In Honor of Tim Russert
June 13, 2008 
I am so sad to hear of Tim Russert’s death! What a shock and loss of a “clear” (Brokah) true voice in the news industry. I looked forward to hearing Tim’s opinion on the political world confident that his words were not spin but real and honestly researched facts and positions.
When Russert spoke, I listened because what he had to say made sense and he offered original viewpoints that exuded indepth understanding of the subject matter and his distinct intelligence. His integrity and character showed in his obvious respect for people he interviewed giving everyone an opportunity to speak but allowing no one off the hook when discussing difficult topics. In politics, everything is difficult.
My condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends. We have lost a truly monumental newsman - there is no one like Tim Russert. God Bless you Tim!
Who Needs This?
May 19, 2008
Filed under Business, Global Warming, Home Business, Life, Maine, Marine (Ocean) Services, Marine Services, News, Ocean, Politics, Science, Technology, affordable products, blogging, entertainment, environment, family
Check out the great undersea footage on bristolmarinesurvey.com! Visit and bring it close to you…the underwaterworld is facinating just look and see!
Part of the inspiration for Bristol Marine was the loss of a good friend’s husband in California who was a professional diver. Nothing takes the place of an actual person but using a machine in inclement conditions is common sense and doesn’t jeopardize the diver’s jobs but works in conjunction making the job safer, cutting time in the water, and getting to the job assigned with greater accuracy. Portable and profitable. What’s not to love? The start up business in a place where complaining is more acceptable than doing something about the situation is the answer I guess – please, prove me wrong!
Taxes in Maine might not be so difficult if everyone had a paycheck in line with the rest of the country. Energy costs are keeping up with inflation but the average person in Maine has to work three jobs just to meet those costs, if their lucky. Is that acceptable? Maine is like a person with low self esteem, willing to take the abuse because that’s the way it’s done and scared of success? What would you do with a weekend or evening off and little financial stress? Of course perhaps that’s a difficult task no matter where you are in the nation today. But what do I know I’m from away? Well, I know I’ve never worked so hard to get so little and frankly, I’m scared and very disappointed. So much potential – Maine should be more than a vacation land…it’s strong, independent, and resourceful – demand what you (Maine) deserve!
Q
Celebration Cake a Success!
April 1, 2007 
Just a quick update on the 50th birthday celebration. People came, ate, and made merry in our new home. My great cake bake turned out, if I do say so myself, delicious! I’m a weirdo and not a great fan of dark chocolate so the ganache frosting was chosen to please my husband but the cake with the coconut pecan filling was to die for…and so was the frosting, according to the birthday boy. Ah sweet success! I searched for recipes on the web and chose David Lebovitz’s version of Mary Jo Thoresen’s recipe of Jojo’s in Oakland and formerly of Chez Panisse. http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2005/09/german_chocolat_1.html
Thank you David…it was so good I neglected to tell our guests it was cake time so we lit the candles after the party and my daughter assisted her “old” man in blowing out the flames with just the three of us digging into the chocolatey desert together.
Culture Shock
My husband turns 50 tomorrow. It will be my turn in another two years. No big deal. He opted out of a major bash for one of a more intimate size with children invited. So far so good. We just moved to Maine from California so this gives us an opportunity to have all our new friends over to toast the milestone in our new home. Beautiful.
Normally my husband is the chef. He is a talented cook and pastry chef as it was once his career. Now cooking is his hobby so putting together his own party would be fun and a “piece of cake.” I certainly didn’t argue since even the way he displays the cheese on a platter is picturesque. Then I thought about his birthday cake. Having him bake his own cake just wasn’t acceptable. Normally I’d just call one of the many excellent bakeries in the area to have a German Chocolate Cake ready and waiting but that was in Monterey, California where there was an extraordinary bakery on every corner. I knew of only one option and called that bakery feeling sure they would be able to come up with a suitable selection. Unfortunately they were closed and not for just the day but for good. Other than the grocery store, there weren’t any local bakeries closer than 40 minutes away so, it was up to me, yikes. I rarely cook. After meeting my husband, there wasn’t any need for me to keep cooking so I didn’t. Now I would need to bake a German Chocolate Cake from scratch. It’s like riding a bike right?
Well the kitchen is currently covered in chocolate batter and the cake pans are filled and in the oven. Phew. I will tackle one part of the cake at a time…freeze the cakes and ice them tomorrow if all goes well. Cross your fingers! Oh, and my husband decided it would be nice to have the cake with our guests instead of with just the family so it needs to be good!
Oh, and, I wouldn’t trade our new life for all the bakeries in the world.
