Notes from Maine - 2020/07/13

I have a nagging feeling that I’m neglecting something. Torn from our normal routines, I think that a lot of people may share that feeling. There’s a tug at the back of my brain reminding me that there is still work to be done. Some of that work may be set aside forever. Other things might just be on hold.

Looking at the weather map, it looks like a lot of people in the US are experiencing the same heat we have here. Maine is not properly equipped for heat, so I guess it’s a good thing it doesn’t visit us very often.

One summer up here, I had nothing to occupy my attention except a Walkman and a single cassette. On one side, I had the Very Best of Jimi Hendrix, and on the other was ZZ Top’s Degüello. To say that I memorized those albums is a vast understatement. To this day, I can’t hear Purple Haze without expecting it to be followed by Fire. While listening to that cassette (Hendrix, Top, Hendrix, Top, repeat), I would walk through the woods and see what I could find. In the woods behind my grandparents’ barn I discovered old carts and plows that had been abandoned when the fields grew over from disuse. I found rows of pine trees that my grandfather had planted in order to receive a tax break on his land. There was a marsh that was partially flooded because of a beaver dam.

Mostly, I discovered how much it sucks to be bitten by a swarm of deer flies. During the height of fly season, a moose will sometimes stumble out into the road, pestered by a billion bites, and practically beg to be run over in order to escape the torture.

I hiked and listened to my cassette all the time. At times I was bored out of my mind. Other times it felt like real adventure. My grandparents were back at the house, probably watching Merv Griffin, or some other mind-numbing show.

This summer, my nephew has all kinds of distractions. The other night, he and his father rode go karts around the yard. Sometimes we have little pinball tournaments in the evenings. Mostly, he plays games online with his friends. My dad says that my nephew will never forget his summer in Maine. I hope that’s true. It would be nice if he takes away a good memory or two from this year. Back where he lives, they’re trying to decide if kids will physically go to school in the fall. I’m not sure if there’s a right answer. I’m glad I don’t have to be a part of the decision making process.

What would I be doing if it were a normal summer?

I’m finding it hard to remember. I would be writing, editing, and working on the house—all those normal things, I suppose. I can still do those things. I am still doing those things, but maybe with a few more distractions. I’m very lucky in many ways and I’m trying my best to remember that.

I hope you’re well.