Friday, April 27, 2012

April Textures in Maine

Every season in Maine brings a change. April is a pivotal month. Gray skies fade to summer optimism. The brilliant sunlight shines and shows the many weathered textures of the Maine Coast.


Winter weather and spring rain create new scenery for the upcoming season. Rusting, crackling and fading show mother nature's true colors.



Travelling on US Route One throughout the Maine seacoast area, there are signs from roadside America that capture the eye and wonderment . The textures reveal the age and beauty from a bygone mid century era.


Coastal salt air changes structures, colors and the character of people as well as things...


Seaside roads are quiet, yet ready for the summer onslaught.....





Friday, April 20, 2012

Picked Last....

The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.

           -Walter Bageholt

Remember that horrible feeling with the coach or gym teacher would pick captains, and then have the captains pick the players for teams? The shame and humiliation on getting picked last??


As a child, playtime was fun. I went outside and played. Whether it be, kickball, softball or war games, I played until I was tired and then I went home for supper or bed. Playing, for the sake of playing. At sumer camp we would swim, boat and canoe, again it was fun and recreational.
(Cousin Jeff, sister Laurie and I. Long Island Maine)

Then, something happened on the way to middle school: coaches and teachers would segregated players.  The alpha players were picked by the coach. Then these alpha players would pick the teams. My "ah-ha moment " happened when I was in 5th grade.

Coach "W" was the coach of the Orioles little league baseball team in the town that I lived in. In the spring, I attended all of the practices. It was fun. I was with kids my age, and I enjoyed the camaraderie and enjoyment of playing. Mind you I was not good. Couldn't throw a ball to save my life ( later in life, I discovered I had a slight vision problem that I was able to correct with eyeglasses), but nonetheless, I enjoyed being there.

The first game was approaching, and Coach  "W" distributed all the uniforms. I remember these uniforms were white and green, and I was excited to be getting one. The coach came to my house, and he did not have a uniform for me, I asked him "why?" The coach said: because we do not have one FOR YOU. I asked him, "what should I do the day of the game", and he replied. "you don't go to the game". I said, "what about practice next week", He followed with "you don't go to practice" .

It was that point in my life I found out the cruel reality of competitive sports. I was not good enough to play in a small town little league with my friends. I felt embarrassed and shamed. I developed an instant dislike for the game. My parents recognized this, and swiftly got me involved in other activities: music,  etc. The day Coach "W" came into my parents house and sat in their mid-century couch and told me I couldn't play little league haunted me for a long time....


Then something happened on the way to becoming  middle aged.....I started to run. I ran, for the sake of running. I knew I could run as a kid. But I never ran track in high school or college. I thought I was not good enough. The shame of little league left me with a horrible feeling. Something in my head, said I would be picked last, or I would be snarled by the coach. However,  I could run. I guess it was the embarrassment I wanted to save myself from by not participating.

When I turned 40, I started to run, little by little. I ran in my small Maine coastal town. I remember 10 years ago, local people would clap as the fat guy would run by for his 1.5 mile loop. Slowly, by slowly I ran. Then one day I noticed my pants went down a size. I was jazzed. I increase my mileage, and intensity of running. Then more weight fell off. Finally I decided to run a 5k race in Fort Lauderdale. I was nervous. Would I be the last guy to finish?? Was I good enough? I had no idea. The race was a 5k. I ran the race and finished. It was my first race and I was 42 years old, it was then that I got the bug and realized, I can do this.


Its been almost a decade and I run virtually everyday. I have participated in countless races in Ogunquit ,Fort Lauderdale and other locations. I swim with a Master's Swim program in the winter in Fort Lauderdale.  Something happened on the way to middle age, I think it's a case of "adult onset athletics", and I am glad it happened!


The lesson in life? Next time someone tells you that you "can't do something", take pleasure in doing it!



Friday, April 13, 2012

Open for the Season!

We are open for the season! Hard to believe that this will be our 16th year as owners of Ogunquit Beach Inn.


With spring weather warming-up, it's also Patriots' Day Holiday Weekend. Ogunquit celebrates Patriots' Day with colonial re-enactments, and a Beach Bazaar under the tents at the beach.  Featured at the Beach Bazaar are: live music, entertainment, arts & crafts. The ever-popular "Taste-of-the-Town" is being held at the town hall located here on School Street.  The "Taste-of-the-Town is a smorgasbord of food from all the various restaurants in Ogunquit.


Michael's tasty Maine blueberry muffins, and mouth watering banana bread are some of the bake treats that are being enjoyed this weekend by our guests at breakfast time.


Seasonal perennials are beginning to wake-up to the increasing energy of the sun....and the ocean is always soothing to the soul......


Patriots' Day is a Monday civic holiday celebrated in Maine and Massachusetts that commemorates the battle of Lexington and Concord, and the "Midnight Ride of Paul Revere".
Patriots' Day signifies the start of the season here in Ogunquit Maine. It’s a traditional time when restaurants and business' re-open. Patriots Day is also the running of the Boston Marathon. Ogunquit also has its own Paul Revere's ride.


Make your reservations, Call us  + 1 207 646 1112 or email us @ ogunquitmaine@gmail.com

67 School Street
Ogunquit, ME 03907


Thursday, April 12, 2012

It's the little details in life....

As I get older I find myself stopping and enjoying the small details in life. I guess it's in concert with the saying "stop and smell the roses".

I find myself taking time out of my schedule to appreciate the beauty of everyday life: the first buds of spring; sea glass in a jar on the window sill; the wonders of the ocean.


It's the little things in life that I notice. The simplicity of nature, and the ever changing weather living on the Maine coast.

Since the roses are not yet in bloom, I think I will "stop and smell the salty ocean air", as we prepare to open for our 16th year at Ogunquit Beach Inn.



Saturday, April 7, 2012

Back to Maine!

With a packed Subaru and our compass pointed north, we trek back 1553 miles to Ogunquit Maine.

Goodbye speedo and hello LL Bean Boots. Goodbye palms and hello pines! It was a great winter in south Florida, but it's time to get back to Maine! With morning lows of 28 degrees ( -2c) and day time highs of 50 degrees (10c) it is quite a change from balmy south Florida.


After the long arduous drive, the first thing I did was a 7 mile run through town and beach. The cool salt air felt great. Spring is a bit early this year with forsythia bushes fully bloomed and  crocuses dotting the lawns.

Happy Spring to all!

Monday, April 2, 2012

Swimming Pools, Fountain of Youth?

MaryJane is an 81 year old master's swimmer that I swim with. MJ, started swimming over 30 years ago when she turned 50. MJ is an amazing athlete. She has the speed and stamina of people half her age. Coach John will come up with an interval work-out plan and MJ meets the intervals.  Simply amazing.


I wonder about the aging process. Is it attitude, lifestyle, genetics, good weather? I don't know.  But what I do know, is that the abundant winter sunshine and warm weather keeps people some people young and active in South Florida.


Long ago, Ponce de Leon searched for the Fountain of Youth in south Florida.  The Fountain of Youth might be a swimming pool. It's amazing to see octogenarians swimming. But not only swimming, swimming really good. South Florida has a plethora of outdoor swimming pools that can be used 350 days-a-year. People of all ages utilize these pools daily.



Swimming has so many health benefits. It's good for the body, mind and spirit. It's a great form of exercise that is not too hard on the joints. It allows you to stretch  your body akin to yoga. Like yoga, you must balance your body and learn to control your breathing. Also, there is a sense of inner peace and strength after a vigorous workout set.


With people like MJ, I look forward to the future and to continue to swim!


(some pools, bathing suits may be optional...)


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