Living like a local in Portland……

First, thank you to all my commenters…..Danielle’s long detailed comment made my day, and Dr Davidson- thank you for your compliments and active engagement. So appreciated. For my readers that really enjoy the comments, you might want to go back one post, as Danielle’s addition is worthy of your time & enjoyment.

So much to catch up on, Dora has been very busy! Mind blowing how there is still so many new places to explore in this state. Im truly in heaven and could absolutely live here. Maine is by far my happy place and my favorite state in America. 

I saw the movie, Ezra- highly recommend if you need an activity indoors to escape the heat. It’s an awesome story.

I had an awesome wk lunch meeting w/ an adoption attorney in Portsmouth, NH.. The drive is super easy and it’s just over the state line. I love meeting more adoption professionals while living this remote lifestyle. I have become friends with my land lord/property management girl, Monica. She is 6’2”, 54 years old- so nice and friendly. We have been going on walks together. Nice to have a friend in the neighborhood, although she lives over the bridge in South Portland. We walk after work, as her office is in the bottom of my building. I love learning more information about what to see, do, eat from a local. She has lived here for 18 years and has a boyfriend from Maine, she is from Virginia. We had dinner together at a pizza/salad spot on the water, a place The Schweikerts wanted to try called Flatbreads. I love getting to try new places. The peaks Pizza place is still way better, but fun to have dinner out.

The next morning, I left for Texas, I had a 3 day wk conference in Ft. Worth. One other co-worker met me to attend the National Council For Adoption yearly event. It was super educational, very informative, and I hope good for our business. I made many new contacts, enjoyed a fun 15 person dinner on the river, and got to enjoy a beautiful hotel. My favorite way to live- in luxury. It was a treat to meet so many people in person that I email often. Plus, there is a well known birth mom who has a huge presence- Big Tough Girl is her instagram handle….we bonded and I felt like I was meeting a celebrity in the world I have lived & breathed in for so long. All in all, besides being hot in Texas, it was an awesome experience and a quick get away.

I watched the terrible debate while in TX, what a disgrace of a country unfolding before our eyes. I pray for new candidates!! I had some flight delays returning, but made it home on a Friday night at midnight. Bizarre that home to return to is Portland, ME, but I must say it is really feeling like “home” to me. 

I had signed up for an outdoor yoga class for 9 am upon my return. Saturday morning. I woke up at my normal redic 6 am, for a quick walk, then to experience yoga/movement by the sea. The view of boats and the slight drizzle of rain with light wind made it SO enjoyable. Staring at the many sailboats, recognizing people in the class, catching up with Celine & Nick(the instructor & her husband) so fun. Nick is a foodie and gave me a list of new spots to checkout, along with some hiking trails to explore. It was an awesome way to start the day. I made my way to the Farmers market much later than usual, and my egg guy was out of my fresh colored eggs. They told me about another mkt they do tomorrow, I’ll try again. I had plans tonight to see my friend Jeremy, he lives in North Yarmouth on 14 acres. We had planned to hang by a campfire, but the rain put a wrench in the plans. He made sushi from scratch & spring rolls instead of the bbq, we played pool, darts, and walked all around the woods to see the maple trees, chickens, flowing river, and so many toys on his property.

So fun to checkout a new area and see how people really live here in Maine. I mean, the maple trees had tubes stuck in the sides to drain the sap as he had makes jars of maple syrup. I was in awe!! Im really making friends here….it is SO nice! Feeling lucky!

The next day, (Sun)…I always do my 3-4 mile morning walk daily….then made my way to find my eggs. I learned my egg guy keeps the real fresh farm eggs hidden. They once again only had the brown & white ones…..I like the colored ones. They directed me to the actual farm. Sunday turned into a farm stand day. As I drove down these country roads I saw many farms- with no agenda or anywhere to be, I stopped many places along the way. I bought cucumbers, dandelion-arugula-pesto, and a molasses ginger cookie at Jordans Farm. I met Jody’s daughter, she told me more about her dad, after I shared how much I liked him. I got my eggs and she convinced me to get the homemade strawberry-rhubarb ice cream. Yummy! It was so fun to meet the chickens whose eggs I love. Lol😂 It was a windy day on the farm, and I enjoyed learning about all they harvest and how they operate, a true family business. In case interested, it’s the Alewives Brook Farm. After, I made my way to Higgins Beach in Scarborough. This place was a beach that the tide went out SO far, you could walk miles on the sand. It was so cold, I was not dressed warm enough. The fog, mist, clouds, and wind made for some big waves. It was a beautiful stretch of water/coast line. Then to the Maine Mall for a lulu lemon return, a quick manicure appt. This was a full packed weekend. 

I was signed up for a sound bath tonight, it was magical. The teacher was incredible! The studio was a new age store that sells crystals, jewelry, and cool books. It was a great way to end the day. 

Yes, I also work….my work is busy! It fills up my day time hours, allowing me to play after. I had signed up for a sunset kayak tour, with July 4th being mid week, I chose to participate on Wed night. I went out into Casco Bay with a guided tour for 2 hours, 6:30-830pm. This was dreamy…. Being on the water next to all the boats I stare at daily was magical. We paddled out far, got to see seals, osprey, and many birds up close and personal. It was hard work, but worth the views and photos captured. I rewarded myself after with some yummy gelato from a food truck, and a souvenir long sleeve shirt.

Happy July 4th, I woke up and went on my usual walk, upon approaching the wharf I noticed a huge NCL cruise ship had dumped 1000’s of tourist in the downtown old port area. That was my sign to get out of town today. Celine & Nick had suggested a cliff trail in Harpswell, ME.  I got in my car, and drove North 45 min. As I parked and saw that the trail goes deep into the woods, I texted my family to give a heads up to follow me on Life 360. Thankfully I did see another older couple venturing out. This trail was like Hansel & gretle…..breadcrumbs were needed to find your way. Actually, I was fascinated…the trees were marked with a white stripe every  20 feet….sometimes it was obvious the direction to go and other times a bit of fear crept in, but off I went w/ such a lil kid smile and skip in my step. The sounds of nature, the wind in the leaves, the birds, bugs, kids voices, after the climbing over branches, twigs, roots, and scaling rocks……there it was- an unbelievable view of water. A majestic green/turquoise color in between mountain cliffs. The top of the trail, with beware signs to not get too close to the edge. If you keep going you can make it back to the start…total loop 2.7 miles in the most scenic forest I ever walked through- these pictures and words don’t do it justice. The kicker, was at the end my dad appeared in the form of a laminated story book. “Mother Bruce”, he is always with me, my greatest protector. Right by the fairy garden…at the end of the trail, we made it. 

I drove home via Freeport, ME, as I had not yet visited the LL Bean headquartered store. The country back roads are my fav, for driving fast with the windows down, sun-roof open, and loud tunes playing. After shopping around the many stores of Freeport Village, I made my way to my favorite Inn by the sea for a beach day rest with my new book. Back home in time to shower for the town huge fireworks show on the Eastern Prom by the water. Food trucks galore- it was Crispy Gai yummy chicken wings and the infamous maple 88 donuts for me. What a spectacular fire works show.

I had a full work day on Friday, as Im taking off 2 days next week for Rachel’s visit. I did my early morning walk, and spent the day at Novel, one of my fav wk spots. Friday night ended up being an incredible experience planned sooo last minute. I ended up having a Shabbat dinner at the Chabad of Maine. Candle lighting was at 8pm, the people I met mixed with meaningful conversations was priceless. the food was delicious too. This night is for another post, as this one is already getting long. Quick version, the night did not end until midnight, and I have new found friends forever that I plan to visit again in NY in August. 25 people in attendance and from all parts of the US. 

Saturday started with an early farmers market/grocery run, as to not miss out on my fav eggs again. I love being recognized and remembered now by my farmers as a regular. A late morning walk with Monica, we enjoyed a brunch at a place I had never tried yet, Bread & Friends, a yummy meal accompanied by a creamsicle mimosa. My mom would have loved it. Today I had scheduled some pampering…..off to my thai massage & pedicure. Im certainly living my best life here, and feeling extreme gratitude. I chose to stay in tonight, dinner at home. Sunday was another day of exercise planned. I met Monica after my morning 3 mile walk at Bug Light Park. I had never been…..she shared with me a locals walk…..we went by 3 light houses, a few gorgeous beaches, many mansions, some bakeries, and 2 different towns. I had no idea our plan….I ended the day having walked 13 miles….holy moly! I found so many new places to take my guests who visit. Pray I get to live here all next summer….its truly my dream! We said bye, and I drove to a new Inn I had learned about by a Dr at shabbat, as the nicest Inn in the area, The Black Point Inn. 

Holy cow, this place was spectacular and out of a travel magazine. it is overlooking the Maine Coastline…..I sat at the bar and began writing this post, as Rachel arrives tonight and I need to be caught up before an action packed week with my BFF play mate. Two hours in, my phone rang and an agency director in CA needed my help to find a family for a mom in labor. This is how you know your doing what you’re meant to be doing…..I jumped in the car to get on my computer and find the right match for this mama. 3 hours of phone calls on a Sunday fielding questions, and educating potential parents….PairTree was able to provide 5 families for this mom to choose from…..shower time, Rachel arrives at 8 pm. 

Stay tuned for the next entry……missing you all!

If you made it to the end of this entry please say hi….So sorry for such a long post! We love to hear from you.

Love Laurie Sue, AKA- Dora 🥰❤️💫🧚🏻‍♀️🎉

P.S. A fun guy in Cape Elizabeth who entertains the town on the weekends to leave you with as a reward for finishing….ha ha