Maine people have always known how to work around the weather. And though this winter has been mild compared to previous years, Covid restrictions have required businesses to use their imaginations like never before.
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Pineland Farms started life as a state run institution for the “idiotic and feeble minded” in 1907. Many horror stories floated out of those buildings, some from my cousin who worked there with mentally handicapped children in the late 70’s. It was closed in 1996 due to scandal and rumors of unsatisfactory care and has since undergone an amazing transformation.
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Nature trails, event weddings, a farm cooperative and store. They sell the beef they raise and the produce they grow. They make wonderful cheese and have a tasty little restaurant.
Yes, I’ve finally reached the end of words that were added to the dictionary in the year of my birth.
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It’s been an enlightening journey.
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Umami. In Japanese it means “essence of deliciousness”, but you might know it better as MSG.
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Wagyu , a heavily marbled Japanese beef. I can’t say I’ve ever tried it but it’s supposed to be fabulous. And it better be, I read they give the cows beer to stimulate their appetites and massage them with Saki. At least they meet their end happy.
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Yay. Seeing that this was the year I graced the planet with my presence, this word needs no explanation.
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Zester. River loves her some citrus so I’m thrilled to take credit for this handy dandy kitchen tool.
Lemon zest makes everything better, and if you’ve never tried it? Add a pinch to your lemon drop martini.
When your roof is leaking in the middle of a Maine winter and you have no idea why…. there’s really only one solution.
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You chip the ice and snow from around the door, set up a ladder….
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Climb up on the roof where you have to chip away more snow and ice…
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And lay a giant ass tarp. ( We’ll be the envy of all our neighbors now, so stylish! ) Then if you’re my husband, you leave a large part of it flapping in the corner.
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What?
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With a storm moving in, I had to fight him to secure the damn thing before it blew halfway to the next county.
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One little string, through one little grommet was all he would do.
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The snow came, turned to rain and miraculously the roof didn’t leak. But we’re due for strong winds in a few days so things are apt get interesting.