Convent converted

The Inn at Acadia - click to enlarge
Photo: Julia Bayly Bangor Daily News

  The former Sister of Mary of Mediatrix of the Filles de Sagasse, or Daughters of Wisdom  convent in Madawaska, Maine has been converted to an inn.  The Inn at Acadia is named for the former New France territory which included Quebec, the Canadian Maritimes and Maine down to the Kennebec River (Augusta).
  It's a beautiful place, in the photos, and that part of the country is, in a word, beautiful.  The Saint John Valley of the Maine-Canada Border is some of the prettiest I've seen.  I need to get back up there.
  Read more: http://bangordailynews.com/slideshow/former-madawaska-convent-transformed-into-boutique-inn-to-provide-local-flavor-st-john-valley-experience/

NOTE:  Boston Red Sox Catcher A J Pierzynski has a way with words; he asked the Umpire for a new ball this way:  "I need a new ball, one you can see!".  He was ejected.  Umpires have a short fuse when it comes to vision jokes.  It was in Cleveland June 4th.

A Suite at the inn
Photo: Julie Bayly Bangor Daily News

You may be on welfare and not know it!

  According to the Governor of Maine, Paul E LePage, often referred to be me as LePlague stated yesterday, or Wednesday that "current government transfer receipts" are welfare.
  I myself do receive current government transfer receipts.  Are you ready?  He has included in those payments; Social Security, Medicare, Veterans Benefits and so on. 
  Are you on Welfare?

They made how much? Where?

Who's the top earner in your State?
Photo: Broadview Networks

  The top earner in each State.  Remember that almost all, if no all, of these companies are national or multi-national companies, they are headquartered in those states as shown.
  I'm a bit surprised that Hannaford was the largest earner in Maine.  But all of the forest products are processed by companies from other states or countries.  Agricultural products are grown by individual farmers, and independent fishermen account for the fisheries.  So, Hannaford it is, it's a very good company and good to work for I've been told.
  There is a listing for each State here:

http://www.broadviewnet.com/blog/2014/06/largest-companies-by-revenue-billions-in-each-state-map/

The Montreal Chariot

The Restoration Shop - click to enlarge
Photo: Shawn Patrick Ouellette Portland Press Herald

  In Kennebunk, Maine hidden in the woods and away from the hustle and bustle of the village is the Maine Trolley Museum.  Workers are restoring the "Crown Jewell of Trolleys" the 1906 Montreal Golden Chariot.  This will be, I think, the oldest trolley in the museum - and there are many, may to choose from.
  This is a unique trolley with "theater seating" and much fancy work.
  Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/2014/06/24/golden-chariot-awaits-trolley-fans/

Looking good! - click to enlarge
Photo: Shawn Patrick Ouellette Portland Press Herald

Watching the Red Sox recover??

  The title qualifies as a lie - there ain't no recovery for that bunch; just ask people in Seattle.  But, on the other hand, things can get interested.
  I'm still working in building 8 fifty-six years later, Wilbur was there too and there were tigers, little tigers, and their mother.  Wilbur!  Get out of there!  Do we call that California dreaming?
  I didn't prepare anything today, or yesterday as is the case, I try to find things a day or two in advance.  It isn't that nothing is happening I'm in a lazy mode I guess.  I'll try to do better.

Alternative credit or legal robbery?

click to enlarge
Illustration: Michael Fisher Portland Press Herald

  In that chart above it's easy to see that a large part of the population in Maine uses "Alternative credit".  In the Bangor there are 3 rent-to-own businesses, 3 pawn shops and one check cashing business.  Because Bangor is a service center for a large region there seems to be a dis-proportionate amount of low income and homeless people; I could be wrong.
  Low income people and no credit seem to go together so the seeming abundance of those types of businesses are here also. 
  It has always seemed to me that the interest rates, and/or the sales method, of these business is too high.  The problem really is too high but legal.  We need some laws amended to change this.
  Read more:

http://www.pressherald.com/2014/06/22/alternative-credit-draws-mainers-in-at-heavy-cost/

What they really pay. - click to enlarge
Illustration: Michael Fisher Portland Press Herald

 

"Ridin' around in my automobile"

My lovely wife Linda at a Peony garden click
Photo: the geezer hisself

  Friday we took a ride down to Belfast so my lovely wife could see salt water.  We like to go down and walk on the footbridge that crosses the Passagasawaukeag River at the entrance to the Bay.  We had lunch at a local restaurant that we used to frequent.  The food is no longer as good and the prices have gone quite a ways up.  On the way home we stopped at Bev's Plants, it's on route 141 in Monroe just over the Belfast line.  We bought two foxglove plants for only $3.00 each, it's almost like stealing.
  Yesterday we went on a couple of garden tours sponsored by the Maine Peony Society,  very nice places.  The two we visited are owned and grown by former Navy people who like to garden, a lot.
Lunch was at Jason's Pizza, it's the best in the area for pizza, we didn't have pizza Linda had some spaghetti and I had a ham Italian sandwich - excellent.

The sea-going tractors in Belfast - click
Photo: by the geezer hisself

  I want to do a painting of a tug, or maybe three!  we'll see.