“A common lament of the World War II generation is the absence today of personal responsibility,” Tom Brokaw once wrote. I believe this quote from Brokaw’s book, The Greatest Generation, could now be amended given the times we’re in. The words “praise” and “presence ” would replace the words “lament” and “absence”. I believe when […]
The other day I was having a conversation with a friend, and he asked how I was faring in this time of uncertainty. I said I was doing all right, but that I have found I really miss handshakes and hugs. He laughed as he found it amusing. I laughed, too, but I still miss […]
A friend of mine visiting Downeast for the first time mentioned shortly after arriving that he noticed a drastic change in the air and in the light. Paraphrasing, he commented, “The air is tinged with the scent of salt, and the light is brighter. Everything here seems so different, even the shadows appear out of […]
Across the country in present time USA, the “noise” is so loud. People are angry and growing restless with their respective lot in life, and the sirens of discontent are incessant and knocking on doors, screaming through windows. Even here Downeast, if you scan the Internet, read the letters to editors, attend debates or listen […]
We all can remember the home we grew up in and what life was like back then. Whether it was in a large city or in the rural countryside, the word “home” always evokes a special feeling. The life we eventually make is always touched and shaped by our memories of the place where we […]
Most people have a favorite room in their house where they spend quiet time, or maybe a favorite place they go to visit and reflect on all things personal, or that “go-to” chair that is always calling. It is also true that many artists develop a habit of creating in a defined place, and often […]
Feeling a little hungry? Perhaps you need a little kindling for that campfire, or maybe you are looking to add some interesting perennial plants to the front yard? No worries! Just scan the roadside for all of these fixings, and when you find them, know you are Downeast. One thing I always notice when I […]
Technology is out of control. From self-driving cars, voice activated computer assistants, zillions of streaming radio and TV channels, to motion sensor camera doorbells, it is safe to say the world is spinning at a furious rate of change. Here now, in Downeast, Maine, I try to slow things down by taking each and every […]
Prisons are not glamorous. The general public’s attitude towards them is almost always negative and rarely do they receive public support. But an interesting thing is taking place here Downeast with one particular facility. A rallying cry from a community in support of a prison is gaining traction and is reminiscent of a community benefit […]
It is a New Year, and a time to reflect on days past while looking forward to days that sit around the corner waiting for us to arrive. It is a time for new beginnings and also a time to remember those that came not so very long ago. Many of our friends ask: What […]
