July 11, 2019

ITSY-BITSY SPIDER

July 11, 2019/ Val Marier

Was it looking for a water spout?

July 03, 2019

1458 WORDS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD

July 03, 2019/ Val Marier

Our Declaration of Independence

June 28, 2019

DOWNSIZING

June 28, 2019/ Val Marier

Nope, we’re not on a diet. We’re planning a simple move to a smaller home.

June 20, 2019

ONE OF US

June 20, 2019/ Val Marier

Our family gathers in New Mexico to honor my brother’s wife Jeanne.

June 13, 2019

KELLYJO SHOWS -- Kennebunk Artist with "Sole"

June 13, 2019/ Val Marier

A year ago I profiled KellyJo Shows in my local paper, TOURIST & TOWN. Her unique paintings keep popping up in my mind!

June 06, 2019

THE 55TH

June 06, 2019/ Val Marier

Alma Mater, Ave! And a lesson learned.

May 31, 2019

A TRUE MAINER

May 31, 2019/ Val Marier

Chip Howarth makes lobster traps the old way — the Maine way.

May 24, 2019 May 24, 2019/ Val Marier

(Photo by my good friend and great photographer, Duke Habernickel)

The summer solstice is on June 21 — and that’s considered the beginning of summer.  But to me the real start of summer is Memorial Day, also known as Decoration Day, a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States.  A little history: the first official Memorial Day was May 30, 1868. General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, declared, “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion (aka the Civil War), and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.” Other nuggets: Memorial Day was not the anniversary of any particular battle. More than two dozen cities and towns insist they are the birthplace of Memorial Day. And on the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield spoke at Arlington National Cemetery with 5000 participants decorating the graves of the 20,000 Confederate and Union soldiers buried there. Memorial Day is when I can plant my Victory Garden with no worries. The wicker furniture on the deck and porch gets plumped with pillows. The storm windows go up, screens go in, and a brisk breeze rattles the newspapers on the coffee table. 

(Photo by my friend Chip Howarth)

One other thing.  Here in Kennebunkport, we celebrate with one of the sweetest parades. Folk gather in Dock Square to enjoy the marching bands and the magic of the day. Several years ago, Mr. Wonderful wrote a song that captures the spirit of the day here along the Maine coast.  I’m sharing it again, as I am also doing with this blog, because it’s what I want to say about this great early summer weekend!  Just go to the link below! https://youtu.be/w5lQ8F5-6HU

Lilting thoughts.

May 17, 2019

JUNIOR PROM

May 17, 2019/ Val Marier

“Every night I hope and pray a dream lover will come my way….”

Bobby Darin, 1959

May 10, 2019

FASTER! FASTER!

May 10, 2019/ Val Marier

Amazon’s same-day delivery of packages got me thinking…..

ABOUT VAL

Hello, I’m Val Marier …. a freelance journalist who lives at Kennebunk Beach, Maine. I’m a graduate of Skidmore College, a contented and happy wife, mother and grandmother who also enjoys knitting, golfing, traveling and reading. I try to bring my positive perspective on “life in my 70s” to my blog and hope you enjoy reading Wandering With Val.

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