Without letting me suit up in protective gear, 2020 hurled some pretty crazy curveballs my way. I was able to dodge most of them, but one of the filthy little suckers landed square in my chest throwing life, as I had known it for the past thirty-one years, tail over teakettle into the air.
I had just started writing the third book in the Rafe Ryder Series when the “unexpected-retirement-for-the-hubster” curveball slammed into us at the end of June. What a shock! Our life and time in Vermont had suddenly come to a screeching halt!
… But in every ending, there is a new beginning.
As it so happened, I’d left a piece of my heart in the mid-coast region of Maine where I’d grown up and where generations of my family had lived before me. The hubster and I had met in Maine, and strangely, he heard the whisper of the grand old state more strongly than I did at first. “It’s where we met,” he said. “It’s where I remember being the happiest.”
“Awww. Me too.”
Maine is an incredible place. I love each and every blue-green mountain rolling down to the sea, not to mention the sweet-smelling hillsides sprinkled with their wild blueberry fields known as barrens. The blueberry barrens are also exceptionally beautiful in the fall when they are kissed spicy red by the autumn air.
Just a glimpse of lobster boats and windjammers jouncing on the waves of the craggy blue harbors can brighten even the sourest soul.
The sound of ocean waves mingling with the cry of seabirds is surely spun from pure magic. (Wish I could capture that in a picture for you.).
Here in Maine, lighthouses beam the way home, and fog horns blast away any murkiness of heart. This is my home again. Finally.
In mid-September we arrived and settled in with the help of my eldest daughter and her beau and my wonderful younger brother, Randy. I don’t know what I’d do without them. Thank you, my darlings!
The first weekend I was here my brother coaxed me out onto the breakwater in Rockland in the fog. I felt a tiny bit trepidatious, but it was eerily gorgeous, and I’m so glad I went. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.
I hope there is a vaccine for Covid soon because I am so looking forward to spending time with family and old friends. But now, it’s time to “hunkah down for the wintah” and “getta writin'” book number three of the Rafe Ryder series.
So glad to have you home and so looking forward to some adventures!
Me too!
Welcome home Lois!
Thank you, Tim! I can’t wait to see you and Patti again!
You and your husband as well. If this COVID thing every goes away we’ll set something up
😀
Love it and welcome home! Maine seems to be where we belong even though Texas said something about once you get the sand of Texas in your shoes you will return but seemed to work for only 4 years for me when the magnet for the Northeast began to win out. Now for the book….
dad
Exactly! Now for the next book!
Love it!!
This is what we call a Maine Adventure.
Can’t wait for book #3
I love Maine adventures!
You go, girl! You have taken the biggest lemons and made a very nice lemonade. Best to you as you create book #3. I’m very proud to know you.
Thanks, that means so much to me, Lynne!
Ah, wonderful, Lois! I live on the opposite coast, a different ocean (so to speak, considering that water is water) and in a different country–Canada (in the city of Victoria, on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia). I’m a few latitudes north of you but roughly parallel with Mt. Vernon, Washington. (Yes, I’m sure you needed to know all that!). Anyway, I live near the sea as well.
The closest I have ever been to Maine is New Brunswick, Canada, and that was a very long time ago. My wonderful association with Maine dates back to early childhood and Robert McCloskey–“One Morning in Maine,” “Blueberries for Sal,” and, of course, “Make Way for the Ducklings.” I read those books to my kids too when they were wee ones.
It was strange looking at your “On the way to the Breakwater” picture. Initially I thought I saw a somewhat inverted, on a slant, rainbow in the sky! Though different, your pictures rather remind me of some of the scenes one can encounter on Vancouver Island’s West coast, especially the lighthouse, the mist, the seabirds and the wild roses. There is something wonderful, magical and even medicinal walking beside the ocean. Must be the air. It’s good for the soul, at least my soul, and I gather yours too.
Thank you so much for sharing, and all the best as you “hunkah down for the wintah” and write! 🙂
Thanks, Ramona! I have never been out to that coast! I’d love to see it!