My parents drove us from Scarborough to Houlton to visit family every summer in the late ’50s and early ’60s. North of Bangor, the two-lane roads passed through miles of forests. My oldest sister sat up front, and my two younger sisters, brother and I occupied the back in those pre-seatbelt days. Somewhere in that […]

Our sister called us on Jan. 28, telling us it was time to come home. Our mother had suffered a stroke. Death was imminent. From Maine and parts of Massachusetts, we headed to Cape Cod. Hospice had arrived. Our beloved caretaker was there, stroking our mother’s hand, whispering words of comfort. We circled her bed, […]

“Rusty did it.” Didn’t matter the infraction, Rusty got blamed. “Who drank the last of the milk and put the empty carton back in the refrigerator!?” “Rusty did it.” “Who left their dirty plate under the couch!?” “Rusty did it.” Now, nine times out of 10, Rusty did do it, but not always. It became […]