Monday, November 28, 2005

The Great White North

When I married Gary, there were stipulations involved. See.... he's from Nebraska and I've never been there. I'm not one for moving halfway across the country from my family then and I definitely wouldn't now. When he asked me to marry him, I said yes but only if we can always live in Maine. Thank God he said ok and when I took him home to the town I grew up in.... he fell in love with it. He loves to hunt, fish, hunt, fish and hunt and fish some more. So, needless to say... he fits right in with the majority of the people. He also looks good in flannel, doesn't feel the need to shave everyday and a haircut is a luxury... not a necessity in his book. Mainers are some strange people. There are people who've lived in this state for years but because they weren't born here.... they are known as 'from away'. If you are cursed enough to be called 'from away' by the locals..... you can't truly be accepted as one of them. It's sad but true. However, my husband being from far, far 'away' (as in "Toto - I don't think we are in Kansas anymore") seems to be accepted by everyone. For that I will always be grateful to my fellow Mainers. It would totally suck being known as the woman who married someone 'from away.'

So, that being said, when I asked Gary if he wanted to go to Greenville for Thanksgiving, he immediately said yes and couldn't wait to get there. He wanted to go heater hunting which means driving around all day looking for deer. Not most people's idea of hunting but some beautiful country can be seen this way. I secretly pray he doesn't get a deer. I voodoo hex-curse the whole hunting scenario and I secretly pray for swift feet and sharp ears for all deer. But sssshhhhhhh - it's our secret ok?

Hannah and I did some riding around with him and took some pictures. There was about 6" of snow on the ground and I spent the entire time freaking out that we were going to get stuck out in the middle of no where with no cell service to call anyone. I spent most of the time screaming thoughts into my brain like "Why can't you just fuckin' take a chill pill and relax?".

I got to spend alot of time with my friend Melody and it was so much fun! We had dinner at her house one night and then the guys went into the garage to play cards. Melody and I were able to sit, uninterrupted, for about 3 hours and just talk. It was wonderful! We did so much catching up. She and I had coffee together one morning and spent another couple hours talking. It feels as if we could talk for hours and still not be caught up on everything! We went out to dinner with Melody's family and my sister Sue and her husband. It was really great to be able to spend so much time together. It always amazes me how my sisier Sue and I, raised by the same parents can be so different. She's the most easy-going person and I'm an uptight freak. I wish I had half the patience she does.

All in all it was a wonderful trip. Actually, it was one of the best Thanksgiving's I've ever had. I have so much to be thankful for.

9 comments:

Joel said...

I am soooo not a hunter. I killed a rabbit when I was 12 and swore off ever hunting again and have kept to my word. I DO love to fish though. Sounds like Maine is a beautiful place to live. I have never been that far North...err...East but would love to find a quaint B&B sometime and spend a snowy weekend there. I am a true romantic at heart...I am! Really!

Melody said...

I always, secretly, pray that Lloyd will NOT get a deer too and it worked this years...YIPPEE! I so enjoyed our visit as well and hope that we never lose touch again. Hannah is such a cutie...and it was good to see Gary and Lloyd hit it off too.

Larry said...

All the now in Morrill has melted :)

I like the pics by the way!

ccw said...

Sounds like you had a very nice time.

I always secretly hoped that my ex would not kill a deer when he went hunting. Logically, I understand the need for hunting, especially with the overpopulation in our area, but I hated to see "dead Bambi" at my door.

Lu said...

sounds like you had a GREAT time...i SO need to take a road trip.... :)

Paula said...

Love those pictures, they are so beautiful.
Nature rocks!

lime said...

so glad you had a great time. so glad you have a great hubby who is happy in maine and accepted. the sister thing is wild isn't it. my 2 girls coud not be more opposite if we tried, looks and personality both, polar opposite

Sandi said...

Love the pictures, very nice!
I'm with you on making sure bambi is saved.

Julie said...

Greenville is a Godsend when you need one isn't it. The landscape can take your breath away if you know where to look. Sounds like you all had a terrific weekend and it's nice to see you and Mel reconnect. I know she cherishes that. I am an extremist when it comes to hunting...hubby can go but gets divorced if he shoots a deer. And I'm very ashamed to admit that I'm serious about it. I secretly talked to my daughter about "allowing" hub to get one, just this year...then I had major anxiety attacks just thinking about it. So we both decided to not tell him what we had been thinking. I don't ask anything of my husband except for this...he can go hump the entire Cheerleading squad for the Cowboys for all I care, but DON'T kill that deer! I know, I'm a fucking freak! Can't help the way I feel, just thankful that I have a hubby who understands my passion about some things. Great post Sheri! Always nice to see happy posts instead of depressing ones.