Memories of Maine

I was looking through old articles and saw this one from Ms. Honey. In celebration of her Birthday week, here is a repost from 2009....

From the moment we first made the trip to the mobile home at Wells Beach, the kids as well as Andy and I, just could not get enough of Maine. Not even the freezing cold water deterred the kids, of course, they were young. Picking Mussels off the rocks and crab catching was just the start of their summer fun. The mobile home park offered a lot of activities for the whole family from swimming, sports and a great recreational hall. 

A ride up the coast to Old Orchard Beach was a day of exploration for the kids, walking the beach and searching for treasure. All the while, mom was soaking up the sun  and relaxing the afternoon away.

When we bought the first beach house, the kids were older and the boys took up scuba diving and Andrea was the bathing beauty type.  The boys would take off to the cove and catch Lobsters for Andy and I to prepare.  Our family summers in Maine were beautiful, we would have great clam bakes on the deck of the beach house. The boys would invite their buddies up for the weekend, some time up to 8 teenage boys would be running around the place.  I can't recall the number of bushels of clams, mussels and sweet corn devoured on those weekends.

The neighbors were not always happy to see the boys arrive and set up camp in the lot beside the house. Andy had to field a few complaints due to the boys being loud late into the night,  yet  fun for all during those wonderful summer days.

By the time, the chalet was built, the kids were all grown and it was more of a time for Andy and I to enjoy our time in Maine.  I remember one week that my son, Brian and his buddies went up to paint the  chalet. Andy and I went up a few weeks later and boys being boys, we found evidence of girls being there as well. The pantyhose and Bra were great clues. The “boys” knew nothing about these items or how the beer bottle caps and labels got stuck to the front of the built in bar. 

The last time, Andy Jr. was at the chalet was on his honeymoon. His two Chows and of course, his bride had a great time. Then Brian with his wife and kids, Kim and Brian Jr. made visit on their own.

When I there alone in the summer, I took a part time job at Old Orchard Beach, where my friend owned a bathing suit and Beach Shop. That was fun for two years. Finally our lives got more involved in Florida and we were just not traveling to Maine as much so in 1990, the chalet was sold.

I miss it now but oh what great memories of our family summers in beautiful Maine.

 Quick New England Stuffed Mussels or Clams

 Steam claims or mussels in water and white wine with garlic, just till they open

Sprinkle season bread crumbs with grated cheese over each one. Drizzle melted butter and put under broiler, just till cheese melts

Enjoy with fresh squeezed lemon.  What a way to end a fun filled Beach Day..

In Loving Memory of  Ellen Valinski our Ms. Honey

Summer Weddings

I recently received a wedding invitation from two friends.  They had decided to tie the knot at the end of July.  I was thrilled when I got the invitation, these two has been dating for years and I had actually introduced them one summer at Barkley Lake in Kentucky. After reading the invitation a second time it sunk in that they were planning an outdoor wedding and in the heat of the Midwest summer.

Now I realize that May through August is the number one popular time of year to get married. Summer weddings are full of sunshine and warmth, and allow you to get married outside in good weather. Summer weddings are ripe for an outdoor setting such as a beach, a garden, or a beautiful yard. Couples love to take advantage of the long days with an afternoon wedding, or highlight the glorious sunsets by saying your vows as the sun goes down behind you.

That is all fine for the happy couple but as a guest at an outdoor wedding, how would I or anyone survive the heat while still looking chic and cool.  Not screaming," I'm Melting" just when the Reverend ask if anyone know what these two should not be married.  I am sorry if I am hot and sweating I may give them a few reasons why the ceremony needs to be finished quickly.

The best summer wedding that I have attended was for my best friends here in Florida. They decided to have a pool party themed wedding. The guests were advised to wear or bring their swim suits and that the reception would be poolside.  So even though they elected to be married under the coolness of air conditioning the reception was outside and everyone had a great day.

So as the happy event approaches for my friends in Kentucky, I thought I would advise the bride to of some tips she might want to send to her wedding guest to ensure everyone is comfortable and not passing out due to the humidity of the Kentucky summer.

 Outfit Look for a cotton sundress, slacks, or other clothing made of natural fibers. Loose fitting clothing will be your friend. For men, consider a light tan suit, cotton khakis, or the old-fashioned chic of seersucker.

Stay Hydrated Everyone knows water helps keep you cool. So carry a bottle of water in your purse. If you're a man, ask your date to hold it for you, or bring it in a white gift bag.

Horses Sweat, Men Perspire, Ladies Glow To combat sweat, for you ladies, don't cover your face with a thick layer of powder. Instead, do what top beauty editors do to rid themselves of shine - blotting papers. These powdery pieces of paper will absorb oils without coating skin.  Men bring along a handkerchief so you have an appropriate cloth to blot your brow as well.

The Wedge Will Save You! Stilletos are great, but they won't work at an outdoor wedding. Whether sinking into the grass, or tripping on cobblestones, you'll wish you'd worn a more sensible shoe. A Wedge will be far more comfortable. Or, you can go for the very trendy ballerina flat.

Wear Sunscreen- It may seem like a no-brainer, but sunscreen is a must. Especially when you're trying to stay cool, the last thing you want is blistering sunburn. You never know when the sun will shift, and you'll be standing in full sun, without the possibility of moving to shade.

I know the day will be a great time for all that participate, the location the couple have chosen is beautiful and has a great number of large trees. Now if I can just convince them that the guest chairs need to be lined up in the shade of those trees.

Keep Dancin  Larry B

"The Game of Life" Start your own coaching

Have you ever been a coach to a neighborhood team? I know how it feels the first time I've coached a team of kids and how much they can really test my patience, not to mention sanity as they run around like ants to a huge, white crumb. It feels strange at first, having to be stared at by a bunch of kids who know that I'm not the one in the field. Sounds wrong in a sense, right? But what is the deal about coaching?

Coaching is all about being a well, 'coach' in the corporate world of handlers, front-liners and even a couple of benchwarmers biding their time to be given a chance to perform. I know how that feels when I go back to my regular day job. Some players are just MVP material, and some of them are just to support the MVP's so why bother sticking around? It sounds ironic when they say 'there is no I in team', but even the underachievers can be sore losers as well.

These are steps that can be done within the day, and no matter what, it takes determination to be a coach.

1. There is a WHOLE lot of talk these days about Corporate Team Building. There are many, many options: vacation packages, rope courses, on-going office games, ice-breakers, etc. Management can also purchase videos, books, and seminar packages to assist them in building up their organization into a team worthy of belonging.

2. The truth about motivation is waiting to be grasped! It is ripe and ready for you to put into action today. Don't settle for mind-numbing gibberish. Get practical in 3 small ways to begin looking forward to your alarm clock sounding off each morning before you huddle with the team.

3. Experience is the best thing despite of what course you graduated in. There is something about being a people person who knows how to stir the energetic side of one individual, and more so when you mix it up with an entire team.

4. To question a person by his or her performance is sometimes required, but never question their knowledge or their intelligence. Sadly, I have seen a few mistakes from past coaches who never seem to understand what a player has to go through to get the job right. It will lead to further aggravation and maybe even hostility. If you want the job done right, then go do it yourself. You'll see how it is to be at the receiving end and it will help your set a much better course for improvement.

5. Sending a player to the bench is probably the worse experience a coach has to go through, especially if your player is the top performer. In dealing with this kind of person, see to it that he spills his guts voluntarily. Egotism in a performer tends to make them lose their focus on even the smallest mistakes, then you can catch him or her red handed. Be firm, but understanding about it.

6. Don't allow your position to blind you from what you are supposed to do. Even coaches are human enough to think that they are far more superior, but only by rank. Even if you have been in their shoes, it's better to dole out a piece of wisdom in order for them to realize that this will be for their own benefit.

7. Lastly, you should learn to trust yourself and your team. Decisions and performance are primarily your goals, and there are many of them to see if they could perform the task much more efficiently. So before you think about sending one member to the bench, have a good chat with him or her and see if they have any problems. If it's too personal, then just encourage them to do their best and it also helps to give them a good, encouraging slap on the back.

I guess there's all there is to it. Being a corporate drone myself, I know how important it is for a company to be successful, and we're all part of that success. Coaches are there not to make your work a little difficult just because you have either an attitude problem or not much a performer, but they're the guides who will help you perform as hard as you can possibly can. You'll do them proud one of these days, as well as yourself.

Thank you for taking the time to review our blog. We hope you find this series of articles related to self-improvement and development of benefit.

Keep Dancin’  Larry B