Maine Moments

Back home on my couch again. This trip to Maine was shorter than most, and based in a suburban neighborhood, not a coastal town. We wanted to see my mother-in-law, who lives in Hampden. But here are some snapshots/snippets/notes to self:

• Next time, don't arrive 1:30 a.m. We were exhausted that night and the next morning. We had to check out of the hotel by 11 and hadn't gone to sleep until nearly 3 because Punchy woke after a car rest and was all wound up. After a 450-mile drive, this led to crankiness and short tempers.
• Still Belfast Co-op for candles. Love to buy pretty tapers there. Punch and I picked out yellow and light blue. When I burn on mantle or in kitchen, will feel a flicker of Maine. Spent a lot less money there now that I'm not eating sugar. 
• Skip the iced coffee at Dysart's. The steaming cups may be popular but poured over ice, the coffee is watery and weak. The truckstop on Coldbrook Road in Hermon is an old-time landmark for travelers and truckers and even ships blueberry pies. They sell loaves of bread and bags of  cookies that I don't love. But Punchy really liked the big banana bread we got there. [The Co-op doesn't sell chill coffee this time of year, but Bell the Cat in Belfast had a nice iced.]
• Mountains, farmhouses and pastures. We passed cows and horses on the two drives between Belfast and Hermon, and pretty mountains. One range looked like a sleeping bear. I like the historic architecture, too...some very old white houses along the way. And, through the car window: Frozen lakes. Could visualize the families who will flock to them this summer, after the melt.
• Brotherly love. We saw all four of H.'s brothers, the lovely wives and girlfriend, and stayed with his sister and her family. We're all getting older--I first met the family when I was 26 and now I'm 54. Some of us may have graying or thinning hair, bigger bellies, more wrinkles...but our hearts are still good and true. We're still funny and smart. And healthy overall. Thank God. Under the ribbing, the love runs deep.
• Maine is like Montclair. I guess I think deep down that since we drive 9 hours to get there, things will be different than where we came from. But we saw our niece's spring concert on Friday--she's in third grade--and the gym was packed with proud families, just like in Montclair. The girls wore their Sunday best. The principal looked on with pride. The kids bounded out of school at dismissal time. Just like in Montclair. The glass window when you walk in and announce yourself, the security precautions--just like in Montclair. The minivan one Mom drove getting stuck in thick, thick mud by the school and having to be towed out--not like in Montclair. Maine has had mountains of snow this year; the ground has to thaw.
• The American mall. We went with our niece and her family to the Bangor Mall; she was getting her ears pierced for her birthday! Jewelry/piercing kiosk just like in New Jersey. Familiar stores--Yankee Candle, Hallmark, Lids. I did see a Pandora jewelry store, which I haven't seen before. Liked it. 
• Natural style. Not so much in the suburbs--where I saw attractive moms with smoothed hair and nice lipstick and nail polish--but in the more artistic coastal towns, there is somewhat of a Maine look. No makeup, no heels. Sense & sensibility.

I must go to sleep! Good night.

TCOY

1. Good beauty and dental care.
2. Water.