met Mr. Robert Reny years ago in his store here and was impressed with his strong work ethic and dedication. He passed away this year and I am sure many people here will miss him as we saw a large banner “Thank you R.H. Reny” upon our arrival to the area this week. We spent a lot of time and money downtown. As always, I highly recommend Reny’s for the fashions, bargains, jewelry, souvenirs, stemware, and all things that could be considered necessities. Everyone on the street was either talking about going to Reny’s or carrying Reny’s bags like we did. Afterward I found a nice boutique named Darling and Delisle filled with beautiful jewelry, whimsical and classic designed hats, scarves and lovely hair pieces made with rhinestones and materials similar to Bakelite and tortoiseshell. While there I purchased a mermaid pendant with three natural pearls on the strand. Later on, I purchased some hairpieces for my sisters because they are my best friends.
             During the week, we had a karaoke night with a sing-a-long with our Canadian Cousins, “We Are Family”- a night of insanity and reminiscing and before the night was over, we were saying, eh?” Another old neighbor from Redbank Village came up the same week and we had a grand get-together.  My brother came by with his family a few times and music was the central force. We had wonderful times playing music and singing by the campfire.
             My husband planned an evening lobster feast, chicken, steak, corn, margaritas, potato, and salad, along with many extras, to feed some twenty-five people. It was an evening to remember. The week was filled with horseshoes, skateboarding and basketball, canoeing and fishing, for all the teens-as well as plenty of teen action down by the pavilion with lots of socializing.
             Hot tubs, Jacuzzis and ice cream, slushies and snacks from the general store made our evenings worthwhile. Camping at Lake Pemaquid was a blast, so I am told. Family is what it is all about… I love them all and they make the trip worthwhile.
             The weather was perfect, except for the visibility of the annual meteor shower [August 12th]. The visibility was not good. In Weld , Maine back in 1970, on a camping trip, we witnessed at Dummers Beach, the most spectacular meteor shower ever, with hundreds of shooting stars. Never again have we witnessed anything as spectacular. 
             Lake Pemaquid camping is really about all the kids getting together and making memories for them. Our family has been camping since 1967, so this is our forty second year of making memories. My father built his trailer in 1968 specifically for camping. This past year he used the same frame but rebuilt the whole trailer body for the third time. 
             We learned to play dominoes on our last evening together making Dad happy. It also made us happy as we maneuvered the crazy game of Mexican Train Dominoes and laughed hysterically all evening. All in all, it was an excellent staycation, as I think that I prefer to keep my money in Maine whenever possible. I especially choose to shop in lovely Damariscotta and not in Wiscasset because the long traffic delays have made me realize I will never spend a dime there. Our vehicle moved five miles in forty minutes. On the way back we sailed through Wiscasset with no delays and I did not stop to spend any money either. As usual, it is always nice to be back home. Next year will be a grand trip to Vinalhaven or maybe even Matinicus.