The Right Time

Timing is everything! Whether boiling an egg or bailing hay, it may make the difference between success or failure! My grandfather was a “dirt” farmer who grew up on a small Maine farm which he eventually owned and where my father and older brother were born in the same bed 29 years apart. There heContinue reading “The Right Time”

Of Central Importance

There was a time when “Houses of God” occupied a central place and role in New England villages. For example, the Congregational Church in Machias is a lovely, historic building situated prominently on “Center Street.” Today many, beautiful, old church structures still stand, but attendance testifies to their dwindling influence. Some are now defunct andContinue reading “Of Central Importance”

Wonder Bread

Maine’s beautiful Aroostook County’s rolling farm land grows many crops including hay, alfalfa, potatoes and wheat. One wonders how many slices of Wonder Bread Aroostook’s wheat fields might produce! Bread, whether Wonder Bread, sourdough, whole grain, unleavened, or gluten free, is a worldwide food staple. But when Jesus was challenged with temptation, he pointed outContinue reading “Wonder Bread”

Peace at All Cost

Remember the Peaceniks, a term coined in the early 60’s for pacifists who by reasons of conscience actively opposed military interventions or war? Unfortunately, after centuries of philosophical, religious, and political convictions and protestations about the evils of war, achieving peace still requires courageous action and sacrifice. It will always be costly, tentative, and oftenContinue reading “Peace at All Cost”

What’s in a Name?

“What’s in a name? That which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet…” (Juliet in Romeo and Juliet) In Shakespeare’s famous play, Juliet and Romeo were descendants of two different feuding families, the Capulets and the Montagues. Their families’ hatred for each other became an insurmountable obstacle to their relationship evenContinue reading “What’s in a Name?”

Hiding in Plain Sight

There he was, barely identifiable! I had heard a little splash, but it took a couple of minutes to spot his tiny face and bulging eyes in the murky, algae infested waters. He was hiding in plain sight. We are pretty adept at that too. We always have been. “Covering up” is an ingrained humanContinue reading “Hiding in Plain Sight”

Identity…A Deep Dive

Soon these freshly painted lobster buoys will be floating upon the ocean’s surface where their colors will mark the position of lobster traps lying on the bottom. Although these buoys cannot tell us what is happening underneath, their markings identify their owner and inspire a hopeful expectation for something good to surface. We know outwardContinue reading “Identity…A Deep Dive”

Significance and Success…

Dinghies at the Dock, Winter Harbor, Maine These colorful, little dinghies may seem insignificant, but they play an important role for sailors and fishermen as they ferry their owners from dock to boat and back again. Much of the time they are just idly floating and waiting until they are needed. Their “insignificance” is aContinue reading “Significance and Success…”

Is Easter over?

Spring in Maine is a season of renewal and optimism. From the bleak cold, dark, colorless winter, the earth miraculously redresses itself in green and promises rich colors in brilliant hues. Spring’s renewal is derived from the roots and seeds of a prior season and is filled with expectations of familiar fragrances, colors, blossoms, fruit,Continue reading “Is Easter over?”

Authentic

Although generally shy, male cardinals are unable to hide their brilliant color which marks their identity. However, who we are as humans is more about our core character than physical appearance or titles. Traits of honesty, reliability, caring, and compassion vouch for one’s genuineness, and sincerity is necessary for intimate relationships. Warren Buffet is quotedContinue reading “Authentic”