DISABLED VETERANS DESERVE A QUALITY OF LIFE, TOO

Copyright 2024 by Lori-Ann Willey

I feel so fortunate that these breathtaking photos capture the serene beauty that reflects the solitude that our private camp offers.  Both directions of view remind me of how incredibly fortunate we are to live in such a place as this. The American flag reminds us of the simple joys of freedom and the peace that nature brings to our hearts.

This quiet lake, with the distant mountain that stands majestically in the background, has lived in this landscape before man existed -how do I envy its place in history, its creation…the fact that it was here first. The solar panels, though hidden more each year is as if the land wishes to hide the intrusion of man.  They lay still and silent, symbolizing our harmonious relationship with the environment, embracing sustainable living while cherishing the near-untouched wilderness that surrounds us. The stillness of the water, broken only by an occasional ripple, invites us to pause and appreciate the solitude…to reconnect with ourselves and the natural world.  “To be one with nature” is not an understatement for those who are here for other reasons than exploitation for personal and monetary gain.  True nature enthusiasts do not entertain such invasive thoughts.

Living in this remarkable place has been a true miracle, especially as we work to improve the quality of life for someone with limited physical abilities who is facing medical issues as a Disabled American Veteran who's “done his time” and is mostly wheelchair-bound. The accessibility and peace of our surroundings provide an exclusive form of therapy, offering physical relief and emotional and mental compensation -nature’s exchange if you will. The relaxed environment helps ease the stresses and strains of medical challenges, creating a sanctuary where healing and well-being are nurtured by nature's peaceful and gentle hug.

These daily views evoke a deep emotional attachment to seclusion and nature. They remind me of the importance of preserving, to a certain extent, these untouched landscapes, where we can find peace, solace, and a sense of belonging away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Away from places and people who seek exploitation and monetary value for oneself over the value of nature and those who live within it -those who live in the woods for a different reason, and with a separate set of values. 

Here, a place where time seems to stand still, and the only sounds are the whispers of the wind and the gentle slap of water against the shoreline, against an exposed rock, and an over hanging twig, shrub, etc. This is our retreat, a place to escape, reflect, and rejuvenate in the embrace of nature's quiet beauty. We are truly fortunate to call this place home. Here is where we can find strength, comfort, and inspiration amidst the challenges we face.

I openly share our daily lifestyle despite the daily obstacles we face.  Although I am my husband’s caregiver, my posts are not doom and gloom as they could be had I a different mindset than I do.  Instead, I wish to show that despite the obstacles we are faced with each day, I choose to show that we are living examples of a positive mindset, and “Where there is a Will(ey), there is a way.” 

Sincerely, 

The Wife & Caregiver of a Disabled Veteran

Between Me and Mt. K. -Above and Below

Between Me and Mt. K -Above and Below
Copyright 2023 by Lori-Ann Willey

On this warm late summer early morning, the world seemed to hold its breath as the clock struck 3 am. The air split around my body and passed me by as a gentle breeze that carried the sense that not only was Mother Nature in slumber mode, but she promised peace and harmony. Above, the velvet-like sky reminded me of a black canvas -stretched just enough after it was painted so it revealed the little cotton divots exposed where paint couldn’t reach, each further enhanced -like diamonds against the black paint giving subtle hints of deep blue that had been tainted with a bit of green. White were the speckles -Mother Nature’s chosen color for the diamond-like stars -shimmering, blinking, and all seemingly the same, yet as different as you and I.  If one does not look, one does not see the changes minute by minute, night by night.  Crisp or faint, each has a light of its own and a story of their own.  Their light already traveled years before touching my eyes, telling me a story without words -their version of charades.

Beneath the shimmering stars was a nearly stilled lake.  At first, reflecting like a mirror doubling my nighttime view. From a dew-dampened deck, step after step, my bare feet gently stepped and felt each cooled, dampened board to the dock.  Down there, I had but a few seconds to watch the stars dance from both above and below before a light breeze picked up enough to erase them from the water’s surface.  Until then, only the silhouette of the lake-lined trees and majestic Mt. K divided star-filled sky above from the water below.  With the increased air movement, several loons sent out locator calls -such beautiful sounds to hear, ‘where are you?’, ‘I am here’.  Darkness and limited colors or not, I was surrounded by beauty both seen and unseen, and this sappy heart felt it all.  Appreciated it all.

After playing with a few settings so my camera could capture the view, I laid upon the damp dock boards and watched the sky.  I saw no shooting stars to wish upon -do kids still do that?  Even though my body sucked up the moisture and cold alike, I, in turn gave up body heat and after a while, I became a bit chilled. Moisture from the deck boards, or not, I propped upon my side, settling my head upon my arm and continued gazing upward at the dark silhouette of Mt. K (Katahdin). In my mind’s eye, through the darkness, I could see its jagged edges cut by glaciers of long ago, a distinctive and longtime figure against the night sky.  I thought about ancient Pamola tales, my Kinap story, and all those years of the stars that watched over this land from the beginning of time -Mt. K’s original guardian. Then, I thought about a painting I did once, a “black hole” opens above as if a cover to a jar, and an alien peers its eyes through to observe a captured world.  I had to smirk, because I always like a play on aliens of the stereotypical type as seen in our camp icons in the past.  Fun stuff.  All in good fun and wacky, or maybe distorted sense of humor, even if I’m the only one amused.

While my camera captured the view, I realized something.  The camera and I have something in common.  We are both observers and participants as we watch the universe and travel through time.  Though daylight approaches at a constant and stable speed, it often “stops” so I can become lost in the beauty of it all, while my camera captures 10 brief moments in a single photo as if time stopped briefly for an exclusive pose.  Thankful, I am that I live in a time when such things are capturable in one way or another. This includes my heart when it comes to nature.

Though still surrounded by darkness, and as the stars slowly faded away for the day, I was reminded of the song titled, IF.  Like most songs, I changed the words a bit to better suit the moment, 'Then one by one the stars will all go out".  More than 45 minutes had passed and as Daylight approached, she brought more wind, and chillier temperatures.  I had been outside laying on those dew-dampened boards long enough.  It was time for coffee.

 

Inspired by Nature

Copyright 2023 by Lori-Ann Willey

*Written one early spring morning.

Book Cover (A finger painting by Lori-Ann)

Leaning against the wooden deck rails on this cold spring morning, I find comfort as I gaze at the rugged and snow-capped mountain. Glacier-cut, its presence commands respect, and one that I can somehow relate to. My mind wanders as if recalling tales told long ago and long forgotten. My mind pieces visions and thoughts together, forging stories of their own. Each shows me as a child or teenager, and then as an adult, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother.  Pulling ideas from my own memories, experiences, and forgotten dreams, too. 

With a cup of hot coffee clasped in my hands, and its warmth seeping through my fingers, my mind ponders and works on a story -a continuance of my Kinap trilogy still in the writing process. It is times like this when I most feel a connection to my Native American roots. As the steam rises, swirls, and brushes past me, there is an overwhelming sense of belonging as if the essence of my ancestors flows through my veins, my skin is cool and clammy from the fine water particles.  Always, I’ve embraced nature and appreciated the mystery of Mother Nature, and my heritage that I know so very little about. I’ve always thought, “There is more to me than being labeled “white” simply because I do not hold a tribal card.

Standing in the cold morning air holding a steamy cup of coffee, I wonder about the herbs that were steeped in water, sipped by people long ago either for medicinal or nutritional value. Leaves, bark, plants, and roots were used to ensure better health at a time when the age of 40 was old. Here I am 56 years old, fastly going on 57, and I’m still a strong, rugged woman who can work for hours a day without fatigue or soreness the following day. Surely, that DNA comes from all corners of the globe, but truly, my mind and soul align more with my Native American ancestry, diluted DNA or not.

Lost in the beauty of the landscape, my imagination wanders.  Always, I allow it, using emerging thoughts as inspiration for the second book in my Kinap trilogy, "The Adventures of Alliette." As with Kinap, Alliette’s story is of courage and resilience, as well as a profound connection with the natural world. Only, on this morning, though I stand chilled by the early spring air, my heart is as warm as my coffee.  Alliette’s story unfolds.

By the time the first sunray touches the tip of Mt. K, I realize I’m left holding an empty coffee cup, and it is as cold as I am…as cold as those snow-covered rockslides upon the mountain. It is then that my thoughts drift to Alliette and her terrifying descent down the mountainside riding upon an avalanche of rocks, creating another scar across the face of such a rugged mountain. Visible from a dozen miles away, those natural scars are where Alliette's story unfolds—a tale of unexpected dangers and the untamed courage of a seemingly careless teen.  Seeing a bit of myself in Alliette’s character, allows me to better, or maybe more easily build Alliette's character, the intricate web of her adventures, too.

With the mountain as my inspiration and the taste of coffee on my lips, I embrace the magic of this spring morning.  It allows the story of Alliette to unfold within my mind's eye. The possibilities are endless, and I can't help but feel excited for the journey that lies ahead for us both.

Thank Bigfoot (A fun poem)

Thank Big Foot
Copyright 2023 by Lori-Ann Willey

At the base of Katahdin, so grand and tall,
I felt my bladdahs, urgent call,

I searched for a spot, away from the trail,

But oh no, no toilet paper?  What a fail!

Just as I panicked, and started to fret,

A bigfoot appeared, I'll never forget,
He kindly offered his fur, so soft and so thick,
And said, "Here, my friend, use this.  It's a quick fix!"

I couldn't believe it, but what could I do? 

Graciously, I took his offer, and said, "Thank you!"

His fur was so fluffy, so silky, and oh so warm,

It made me forget, my earlier alarm!

After I finished my business and turned to thank,

The Bigfoot, had gone over the bank,

So, when I looked back, he had disappeared,

Leaving me with his fur, and nothing to fear!

I learned my lesson, oh so clear,

Always bring toilet paper, when nature's near,

But if you forget, and Bigfoot comes to your aid,

Remember to thank him, and never be afraid!

Never Forget the Toilet Paper (A fun story)

Never Forget the Toilet Paper 

Copyright 2023 by Lori-Ann Willey

Camera-man photo

In the deep, dark woods of Maine, a group of friends set out on a camping trip at the foot of Maine's tallest peak -Katahdin. They packed everything they needed, or so they thought. But one item they forgot to bring would turn their trip into a living nightmare.

On the second day of their trip, one of the friends named Paul had to relieve himself. He wandered off into the woods and found a secluded spot. But as he finished, he realized he had forgotten to pack toilet paper.

In a panic, Paul searched for an alternative. He found some leaves, but they were all too rough and scratchy. He tried using his sock, but it only made things worse. Finally, he found a rock that was smooth enough to use. After scraping off the slippery clay-like mud against a nearby rock, he then swiped it across some damp moss that lay at his feet.

As he wiped himself with the "clean" rock, he felt a sharp pain in his hand. He looked down and saw a small cut, but thought nothing of it. Little did he know, that cut would be the beginning of the end for him and his friends.

Over the next few days, the friends began to experience strange symptoms. They had stomach cramps, headaches, and fever. They also started to see strange things in the woods - shadows moving, eerie sounds, and the feeling of being watched.

One by one, the friends started to disappear. Some were found dead, their bodies mutilated beyond recognition, and strangely, covered with small rocks as if to conceal their bodies. Others were never found at all. The remaining friends were terrorized by something they couldn't see or explain.  They wondered if Bigfoot really does exist.

As they huddled together in their tent, they realized that it was the rock that had caused their nightmare. It was cursed, imbued with an evil that had been awakened by their use of it. And now, it was coming for them.  However, one lone friend insisted it must be some wild beast known in those parts as "Sasquatch".

In the end, only one of the friends survived to tell the tale. He warned others never to underestimate the power of the wilderness, and to always pack the essentials. But some say that even to this day, the cursed rock, or Sasquatch, still lies in the woods, waiting for its next victims.

THE INVASIVE HAMMERHEAD WORM "INVADES" MAINE, OR HAS IT?

 THE INVASIVE HAMMERHEAD WORM "INVADES" MAINE, OR HAS IT?

Copyright 2022 by Lori-Ann Willey
https://www.facebook.com/WilleysDamCamp/

One of the latest Facebook hypes for Mainer’s is a concern about the “Hammerhead” worm that is supposedly invading Maine, and about how it will kill all the earthworms, trees, lawns, and gardens.  That’s not to mention how “toxic” they are to humans. 

Though I had been sent seemingly dozens of the same photo and write-up for a few weeks now, I’ve kindah-sortah ignored them.  Never read more than a line or two before I shook my head and closed the article.  Something didn’t seem to add up.  I had learned about these snake-like, leech-like worms many years ago and I probably only remember them due to their shape. However, I remembered something else, too.  They are tropical/subtropical creatures, so I was not concerned about them “invading Maine” as all the hype seems to focus.  Some people are even in a panic over it all.

This morning, I decided to read a few articles (not on social media).  Firstly, I wondered if I was actually on a social media platform after all, because I wasn’t very impressed with the writers of the articles.  It seems they all stemmed from a single writing piece -the article that apparently started the whole frenzy.  Of course, they didn’t seem to take the time to actually research or expand knowledge.  It seems all they did was read, re-write, and published instead of researching further, gain validity (facts) so they can further educate people.  They chose to terrorize them instead.  I’m not impressed.  Of course, social media makes all that even worse, because so many want to get the “likes”, “comments”, and “Shares” that may give them a little bit of attention.   However, there are some good, honest people out there that want to help people learn of this horribly invasive worm.  I get it. 

So, this morning, first and foremost I went searching for facts, but first, I needed to know the specific species of “hammerhead” that are doing the invading.  To catch you all up, the hammerhead is a kind of flatworm that has a hammerhead-like shape.  There are about 20,000 species of flatworms worldwide, but only 4 species of hammerheads (that I know of) are in the USA.    So, this helps me narrow down the species.  However, the only species actually named online (article) is in Texas (Bipalium kewense).  But that’s in Texas, not Maine.  I come across articles about hammerheads in Georgia, but no specific name there.  Paul woke and I asked him if he knew the species “invading” Maine and the closest he could come is a Bipalium pennsylvanicum or Bipalium adventitium. Later, I found out about Bipalium vagum. So, which one is in Maine?

While searching the Internet, I came across the Maine Biota Project, read through it, and decided to contact them.  For those not in the know, the Maine Biota Project “… is an interactive online resource curated by the nonprofit Maine Natural History Observatory. The goal of the Maine Biota Project is to catalog all living species in Maine and to maintain comprehensive, up-to-date, online lists of species.”  Needless to say, I was quick to send off a message asking for the exact flatworm species “invading Maine”.  

To my surprise, the man replied a short while later. This is his reply:

Hi Lori-Ann, Great question. I did some research this morning and also couldn't confirm which species has been found in Maine. It is possible it is Bipalium kewense although I could not confirm that with my research this morning. It is possible that there is some taxonomic confusion about the ID of the species found in Maine. Sorry that I could not be more helpful with your research into this. Best Wishes... Glen

So, it seems that Glen, who represents the Maine Biota Project, read the same sources I have and came to the same possible conclusion.  So, if THEY don’t know, then what is the validity of all these news articles about this highly invasive worm?  I’d say there is little to none.  

I’m not saying that one of these hammerhead species was not found in Maine, because honestly, anyone can buy just about anything and everything worldwide now, so it is possible one was shipped here in a plant container or maybe with a hidden worm egg sack. However, if all these social media postings going around are true, then seems like the Maine Biota Project would know as soon as it was discovered?  To me, that is logical.

I’m not saying the hammerheads are not here “per se”, but I’m more inclined to think it is more likely an isolated incident or no incident at all.  I mean, if one killed and got rid of it when seen, then there is no proof, just a story, right?  In a day when so many people want to be a social media sensation, I don’t trust much of anything I see, read, or hear these days.  The “news” (media) likes to sensationalize, add drama, fear, etc.  How about the facts once in a while?  They are out for dramatics vs facts, so instead of trusting them, I went to a dependable source, the Maine Biota Project.  To me, if anyone is to know about these creatures, I think it would be them …and wouldn’t they be the first to know they exist AND the exact species? 

So, until I see this “hammerhead” flatworm (of any specie) listed on their official site for the State of Maine, I’m not going to get all hyped up on the hype of it all.  Facts first, drama later.

 https://mainenaturalhistory.org/Biodiversity_Project/MaineNaturalHistoryProjecthome.htm

G'd Mawnin' (27 April 2022)

G'd rainy Mawnin' to you all.  Crawled uppinaddah bed at 3:30 and straight to the coffee pot, tending the cat, checking my plants, and updating the website of my latest book.  My author's website is nothing more than a finger-pointing site that has a brief bio and links so I am hardly ever there.  However, with a slow crawl away from FB these days, eventually, I'll have to change up a few links.  Not in a hurry...yet.  Another busy day for us.  Paul has his all-day VA physical which is done via Zoom again this year.  I may dip away and get the truck serviced and inspected.  Hoping by this weekend, I'll be pressing garlic into the soil, and transplanting onions, chives, and grapes.  Will be building cold frames, too.  The time is here!  My only hold-up is the weather and Paul's appts.  Now, let's see if I can get to our FB camp page ...haven't been able to yet this morning, thus why I'm trying this route!  Mawnin'-Mawnin'!