Maine is one of those places I always want to visit when I come across it in fiction! I love the novels of Elizabeth Strout, some of which are set in coastal Maine, particularly the Olive Kitteridge ones. Thank you for sharing your personal experiences and really evoking the different sides of Maine :)
(Also, would you believe, I have never tried lobster!)
Maine has been on my mind ever since I first began reading King. Seeing as I've never actually been there (yet!), it has always retained a mystical quality to me, a place of the strange and magical, purely because of how King wrote about it. So yeah, this was a fascinating read, in part because of that, but also just to read your personal thoughts.
I didn't know that lobster was such a thing there and WOW on it originally being poverty food!! (I had to read that line out loud to my wife just now!) It's quite crazy how something can be made to have that status. A bit like diamonds.
I went through quite a number of years being vegetarian, but now like to think of myself as not so strict but more just in that ethical mindset of being aware of what I eat, focussing mainly on vegetables (I quite like the term "plant forward" when referring to diet) but will allow myself meat etc at times. I do like lobster, and of course crayfish are a major speciality around the Australian coastline, but I feel for them and I'm not sure if I'd be quite to willing to indulge these days.
Coincidentally, I’ve just mentioned Maine in an email today. It’s a place I’ve longed to visit since reading a book set there many years ago. Thank you for the continuing ‘Grand Tour’ :)
You’ve captured the Maine vibe well, Kate. Thanks for the shout out! And if you ever return to the pine tree state, a slice of molasses blueberry cake awaits on my porch...
Really enjoyed this piece and all the details about lobster especially. I love eating lobster but was not aware of any of the details you bring up here especially when it comes to things like overfishing. Thank you for providing such nice insight into a place.
Glad you enjoyed exploring the Hartley exhibition online resources! I read such a tremendous sense of sadness and isolation in those late paintings. Had Europe not descended into world war and upended his life in Germany, who knows whether he would have returned to his home state.
Your encounters with Katahdin only fuel my desire to see her in person. Thanks for sharing that story! ❤️
Such a beautiful exploration of Maine, Kathleen. I've only been once — for a magical week staying on a sheep farm outside of Portland. It was in early October, which meant seeing the first frosts of the season and just a hint of the autumnal lead colors to come.
I'm more familiar with Maine's beauty through Marsden Hartley's paintings. Given that he lived in the state both early and late in his career, his Maine pictures give us great insights into how his artistic practice progressed. The Met held an exhibition back in 2017 focused on his time working in his home state — be sure to pick up the catalogue for enchanting depictions of the rugged coastline, swarthy lobster fisherman, bronzed and muscly lifeguards, and his beloved Mount Katahdin.
Moose are so cute. I think it was Bill Bryson who said that they look as if they are wearing oven gloves on their heads! The lobster question is a knotty problem. I think on balance I would not eat it, certainly after hearing it being cooked as you describe. I did try it once many years ago in a pasta dish at a seaside town, but that was just little pieces of it, and I didn't have to rip it apart. Also when I think of lobster I can't help remembering this:
I once had grilled baby lobster while I was in Asia. I didn't order it, I was invited, and the Chef made all the best dishes they had. I have to admit, it was delicious. I never ate lobster again ever since, though.
I dwell much on Thoreau and Emerson, I did not know that he was into Yoga, though! Will check out your post-haste.
Maine is one of those places I always want to visit when I come across it in fiction! I love the novels of Elizabeth Strout, some of which are set in coastal Maine, particularly the Olive Kitteridge ones. Thank you for sharing your personal experiences and really evoking the different sides of Maine :)
(Also, would you believe, I have never tried lobster!)
What a wonderful and interesting post, Kate.
Maine has been on my mind ever since I first began reading King. Seeing as I've never actually been there (yet!), it has always retained a mystical quality to me, a place of the strange and magical, purely because of how King wrote about it. So yeah, this was a fascinating read, in part because of that, but also just to read your personal thoughts.
I didn't know that lobster was such a thing there and WOW on it originally being poverty food!! (I had to read that line out loud to my wife just now!) It's quite crazy how something can be made to have that status. A bit like diamonds.
I went through quite a number of years being vegetarian, but now like to think of myself as not so strict but more just in that ethical mindset of being aware of what I eat, focussing mainly on vegetables (I quite like the term "plant forward" when referring to diet) but will allow myself meat etc at times. I do like lobster, and of course crayfish are a major speciality around the Australian coastline, but I feel for them and I'm not sure if I'd be quite to willing to indulge these days.
This was very interesting, and I enjoyed looking up Masshole!
Maine is lovely, so is a personal best, safe travels!
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/american-sprinter-shacarri-richardson-world-100-meter-rcna101061
You ran a lot of fast and courageous races in Maine. We look forward to seeing you on your next visit to Maine. - Coach Slovenski
Coincidentally, I’ve just mentioned Maine in an email today. It’s a place I’ve longed to visit since reading a book set there many years ago. Thank you for the continuing ‘Grand Tour’ :)
You’ve captured the Maine vibe well, Kate. Thanks for the shout out! And if you ever return to the pine tree state, a slice of molasses blueberry cake awaits on my porch...
Really enjoyed this piece and all the details about lobster especially. I love eating lobster but was not aware of any of the details you bring up here especially when it comes to things like overfishing. Thank you for providing such nice insight into a place.
Wonderfully described!
Glad you enjoyed exploring the Hartley exhibition online resources! I read such a tremendous sense of sadness and isolation in those late paintings. Had Europe not descended into world war and upended his life in Germany, who knows whether he would have returned to his home state.
Your encounters with Katahdin only fuel my desire to see her in person. Thanks for sharing that story! ❤️
Such a beautiful exploration of Maine, Kathleen. I've only been once — for a magical week staying on a sheep farm outside of Portland. It was in early October, which meant seeing the first frosts of the season and just a hint of the autumnal lead colors to come.
I'm more familiar with Maine's beauty through Marsden Hartley's paintings. Given that he lived in the state both early and late in his career, his Maine pictures give us great insights into how his artistic practice progressed. The Met held an exhibition back in 2017 focused on his time working in his home state — be sure to pick up the catalogue for enchanting depictions of the rugged coastline, swarthy lobster fisherman, bronzed and muscly lifeguards, and his beloved Mount Katahdin.
https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2017/marsden-hartley
I did NOT know Thoreau did yoga, interesting.
I’ve never been to Maine but it was lovely to travel there with this post 🌊🦞
Moose are so cute. I think it was Bill Bryson who said that they look as if they are wearing oven gloves on their heads! The lobster question is a knotty problem. I think on balance I would not eat it, certainly after hearing it being cooked as you describe. I did try it once many years ago in a pasta dish at a seaside town, but that was just little pieces of it, and I didn't have to rip it apart. Also when I think of lobster I can't help remembering this:
https://youtu.be/iLBL-XeNrRI
I once had grilled baby lobster while I was in Asia. I didn't order it, I was invited, and the Chef made all the best dishes they had. I have to admit, it was delicious. I never ate lobster again ever since, though.
I dwell much on Thoreau and Emerson, I did not know that he was into Yoga, though! Will check out your post-haste.