Dear Maine,
I've been thinking about you again lately. I think someone asked me how many states I've been to, and that's why you came to mind.
New York is horrible. There is no freedom here. You can't have more than seven rounds in a magazine, and they don't even make magazines that hold only seven rounds. The legislature really thought that one through. Of course, when does the New York legislature think anything through? There are more people on welfare here than there are people who work, and the taxes are absolutely ridiculous. Forty-five percent of my monthly mortgage payment goes to taxes and I'm not sure for what. I still have to shovel my own sidewalk; the roads are full of potholes; fees for everything are outrageous; and it's really, really hard to be a small business owner here. I really hate this state, and I want to get out.
So I've been thinking about New England. The one thing I like about New York is that the landscape is beautiful. Unfortunately, the winters have become pathetic. I want more snow. Vermont is really cool, and I want to visit New Hampshire. I think those would be good places to live. If I make it up your way, I will let you know.
Be well,
Tamarra
June 2014
Dear Maine,
I know you don't get out to the West Coast much, but Washington is beautiful! I started dating this guy in March, and he asked me to come with him for a week-long hiking trip in the Cascades. I had the time off, so I figured, why not? It really is beautiful here. Alpine views...shimmering, hidden lakes... and lupines! They grow here! I fell in love with them when I discovered them in Norway last summer. I've tried growing them at home, but so far, not so successful. Do you grow lupines, too?
So this guy, Nate, he seems like a good guy. It's too soon to tell, but I like a lot of things about him. He's very adventurous, and he wants to get out of New York ASAP, too. (Smart guy.) But he's got his heart set on the Pacific Northwest.... Me, I keep thinking about New England. New England has just always felt right to me, even though I've only spent a little time here. I do like the Pacific Northwest; it's beautiful, and my sister lives in Seattle, so I've got some connections there. But there are problems... there's a lot of population pressure there, limited water supply (yes, I know the Pacific Northwest itself is verdant and lush, but do you really think big cities and the Southwest are going to let it stay that way?), the cost of living is pretty outrageous... and I worry about stupid crap like the big earthquake that's overdue, the devastating annual forest fires, and even the eventual toxic pollution that's making its way across the ocean from China. I just don't know about living here. New England feels more like home.
I still think of you often. More and more, actually. I hope to come see you soon.
Missing you from afar,
Tamarra
August 2014
Dear Maine,
Ugh. So close! We made it to New Hampshire. It was okay.... not quite what we were hoping for. I did love it's tiny coastline. The sunrise there was amazing. I may have fallen a little bit in love with this part of the country.
Unfortunately, we ended up with a flat tire when we got to the beach. Completely flat! So my only souvenirs from New Hampshire were a rock and a seashell...
...and a new tire. I didn't take a picture of that, though.
New Hampshire just didn't feel right to me, though. So we tried Vermont again; we had dinner in Burlington. Vermont is a strange place. It's got that odd balance of liberal and leave-me-alone. Two things we don't care for about those states are that they're overrun by city people (generally, any place that has a lot of people from Massachusetts or downstate New York is a place I don't really want to be), and there's not much land to be had in large quantities for reasonable prices.
Sigh. Back to the drawing board.
I bet you're lovely this time of year, Maine.
Feeling a little discouraged,
Tamarra
Winter 2014-2015
Dear Maine,
Life has just kind of been rolling along. Things are slowly changing inside my mind, and outside changes are beginning to manifest. We finally have a winter worth mentioning around here, but we still have those stupid thaws and snowless times. I really miss winter. I bet your winters are awesome. I bet you have those silent snowfalls and those peaceful nights when the moonlight reflects off the snow almost as if it were daytime.
Nate is still talking about the Pacific Northwest. It makes me so nervous! I do like the area, but it just doesn't feel right to me. He's planning to drive his motorcycle around the country at some point, with the goal of ending up in Washington, maybe even to stay. He's not finding the kind of land he's looking for, though, so there's still hope. It's just so far away. And it just doesn't feel... right... to me.
I hope Old Man Winter has paid you a visit, and I hope he stays a long time.
Cheers to a marvelous New Year, Maine,
Tamarra
June 2015
Dear Maine,
Nate has left for his motorcycle trip. He'll be gone for about three weeks. I'm so free!
I'm going through things in the house, because I know I need to downsize because we are moving soon... I just wish I knew where...
Whenever I go through stuff from my childhood, I always return to my little chair that you gave me when I was just a little girl. I love to sit in it. I love to look at it. I love its energy.
I think more and more about you, and I long to revisit you. I don't know why I am drawn to you, but I am.
Soon. Maybe soon...
Tamarra
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