If you think this is exhausting, imagine being Iranian.

As an American, there are always disappointments to register and arguments to engage; amid the chaos of our battered, monied attempt at self-governance, dissent is constant. But this feeling of being utterly ashamed of America and embarrassed to the core by its president is new, raw and unnerving.

For April Fool's Day, an Australian police department pranked their community with a video clip introducing a "new" K-9 unit—made up entirely of dachshunds. They called it the "Small Area Urban Searching and Guided Evacuation" (SAUSAGE). 😀

I am happy and relieved to see this decision. (The school named in the suit is our local school, and our son teaches there.) www.pressherald.com?p=7616745&uu...

700 of us stood peacefully on the bridge and the street today in our little towns of Newcastle and Damariscotta to protest the Trump administration. Here is a partial view of the crowd just after the start of the event. #NoKings

Useful and important information.

More bad news about children's health.

Left behind after the weekly demonstration on the Newcastle-Damariscotta bridge.

I have lived in Maine long enough to know it isn't really spring yet, but after a long snowy winter it is heartening to see a few snowdrops in the field.

Five years ago today a careless driver ran a stop sign and hit me. I am grateful for seat belts & airbags, for my coworker who showed up soon after and kept me calm, & for the emergency crew, who made sure I was OK and cleaned up the debris. And I am thankful for every day I still get to be here.

Great commentary on why RFK Jr. should be promoting vaccines, especially for us older folks. "RFK Jr.’s successful snorting of cocaine off toilet seats doesn’t protect him against any...vaccine-preventable diseases."

Updated:

This will be a much better way to spend this evening. It's raising $ for some good causes. And it will be up for 24 hours for anyone (like me) who just can't stay up late any more.

Measles is no joke. Focusing only on when it's fatal obscures the range of lasting harms that come from this disease. www.voicesforvaccines.org/measles-can-...

A little lopsided, but that is traditional for Pennington cakes. And of course a baby is hidden somewhere.

Episodes of Antiques Roadshow that were filmed in Maine last year start airing next week. Maine Public Radio's call-in show yesterday was about antiques, and my brother was one of the guests. Worth a listen if you like antiques! www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-c...

What Trump said was truly awful. But Hegseth's remarks are terrifying.

A few favorite lines: "I’ve had root canals that were more entertaining." "As first lady, Hillary Clinton tried to fix the healthcare system; Melania got stationery printed." "No pretty dress can disguise an ugly soul."

If you haven't seen this yet, be sure to read the letter.

Some helpful tips from Portland, Maine. "A lot of people have come 'from away' and had trouble making friends at first.... Once I made it clear that I was not interested in riding around town unconstitutionally detaining others, I was able to find my people." www.pressherald.com?p=7570050&uu...

"Over six in ten Americans now say ICE’s tactics have gone too far."

My mother (born in 1931) was a polio survivor who was left with scoliosis and a lifelong limp. I know her family would have chosen the vaccine if it had been an option when she was a child.

Gotta remind yourself not to cry when you see the kid's signs. It's negative -25°F and tears are dangerous. "LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE!" "ICE GIT OUT YA FUCKIN DUMBIES 😡"

Need a "No I.C.E." sign? Here are two versions you can download.

You wonder how this could possibly get more evil, and then it does.

Anyone who says ICE is only going after criminals or only people in the U.S. illegally or only noncitizens is ignorant or lying. Check out what happened to this Maine woman. #mepolitics www.pressherald.com/2026/01/15/h...

Way back in 1985 I hired this goofy guy to be the cook at the Theater at Monmouth. We’ve been together ever since. He still feeds me well and makes me laugh. Happy birthday to my dearest Nick! 🥰 @nickazz.bsky.social

Great article. Healthy eating is a lot easier for those of us who have time to shop and cook and don't live in a food desert.

The White House wastes no time gaslighting the American people anntelnaes.substack.com/p/ice-shoots...

Unbelievable. And terrifying. She posted this on X and on Facebook.

Joyous. I like that!

This poem by Howard Thurman is one of my favorite messages about Christmas. Image is kind of fuzzy - words are in the alt text.

Yet another expert reminding us why we absolutely cannot trust RFK Jr.

A lovely reflection on the holiday season, with a link to a performance of "The Atheist Christmas Carol," which I had not heard before.

Christmas elves, 1998. My two kids and three of their cousins. Those were fun years, but having adult children with partners/spouses we also love is pretty wonderful.

I think the birds may have some trouble getting to the suet this morning. We have at least 8 inches of snow, and it is still falling.

"Another attempt to evade the law and not let the people have a say."

Steps two and three in the gingerbread house project. Tomorrow the kids will decorate.

Trump is often discussed as one of the worst presidents in modern American history, but it’s important to remember that such a categorization is far too narrow. Donald J. Trump is one of the worst people in modern American history.

I am all done baking for the youth group gingerbread house party later this week. My house smells wonderful.

Why would anyone want to visit the U.S. if this is what they will be subjected to?

In honor of Jane Austen's 250th birthday. If you're in Midcoast Maine next weekend, come join us! (I'm not in it, but my husband is directing and also reading a couple of parts.)

A beautiful, heartbreaking thread.

Hosting the family day-after-Thanksgiving leftovers feast means not only is our kitchen cleaner than it has been in ages, but we also got to keep some of the leftover cheese ball. Win-win.

Every year I am especially thankful for the strangers who saved my sister's life on Nov. 26, 2002. As she reminds us, "Life is short, so enjoy your family, your friends, your work and play. Hug your kids, kiss your sweetheart, call your parents, send a card to a friend, make a difference."

I'm waiting until after Thanksgiving to put up my own decorations, but it's fun to see some early decor around town. This lobster trap tree is at Round Top Farm in Damariscotta.

We started watching "The Lowdown" last night. It made no sense at all. At the end of the episode we realized Hulu had started us on episode 8 instead of 1. Aaargh!

Pediatrician here. Misinformation and disinformation don't become facts just because the CDC posted them. Numerous studies have refuted any link between vaccines and autism. Zero studies have shown any link between vaccines and autism. Real science matters.

Wow.