Broken birdsong. Branches, unbudded, striate the sky. The bench swings slowly back and forth at the Whaleback Shell Midden in Damariscotta.

Pasta is one of those kitchen staples that comes to the aid of all cooks looking for a quick and tasty meal from the home pantry. It easily adapts itself to many ingredients in the kitchen and can be as elaborate as the imagination of the cook. Like soup, established favorite pasta dishes can accept ingredients not originally meant for this purpose and thus deliver new and delightful flavor combinations.

I am crying as I write these words to you.  But they are tears of joy for what a joy it has been to write for you and share my life with you every week for 20 years.

 – Oscar Wilde

The first crocus to bloom is a signal that “real” spring is here. Lucky for us, crocuses are popping up in lawns and garden beds all around town. As residents of Whitefield rake their lawns, lift winter mulch off garden beds, and pull out fishing gear and boats, these spring rituals remind us that the much anticipated warmer days are in fact here.

You may have guessed how deeply I love spring by how much I have been talking about it recently. On a recent weekend walk, I noticed daffodils blooming bright yellow and pussy willows and trees starting to bud. I immediately thought of the bees here at Skidompha and made a mental note to check in on them when back at the library.

If you’ve read any of the Bristol Bound columns I’ve written over the past few weeks, you’ve learned that I’m a Floridian who moved to Maine with my wife after 30-plus years in Florida, New York City, and Los Angeles. You may also think that I don’t like living in Maine or that Maine doesn’t have what I’m looking for. And I can understand why you might get that impression.

There are fancy economic theories that explain inflation, but, in lay language, things simply cost more. Beginning with energy. The national average gasoline price of $4.23 per gallon is $1.38 per gallon higher than a year ago. The average price of diesel hit $5.12 per gallon.

For people and communities across the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged and redefined the concept of “normal.” Priorities were shifted and plans put on hold, but we still moved forward – maybe just a little off kilter. For the youth at Great Salt Bay Community School, educator Erin Michaud aims to bring the balance back.