Haystack is one of my favorite places to be in the world, ranking only second to the island I call home.

April is like a friend who insists on giving me occasional gifts I never asked for or wanted or would dare to give anyone else.

I’ll be ready to stand in front of my fellow townspeople, along with our town clerk, Denise McCormick, paying close attention, hoping to keep things moving as best we can.

The man who used to name Christmas as a deadline for getting his traps out of the water now embraces semi-retirement one month earlier.

When I said I was going to write about apples Kaitlyn’s eyes lit up. “I love picking apples on the island. It’s one of my most favorite things to do! Getting outside in the fall sun, picking with a view of the water, it’s the best.

There is comfort to be found in the small community that comes together to share the burden of grief.

By this time, I and others have usually made our way through the odd feeling that comes at the end of August. Overtired from working days and staying out later than usual at night, we have scrambled for every last chance to see friends before saying those parting words, “Have a good winter!”

I’m curious why tourists never ask what it’s like being a year-round resident in the summer when island populations quadruple, the mailboat is full to capacity, and there is so much more traffic on Mount Desert Island.

I heard descriptions of Sadie opening the door of her house and calling out, “I’m fryin’!” on the days she made those delicious doughnuts.