UNDER THE MAINE SUN

REINVENTING MYSELF -- AGAIN. THANKS, JULIA CHILD

For some time now, I have been lying fallow. It's good for fields -- I think it's good for people, too. I hope to approach the next phase of my life with renewed energy.

Just what phase is this?  I turned 71 last month. When they hear this, everyone says, "you don't look 71." That begs the question, what does 71 look like? Do they expect a gnarled crone at that age? I've recently seen, in AARP's newspaper, a photo of a woman who is still working at age 101. No gnarled crone there!

Just what is it that I'm doing now? I'm on the brink of writing my next book based on my decision in my mid-sixties to leave my home of thirty years and move to Maine, 500 miles away, buy a big old house on the banks of a small river, start a new job and make new friends. I'm still inventing that phase. I'm also looking at the next phase and preparing for it. I'm expanding my cooking skills with inspiration from Julia Child (no -- I started on this even before I knew there was a movie). I'm looking over possible locations for my next home, reviewing and extending my knowledge of French in order to travel often to France, and planning to go back to teaching on a limited basis once my nursing career draws to a close. My house in Maine is on the market, and I'm learning to knit. I'm attempting to expand my mind by reading more about women's issues, and attending a monthly meeting of older women intent on examining the issues that we face and discussing how we are dealing with them.

TIDBITS -- FRENCH COOKING, BOOK REVIEWS, ET AL.

All of a sudden life has gotten busier. This morning I wrote a review on Amazon of the book I mentioned in my last entry -- INVENTING THE REST OF OUR LIVES. You can read it on the site for that book, and on my own author site. I deem it a Must Read for women of all ages because if you aren't there yet, you will be.

I'm starting to wade through "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," and am starting at the beginning with Soups. I'm not going to be like the woman who made every recipe in the book, but I'm planning to try a good many. I've also ordered "From Julia Child's Kitchen."

As if that wasn't enough, I'm looking into other books on the issues of older women and I'll keep you posted on how that goes. I have "The Fountain of Age" by Betty Friedan (a thick tome) and have started the classic, "The Women's Room." by Marilyn French. I think the issues of my generation are different from what those of women who are younger now will be. I think they have grown up in a freer climate. However, there will probably be some residual elements from what we've gone through. I see many young women through my work who still haven't got a clue about the possibilities.

FINDING MY PASSION - THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

Life is ever-changing -- even when you're in your much later years. I've recently read that women have an edge in our later lives -- a renewed energy for following our passion. The book is: "Inventing the Rest of Our Lives" by Suzanne Braun Levine. I'm a little more than half-way through and already it's been an eye-opener -- I wish it had been around twenty years ago when I was entering my fifties.

The trick is to find the passion. It doesn't always announce itself in bold letters or with a brass band. Ms. Levine says it can be as unobtrusive as a pilot light -- always there but unnoticed. It can be revealed in unexpected ways. I've listed my known interests that have surfaced now and then and am re-examining them to see if one of them could be IT. Or is it a combination?

NEWS UPDATE UNDER THE MAINE SUN

In the first place, there hasn't been much Maine Sun this summer. There have been rare days like jewels among the clouds and rain.

Things have calmed down up the street since Goneral had her heart attacks. She and her husband no longer spend their time watching and scrutinizing all Laura's moves. Laura is feeling more free to go on with her life.

I recently suggested to Laura that she might now consider trying to find a job. Although she is on disability, it is for her emotional problems, not physical. She is allowed to supplement up to a certain amount and it would help with her financial problems. In time she could perhaps get to a point where she didn't need the subsidy. She might become an independent person again. Depending on the system for support is limiting to say the least.

Her reply was, "Oh, yes. I plan to finish (?) my law degree," (I didn't know she was working on one) "and become a lawyer." Far be it from me to burst anyone's balloon.

As for me, I'm searching to discover my passion. I've recently read that women of a certain age develop a new energy and it's the time to move in new directions. I've already done that to a degree -- getting a nursing degree in my fifties, moving to Maine and renovating a beautiful old house in my sixties. Now I'm in my seventies. What lies ahead? Watch this blog as I continue the journey.

Jean, Somewhere in Maine

THE ANNUAL BAT

June passed and there was no sign of the annual bat. I had my frog net outside the back door, ready just in case. The last time Steve my contractor was here, he was certain he had plugged every possible entrance or exit for the bats. When May came, I knew they were back in the attic by the trail they left and certain rustling noises, but hoped that the one lone bat who managed to come into my living area once every year, would not make it this year.

Last evening, July 5th, I was sitting in my TV room watching "Indochine" with Catherine Deneuve on DVD, trying to redevelop my ear for French. About halfway through, the annual bat made his or her entrance, swooped leisurely in, circled, and swooped out again into the living room, then soared gracefully into the kitchen.

By that time, I had paused my movie and retrieved my frog net from outside. I entered the kitchen just in time to see the bat settle on a framed embroidery on the wall at the far end of the kitchen, just outside my little office. The cats were looking on with great interest and followed me as I moved stealthily toward the bat. The bat obliged by crawling well into the net once he was covered. Last year I learned my lesson after having gotten a bat almost out the back door when he climbed out and flew back into the kitchen. This time, I grabbed a handy magazine and clapped it over the top of the net, trapping the bat safely inside. Thus I carried him out the back door to freedom. It took him a few seconds to get with the program and climb out and away, but he finally did.

Breathing a sign of relief I returned to my movie. He might make the mistake again tonight, but they usually learn pretty fast.

Jean, Somewhere in Maine

JUST RESOLUTION

We felt a little guilty -- just a little -- but for the life of us we couldn't work up any sympathy or compassion.  After all, she had shown none to Laura with her relentless persecution.

I heard the news first. I was standing outside the front door of my house contemplating climbing the ladder I had place in front of it in order to scrape peeling paint before priming and repainting it. I saw a woman walking down the road in my direction with a small dog on a leash. It looked like Goneral's dog, but it wasn't Goneral. I decided to ignore her.

I gingerly climbed the ladder and began scraping. After a minute I heard a voice behind me. "She's fascinated by what you're doing." I turned to look at the source. The woman was standing on the road and the little dog was watching me. The woman looked like Goneral but it definitely wasn't her. I made some short reply.

JUSTICE MISCARRIED

Shortly after Jane Austen meets her would-be husband in "Becoming Jane," she is commenting on how honorable a profession it is to be a lawyer and uphold justice, and he replies, "Law has nothing to do with justice."

I should have remembered that before becoming so hopeful about Monday's court date.

There was no justice about it. The judge's tone at the outset reflected her annoyance at having to hear the case at all. Goneral and her husband, with their reams of notes, were called forward as was Laura. We were all there, eagerly awaiting our turn to speak.

TURNING TIDE

The Rat People are on the run. Their behavior has become more furtive in the last week since court and Laura's refusal of Goneral's "deal." How arrogant Goneral was to think Laura would just accept the gift of a reduction of a year in the protection order request. That would be the same as an admission of guilt for all that has gone before.

Laura spent an afternoon in town last week hobnobbing with some of her old friends at the Co-op. The news was that Goneral only ended up working at the Belfast Center for two weeks before quitting. They said it was obvious to everyone there that she had deep emotional problems and people were wary of her.

Laura also said that she has noticed a difference in the behavior of both Goneral and her husband during this past week. They seem less sure of themselves as they dash in and out of their house, glancing more guiltily over at her place. The sense that they just might not win is creeping in.

Our arsenal grows as my daughter Sarah adds her piece to the pile. She has written her statement as to her own observations of what happened on December 24th when she drove Laura to the Belfast Center to pick up Laura's food basket. It clearly shows that Laura had no intent to stalk Goneral as Goneral claims.

As Goneral shows signs of increasing weakness, Laura grows stronger. Her stomach churns less and her manner becomes more confident. The court has seen us often enough now to realize that Laura has a good core group of supporters who are not only credible but consistent.

Victory is in sight.

Jean, Somewhere in Maine 

COURT POSTPONED. DRAT!

We were ready. We were wearing our blue war paint (figuratively speaking). (Reference "Braveheart.") I had written a lengthy statement and had made notes on an index card for the points I wanted to bring up when I got to say my piece at long last. The support team was assembled.

Laura's was the first case to be called. It seems that Goneral had notified the court that an agreement had been reached that Laura would plead guilty and that there would be just a one-year protection order.  If Laura behaved herself during that year, the matter would be dropped.

No dice. It's too late for any deals now. Besides, Laura isn't guilty so why should she accept such an offer. Laura bravely stood and told the judge she would not consider such a deal. I sat shaking my head in agreement.

Unfortunately, that threw a monkey-wrench into the plan for the court schedule for today and Laura's case could not be heard. We would have to go to the Clerk's office to get a date for a continuance. Of course, we had to wait until Goneral and her husband had cleared that office so that we would not have to have any contact with them.

So now it will be heard in April. Jen, the case manager, can't be there on the date they gave us, so Laura will have to ask for yet another continuance. The good news is that I was able to drop off my lengthy typed statement for the court while we were there, so at least there is now something positive on record on Laura's behalf. I hope Goneral is starting to get nervous, getting an inkling that the tide might turn.

Jean, Somewhere in Maine

LAURA'S DAY IN COURT - TOMORROW

Tomorrow is the day we go to court to prevent a renewal of Goneral's Protection from Harassment order. Our ducks are in order and we are ready. If the court operates in all fairness, and gives us our say, we will succeed. The complaint is so clearly based on assumptions and misinformation.

Even if we win tomorrow -- which we should -- it is not the end. Laura is still on probation for calling Goneral a f...ing bitch (in front of the trooper) although she spent her jail time. The jail time can't be removed. It happened.

And then we have a trial at some future date for a charge of which Laura hasn't even been given the details. Hard to prepare a defense when you don't know the charge.

I don't know if the whole original PFH can be thrown out -- but it should be -- and that would erase the current probation time (and ensuing costs to courts and taxpayers). Fines that Laura has paid thus far should be reimbursed to her. Again, jail time spent can't be recalled.

Winning tomorrow will hopefully open the door to erasing whatever is possible of the old charges. Will the court then recognize the wisdom of the old adage, "A stitch in time saves nine?" If the state police had done a proper job of investigating this case when Goneral made her first complaint, if they had asked any of us who knew the circumstances surrounding that complaint, things would never have come to such a pass.

I'll update you tomorrow, dear readers, after Laura's day in court.

Jean, Somewhere in Maine