Category Archives: Seasonal celebrations and observations

Resolution recluse

Posted on January 9, 2022 by Joy Clough

So, it’s the middle of January. Do you know where your New Year’s resolution is? According to the experts who study these sorts of things, if I’m like most women my resolution went out the window a few days ago. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Corona bright spots, Mindfulness, health and healing, Seasonal celebrations and observations | Tagged | 2 Comments

A Rain-geley White Christmas

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Joy Clough

You know those Hallmark Christmas scenes so snowy-white perfect you stare at the picture longer than you read the inside of the card? Where the snow blankets the cutesy log cabin, lays a flawlessly glistening path for the storybook critters … Continue reading →

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Portraits of Thanksgiving (retouched)

Posted on November 19, 2021 by Joy Clough

Note: The following is an update to Portraits of Thanksgiving, published in November 2010. Back in my teens and early twenties, I thought posing for the family Thanksgiving photo was kind of annoying. Just about the time I’d be digging into … Continue reading →

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

Real life is scary enough

Posted on October 10, 2021 by Joy Clough

Who needs Halloween this year? Not me! I’ve been wearing a mask and eating candy for months now. And I definitely don’t need to watch any of those special October freak fest movies. I have more than enough reasons for … Continue reading →

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April Fools’ amnesty

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Joy Clough

If ever there was a time to call a moratorium on April Fools’ Day, this would be it. With the pandemic and everything else going on in the world between last April and now, I just don’t need more shock … Continue reading →

Posted in Corona bright spots, Family and friends, Seasonal celebrations and observations | Tagged | 9 Comments

Slow, slow riders

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Joy Clough

Ten winters after putting down Rangeley roots—perennial roots deep in the arctic strata formerly known as our summer waterfront—we put down tracks. Serious tracks. Boldly going where we hadn’t dared to snowshoe, ski, or ice shuffle before. Faster than a … Continue reading →

Posted in Retirementality, Seasonal celebrations and observations, Songs of Joy and Tomfoolery | 7 Comments

Back where it all began (Part Two)

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Joy Clough

NOTE: The following is a continuation of “Back where it all began,” published in June 2017. I was drifting back to childhood, watching the gigantic Snoopy float hover over the Macy’s parade, when the sound of Jim’s voice took me … Continue reading →

Posted in Family and friends, Mum & Mac, Rooted In Moosehead, too, Seasonal celebrations and observations | 4 Comments

Weather…or NOT!

Posted on July 9, 2019 by Joy Clough

I’m not sure who the audience is supposed to be for most National Weather Service “special advisories” in my area. Especially this one: Special Weather Statement for Northern Franklin County (June 15): The warm air temperatures this weekend in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Seasonal celebrations and observations | Tagged | 4 Comments

A licking time bomb

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Joy Clough

If by some Christmas miracle the ghost of my Nana could have visited Kineo, she would have gently cradled his head, met his big brown eyes with her own, and said: “If it ain’t your hip, it’s your ass or your … Continue reading →

Posted in Beagle Zen, Creatures great and small, Seasonal celebrations and observations | 3 Comments

The signature of summer in Rangeley

Posted on May 29, 2016 by Joy Clough

“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