I woke up on Aug. 11 to celebrate my eighth anniversary of leaving refugee life in Kenya and moving to Maine. Sometimes I find it hard to believe this much time has gone by since I departed Kenya carrying only a refugee document and a U.S. visa printed on a piece of paper. I remember […]
Forecaster Opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Turning up the heat on winter preparations
Back when I was a kid, “Aesop’s Fables” had a sort of fashionable revival and it was fairly common to hear them read aloud at the library story time. They were even a regular feature on Sesame Street. One of these was “The Ant and the Grasshopper.” The way the story goes (in most versions), […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Let’s swear by a social contract of civility
My bestie Reed once said to me, “Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.” At the time she was referring to my ill-conceived decision to grab scissors and give myself some bangs. She was right, it was not a good look for me, but her larger sentiment, the moral of the story, […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: A strong network of family and friends? Check.
Before total replacement surgery of my right shoulder March 29, I decided to do everything I could possibly think of to get ready for not using my dominant arm, hand and fingers for a month or so. I loaded the freezer with casseroles, vegan for me, omnivore-ish for my husband. I boiled and bagged a […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Young Africans need help navigating dangerous waters
The African community is mourning the death of a friend, Pedro Matala, a brilliant young man from Angola, after he fell into the Presumpscot River in Falmouth in late July. We lost another brilliant young immigrant, Isha Ali from Lewiston, last summer after he drowned in the Androscoggin River. The death of these young immigrants […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: Dark chocolate: How sweet it is – for your blood pressure
If you know me, then you know I am addicted to citations. I’ve never met a fact I didn’t love to research and verify, extrapolate upon, or disprove and debunk. Well, not this time. In this one instance, I am happy to let the headline stand, as is, unchallenged, unresearched, unquestioned. What might this outlier […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Mainers can make their lawns more planet-friendly
Several years ago, I was having a friendly conversation with an elderly gentleman I knew. Aware of his devotion to the game of croquet (he was a member of a team which competed weekly and he practiced near daily), I remarked how much I, too, enjoyed the game. To my great surprise, he replied, “No. […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: Playing the mental game for the win
It started when our grandson played a junior golf tournament near us and my husband and I followed him for nine holes. He’d hit a long straight drive, turn to us with a smile and a thumbs up, which we’d return. The next hole he’d hit an errant drive and say something like, “My drive […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: Yarmouth Clam Festival reflects the way life should be
I wished every New Mainer was with me to watch as Maine’s best were displayed in the parade during the afternoon of July 15 at the Yarmouth Clam Festival. I had my lawn chair out on West Elm Street across the now-closed Andy’s Handy Store. This is the area where I run at least a […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Dolly Parton is beautiful inside and out
I’ve never really understood the concept of sainthood, but I’ll tell you what: If there’s a way for a person such as myself to make a nomination, I would like those in authority to consider the astounding Dolly Parton. Seriously. The woman is the real deal. I admit I am biased. As a child of […]