After ten years, the time has come to say farewell to Notes from the Hinterland. This was not an easy decision as this is a wonderful community, and I have made friends near and far. I have even been fortunate enough to meet a few blogging friends in person, and what a pleasure that has been.
But as I approach seventy turns around the sun, I am keenly aware that I have more years behind me than I do ahead of me. And with the passing of those years has come a reduction in energy. Cleaning house, cooking, gardening, reading, and fiction writing absorb most of my time. Back in the day, I could whip through all these activities and have energy to spare. But no longer. Now I have to choose.
Fiction is my first love, and for sixty years—since third grade—that love hasn’t diminished. (I think of nonfiction writing as a beloved cousin.) This fall, my fifth novel, Darcy Dansereau, will be published, and I am already working on a sixth, Iris Starmoss: Elf Detective. I have many more ideas for future novels, probably more than I will ever get a chance to write. But I’m going to make a stab at it, and fiction writing is where I want my writing energy to go.
So farewell, Notes from the Hinterland. It’s been a great run, and blog writing has brought me a lot of joy. From time to time, I’ll pop into readers’ blogs and leave a comment, but it won’t be on a regular schedule.
For those who want to stay in touch, there are two easy ways: on Facebook (Laurie Graves) and on Bluesky (lauriegraves). On Facebook, I am already friends with several blogging friends, and I enjoy the brief snippets they share about their lives.
I’ll end with a couple of photos of our backyard on the edge of the woods. Winter has come, and with it the beautiful light that this cold season brings.
Again, farewell!
Notes From the Hinterland 
I get the time crunch. I am feeling it too, at 68 years old. I sent you a FB friend request.😊
Yes, yes! So glad to be a Facebook friend with you.
Yes, I am already enjoying your FB posts.😊
And I have been enjoying yours!
How amazing to have a lifelong passion like that. I’ll miss your blog, but hope you’ll pop back in with updates now and then. May your 70s be your most creative decade yet. (I just read an interview with Margaret Atwood — her incredible mind is still bubbling at 86!)
Many thanks! Yes, Margaret Atwood is fantastic. Heard her on one of the podcasts I listen to.
You will be missed. I have connected with you on and off for a handful of years now and I am glad to have met you. I also understand the need to pull the plug and I know I speak for many when i say that we do hope you still manage to drop into the blog world to say hellp now and then. Also, best wishes with your writing and enjoying life in those seasoned years – congrats on reaching the 70 milestone and God bless you!
Thank you so very much for the kind words! I certainly will drop into the blogging world from time to time.
hugs and happy writing
Many thanks!
❤️
Sad. I will miss you Laurie, and will miss the stories from your part of the world. All the best.
Thanks so much! Lovely to have seen your beautiful photos.
Hello again, it was little hard ot find you Facebook but finally I sent you a friend request.
And I have accepted it! Nice to have you as Facebook friend.
Thanks for all the years of conversation here on your blog. You’ll be missed in this forum and I wish you all the best!
Thank you so very much!
Needless to say, Laurie, I understand your decision. If it’s any comfort, 2 months into the same decision, I am very comfortable with having bowed out. It’s been a real pleasure getting to know my next door neighbor. I wish you every good fortune, Laurie. 💕
Many, many thanks!
I understand this decision, especially because you write books. Writing my own blog takes me so long that I don’t have time to keep up on other blogs as much as I would like. Sometimes I think of mine just so that I could enjoy others more. There are some I would like to read from beginning to end before I die and yours is one of them. Even though I haven’t read it all, I have enjoyed reading about your part of the world, somewhere I would like to live if I had another life.
I sent you a Facebook friend request.
Best wishes, Skyler
Thanks so much! Nice to be friends on Facebook.
Yes!
I wondered if this was coming… 😦 sad to see you go, Laurie, but I totally understand. We have to make choices to focus on what is most urgent and desirable. Are you keeping the platform at WP at all? I want to know when your books come out! 🙂
Many thanks, Eliza. I am thinking of keeping the platform at WP so that I can post an announcement of my new book. I so appreciate your interest and support.
👍🏼
I was just thinking that your blog is a useful platform to promote your new books. I wouldn’t know about them if it were not for having come to your blog via comment on Mr Tootlepedal’s blog.
I may keep the blog up and announce when a new book comes out.
I thought you had lost your blogging enthusiasm, but of course am very sorry to see you go – I’ll especially miss Clif with his snow gauge and your garden in summer.
Not sure how to find you on Facebook as would love to keep in touch.
All the best from New Zealand.
Yes, my enthusiasm has been waning. Time to leave. If you search for Laurie Graves Maine on Facebook, you should be able to find me. Would love to have you as a Facebook friend.
Picture me with a sad face but understanding every word you said about more years behind than ahead and prioritizing your writing projects. For sure, we’ll have to meet up at our favorite place in order to stay in touch! I hope you know you will be missed by many and especially me. Sending you a hug and best wishes for 2026 and beyond.
Thanks, Judy! Yes, yes! We will continue to meet at our favorite spot. One of the highlights of my summer.
I am sure you’ll be missed but, as you know, I totally understand having to make this hard choice. Wishing you all the best in your writing career, Laurie. I sent you a Friend request on Facebook. If you already have enough to keep up with on that platform, I won’t be insulted if you ignore it.
Yes, I know you understand as you are facing a similar decision. But so nice to be friends with you on Facebook where I can regularly see your beautiful photos.
I’ll miss you. Be well.
Thank you, thank you!
Laurie, you have been in my thoughts lately. I’ve always looked forward to reading your blog, and I will miss your “notes.” But I understand perfectly: I am 80 and have many interests that often take more energy than I have. In fact, I am seriously considering doing the same, maybe at year’s end, with my jillybeans blog. I am SO glad we’re friends on FB and we WILL stay in touch! I’m sure you will post info on FB when your book(s) is/are published. Happy holidays, stay warm, and farewell, not goodbye! (p.s. please keep snow-gauge Clif on the job and post on FB next spring.)
Many thanks! Yes, we will stay in touch. Somehow the snippets of communication on Facebook are easier to manage than the blog.
Thank you for your friendship and support dear Laurie and for sharing your world with us all these years ❤️ Wishing you and Clif all the best and may the coming years bring you many blessings, doing all the things you love ✨️❤️✨️ xxx
Wishing you all the best, Xenia. I know this has been a hard year for you but that things are looking better. I will be stopping by occasionally to get a dose of Highland beauty.
Thank you kindly dear Laurie, thankfully everything is stable now and you’re always more than welcome to join us here in the Highlands! ❤️ xxx
XXOO!
Totally get it, Laurie, but will miss keeping up with you and yours. I’m terrible on facebook and seldom post so won’t go down that track. Keep well, Ill miss you x
Thanks so much! I will stop by from time to time to see how Farm Girl and the rest of the gang are doing.
Farewell Laurie, I hope that both you and your writing go from strength to strength. It takes an enormous amount of energy to write a book (I tried and failed many years ago) so I take my hat off to you.
Many thanks, Tootlepedal! I will be checking in from time to time to time.. Yes, writing a book is a lot of work bout oh so rewarding.
I couldn’t find your Facebook page at my first attempt but I will try again.
Here is a link to try. Go to your web browser and type in facebook.com/laurie.graves.98 or you can go to Facebook and try Laurie Graves Maine. Thanks so much for making the effort.
I have visited.
And I have “friended” you!
I’d thought this day might be coming. It’s perfectly understandable, given the energy, effort, and time needed to write and edit books. I’m not on any of the socials, so I’ll miss touching base with you there, but you’ve got all my good wishes. Will you keep this site to update when another book is coming out?
Many thanks! I so enjoyed your posts, many of which featured the astounding number of wildflowers in your area and all the beauty they bring. Not sure if I will update the site when the next book is published, but I will keep it in mind.
Well, Laurie, I “liked” this post with mixed feelings (does “like” send the wrong message)? I don’t do the social media thing, so I’ll miss the opportunity to say hi from time to time, but know I’ll think about you with fondness. Perhaps you could do a post here when you publish a new book?? Enjoy your writing. You and Clif take care. Best to you and your family. Hugs!
Thanks so much, Ginny! It has been wonderful getting to know you. Perhaps I will do a post when I publish a new book.
Have been with you but a short while – but enjoyed your posts immensely and will very much miss you ‘sense and sensibility’ – be well . . .,
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have certainly enjoyed your comments.
I’d noticed your absence, and so I guess I’m not surprised. We’ll miss you, but I can understand your prioritizing. I would simply encourage you to ‘keep’ your blog and check if and when the spirit moves you. Take care, and be well.
Thank you, thank you for the kind words.
I’m not hitting the ‘like’ button…but I get it, and you’ve been thinking about it for a long time now. I think we’re friends on FB but I’ll go check and make sure. I will want to see Cliff measuring that snow! Wouldn’t miss it! 🙂 Congratulations on the book coming out!!!!
Oh, thanks, Dawn! Yes, we are friends on Facebook, which gives me a much-needed dose of pretty Penny. I think I better feature Snow-Gauge Clif on Facebook. Others have made that suggestion, too. 😉
Do keep up with your writing, Laurie! I’ll miss all the posts and photos, but fully understand the need to pull back in and prioritize. I did that myself.
Thanks, Lavinia! Yes, as you know, sometimes it is necessary to pull back. A regretful but good decision.
I am not on FB – blogging takes up enough time – so will miss your delightful posts. At 74, I too am finding it takes so much longer to do housework, ironing, cleaning, gardening and so on and so, sadly, both my blog and my writing for fun fall by the wayside at times. I am so pleased that you have clear writing goals ahead – for a long time to come too. This is marvellous to know. I admire your decision. For me, blogging is my only window to that outside world so I am trying to keep it up. I wish you and your family well.
Thank you, Anne. Blogging is a wonderful window to the outside world, which made my decision to quit especially hard. But I will be checking in from time to time, especially if your posts has Zebras in the title. 😉
Even though I haven’t been posting myself for a while now I still sometimes read posts by other blogging friends and definitely noticed the familiar (to me)winding down process on your blog.
Different things take priority at different stages in our lives and your books have become the things you want all your writing energy to go into. I think we all understand that and I wish you joy and fulfilment with your writing and your future in all things.
Many, many thanks!
What a lovely way to bow out, Laurie, but you’ll be much missed here. I completely understand your reasoning as our life priorities change as we age, and hopefully you’ll have more time to devote to your own writing, which sounds ideal!
Wishing you, Clif and your family all the best, and I’m sure we’ll keep in touch via other platforms and the occasional comment over at mine if you have time. I’m not on FB, but I’ve just found you on Bluesky – and we’re already in touch via Letterboxd for any film chat. Take care, Laurie, and best of luck with the books! X
Thanks so much, Jacqui! And book nerd that I am, I expect I will be commenting fairly regularly on your posts. Glad you found me on Bluesky.
We will miss both you and Clif, but never forget you, Laurie. Toasts on the patio are etched in our memories. I am 13 years further on than you but haven’t been able to bow out yet, although I do understand the struggle. My lack of mobility has altered my focus quite a bit, so, for example I am writing more book reviews.
Oh, thanks, Derrick! And we will never forget you and Jackie. While I might not be blogging anymore, I will continue to toast you two each spring when the patio is clear of snow, and the tables are set up. I will keep an eye out for your book reviews and chime in from time to time.
I’ll cheer you in spring especially
Laurie, I will miss you, but I understand. I too will hit 70 this year and have experienced a decline in dexterity. After suffering a concussion from a fall in the woods, and now recovering from a shoulder replacement, I wonder how much hiking is in my future. Time will tell. I wish you all the best.
Thanks so much, Mary. And all the best to you. I hope you have many more days of hiking ahead of you.
Happy writing trails! We will certainly miss you here, but we’ll be seeing each other regularly I know!
XXXOOO
Yes, yes! Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire make a pretty cool triangle.
You will be missed.
Many thanks! I will be checking in with your blog from time to time.
I’m glad. I have followed you on Facebook.
Yes, nice to be Facebook friends!
Sad news, though in a way it’s a relief to hear that I’m not the only one running out of energy. I decided to do it slightly differently – I cut down on housework to leave me energy for writing. It seems to be working so far. I’m ambivalent about social media as I know how much time I can lose on them, but as I’m on Facebook for the Numismatic Society of Nottinghamshire, I don’t suppose adding you will cause me too much harm. 🙂
Have a good Christmas and enjoy your re-energised writing career!
Yup, the energy level has definitely decreased. Hope to see you on Facebook, and I will be stopping by from time to time to read your posts.
You will always be welcome. I think I asked to become a friend, but I’m not very good on Facebook. I like WP and I used to like Twitter before it became a cesspit but I’m not a great user of this sort of thing. 🙂
I was so sorry to read this, but as another blogger for whom a 70th birthday is looming I fully respect your decision. It’s been great to get to know you via WordPress and to share ideas and experiences with you. I am on FB but rarely post; maybe if I were your friend it would encourage me to do so more regularly? I hope the writing continues to go well. Sincere best wishes to you and Snow-Gauge Clif!
Many thanks! I will be checking in from time to time to read your wonderful posts.
Laurie, I am so glad to have crossed paths with you in the blogosphere and am thrilled you are following and prioritizing your life-long passion.
I found you on Bluesky and will look forward to your posts there 🙂
Be well! xoxo
Nice to know we will continue to stay in touch. New to Bluesky so I am still blundering around. But I’ll get the hang of it.
Laurie, I was afraid you’d make this decision! I know just how much time and energy go into blogging and, with only 24 hours in each day, we all have to make choices about how to spend them. You’ll be missed, my Maine buddy! I don’t do Facebook, so I guess this really is goodbye for now. If you get to Central Illinois — maybe on a book tour? — give me a nudge so we can do lunch. Best wishes for success with the new book. Hugs from me and licks from the Monk!
Thanks, Debbie! I will continue to check in with your posts from time to time.
You’re always welcome around my blog home, Laurie!
It’s been wonderful sharing our worlds over the last ten years and I’m going to really miss sharing our love of books, movies, tv shows and all the precious simple things in life that make a difference every day. I’m not on either of those platforms, but will definitely try to improve my email habits and stay in touch. Take care!❤️
Sure has! I will be reading your posts regularly to find out how you are doing. I might even leave a comment or two about books, movies, TV shows, and other simple pleasures. 😉
Oh, Laurie, you are so wonderful for taking good care of yourself, setting new priorities, and taking the steps to make them happen. I’m so close to doing the same, but I keep chickening out! I love this community, and yet I just don’t have the energy anymore. I like the idea of switching to a less time-consuming platform (facebook or bluesky or whatever).
I’ll miss your posts, but as you can see, I get it. I wish you so much success in making the next decades count. Have a Merry Christmas and a fabulous new year, full of love, laughter, creativity, and books, always books. Huge hugs.
Thanks so much for your words of support. You are so right that both Facebook and Bluesky are much less time consuming than blogging. A snippet shared here, a like or caring emoji there. A brief comment when appropriate. No comparison with time required for blogging, reading other blogs, and then commenting. A good decision for me, and some of my blogging friends have friended me either on Facebook or Bluesky.
I’m sorry to see you leave, Laurie. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy, Healthy New Year. I’ll look for you on Facebook.
Many, many thanks!
I will miss your updates from a fellow New Englander, but I so understand. I’m having to rotate my gardening, musical and photography hobbies now–certainly not enough time and energy to do them as I used to.
Wishing you all the best. I hope you know that your writing inspired me, as I’m sure it did others. Your calm insightful presence added a bit of light to the troubling days we are going through.
Cheers,
Julie
Thank you so very much for your kind words. I will miss this wonderful community.