Portland, I miss you….until next time!!!

To fill you in on my last solo week in Maine, lets go back in time a bit. The entire month was dreamy, I could not have asked for a better kick off to my big adventure I have embarked on. It is official that I will not be returning to Arizona until next year. Feels SO exhilarating to write this fact. Life on the road working remotely has been a dream come true. The freedom I feel is indescribable. I feel so eternally blessed to have a career that provides me this experience. Me in front of my home below.

The weekdays are much quieter in Portland, as the weekends bring a large amount of visitors/tourists. We have had 3 cruise ships docked during this month. The streets are much less crowded on weekdays, yet the people are all SO friendly. Everywhere I go I strike up conversations with people. At the coffee shop I met a couple from Orlando celebrating their anniversary, I was able to help a tourist with directions and offer travel advice. Starting to feel like a local who belongs here (go figure😂). I really feel like this is my city….If I can spend 6 months here and 6 months at home next year That would be ideal. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻

As I have mentioned before, I have a plethora of seagulls out my window always, well my landlord asked if they could check the deck/balcony for nests…. Wow really this is a thing? Only in Portland. Every morning I do my 3 mile walk that is seriously so glorious, as the scenery is like walking through a pretend movie set. The water/boats/trees/grassy hills, etc are breathtaking. If I finish my work at a decent hour I do again at sunset. Well one night I finished my walk near the wharf and knew I only had a few days left in this “slice of heaven foodie town”. Central Provisions is a well known dining experience place. I went here with both Boots, and Miss Terri. Well I had heard about a Bone Marrow toast that was a must try. I decided why not…..stopped in grabbed a spot at the bar and indulged myself with it and a cocktail. It was worth every calorie and mouth watering delish. Of course the fun conversation at this establishment where everyone wants to talk food and drinks made for a fun solo night out for Dora. The best part is anything goes in this town…..I was in wkout clothes and a baseball hat. The saying on a Maine license plate is “Vacationland”, very fitting in my book. 

So my apt/condo complex where I lived is a real community, they plan gatherings 2 times a month in our gorgeous courtyard, I missed the first one but made the last for July. So glad I did, as I have new found friends, i have always known Im all about old ladies & babies, its who I connect with, the nectar of life. Well I was by far the youngest at the event. They were all mesmerized to hear about my adventures. Cocktails, snacks and great conversations. I got myself a few new friends….Pat and i made plans to walk early the next morning and to see Barbie over the weekend. Her life story was fascinating….a 75 yr old who ate a gummy for the movie, lol. She is a smart woman very involved in marine biology on a tech consulting level with lobsters. It was interesting to learn about. Plus she took me on a new walk to show me lobster boats and a working part of the fishing boats on the water. Her email consists of “ always a boomer” comical who I connect with always. We had fun. Another jewish gal from NYC, and a couple who spends 6 mos here and 6 mos in AZ. All the neighbors are great, friendly, inviting, and from somewhere else. You know me, and my inquisitive questions. I learned about many of them, quite intriguing. 

My working space constantly changes, I have visited so many hotel lobby’s & coffee shops to work from. Got another mani/pedi at my Cambodian nail place….they know me well now. Worked at the rooftop of the Westin hotel one night watching the sunset w/ magnificent views out the floor to ceiling windows.(pinch me, is this my life) Overflowing w/gratitude constantly. Walked home in the rain with my worn in rain coat. Next night was a dinner out with my only real friend in town, Deborah is someone I worked in Adoptions with for 15 years over the phone, we had met one time 7 years ago for an hour the first time I came to ME. Anyways I took her to dinner as she babysat my car that was shipped to her home 2 weeks before my arrival here. We had a yummy italian dinner, finished with ice cream from my famous Max. She is blown away I have friends at the ice cream shop….oink oink. 

Friday night, my last weekend in ME😨I had signed up for a Shabbat dinner at the Chabad of Portland, omg….what a beautiful evening I will cherish forever. 19 people, mostly other travelers joined together at the Rabbis home, which is also the temple. I met the coolest people from ALL walks of life. I won’t bore you with all the details, but the most intriguing family was from London. A family of 5…. 3 kids and the parents, this was the end of their year long adventure. They had pulled the kids out of school to travel…ages 8, 10, and 11. The little girl told me she had been to 44 countries. I was so impressed, intrigued and mesmerized. Lydia, the mom and I have exchanged information as she is a hypnotherapist, into astrology(shes a pieces), and she has a podcast. A family from Miami with 8 children( only 2 with them). The rabbi has 13 children, his wife was a miracle worker….when I inquired how many grand-children? She replied….we just count our blessings and have lost count. Holy moly…..fascinating. The food was great, the company better. It did not end until midnight. Long priceless evening with too many connections of people we mutually know, small world.

 Saturday began with beach yoga compliments of MoveWild w/ Celine at Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth. Remember her photo from my pre- peaks island day by the ferry? The stretching and movement was what the dr ordered, She was a great instructor with wise words shared as we followed her lead. The beauty of nature surrounded us and ignited all 5 senses…..the smells, sounds, visual candy, feelings, and touches of nature on your fingertips brought out a child like playful experience of free flowing movement. It was a magical hour well spent. This was followed by a solo beach day for me back at my 5 star resort. The Inn by the Sea’s private beach is my favorite spot. Barbie movie next w/ Pat, packing up my place, and some last meal adventures. I ventured out in a rainy stroll at 8:30 pm to get my favorite mushroom dish at Crispy Gai and say bye to my bar tender friends. Homeward bound….tomorrow is checkout day. Sunday at noon. I ventured out to soak up the Eastern Prom early the next day…..its cold in the 60’s, I’m in a sweatshirt, everything is damp from a rainy night filled w/thunderstorms. Sat by the wharf watching the boats on the art decorated Adirondack chairs, as I ate my healthy Acai bowl w/ fresh Maine blueberries. I dont want to leave. Packed up my car…..and said my good byes. Ill be back Portland!! 

Next stop Plymouth, MA….3 nights in the Cape area. I have a Boston wk meeting with an adoption agency to attend before I get to Connecticut for August. A special treat, I get to stay with Max Klein who I was his nanny at 2 weeks old, 27 years ago( time flies) is now living here with his fiancée, Samantha. He is almost done with his PhD, and starting his first professor job at Curry College. We had the best time together.….we all work remote, we were able to play at night. He showed me all the historical spots…..Plymouth rock, the Mayflower, and the beauty of this New England town near the Cape. Samantha and I took a beach walk in the mornings and she made a yummy home cooked meal.

Im sadly writing this on the plane as I head home for 24 hours to be with my family. Our dear, Helene Wollheim has passed away. My sisters mother in law. She is family to me, as she treated me ad her own always. Her funeral is tomorrow. Life is precious….live it to the fullest as it cannot be taken for granted. I will wrap my arms around everyone and celebrate her life together, this lady was one of a kind. She had a huge kind caring heart and always expressed how much she though you were wonderful, a very good listener, and had quite a sense of humor. She was my drinking buddy at family events, she adored her 6 grand children. It is a sad day, but I know will also be filled with laughter and priceless memories reminiscing all the good times shared with her. Ill be back in Boston Friday to start my drive to begin the Connecticut chapter. Stay tuned…..and please keep responding. Texts, emails, comments, and calls. I love it all. Send prayers for the Wollheim/Gorman crew. Ending with one of my favorite photos of Helene Wollheim……my brother in laws mom & dad. If it wasn’t for these 2 love birds, I would not have my 3 precious nieces and a happily married sister. Hugs those you love……life is precious! 😘 xo.

Love Dora…..aka Laurie Sue 🥰😘✈️🧚🏻‍♀️💫💕