Some things in life transcend dollars and cents. The feeling of home is one such thing. A home is more than lumber, plumbing, and assorted nests of wires – it’s a personal expression of our intimate feelings.

People like to complain about the media and we understand that. Given the state of our industry these days, it’s too easy to do. (Looking at you, MSNBC, Fox News, et al.)

Congratulations to those of us who survived this most recent Storm of the Century; Stormageddon, the Snowpocalypse, the latest, biggest, baddest threat to life as we know it … or something like that.

Like so many others, my wife and I moved from Boston to Maine in 2013 for the improved quality of life. We didn’t want to raise our newborn daughter in a crowded and expensive city, but rather a beautiful, peaceful place surrounded by a community of caring people. We moved to a quiet town in the Midcoast and haven’t looked back.

During his State of the Union Address, President Obama mentioned several times the goal of deficit reduction, and the progress that’s been made toward that goal since the Great Recession.

I am just a bit disturbed by the front page story of the Jan. 21 issue. (“Damariscotta woman injured after being knocked down by spooked deer,” Page 1)

We can’t think of a more difficult job in Maine public service right now than that of overseeing county corrections.

Reading the paper is often difficult, but researching stories worldwide can bring tears of sorrow and a lack of understanding why treatment of the poor and homeless seems so cruel and unkind.

This is from a recent NBCnews.com article: “Pope Francis suggested there are limits to freedom of expression, saying in response to the Charlie Hebdo terror attack that ‘one cannot make fun of faith’ and that anyone who throws insults can expect a ‘punch.’

For those of us from away who have chosen to make our home here, there is a process that happens over a period of years that transforms the community from a new home to a home to just home.

The recent accident in Edgecomb where the vehicle involved was taking a left-hand turn into the pottery business was upsetting to me. As a longtime instructor, now retired, for the AARP Driver Safety program, we always suggest avoiding left turns if at all possible.

The holidays have come and gone and the people of Waldoboro have been amazing once again. As always, I feel very privileged to be part of such a wonderful and generous event. This year’s Waldoboro Toy Program went very well, with a lot of help from a lot of you.

The letter from Susan van Alsenoy (“Rightfully protesting,” Dec. 11) regarding the protests and her suggestion that the “decisions” from grand juries have permitted police officers to kill black men with impunity, surprised me.

I would like to agree with “What a shame” by Frank D. Slason in the Dec. 18 edition of The Lincoln County News. I would like to invite Mr. Slason and everyone else to join me in the coming year by saying nice things to others. Beginning with this year, let us make a point to say “Happy new year” to more people every day.

What would happen next year if everyone started wishing people merry Christmas earlier; perhaps beginning the day after Thanksgiving?