Category Archives: Family and friends

Back where it all began

Posted on June 22, 2017 by

Heading north toward Rockwood, Tom slowed the Subaru to a crawl. I’d been peering out into the steady rain since way before Greenville, picking faded memories out of old landmarks, retracing my way through the steely blues and mottled greens of … Continue reading →

Posted in Creatures great and small, Family and friends, Mindfulness, health and healing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The signature of summer in Rangeley

Posted on May 29, 2016 by

“Write something that captures this,” Tom urged, taking a deep cleansing breath and waving his palms skyward. It was that turning point last year in May when we were pretty sure winter was gone, when the breeze lifting the last of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Family and friends, Mindfulness, health and healing, Seasonal celebrations and observations | Tagged | 1 Comment

Talking about Toby

Posted on April 2, 2016 by

I knew this time would come. I knew it a few months ago when I taped Christmas bows on Toby’s crate and made him Facebook famous for recovering from surgery “at the Bemis Mountain Home for Aged Beagles.” I knew … Continue reading →

Posted in Beagle Zen, Creatures great and small, Family and friends, health and healing | Tagged | 6 Comments

Having my moments

Posted on December 13, 2015 by

Somewhere between the shrimp cassoulet, the lobster mac ‘n cheese, and the “perfect pairing” wine, it  happened. I had a moment. I stopped, looked up from the mounds of “I can have turkey any day” stuff I’d loaded onto my plate, and saw Helen … Continue reading →

Posted in Family and friends, Mindfulness, health and healing, Seasonal celebrations and observations | Tagged | 2 Comments

A day for Dada cookers, homemade Hallmarks, and lakeside legends

Posted on June 21, 2015 by

Today is Father’s Day and the first day of summer, or so says the calendar. Our Rangeley weather, on the other hand, just isn’t buying it. With every downpour, it says “Go hug Dad. Don’t wait to tell him how special he is. … Continue reading →

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Mooselook State of Mind

Posted on March 20, 2015 by

“What did you call that lake you live on way up there?” my friends Edie and Lewis kept asking. We were in Florida where they’d gone to escape winter on Long Island for a bit, and where I’d eagerly found … Continue reading →

Posted in Family and friends, Seasonal celebrations and observations | Tagged | 1 Comment

Extreme gift wrapping

Posted on December 22, 2014 by

I didn’t inherit any aptitude for gift wrapping. Whatever chromosomal matter it is that makes most women capable of tucking, taping and adorning paper-covered boxes so they look fresh out of Macy’s—instead of frigged up beyond all recognition—bypassed me completely. … Continue reading →

Posted in Family and friends, Seasonal celebrations and observations | 2 Comments

Betty Barfbag and other comforting traditions

Posted on November 26, 2014 by

What does slinking around with an air sickness bag face puppet have in common with torching toy boats in the backyard? In my family, the same thing as turkey, mashed tater towers, and a cranberry sauce cylinder straight from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Family and friends, Seasonal celebrations and observations | 1 Comment

Transcendentristry

Posted on October 14, 2014 by

Normally, my mind wanders for no special reason whatsoever. My favorite roller coaster ride. The perfect way to fix a sentence. What’s on sale at the Rangeley IGA. The next U2 concert tour. Hawaii. What’s not on sale at the … Continue reading →

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Reaching out for Robin

Posted on August 8, 2014 by

This is the story that almost wasn’t. How could I possibly write about Robin? Whatever could I say that someone else hadn’t already said in a better, wiser, more enduring way? Not much, I decided. Not much at all. Then … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Family and friends, health and healing | 5 Comments