Commencement this month for our approximately 500 graduating seniors was two months late and held outdoors, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the drive-in ceremonies at Ocean Gateway for Portland, Deering and Casco Bay high schools were as inspirational as graduations every year – maybe even more so. I’ve spoken at commencements for four years […]
Forecaster opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: America needs a sabbatical
In my Aug. 4 column, I urged that schools remain closed until the coronavirus pandemic is over. Teachers shouldn’t have to risk their lives and parents shouldn’t be caught between worries about the health of their children and the need to get back to work. But if your primary interest in education is child care, […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Pandemic pet peeves, part I
To say the COVID-19 outbreak has negatively impacted the general populace would be an understatement of gigantic proportions. Just recently we heard from the Centers for Disease Control that a full quarter of young people ages 18-24 have considered suicide in the past month. Mental health in all sectors of the populace is suffering, according […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Mainewhile: Shark-punching husband isn’t the only hero
Finally! At long last, in this crazy world of extreme tragedy, crisis and division, finally we as a nation, as a globe, have something on which we can agree: The Australian man who punched a shark to save his wife is dreamy. I am sure by now you’ve seen the story, yes? OK, if not, […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Over Easy: July is never too soon to think about winter in Maine
Here in Maine, July is never too soon to think about winter. The thought arrived with the two cords of cut and split firewood dumped next to my driveway. It was still July, but we live in the climate zone called temperate, where it seems the cold is never too far away, waiting patiently for […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: Rise from your foxholes, teachers
There are three kinds of employees in these pandemic times: essential workers, nonessential workers and those stuck in between. Workers considered essential by the government include nurses, grocery store employees, delivery drivers, first responders and others who are needed onsite for the operation of life-sustaining sectors of the economy. They have been going to work […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: Being and nothingness
The recent hot spell may partly explain why I find myself in such a listless state of mind lately. I was going to write about some pressing issue of the day, such as whether the United States can recover from another four years of Donald Trump (A: Not in my lifetime.), but that will have […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Life Unwound: It’s hard to live in a body
It’s hard to live in a body. Even the healthiest among us face-plant on stairs, get sore throats, trip over shoelaces, scrape elbows, skin knees. Even “normal” bodies beg for pit stops on long car rides. There’s morning bedhead, bad hair days or full going bald. We all get sore feet with stinky toes every […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
The Universal Notebook: Closed until further notice
Schools all over the state are wrestling with the question of whether and how to reopen this fall. Let me make it simple for them. Don’t. Maine public school systems have been working on contingency plans geared to the state’s designating communities as green (OK to return to in-person instruction), yellow (best to try hybrid […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Here’s Something: All that, without the bag of chips
Have you noticed the price of everything, especially food, has been increasing quite a bit lately? I recently ordered a cinnamon doughnut and iced coffee at my local coffee shop and left with eight fewer dollars in my pocket. A trip to the grocery store costs a lot more than it used to, too. Somehow, I […]