Eye of the
Beholder
B y S a n d r a Vo i s i n e
Professional Home
Nursing
We are fortunate in northern Maine to experience
all four seasons. Winter may be the longest of the four
but, oh what joy when spring arrives then summer right
behind it! The grass turns green and the tree branches begin
to bud. The landscape soon comes alive with the color of
apple blossoms, lupines, lilacs and among the lush green
grass sprouts the hardy dandelion! The bright yellow flowers
can be a vexing problem for the serious yardman but are
irresistible to toddlers and bumble bees. With the wide blue
sky above, our part of this wonderful country is a beautiful
sight to behold.
you take the time to really look around, the tree covered
hills look like a painter’s palette. When autumn comes, the
various shades of red, orange, yellow and green make the
countryside look like nature covered in a homemade quilt.
Marlys says the greatest fall color in Colorado is gold but
nothing compares to the autumn colors in Maine.
Marlys also commented on the amount of water we
have here. Water is a precious commodity in Colorado with
water usage restrictions during hot dry months, which limits
watering lawns and flower beds and washing automobiles.
She was surprised by how much water we have everywhere
The life we live in Aroostook County offers pleasure in this region. In Aroostook County we have numerous
to the senses. The air smells fresh and clean after a warm brooks, streams, rivers, lakes and ponds for all types of
summer rain and nature awakes. The quietness of a summer recreational activity. Locals and visitors can enjoy fishing,
night with crickets to sing a lullaby is peaceful. Frogs begin swimming, canoeing or boating, water skiing, and in recent
their song of life and birds join in the chorus creating a years kayaking has become a popular pastime. Many years
symphony unmatched by man. A gentle breeze sweeps ago, lumberjacks used the waterways to float logs from one
across the tree tops making the branches come alive with place to another, and lumber mills were generally located
dance. The sights and sounds of nature are treasured by on or near major rivers.
those who choose to live here.
If you love the great outdoors, then northern Maine
Farmers plant the fields with all manner of crops: is the best place to live and raise a family. Wide open spaces,
potatoes, oats, grain, broccoli, and peas to name a few, large woodlands, and a peaceful way of life are wonderful
causing the landscape to change with each passing day. qualities of this region. There is no limit to the amount of
Vegetable stands start cropping up around the county recreational activities one can participate in through all of
beginning with the sale of fiddleheads. People search the the seasons. Summer may not last as long here as in southern
riverbanks and streams to find this curved young fern, and states, but I believe we appreciate the summer months more
among the locals it is considered a delicacy when cooked. than most. After a long cold winter, we Northerners are
Soon, farmers markets are opening on roadsides and in bursting with energy to get outdoors and enjoy all that the
parking lots to sell their home-grown fruits and vegetables. warmer months have to offer. There are miles of ATV trails
Also for sale are the many varieties of homemade goodies of for the avid rider and a good chance to see wild-life during
those travels. Biking and hiking appeal to many and there
jams, jellies, and baked goods.
are plenty of places for those who prefer a slower pace. Local
My sister-in-law, Marlys, was born and raised in recreation centers and the mall are great for indoor walking
Colorado, and it was a real pleasure to watch her experience when the weather is inclement and there are outdoor
Maine the first time she came here during the summer walking and biking trails, too, for the sunnier days.
months. In Colorado, a person can travel short distances to
Our woodlands are home to large animals of
go from the city, to the plains, to the mountains in no time
at all. Here in northern Maine we can drive for hours and moose, deer and bear, and birdwatchers can readily find
still see rolling hills and farmland. Marlys was amazed at many species of birds. Through the eye of the beholder, be
the beautiful scenery: all the evergreen trees, the hardwoods it photographer, painter, or sight-seer, the majestic beauty
and softwoods, and the alders. She said she didn’t know of nature surrounds us in “The County.”
there were so many shades of green! And she was right. If
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