Canâ€™t beat the writing bug

For the last several years, I have been writing a weekly opinion column that was published in Midcoast newspapers, called “My Two Cents.” The theme of it was that there was no theme, other than that I would write about whatever I thought folks would be interested in reading about and that which I was reflecting on at the time.

Often, it was about my family, our interactions and experiences from the past week, reflections about philosophy, the human experience, politics, what it means to me to be a father, a husband, son, brother and neighbor. I was not planning on continuing that column because I thought it would take too much of my time; I knew being publisher of this newspaper organization was already going to consume a great deal of it, and I wanted to make sure I had time enough to spend with my 11-year-old daughter, Olivia, at least on the weekends.

Being a good father, the best I can possibly be, is a very high priority for me. However, I have already found that writing is too much of who I am, how I express and process my thoughts and feelings, and I decided I still have much to say on a variety of subjects ”“ particularly since folks here in York County are unfamiliar with my musings and I am filled with new experiences daily.

I can’t say exactly how often I will write, but my goal is at least once per week. The short of it is, I can’t stop, so here it goes. If you find it interesting, pleasing or in some other way valuable, please look for it weekly in our opinion section.

Their first visit

Last weekend, my third since I moved here to be the publisher of the Journal Tribune, instead of visiting my wife Elaine and daughter Olivia up in Nobleboro, they came down to visit me here in York County ”“ in downtown Biddeford, where my apartment is.

I knew my wife was going to be envious because our home is a bit “in the country,” so to speak. It’s a nice, albeit modest, home with a lovely piece of property near Pemaquid Pond in Lincoln County, a beautiful area; but she was always partial to living downtown like we did in Brunswick when we first moved to Maine in the late 1990s.

I was not mistaken. On Saturday evening, while we were walking on Main Street in Biddeford, she said, “Oh! I love this.” She was referring to the walkability of the town, the great variety of restaurants from Thai, Irish, Chinese and Mexican to Indian, Continental, cafés and sandwich shops (I hope I didn’t leave anything out).

Olivia likes the excitement of the downtown as well. We all agreed that downtown Biddeford has got that village feel that entices us to walk, talking with folks we see and discovering all that the downtown has to offer.

We went to Funtown on Saturday. It was not very warm that day, mid-70s, so we didn’t also do the Splashtown portion, though the Funtown part did have some water rides. For example: the toboggan ride, in which we rode through a fast-running stream ”“ splashing, getting wet and cold ”“ only to be taken quite high into the sky on a ramp and then released on the other side to slide down at what seemed to be a very high rate of speed and end up back in the stream, soaked and colder. Olivia had a great time. Much to my surprise, Elaine did as well. Dad prefers warmth and comfort, but I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my family.

By the time we left the amusement park, it was about 7:30 p.m. We got takeout at May Mee Chinese Restaurant on Main Street, which by the way we all enjoyed very much, and went back to my apartment. Sunday’s forecast had been sketchy, but turned out better than expected. We went to the beach at Fortune Rocks and Olivia took a stab at body surfing. Next time, her mom will bring her boogie board. Although she pleaded for me to come into that freezing cold ocean water with her, calf-high was all I was willing to do. If I was a much younger parent, I would also be far more of a thrill seeker willing to engage in what I now consider crazy activities with my darling daughter. Alas, in my mid-50s I have neither the energy nor whatever other qualities these activities require to be more of a buddy to her. Love, affection and example will have to do.

We all had a great weekend together here in York County. I look forward to many more, discovering all that the region has to offer.

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