The Maine Idea

I like to play with words, I live in Maine and I've been known to have a few ideas. Hence Julia's Maine Ideas. It's not because I speak for the great state of Maine--far from it. Though often a tolerant state (the guy who threatened the Bangor NAACP notwithstanding--he's a crackpot), I tend to lean a wee bit further to the left than many. That's why they're my Maine ideas.

This afternoon I realized this month marks my 20th anniversary in the state and I happened to be down in Portland where it all began. I felt like a young single thing again when my friend K indulged my secret-flat-in-the-city fantasy with her housesitting gig. I could picture myself in my apartment on Morning Street with the winter view of the water and the green tiled fireplace that drew so poorly an upstairs neighbor gave us his boy scout manual when we smoked him out. The leaking windows made the curtains move inside and you had to sit on the old steam radiators to get warm. God, I miss that place. My biggest decisions were stay or go, takeout or cook, hike or ski, beach or mountains. And yet, I wouldn't trade what I have now for a minute of those days. I moved to Maine knowing only one person here and made a life for myself.

Here in central Maine, I teach fifth grade with all of its bipolar highs and lows. The best of times the worst of times. The agony and the ecstacy. If you have ever taught you know what I mean. I have a fabulous husband and two fantastic monkeys who impersonate my kids. We have a priceless view of the western mountains, gardens, and currently a giant ski ramp in the front yard. More on that in another post.

This blog will include lots of rambling commentary on all manner of things including my knitting projects, bird sightings, teaching struggles and triumphs, my family, and things that bend me out of shape. Hey, it's a presidential election year. I'll probably get pissed. I might write about writing too. I supposedly am writing a children's book after spending the past few years dabbling in romance (I haven't completely given up on that, but my writing time is non-existant so a children's book seems more manageable). I also write for a college magazine now and then.

And that's it for this inaugural address.

Happy New Year.
Julia