Wayne St. Clair ( wane9779@hotmail.com
) -- Roanoke, VA
2/3/04 -- 07:47:47 AM
About the above photo...I may
be getting a little crusty in me old age (lifts armpit &
sniffs) but those "new style" lobster traps are
just plain ugly...they look so damn industral, cold &
souless...if I were a lobster & saw one of those things
I would run (do lobsters run?) the other way & find a
good old fashioned wooden one. Now I know these new ones are
much lighter than the old ones & that is important when
you are hauling by hand but still...all I can think of when
I see those is Pink Floyd's "Welcome to the
Machine". I know this is an absurd compliant but just
look at that stack, they would be more at home in New York
City than on the coast of Maine...no tourist would ever
wanna take a photo of those...think about the effect on the
state's economy.
What about those Patriots huh? Hey Boston needs
something to make up for the Red Sox...loved Janet Jackson's
halftime show.
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Steve White ( maineiac@bellsouth.net
) -- Dallas, NC
1/2/04 -- 10:34:36 AM
To Bump:
I'm happy to say that I just found a signed, hardbound copy
of Peter Landesman's The Raven on Amazon.com for $5.25!!
Thanks for the recommendation- I'll let you know how I like
it......
A note to any of you who may have tried to
email me for the PDF of my manuscript. For some reason,
clicking on the email address (which LOOKS correct in the
link) from my posting in regard to the manuscript, brought
up a misspelled email address. My correct email address is maineiac@bellsouth.net.
Thanks,
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Wayne St. Clair ( wane9779@hotmail.com
) --Roanoke, VA
2/2/04 -- 05:42:31 AM
Hey Bump... It wasn't the Duane...it would
have been too big, the Duane was a 327 ft cutter & would
not have been able to fit into Mackerel Cove, it was
probably the 97 ft cutter stationed at the Coast Guard base
in South Portland. We loved busting boats with herb on them,
it was how we stayed in stash, bust a boat with 20 bails of
pot on it & 18 would make it back to port & 2 would
disappear into the ventilation system of the boat, and they
could never figure out why it wouldn't work. Ahh the
70's...the time when drugs were cheap & sex easy...or
was it the other way around? I can't remember anymore.
Anyway, I am firmly convinced that when they finally sank
that old heap off Key West to make an artifical reef, it
took several bails down with it....lucky fish. By the way,
thanks for the compliment.
******************************
"Bump" Orr ( mainexiles@frontiernet.net
) -- Ft Mohave, AZ
2/1/04 -- 12:54:49 PM
To Maravene-no one would dispute the fact
that Wayne is the 'poet laureate' of this site. He has the
God given gift to express himself both emotionally, and
intellectually, in his writings. Some write from the heart
and some from the head!
To Wayne-Thanks! I was worried that I might have severely
offended you. Quick note: You were on the Duane in the
mid-70's-Either the Duane, or another CG craft, towed a
disabled dragger into Mackerel Cove on Bailey's Island. It
then was tied up at the old Steamboat Wharf. After the CG
boat left, many kilos were removed from the hold (from under
the fish) and transported to Boothbay Harbor to be
"cut" and distributed. The locals always
said,"Much obliged for the help, Cappie!"
To Steve- I am a direct descendent of Clement Orr, who along
with brother Joseph, founded Orr's Island in 1763. My mother
was a Johnson from Bailey's Island, so I am quite firmly
rooted on these islands. I am a 66 year old
"f--t"! I write a lot as my kids are in NY,OH,&
NV and they enjoy this site. "The Raven" is a
fictionlized story of the 'Dawn disaster' which occurred in
the Casco Bay area, near my home, in 1941.
To others-This site reminds me of CB radio in the late
70's-for everyone posting, there are probably scores
"sitting on the side" saying nothing. I have
posted probably too often, in the past 30 days, but did it
to evoke memories, and to try to stimulate conversation with
those "on the side".
***********************************
Steve White ( maineiac@bellsouth.net
) -- Dallas, NC
2/1/04 -- 08:20:08 AM
Thanks for the kudos guys. That's just a
small piece- the whole thing is 400 pages, and from what
people tell me- it's a real page turner......I've never read
it myself, at least not in the way one would 'read' a book.
With me it's a one-way trip- from the mind to the page- and
never the reverse with my own stuff.
As for you, Bump, I'm from Freeport, so I've spent many a
night (laying back on the hood of my car) at Land's End on
Bailey's staring out at the sea, listening to its
exhilerating voice. You have to drive over Orr's to get
there, so that begs the question- are you any relation to
the Orr's that the island was named for? And if you don't
mind me asking, how old are you? We might have crossed paths
before........
As for The Raven- no, I've never read it, but I'll certainly
try and find it. I'll read anything by a Maine author. I
love a great read that includes places I'm familiar with-
it's easier to immerse yourself in the story....
Cheers
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Wayne St. Clair ( wane9779@hotmail.com
) -- Roanoke, VA
1/31/04 -- 02:18:10 PM
Bless you Maravene...I try not to
disappoint. As for you Steve...very good, very good indeed,
I enjoyed it. I rarely read fiction anymore though. Lately
it's been political analysis, history & text
books...exciting stuff I know but actually I thrive on such
stuff. And as for you Bump, I knew you were being tongue in
cheek but decided to explain what I try to do anyway.
If all goes well & the Goddess smiles
upon me I will be graduating from Virginia Western Community
College in late summer 05 with an Asso. in Fine Arts...so
far I have a 3.0 average even with 1 failure (basic
math...once I run out of my own fingers & toes I have to
borrow somebody elses & that gets embarrassing) & I
am seriously considering attending USM afterwards to work on
a BFA with the emphisis in art education. I have already got
some info from them & for a university they are not too
bad price wise. Far better than Virginia's for sure but to
be fair Virginia has a first rate education system...but
jezz its expensive (its those damn fool conservatives fault,
they want a first rate university system but don't want to
pay the taxes to support it) I don't mind going in debt to
pay for my education but I don't wanna sell my soul for it,
after all I am still using my soul. So that may actually end
up being how I return to Maine. I am so grateful to escape
the restuarant trade but I wish it hadn't been so damn
painful.
I have come to the conclusion that if John
Kerry doesn't get the Democratic nomination he could get a
job as a model for the rebuilding of the Old Man of the
Mountain...don't believe me? Check out his profile.
***************************************
Maravene ( J131934@aol.com
) -- Sarasota, FL
1/31/04 -- 10:33:29 AM
Ya'll do very well in the "prose"
department but as far as I'm concerned Wayne is the 'poet
laureate' of these postings.
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"Bump" Orr ( mainexiles@frontiernet.net
) -- Ft Mohave, AZ
1/30/04 -- 09:23:57 PM
To: Steven K. White-Ref: your little piece
of fiction. Well done! Have you read THE RAVEN by Peter
Landesman? Interesting book set on Bailey Island which is
home to me. You might check it for the publishing company
associated w/the work.
******************************
Steven K. White ( maineiac@bellsouth.net
) -- Dallas, NC
1/29/04 -- 10:04:52 AM
Exilers,
While we're on the subject of writing....... Below is an
exerpt (a dream sequence) from my soon to be published
(hopefully) first novel, entitled 'Knightmare'. It's set on
Moosehead Lake in the year 2000. If any of you are
interested in reading the whole manuscript (it's a crime/suspence/horor
novel, and VERY graphic)) let me know, and I'll email you a
PDF of the second draft- (free, of course) because I'd very
much welcome the opinions of my fellow Mainers. Your ISP
must allow attachments (some won't), and this file is over 2
Megabytes. I hope you enjoy this little piece.
Cheers,
Steve
Jim found himself in a forest glen, surrounded by
butterflies and mystical birds. The colors in this glen were
so vivid that he thought he could taste them if he were to
simply lick the air around him. There was a glowing aura
surrounding everything with a pleasant haze that looked like
sparkling translucent smoke- he could wave his arms and
watch the colored trails that followed his movements.
There was a small, meandering stream that wound its way into
the glen- but it wasn’t running with water- it was more
like some mystical fog that moved and swirled much more
gracefully than water. He stood and floated to the bank of
the stream, amazed at the feeling of flight that encompassed
him. When he reached the edge, he hovered and put his hands
into the stream, cupping a handful of this strange water to
his lips. The taste was exhilarating, and he tasted more and
more of it.
Soon, he was feeling bloated from the drink, and lay on the
bank next to a Unicorn-like creature that spoke to him in
his mind. The creature had the feet and legs of a man, and
the body of a horse- but instead of a single horn coming
from the center of its head- it had a single glaring red
eye, surrounded by a black horn on either side of it. There
were fleshy tendrils hanging from the horns, and they waved
independently of each other- as if they were weightless, and
each possessed a life and consciousness of its own.
‘Beware, the foggy drink.’ The Unicorn-thing said
(thought). ‘Man knoweth not of its powers, and only fools
venture to a full belly. Your fear will be your undoing.’
****************************
Karen ( klgerry@aol.com
) -- Stafford, VA
1/28/04 -- 08:37:14 PM
I was born and raised in Sanford, Maine.
My parents now live in Shapleigh on Mousam Lake. I
went to UMO and then went to DC to get my graduate degree
and doctorate. I miss most my family and Maine summers
and falls. Maine is a beautiful place and no where are
there people like native born Mainers!! Once a Mainer
always a Mainer.
***************************************
"Bump Orr -- Ft. Mohave, AZ
1/28/04 -- 03:48:50 PM
Wayne St.Clair- I was so "tongue in
cheek" with my poem about your work that it almost
poked thru. You are great writer-keep up the good
work! I await your next!
*************************************
Wayne St. Clair ( wane9779@hotmail.com
) -- Roanoke, VA
1/28/04 -- 12:59:14 PM
Mr. Orr, I do not write to rythme...nor do I
specifically write poetry & when I do, I find free verse
works best for me. I certianly haven't had any complaints
about it. I write instead to evoke a certian mood or
texture, a feeling or sentiment & when I cast what I
have to say in lines it is because I feel it works best that
way as opposed to a strictly prose piece & since I
am writing it, it is my choice to call. Perhaps that will
help relieve your confusion.
*********************************
"Bump" Orr ( mainexiles@frontiernet.net
) -- Ft Mohave, AZ
1/26/04 -- 07:59:47 PM
I sat in our Arizona room this afternoon and
thought about Maine! What did I miss? The following poem
spilled out in about fifteen minutes. I hope it pulls at a
few heartstrings!
MAINE
In my heart I miss: The Pine Tree State
It's rivers, mountains, and towns so great.
I miss the ocean with it's many coves.
I miss the tourists who came in droves.
I miss the pine trees-pitch pine and white.
I miss the spruces peeking up for daylight.
I miss all the birches-white and gray
I miss the elms and oaks in Fall colors gay.
I miss it's red sunrises over the sea
I miss it's sunsets wherever they be.
I miss lobsters, crabs, and clams
I miss scallops, baked beans, and jams.
I miss Country Kitchen bread so white
I miss single doughnuts wrapped so tight.
I miss the freshness April rains bring
I miss the smell of plowed fields in Spring.
I miss the yellow pollen coating in June.
I miss all of Summer's aromatic pefume.
I miss everything from Spring to Fall.
But I don't miss snow!-No, not at all!
Copyright (c) 2004 by J.F."Bump" Orr
*****************************************
"Bump" Orr ( mainexiles@frontiernet.net
) -- Ft Mohave, AZ
1/26/04 -- 04:47:45 PM
To Penny Bisping-Thanks-There is an "In
Memory" tribute to Slim Clark w/25 of his songs, by
him, on the website previously mentioned(scroll to the
bottom & you will see it).
While I am on a nostalgia kick-I danced a lot in the
50's-60's. Do any of these places ring a bell with people
out there: Island Pond,Augusta;Lakeland, N Windham;
Lakehurst, Damariscotta; ShoreAcres, Topsham; Old Orchard
Pier; City Hall & Jacques Cartier's (Jake's) in
Lewiston- and, oh yes, Dyer's Valley near Wiscasset.
They were great places to dance & have fun!
One more thing-in the Winter of 58/59 I lived in SCHOPPE's
mobilehome park on Kelly Rd near Stillwater, Me I remember
we had about 6 days when the temps didn't get above zero. I
had to lay under the MH & thaw out the sewer line w/a
butane torch. I had wrapped the water lines w/heat tapes but
forgot the other. Oh-I miss Maine in the Winter!!!
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Penny Bisping ( Maineheart77@hotmail.com
) -- Rochester, MN
1/26/04 -- 12:35:16 PM
wellBump...you bring back memories...I grew
up at St. Michael's Children's home in Bangor and every
christmas we were featured on the "Yodeling Slim
Clark's Christmas show...we went on with Bangor Childrens
home...I remember what a treat it was to get all dress up as
i was only 3 when we started...We got to sing and open
presents...Thanks for the fond memory...
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"Bump" Orr ( mainexiles@frontiernet.net
) -- Ft Mohave, AZ
1/25/04 -- 10:33:29 PM
To: Wayne St. Clair
I read your writings with interest, but I offer the
following to you:
FREE VERSE
I would never know, except for odd spacing
Whether it is poetry or prose that I'm facing!
I read it over and over, but nothing rhymes,
And unless I am quite romantically inclined
I am at a loss, and have minor frustration
Trying to figure out the author's intention!
If I read it as prose, I do not a story get.
Read it as poetry, I have to use my wit(s).
I guess it's back to English Lit class for me!
I need a definition, don't you see,------
So that I will recognize free verse on sight
And be prepared to interpret it all, just right!
By Bump Orr in 2004 (now this rhymes)
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Mark ( lionardo@wowway.com
) -- Westlake, OH
1/25/04 --10:16:12 AM
Hi All,
I'd love to hear from other Mainiacs exiled in the
Cleveland, Ohio area (moral support, dontcha' know). working
towards getting home at the end of summer, family to follow.
Also, anyone knowing of any graphic design jobs in or around
Portland, please drop me a line! Thanks!
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"Bump" Orr -- Ft Mohave, AZ
1/24/04 --09:35:36 PM
Wayne-we walked on Mackerel Cove At Bailey
Is. during that cold "snap"!
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Wayne St. Clair ( wane9779@hotmail.com
) -- Roanoke, VA
1/24/04 -- 08:26:47 PM
Once the Christmas lights are packed away,
New Year's glitter swept up
and the relative's are all gone;
it hits you,
three months or more until spring.
The Ice Age,
New England winter's big brother
looms lurking in the background;
after all ice carved this land
and by February
it's easy to imagine a new one is on it's way.
Maine's cold is brutal,
a testing of your mettle
and a honing of your soul
for a Maine winter can kill.
It's scared away many a spirit
and worn down more,
But for those who stay though
they need the struggle like a junkie his fix.
Winter's down south are just a damn nuisance;
one long brown season, some ice, some snow,
and too cold for shorts is just about it.
At the rumor of snow they close the schools
and run off to the store to stock up on food.
Four inches?
A dusting!
Give me a good old Nor'Easter anyday.
The pride of the north
Yankee lasses;
Ohh...those New England girls can love.
They are not too prim and proper
for lust and lechery;
they learn their skills and ply them too
on dark cold winter nights.
They will keep you going and keep you warm,
and make coming in from the cold
all that much more
delightful.
By February the winter stales
and the days take forever to pass.
Its been to below zero and back
and the snow no longer charms.
Then comes March,
the month of changes.
With the slightest warmth the Crocus poke out
of rotting snow banks
splashing all but forgotten colors
on the dirty gray landscape.
Late season blizzards, glorious days
with severe blue skies and frigid nights,
it's as if nature cannot make up it's mind
as the seasons turn full cycle.
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"Bump" Orr ( mainexiles@frontiernet.net
) -- Ft Mohave, AZ
1/24/04 --04:51:45 PM
I am not sure that I know the rules of this
website but I'll try to post this anyway. "Pat"
Soule mentioned the Holly in Lewiston. Wow-what a place in
the 60's! That reminded me of the Silver Dollar on Exchange
St in Bangor in the 50's That train of thought travelled to
old Maine country music. Some of the artists were Ken
MacKenzie; Slim Clark; Coastline Charlie Gilliam; Jimmy Cox;
Hal Lone Pine, etc. If anyone out there would like to go
back to pre-80's country with Maine artists-they may be
found on THE RECORD LADY website. If this reaches some
oldtimers it will surely bring them pleasure.
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