Lessons from Maine...

They say it's the way life should be.

I often think of the way life could be.

...and then I'm reminded of the way life is.

2 weeks in Maine with my family taught me a lot...mostly about myself.  

There's a narrative that I continue to play over and over in my head. One that shows a scene...shot from above...of a simpler life. Less hustle. Less financial commitments. Less 'noise'. 

I think about it often. I'm thinking about it now as I type these words...on my second day back to work, fully taking on the life that I lead prior to vacation.

I guess I'm no different than anyone else out there. I hoped for something to happen during those 2 weeks. A magical email. A winning lottery ticket. To somehow be discovered.  Anything....something...that would lessen the load.

But the days came and went...and none of those things happened.

The sun rose and set. The tides ebbed and flowed. The bugs found sweet nectar in my veins. The kids whined...then laughed...then cried.

At home, the financial holes that I've dug remain. The hustle continues. And life goes on...at a pace that cares very little about whether I can keep up.

It's so easy to fall back into the routine.

The simple life that I envision may not be so simple after all...

...but it damn well isn't going to happen if I expect it to fall in my lap.

It's time...

Dirigo.

Split Rock Distilling...

On the last day of our Maine adventure, we finally visited Split Rock Distilling. Throughout the two weeks of our vacation, we had passed it occasionally...always with the intentions of stopping...but never quite having the most cooperative kiddos alongside. Upon arrival, we met co-owner Matt Page and felt immediately at home. If there's one thing that compels me to support a small business more than anything else...it's passion -- for the process, the work and the product. It's everywhere you look at Split Rock...and that smile on Matt's face says it all. I told him he was living my dream. When he told me they were hiring, I don't think he realized how much that warmed my insides. Cheers!

Forgotten Recipes...

I met Ron Leeman in Wiscasett, Maine at Sprague's Lobster. We talked about the crazy hot day. '87' he said...'In the shade'. Then he told me about the tides. He pointed out to the boats and their position...and said 'they'll be shifting soon...and we'll get some relief from the heat with a nice breeze'. Minutes later, it happened. The family and I tasted his Forgotten Recipes Jam and ultimately purchased two jars. No matter where I go, I'm always reminded that it's the people that we cross paths in life that matter most....