Advice On Moving to Maine (credit, garden, farmers)

[Abbymoulton]

Originally Posted by Petertherock

I would love to see some green grass, leaves on trees, and flowers right about now. But that's still 6 months away.

I am truley sorry that you seem to hate it there so much. There are so many of us in this forum that would give anything to be in Maine where we love the snow and the seasons, the cold and the grey and white of winter. I do believe it takes all types and some people do not enjoy the seasons. I wish for you that next Christmas finds you in Florida where it has just what you seem to be looking for. I know my next Christmas will have the seasons, snow, cold and greys and white of my childhood that I long to see again instead of having the airconditioning on and weeding the garden the week before Christmas. May all of you have a wonderful Christmas where ever it finds you this year.

[mollysmiles]

Originally Posted by Petertherock

I would love to see some green grass, leaves on trees, and flowers right about now. But that's still 6 months away.

my question to you is simple: where did you *think* you were moving?


Because if you know geography at all, you had to have known Maine's location. You behave as if all this weather has completely blindsided you....that it's a complete shock and you had no idea. Doesn't sound like YOU did YOUR research.


oh, BTW....we're not 6 months away from all that....seriously now.

[elston]

When I lived in central New Hampshire I used to start noticing signs of springs approach in March by being attentive to the color of the twigs in the top branches of swamp maples and willow trees, especially if I had to take a trip down to Manchester which was about an hour from my home. The change of light, then a different smell in the morning air. Then the activity of birds, listening for the chick-a-dee's call change from his winter call to a two note whistle; then changes in human activity...sap houses billowing sweet goodness, the snow taking on a blueish cast in the shadows. Nature unfolds slowly but inexorably. Changes in tracks in the snow, altho I am not conversant with the habits of the little woodland creatures and when they come out and about, The smell of skunk on the air is a sure sign of spring.

Similarly when I first came to California I couldn't discern any change in the seasons--there were flowers in the garden year round--but now I am very aware of the different flowers in gardens and the stark difference in the wild landscape. Seasons are as much about amount and quality of light and about moisture, as they are about temperature.....and it is all a process. In New England the clearest point of change is when the earth finally "locks up" and the frozen ground has reached its depth...then after holding the earth captive for awhile, it slowly relaxes from the top down...hence MUD season.

Nature holds many more delights than 4 seasons, it is an ever changing panoply of days.
The wheel is forever turning! There is a lesson in mindfulness.

[mollysmiles]

Originally Posted by elston

.....There is a lesson in mindfulness.

Elston the entire post is beautiful! This sentence though is truly a "life lesson"...and learning it makes all the difference

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Abbymoulton

I am truley sorry that you seem to hate it there so much. There are so many of us in this forum that would give anything to be in Maine where we love the snow and the seasons, the cold and the grey and white of winter. I do believe it takes all types and some people do not enjoy the seasons. I wish for you that next Christmas finds you in Florida where it has just what you seem to be looking for. I know my next Christmas will have the seasons, snow, cold and greys and white of my childhood that I long to see again instead of having the airconditioning on and weeding the garden the week before Christmas. May all of you have a wonderful Christmas where ever it finds you this year.

There are many who already do live in Maine and love being here too.

I do hope that you have an enjoyable holiday.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

my question to you is simple: where did you *think* you were moving?


Because if you know geography at all, you had to have known Maine's location. You behave as if all this weather has completely blindsided you....that it's a complete shock and you had no idea. Doesn't sound like YOU did YOUR research.


oh, BTW....we're not 6 months away from all that....seriously now.

Farmer's Market vendors who focus on maple products miss the market beginning in February, and may not return to market until April. The day temps must reach above freezing for the sap to begin to flow. So folks who earn their living from this expect to see warming trends and above freezing temps beginning mid to late February.

The whole idea historically behind the winter festivals which later became Christmas, the winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, and as the days once again begin to grow longer the first full moon of the new year starts up the new year's calendar and is the promise of a summer to come. Commonly twelve days apart from each other, thus a reason to celebrate those twelve days. This year the solstice is 22December. After that the days will once again grow longer, showing us that winter will end.

[Elcarim]

Originally Posted by elston

When I lived in central New Hampshire I used to start noticing signs of springs approach in March by being attentive to the color of the twigs in the top branches of swamp maples and willow trees, especially if I had to take a trip down to Manchester which was about an hour from my home. The change of light, then a different smell in the morning air. Then the activity of birds, listening for the chick-a-dee's call change from his winter call to a two note whistle; then changes in human activity...sap houses billowing sweet goodness, the snow taking on a blueish cast in the shadows. Nature unfolds slowly but inexorably. Changes in tracks in the snow, altho I am not conversant with the habits of the little woodland creatures and when they come out and about, The smell of skunk on the air is a sure sign of spring.

Similarly when I first came to California I couldn't discern any change in the seasons--there were flowers in the garden year round--but now I am very aware of the different flowers in gardens and the stark difference in the wild landscape. Seasons are as much about amount and quality of light and about moisture, as they are about temperature.....and it is all a process. In New England the clearest point of change is when the earth finally "locks up" and the frozen ground has reached its depth...then after holding the earth captive for awhile, it slowly relaxes from the top down...hence MUD season.

Nature holds many more delights than 4 seasons, it is an ever changing panoply of days.
The wheel is forever turning! There is a lesson in mindfulness.

What a beautiful description of the seasonal wheel!

[mollysmiles]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Farmer's Market vendors who focus on maple products miss the market beginning in February, and may not return to market until April. The day temps must reach above freezing for the sap to begin to flow. So folks who earn their living from this expect to see warming trends and above freezing temps beginning mid to late February.

The whole idea historically behind the winter festivals which later became Christmas, the winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, and as the days once again begin to grow longer the first full moon of the new year starts up the new year's calendar and is the promise of a summer to come. Commonly twelve days apart from each other, thus a reason to celebrate those twelve days. This year the solstice is 22December. After that the days will once again grow longer, showing us that winter will end.

great post!

It wasn't until I was in college that I learned about the 12 days, and the solstice and really began to think of how everything ties together so neatly which the cycles of the earth. It's wonderful!

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

This year the solstice is 22December. After that the days will once again grow longer, showing us that winter will end.

A few days after Ground Hog's day I expect to see plants in the ground in the greenhouse to break dormancy. The sun will then be high enough and the days long enough to wake the plants.

[elston]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Farmer's Market vendors who focus on maple products miss the market beginning in February, and may not return to market until April. The day temps must reach above freezing for the sap to begin to flow. So folks who earn their living from this expect to see warming trends and above freezing temps beginning mid to late February.

The whole idea historically behind the winter festivals which later became Christmas, the winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, and as the days once again begin to grow longer the first full moon of the new year starts up the new year's calendar and is the promise of a summer to come. Commonly twelve days apart from each other, thus a reason to celebrate those twelve days. This year the solstice is 22December. After that the days will once again grow longer, showing us that winter will end.

This saturday (22nd) at my church we are observing the solstice with drumming down the sun around 4:30 a bon fire and observance to honor, "all that is" and then hot soups and bread as a communal meal. It won't be freezing like when i wnt to similar obsrvances in NH, but for us out here it will be nippy!