Rocky Coast Ramblings

This blog started out as a journal, moved to a place to post my photographs, and is now becoming a bit of both. As I was talking about renaming this blog I starting thinking about what I really love to do. I love to ramble about Maine, make photographs of what I see, stop at Farmers Markets and roadside stands and pick up edibles that I can bring home and prepare for my family, and I love to ramble on about what has me fired up. Since I live on the rocky coast of Maine, Rocky Coast Ramblings made perfect sense. 

Let’s start with the fact that I love Maine. I have lived here in Mid-coast Maine for most of my life, though I was born in Texas. I’m not considered a native but rather a local. There are very specific rules as to whether or not you can be considered a native Mainer… the natives are very particular about this. When I’m in Maine my Texan family considered me a Texan, but when I visit Texas, I’m a Yankee. Go figure. The way I look at it is there’s enough room in my heart to be both.

I am a mother to three, wife to one, lover of life and enjoy each and every moment I have been blessed with. During the day I am the Shore Operations Manager for one of the famed Maine Windjammers, the Schooner J&E Riggin. Within this job I work with Captains Jon Finger and Anne Mahle, who is also a chef, author, columnist, mom and a woman I both admire and respect. It’s one of those jobs that you hate to call work because you love it.

I have many interests and couldn’t possibly narrow it down to one thing I love to do most. I love just about any outdoor activity such as camping, sailing (which is why working for a windjammer is perfect), gardening, going for long walks, beach combing, exploring around the state of Maine, swimming etc. I love to craft but mostly stick to cross-stitch and my newest passion: knitting (just had my 1 yr knit-iversary in November)!

I love to capture moments and make photographs. Most of my photography is nautical, food, nature related. I am just starting to make photographs of people. My photographs have appeared in the Portland Press Herald, Maine Discovery Coast Magazine, Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Magazine, Women’s Day, Experience Life Magazine, Maritime Heritage, and local newspapers. You can also find my  food photography featured at www.ArtichokesAndAsparagus.com.

I admit I’m a television addict. Instead of reading romance novels I escape by non-reality programming. There are so many shows I enjoy, too many to list here, but if I could only pick one it is hands down NCIS. I enjoy movies as well – mostly comedies, legal and historical thrillers. Some of my favorites are any James Bond, Marilyn Monroe, Jerry Lewis or Jason Statham movie (with the exception of Crank 2 – there was just no need for that!), Pride & Prejudice, The Italian Job, What About Bob, My Fair Lady and The Negotiator.

I love music, and believe that music really could unite the world if everyone gave it a chance. I enjoy anything from classic rock to sea shanties, blues, soundtracks and contemporary Christian. In my car radio right now you’ll find the Glee Soundtrack.

To read? I love legal thrillers, historical books and cookbooks mostly. Favorite authors include Kathy Reichs, John Grisham, and Nicholas Sparks – I’ll read anything they write. Right now I’m reading The Adventures of Billy Whiskers with my daughter and 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs and American Heroes- Profiles of Men & Women Who Shaped Early America by Edmund Morgan