Winter seems to have just teased us with the white stuff this year, but last Friday Mother Nature finally gave us the gift of proper snow and made the view from our window look like real Maine in January. Snowy days tend to inspire me in the kitchen, whether it be to try a new idea recipe or revisit some old standby and infuse it with new flavors to create an appetizing meal.

“But where do the stars go during the day?” asked little Hannah.

“Volunteering at a local conservation organization” must rank high on the list of new year’s resolutions because we have been the delighted recipient of a slew of inquiries about ways to get involved at Midcoast Conservancy!

I have a new fella in my life. His name is Waffles, but as with any pet, he has already gained a few nicknames, the most frequently used being “Waffi.”

Though it has been many days now since all the holiday decorations have come down and the wrappings have come off the holiday presents, and even as some gifts may have begun to lose their luster, there are those gifts that are rare, longer-lasting ones. We would like to share a few with you.

I’m sitting here in the dark. Not yet 4:30. But the sun is down. And it’s dark. Or at least heavy dusk. Sullen time. Contemplating time. Twilight time. Scout would be napping if she wasn’t at doggie day care. Kathy’s reading her second Christmas present book on the couch.

Being two weeks into the new year, I’m sure we’ve all been buzzing with opportunity. Whether you are a believer of New Year’s resolutions or not, the first of the year naturally provides a breath of fresh air and perhaps a bit more room to seek new opportunities and try new things.

Sorry I missed a few weeks at the end of 2022 but things were busy. Lots of paper and cardboard recycled. I worked with Dick Spear on preparing the 2023 transfer station budget. During that budget meeting I learned that the taxpayer saved $97,000 in disposal fees by recycling paper, cardboard, plastics, and glass.