Who was Miriam Carey?

I saw the footage. The frantic car chase, the chaos on the capital. I thought with many other viewers what is going on again in DC? But then my paradigm shifted. She was not a terroist. She was not a disgruntled citizen effected by the furlough. She was a sick mom suffering from postpartum depression.
Wow, enough is enough. Mental health is an issue that must be addressed. Their must be a new more detailed protocol when a love ones seeks help for their family/friend member who is mentally ill. Their must be new resources. Better records need to be kept and more folks need to be notified immediately.

 I graduated with a bachelor degree in psychology and had the pleasure of working for the county mental health department in 2 states for over 7 years. My clients had ranges of mental health issues from schizophrenia to depression. My most memorable client was almost 70 years old. She was a beautiful, tall, strong and proud African American woman. Her home was immaculate. I enjoyed my home visit with her. She was compliant with her medication and had a great supportive family. One day I came for a scheduled visit. She did not answer the door. This had never happened with her visits. I called and hung around before I left. I told my supervisor and noted this visit in my chart. I attempted phone calls to her children and to my clients. Before the week was up her son called me. "My mother is dead. She shot herself". That moment took my breath away. You see even thou I had other clients that had died over the years from health issues. She was the 1st one to kill herself. This woman had the diagnosis of unresolved postpartum deppression. Her son ended the call with my mom continued to suffer with postpartum depression even thou my sister (the clients youngest child) was over 40 years old.

My hearts and prayers go to the family of Miriam Carey, to her baby girl and to those closets to her. Miriam appears to have been a beautiful woman, mother, worker with a mental health issue that handicapped her moment. But defined our moment and given many of us a new voice and direction.
We can change and better the needs of many effected with mental health illness. The time to begin is today!

21 annual Great Falls ballon festival

The 21 annual Great Falls ballon festival was AMaineZing!! It was held last weekend August 16-18 in Lewiston, ME. My favorite part was to watch the balloons cross the Androscoggin river as we stood along the bridge. The colors of the ballon were bright & vibrant. Even thou it was a large crowd of people you had space to move and stop and gaze. I was glad to attend this event. We came at a perfect time. There were two ballon launches each day, one at 6:00am and 6:00pm. We chose the pm. The sky was clear and the weather perfect. Truly another perfect day in AMainezing Maine!

Casco Bay Lines: Bailey Island Cruise

Sheer delight is how I would describe our cruise last Saturday. I have had the pleasure of living in Maine since last September and I must say that summer is turning out to be my favorite season. I now know why the summer swells from 1million inhabitants to 6 million.  It is the natrual beauty of this state that is so enchanting.

last Saturday I did one of my favorite things and that is to take a boat ride. I took the Casco Bay lines Bailey island cruise with a group of Mainer friends.  The cruise is  narrated by the captain as it departs Cook's landing on Bailey Island at noon and cruises through Potts Harbor past Eagle Island and Haskell Island with a peek at Mackerel Cove.

The day was beautiful. Many boats dotted the bay. I enjoyed seeing and hearing the description of Admiral Peary's house. It was said that his dogs were so loud and wild that he purchased a island across the bay for the dogs to stay. Neighbors say that you would hear Admiral Peary whistle and command the dogs across the bay to settle down.

The 1 hour and 45 minute tour ended to quickly. After our tour we explored a area mainly known by Mainers called the "Giant Steps'.  This is a untouched beach area that natural stones over years have created a staircase down to the Atlantic Ocean. We could have sat on that  beach for hours listening to the ocean as it pounded the rocks.

Living in Maine remains AMaineZing!!!

Our neighbors!!!

Ducks are abundant in this community even in the off season. A neighbor was telling me that the ducks leave in May and return the 1st of November. I guess this family did not know about the travel arrangements.

Bowdoin College Reunion weekend

My hubby and I took our furry friend for a walk down Maine st in Brunswick. We enjoyed a unusually queit moment on Bowdoin campus during Reunion weekend.

Spring is alive

Spring is beautiful in Maine. The color green is bright & light all over. I was delighted this morning as I walked with my furry friend to see patches of young fiddlehead sprouting along the trail. Happy Spring!!!!!

Spring has finally arrived!!!

Maine is beautiful any season. This is truly a state that you will be moved by the trees, water, trails, animals & so much more. I've lived in southern states for the past 15 years. I did not realize how much I missed the distinct change of the season that you experience in most northern season. I don't know how long are season will be in Maine but I plan to embrace each moment.

Sping is arriving tomorrow!

I cant believe that tomorrow will be the 1st day of spring. Yesterday was beautiful. I enjoyed seeing dirt, dry lawns and deep green needles emerging from the Pine trees. I accompanied my son to his physical exam today. He was home because his school was closed today due to the snow that begin this morning, yes a day before spring. I can honestly say that I was not disappointed. When it snows in Maine it is so beautiful. To drive down a street with tall pines covered in snow on both sides of the road is picturesque.

Time has flown

Wow I can't believe that I missed most of Jan and all of Feb. All is well here in Maine. The ground has been covered with snow since Christmas day. At this very moment it is snowing. A lot of Mainers ask me often how am I and my family handling the winter. I let them know I grew up and attended college in Michigan. I know that having the proper clothing makes the winter bearable and enjoyable. I must say so far it has been a beautiful winter wonderland.

Wordless Wednesday!

The weather outside is frightful!