Cindy ( cclemmer17@earthlink.net
) -- Lumberton, NC
4/1/04 -- 01:31:35 PM
So many times I've thought of Maine when I
come across strange things, living in AZ and now NC, that we
didn't have in Maine but nothing made me want to run back
like the Rat Snake I came across yesterday. 6 Feet!! They
say "oh that will keep the rattle snakes away. " -
Oh Great! What ever happened to the garder snake that topped
out at 6 inches??? I miss the none deadly creatures so much.
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J. G. -- Arcadia, CA
4/1/04 -- 11:37:29 AM
April 1, 2004
Happy April Fool's Day Maniacs! It happens to be my
birthday, so there! How about a piece of homemade
blueberry pie and a good cup of coffee for the birthday
girl! (age 59, 95- something close)
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Robert Scott ( tottscott@hotmail.com
) -- Kennesaw, GA
4/1/04 -- 06:25:42 AM
To all you folks in Georgia,
Another Mainer in the South. My wife was transferred
here over a year ago. We live in Kenneswaw just off
I-575. Nice and quiet here except for Barret Pkwy.
We miss our house in Eastport, where I grew up. I
remember Judd Strunk, also. "Dead Skunk in the
Middle of the Road". Great song, funny as the
devil. And Cheryl, we are going to the Braves game on
the 8th. I can't believe my wife made me move to a
National League town. At least there are cross league
games every so often
The weather is warm here, in the 60's and 70's; but I miss
home and can't wait to get back there. I even miss my
snowblower. Coming in and getting warm clothes off the
radiator after snowshoing. Best feeling in the world
with clothes going on.
Maine may have high taxes (Eastport: $27 per 1000) but I'll
pay it. Cost of living in Ga. too high, and that is
all year. Heading home for the 4th in June and
champing at the bit.
Keep talking of home. And try not to get angry.
They are just opinions and feelings. I love checking
in to read and browse.
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Paul LeClair ( skyking22141@yahoo.com
) -- Burlington, MA
4/1/04 -- 12:02:17 AM
Born & raised in Orono, Me.
D. V. -- Virginia Beach, VA
3/14/04 -- 08:41:43 AM
What was your mother's name? Old Town was my favorite
hangout....Shorty's downtown and French Island dances!!
Regards,
Paul
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C. & J. L. -- Roanoke, VA
3/31/04 -- 10:37:34 PM
We like it here in Roanoke, but, we do miss
Maine. We both grew up in East Millinocket. We miss
family and friends, but, have to work, so, here we are.
If the employment climate of Maine ever changes for the
better, we will probably look to go back.
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Judy G. ( jomardav@yahoo.com
) -- Arcadia, CA
08:35:35 PM
Hi,
Born in Cherryfield, 59 years ago tomorrow!
Miss everything! Even the snow once in a while.
I have lived here in sunny California too long....30 years.
I return to Maine every few years, can't get it out of my
system.
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Denny Adams ( advac@adnmail.com
) -- Juneau, AK
3/31/04 -- 08:11:55 PM
Moved up here about 5 years ago. It's like
Maine used to be like before half of Mass moved up there.
Still miss it though, ayah
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Wayne St. Clair ( wane9779@hotmail.com
) -- Roanoke, VA
3/30/04 -- 05:10:53 AM
Thank you Bump. It is called "A New
England Lovesong" and it is the first 2 parts of a way
too long poem...I periodically post parts of it, usually out
of order, on here. About 3 years ago I posted the entire
thing, if you scroll back long enough you might find it, but
since i am a perfectionist, everytime I make a copy I
rewrite portions...oh well. Thanks again.
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"Bump" Orr ( mainexiles@fronternet.net
) -- Ft Mohave, AZ
3/29/04 -- 12:46:04 PM
Wayne-you posted on 3/28 a beautiful piece
of writing! I marvel at your sensitivity and talent. I would
title it-"New England Musings", or something of
the like, and offer it to 'Downeast' or 'Yankee' for
publication.
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Wayne St. Clair ( wane9779@hotmail.com
) -- Roanoke, VA
3/28/04 -- 11:06:56 AM
Ahh...sweet New England;
it's where my heart is & where I belong.
I know,
the day I left I buried it deep
on the Western Prom of Portland Maine
to call me back someday though I be old & frail
when that time comes.
And though I am southern born
it's scents, moods, colors & cold
have etched themselves like skrimshaw
onto my soul.
I want my bones shattered by frost,
not left to mildew
in the humid southern heat.
For me New England's like
warm light shining through frost coated windows
or a cozy, cluttered room
filled with the bricbrac
of a life long well lived,
an attic garret maybe
confined yet comfortable.
Shuffling through the snow or fallen leaves
past old churches, squares & commons;
memories hold me close like a lover's embrace.
The rest of our country is open & expansive
except parts of the south
where the heat & humidity will smother you
in your sleep
then hide the evidence
in the swamps of ancient illusions
like southern hospitality.
Smiling to your face while sharpening the knife,
offering a second helping while grandpa
finishes the grave.
Ya'll come back now ya hear.
Give me the hidden heart of New England
anyday;
chilly & cool outside
but warm as a glowing wood stove.
**********************************
"Bump" Orr ( mainexiles@frontiernet.net
) -- Ft Mohave, AZ
3/28/04 -- 10:15:52 AM
FYI-There is an excellent article on Wiscasset village, and
the blood & sandworm trade in that town, located in the
April issue of National Geographic (pg 118). It is titled
Worm Capital of the World. Also, a great article on the
migratory routes of various birds.
************************************
"Bump" Orr ( mainexiles@frontiernet.net
) -- Ft Mohave, AZ
3/27/04 -- 07:46:00 PM
They are: Resilient; Rabid; Radiant;
Reflective (about past years); Rancorous & Rankled
(toward NY); Raucous (in the 'nosebleed bleachers');
Rededicated(each year); Romantic[s](they would have to be);
Regional (quite); Resigned to defeat (never); Restrained in
their praise of Boston (no way); trying to solve the Riddle
(of BoSox woes); singing the old Refrain (wait til next
year); hate their Rivals (yes); Rejoicing (very seldom);
Riding the roller coaster each year (yes); proverbial Runner
up (yes); Realistic (no); Reliving
the Babe's curse (yes).
Hey, I just had some fun with you Red Sox fans-good luck
this year! The Red Sox- Yankee rivalry has kept my interest
since 1946. I honestly hope,(no lie)there is a championship
for you some day!
Ayuh! Maine says, "Go Red Sox!" (Maybe George S.
could buy the whole damn team & disband them. Yessah!
LOL)
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B. W. -- San Francisco, CA
3/26/04 -- 06:22:31 PM
Thanks, Bump, for the suggestion about
contacting the Wicked Good Band. It has been my experience
that they are too wicked numb to respond. Has anyone seen
them lately? I've been looking for reviews in Trailer Life
magazine and Board & Tub Weekly but can't seem to find
anything.
It's tough to find good music in a backwater town like San
Francisco you know!
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George Wiegand Sr ( bullscycle@peoplepc.com
) -- Marion, SC
3/26/04 -- 07:45:58 AM
Yes , Like I wrote before , we plan to visit
Maine this year , as I still have a sister there and have a
grandbaby and a son, (one of two sons) Of course aside of
the long ride up , it will be enjoyable to see kin we have
not seen for a while, (will have to bring plenmty of
cigarettes as we cannot afford to buy them up there) and it
will be when it is warm like june or july, (no salt on roads
as our vehicle has never seen salt) southern car, anyhow,
looking forward to it , but will be glad to get back home
here in South Carolina, Yes, Maine , is wonderful to visit
during the summer or the Fall, But for us, not a good place
to live anymore, Guess thats it earns its name,
"Vacationland" but , unfortunately if you live
there and are in the 10 to 70 thousand a year income bracket
, its "Taxationland" Thats a shams , a real shame,
oh well! give it time, one can only hope.
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Jason -- Sacramento, CA
3/26/04 -- 05:51:47 AM
Spoke with my mom in Windham today.
Said that the snow's up and gone, now its mud season.
What propmted the phone call was the emailed photo of my
emerald green front yard and blooming flowers here in
Sacramento. She was quite distraught at the thought of
two months of slogging through the front drive. I've
been telling them for months to either tar it or pave it or
SOMETHING. At any rate, mud season is the one time I
am sort of glad I am here in California....
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Wayne St. Clair ( wane9779@hotmail.com
) -- Roanoke, VA
3/26/04 -- 05:41:49 AM
HaHaHa....Thanks Pat....right you are, but I
have made the commitment via the VetsAdmin to finish my
schooling here....1 year and a few months to go...so far I
have a 2.7 average and if the Gods be willing it will
rise....I am looking at continuing at USM towards an
arts education degree, either to teach or go into art
therapy or something like that....by the way SMVTI is now
the Southern Maine Community College and God what a
beautiful location for a campus. By the way Bump, there's an
old adage that I suscribe to that goes...I may disagree with
what you say but will defend to the death your right to say
it....or as an old Mainer once said to me at a town meeting
(and don't take this personally because it isn't meant
personally) ...You have the right to say anything you want
and I have the right to tell you you're a damn fool.
It is spring, ain't it great?
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Nate ( nsewall@bellsouth.net
) -- Peachtree City, GA
3/25/04 -- 12:43:03 PM
Cheryl in Atlanta... I just saw your
message regarding LaGrange. Yes, the corner store is
at the intersection. And YES! Peachtree
City is about as good as you can get in GA. We lived
in Kennesaw for the first 3 years we were in GA - TOO MANY
PEOPLE! My wife liked it (but our youngest was 2 weeks
old when we left ME,so his whole "babyhood" was in
Kennesaw and those are special memories). I must confess I
was pretty miserable dealing with teh traffic. Then we
moved to PTC and found a little slice of heaven in a place I
don't care for all that much. We lived there 2 years
and I was asked to move to Greenville, SC by my former
employer... 11 months later we cut our losses and came
back. It will be 3 years in April since then, and we
won't ever leave unless we go back to Maine. (And
personally, I'd probably be single because my wife REALLY
loves it here - perhaps a summer home?!)
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