Farther Afield
Last weekend we again headed south of the border to Massachusetts to visit our youngest daughter, Shannon and her husband, Mike. We also went there to pick up our eldest daughter, Dee, who had spent the past month in New York where she tended to business concerning her apartment. Now she is back with us for a while.
As we ate Chinese food and discussed books, movies, and television shows, I reflected on how lucky it is that we enjoy talking to each other so much. But bad weather was blowing up the coast, and we reluctantly left early before the worst of it came.
On the way home, I also reflected on how lucky I am to have access to podcasts and other other places on the Internet where I can discover new books, music, television shows, and movies. I live in a rural community in a rural state, and while I love all the nature that’s around me, I also love art and culture. The Internet allows me to learn and explore and to listen to new ideas that wouldn’t ordinarily be available to someone who lives in the hinterlands.
I realize that the Internet is not a source of unalloyed good. Plenty of trolls and bad actors make use of the Internet to spread their hate and lies. But there is also much good that can come from being connected to other folks and organizations. Because of the Internet, I have blogging friends around the world, and for this I am ever so grateful.
I hope we can find a way to minimize the harm of the Internet while keeping the many things that are good about it.
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Snow-Gauge Clif
Here we are at the end of March. In Maine this is an in-between kind of time, not exactly winter but not quite spring. In our yard at the edge of the forest, there is still plenty of snow, but there’s also a fair amount of bare ground. At least in the sunnier backyard.
It’s still too muddy to start with spring clean-up, but in a week or two I’ll be able to work in the backyard without fear of losing my shoes.
Here is Snow-Gauge Clif in the backyard.
Now around to the snowier front yard.
Just for fun, here’s a photo of this year’s Christmas wreath, which is definitely past its best.
In late March or early April, depending on the depth of the snow, I always take the holiday wreath apart and throw the greenery into the woods. I think the snow has melted enough to allow me to do this fairly soon.
It’s time, don’t you think?
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Listening
I came across Jorge Glem and Sam Reider on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. As soon as I heard them I said to myself, “What can be more fun than an accordion and a tiny guitar (a cuatro)? As turns out, not much. But the music can also be soulful. One thing is certain, this is definitely a unique pairing.
Notes From the Hinterland 
I still have the one tree in the yard with lights on it. The neighbors said they liked it through the long dark winter…but I think now I should at least unplug it! It’s almost APRIL! We have a small bit of snow under a few tall spruce trees, but mostly bare ground now. I hope that’s it, but you never know. We usually get one ice or snow storm in April just to prove to us we’re not in charge.
Same thing can happen in Maine. It’s not unusual to get a snow storm or two in April, and the shovel is still on the porch.
I feel sure you will be pleased when the snow finally melts away and spring can begin in earnest.
I certainly will!
Hi, Laurie – Snow-Gauge Clif is doing a great job and I can see Spring peeking through. You right, we are very, very lucky and the good does outweigh the bad!
I’ll pass on your words of encouragement to Snow-Gauge Clif. And, yes, the good certainly does outweigh the bad.
Thanks for the Tiny Desk video. I’d never heard of those guys before.
My pleasure! Love those Tiny Desk concerts.
Like you, I am eternally grateful for all the positive impacts the Internet has brought to our lives, including the unexpected gift of far-flung blogging friends. I couldn’t have imagined.
Unlike you, after having been hit by 2 new snowstorms this week I top off what we already had, I can’t imagine yard cleanup beginning for at least another 3 weeks. But that’s not really unusual for us, and it IS beautiful when there’s fresh snow.
Glad you missed any of this recent weather I your travels!
Truly an unexpected gift to have blogging friends from around the world.
You are just enough farther north to have three weeks until yard cleanup rather than two weeks. When we drove 150 miles south to visit our daughter and son-in-law, the snow was completely gone.
The snow gauge will soon be able to be put away by the looks of things. Spring is on its way hopefully.
I know what you mean about the positives of the internet. How would I know otherwise about life in Maine? We are remote in a different way from you so I also so very much appreciate being able to see and hear things from around the globe.
Right? And how would I know about life in New Zealand if it weren’t for you and another blogging friend? Yes, we are remote in different ways, and it’s wonderful to see and hear things from around the globe.
Listening to Jorge Glem and Sam Reider now. They are quite a unique pair, and a nice find, Laurie. Thanks for sharing!
I am grateful for your friendship through the Internet too, Laurie. I think I originally came across you on Ruit Farm North’s site, way back when Nancy was blogging.
Unique is right! Wonderful to come across them.
The other day, I was trying to remember how we “met.” Ruit Farm North sounds right. I really enjoyed that blog and am sorry she is no longer blogging.
I miss her, too.
Laurie, I too have been thinking about the blessings of being able to access to much information and entertainment, even in our little Texas town (an hour from San Antonio). Listening to podcasts while I do housework makes the work so much easier! And sharing with bloggers like you is always fun and interesting. I just started listening to an amazing podcast you may or may not be familiar with: The History of the English Language. It’s like a college-level course in history and linguistics. Pretty dense, but as a lover of English I’m really enjoying it.
Hear, hear to podcasts making homework so much easier. For sometime now, I have been listening to The History of the English Language. “Dense” is a perfect description but interesting all the same. I also really like The History of Literature. Yay for podcasts!
Won’t it be nice when the snow is finally gone? I am ready for spring, I think! Today I saw my first crocus and snowdrops are popping up here and there… so exciting!
Yes, ready for the snow to be gone. At the same time, it really is melting at a good clip. Crocuses and snowdrops are always a cheering sight.
I hope that the snow gauge is being paid overtime for all his work.
Oh, he will. 😉
I’m really enjoying as watching spring creep up at your place. Thanks for the musical interlude in my day and let’s unite in highlighting the benefits of the internet and not let the trolls and grumblers darken it
“Creep” is exactly the right word for spring in Maine. There’s so much complaining about the Internet that I feel that from time to time it’s important to acknowledge its many benefits.
Before I read anything about the pair in your tiny desk concert, I’d been thinking “Brazilian.” Not quite, but close enough. It’s wonderful music, and it was interesting to read about the musicians ~ thanks for sharing this one!
I’ve always treated the internet exactly as I treat any entertainment media; if I don’t like what’s in front of me, I change the ‘channel.’ I’m even willing to put down a book that doesn’t interest me after I’ve been reading for a while. There are so many interesting things in the world, I don’t want to waste my few remaining years with things that don’t engage me.
Glad you liked the music. A wise approach to the Internet as well as other types of media.
Maybe some birdies will find some good use to make of pieces of your holiday wreath. It’s a good thought, anyhow. Re-purposing, and all that.
Absolutely, and at the very least, the greenery will decompose.
I am pleased you have that time with your daughters. You make really good points about the benefits of the Internet. If only we could keep it in check. Drinks on the patio again soon
Keeping the Internet in check is the big problem. Yes, patio days are coming.
Numerous times a day various questions pop into my head, and I use the internet to look into them and find an answer. I always remember in my youth getting on a city bus to ride to the library, head to the research room, and look up things in various books that were several years old. I’ll continue to enjoy the internet and be as cautious as one can be. 🙂 Yes, it’s time for the wreath to come down, but I will say a neighbor across the road puts his Christmas tree on his porch right in front of his front door and leaves it there until gardening season. I think it’s time for the tree to go too. 🙂
Same here about getting information from the Internet. Now that the snow has melted enough for me to get to the place in the woods where I throw the greenery, the wreath will go. Also, I have been thinking of putting the shovel, sand, and salt away. But then again, Clif used the the shovel on Sunday. So maybe I’ll wait just a little longer. 😉
I agree with you about the internet, Laurie. The benefits far outweigh the bad aspects. I hope you will soon be able to enjoy weather more conducive to working in the garden. That’s something I’m waiting for.
So many of us are grateful for what the Internet brings to our lives. For me, friendship, art, and culture. As I noted in my post, no small things when you live in a rural community in a rural state. Warmer weather is coming! The snow will soon be gone. At least soonish. 😉
It sounds like you had a lovely time with Shannon and Mike and picking up Dee and the snow is melting away beside Clif’s trusty snow gauge. Thank you for sharing the lovely music too! 💜🎶
My pleasure!
This year has been odd weather-wise. We’ve had more than our share of rain, but I’ve hardly shoveled snow at all! I think Monkey would enjoy snow, now that he’s older, and it’s far easier cleaning up wet puppy paws than muddy ones. Lucky you, getting to spend quality time with the family!
Many thanks! We had a grand time.
It’s definitely time for spring. As grateful as I am for blogs and books and podcasts, like you, I’m ready to get on my knees in the yard and get some dirt under my fingernails.
Yes, I feel the same way.
It sounds like a lovely visit with your kids, Laurie. That patio is going to be ready before you know it!
And YES to the internet! Just like anything (the grocery store, the gym, television, the mall, the liquor store) it’s great if you can manage to lightly partake of the best it has to offer.
Thanks for the link to Jorge Glem and Sam Reider. What fun! And how did he play that tiny guitar with that NARROW neck?
I am happy to report the patio is clear of snow, and I’m itching to get out there and give it a good sweep. Still too chilly to sit out there.
❤
I am a fan of the internet, too. As we get older, we just need to be alert to scams, but that can happen in person or over the phone, too. And I am pretty sure blogging keeps minds sharper.
Yes, yes about scams. Also through the mail.
Your post is a good reminder of the wonderful things about the internet and the ability to connect with others from our living rooms. I also appreciate the friendships I’ve discovered all over the world. And your backward snow melted a lot. Yay. Spring is coming to Maine. 🙂
Despite all the negatives, the Internet brings so many positives.
I’m wholeheartedly with you on the value and pleasure of blogging buddies. Our internet is still playing up which means we have to go to the coffee shop every few days to catch up, but I’m finding it a blessing not to be faced with the news as much.
Well, the news can be a bit overwhelming at times. Thank goodness for blogging friends and all the joy that they bring.
As you know I have my favorites, but as a curious soul I have an obsession to learn about new things and love all the wonderful things I discover while blogging and on the internet. I never can keep up with all the things I add to my lists to check out, but love trying. I get to some things quicker than others and loved the So Delicious ice cream you recommended, I could not believe how good it was. We don’t have your snow, but it’s been cold and rainy. It’s always a joy to visit your corner of the world and enjoy your recommendations and great music selections.🙂
A-w-w-w, many thanks! That So Delicious is a wonder, that’s what it is. I always love seeing your corner of the world, too.
I am old enough to remember when keeping in touch with the family meant a weekly letter! Now I ‘chat’ with my children every morning by messaging over the internet. For my recent train journey I booked the tickets in advance on an app and then had live updates throughout my journey including which platform my next train would leave from. I still find it amazing!
Like you being able to get the advantages of town whilst living in the country means a lot and I have made lovely friends by blogging.
It really is marvelous. And it seems that all we hear about are the negatives when there are so many positives.
We only had snow for a few days here in Wales. We’ve had the wettest March since 1981 apparently! The sun is trying to peek through the clouds today though.
Well, at least you won’t have to worry about drought for a while. Still, too much moisture can interfere with planting crops and gardens. Hope that is not the case in your area.
Returning from a long time offline and so lovely to find you still here Laurie, much love to you and your family x
What a wonderful coincidence. I was thinking of you just the other day and was wondering how you and your family were doing. So glad you stopped by. XXXOOO
All good here thank you! Had a long recovery from an eye condition and now it’s about better I am so glad to be catching up with you ❤️ Whole family sends a hello x
So glad to read that your eye condition is better. Again, so very glad to hear from you.
Yes, the Internet is both a blessing and a curse. But one thing’s certain – it’s not going to go away (you can’t unscramble the egg, as we say here), so I guess we have to trust that – on balance – the good will outweigh the bad. Like you, I’m grateful for my blogging buddies across the globe, guys I would never have “met” without the net.
Yes, yes! For me, the good outweighs the bad, and I have heard many others say the same thing. Still, there is no denying that the Internet has its downside. But as you noted, it’s not going away.