Maine

I live in Maine.

It's slowly starting to sink in that this is now my home. Yes, it might feel more like home if we had a home, but still, we live here.

I loved living in Arizona, especially in Tucson. I didn't enjoy Phoenix much, but Winter was divine. Rest of the year... ummm..... the mountains were gorgeous. I spent a decade in the desert and over the years it had become my home.

I have to say that it only took me about 3 months to love it here. Right now I love that the trees exploded after a couple of days of rain. Everything went from muted and minimal to wild and rowdy.

I loved Fall. It was brilliant. Winter wasn't all that bad either. I was prepared to be miserable, but most days we had blue sky and sun. It wasn't the typical gray winter days that I remember growing up in Michigan. Spring.... man. I'm pretty sure I can't find words to explain how I feel that haven't already been said better somewhere else. Thoughts of rebirth, an awakening, life... yes, all of that.

We went "Up North" this week. In Maine terms we went "Down East". Essentially we drove for a long time in the car. The trip was poorly planned, poorly packed and we had some serious rough spots. There were some awesome highlights though. Following a big old moose down the road. Swimming in a pool directly next to the ocean. Singing the BroLo version of You Are My Sunshine at the top of our lungs and car dancing.

Oh, I can't forget the 4 hours of near perfection.

2 hours out in the harbor (Bar Harbor to be more specific) on a lobster boat with a marine biologist. We pulled lobster traps and examined the contents. The kids were thrilled to be able to touch lobsters, crabs of all kinds, star fish, sea cucumbers, anenome and various other sea creatures. We saw porpoises. We saw seals, seals and more seals. Puppies!!!!!!!!!! As in seal puppies. Awesome. We assaulted the biologist with questions and more questions. She was kind and thoughtful and answered our barrage with enthusiasm.

Julia has been studying the ocean in her class for the last couple of weeks, and we were all amazed with what Miss. D has taught her. I was beaming with pride as she answered questions. My little girl knew who Rachel Carson was!! She's one of my long time heroes (ranks right up there with Jim Henson!), and Julia knew exactly who she was and some of the great things she did.

After checking out the aquaculture, we were back on dry land. We took a short walk down the pier and ate some of our new found friends. Sitting outside on the dock watching the sunset while the girls danced to the fun music. It was a great day.