Cabin fever season has begun. It is that moment when the beauty of a winter wonderland ceases. Snow shoes on and two steps later one is hip deep in snow. There remain multiple inches of snow everywhere.
Some people call it having a bad day. Others say it is just life’s way of showing you that no matter how hard you try, you really do not have as much control over things as you think.
Would you be surprised to learn your New England ancestor owned slaves? In Maine we tend to associate slave owning with large Southern plantations that relied on slave labor to survive economically.
Some 40 years ago I was privileged to work beside some of the most dedicated people I have ever met: Aroostook County veterans. I will not name them here but these were combat veterans, Vietnam-era veterans, Korean veterans, former prisoners of war, very diversified.
March brings wistful thoughts of spring to The County, but March 14 approaches: Pi Day, which celebrates that useful mathematical number 3.14159. But punsters and pastry lovers also know it as Pie Day.
Hats have played a large role in history throughout the ages, often indicating status. For centuries, ostrich plumes were worn on hats as decoration especially by prominent men.
We are now about two years removed since the start of the pandemic, and the unfortunate reality is that this virus is still very much a part of our lives.
In spite of the best intentions of Fear Mongers Anonymous, we’ve had some major storms in the new year and have come through them with relatively minor problems.
For those who feel connected to their land and a deep sense of place, it is easy to wonder how future generations will live their lives on a place that was built and cared for — a home that was nourished and in return, provided nourishment to those generations gone before.
Family secrets can be buried deep and quite often succeeding generations never knew them.
One issue families in the past felt compelled to hide was if a family member exhibited a mental illness or was born with a lower mental capability.
