Catching the show on the road

FARMINGTON/LIVERMORE/JAY— Route 133 is a road lined with bird’s-eye views of Western Maine’s rolling mountains and a breathtaking skyline that rivals anything man-made in a big city.

You could say this is Maine’s version of Route 66 — although a much shorter version of that storied road.

This road is filled with twists and sharp turns — and the last thing you want to be doing is looking down at your phone or speeding like a NASCAR driver behind the wheel of a supped-up stock car.

Ignoring the speed limit or being distracted will cost you your life — or worse, somebody else dies because of your stupidity.

And then there are the local sheriffs, who remain invisible until they come dashing out from the tree line like a fox that just spotted its next meal across the street. I often smile at a driver that passes me at the speed of sound, only to find that same driver down road next to police car with flashing lights

If you race across this route like a NASA rocket hurled through space, they will be picking up what is left of you with shovels. And then there are the sheriffs who will gladly hand you a ticket or arrest you for driving to endanger — depending, of course, on how fast you were going before you saw the boys in blue in your rearview mirror.

Route 133 is about 31 miles long and runs through several towns before it empties into Route 4 in Farmington— a college town that features the University of Maine at Farmington. I usually pick it up in Livermore to avoid most of Route 4. If you are obeying the law, it takes about 15 minutes to traverse it. This allows you the opportunity to avoid an endless array of traffic lights and the numerous school buses that descend on these towns after 2 p.m.

I travelled around the state covering everything from high school sports to boxing and auto racing. 

Yeah, I have been around.

I got a hot tip to use Route 133 to avoid a segment of slow-moving traffic on Route 4 as well leaving a trail of loud expletives throughout those quiet towns.

Yes, there are dangers to using Route 133, with deer crossing and drivers, whose skills behind the wheel are dubious.

But the views of these mountains on a sunny day are spectacular.

I refuse to drive Route 133 at night during the winter months due to black ice. During the day, the road is fine.

In a way, that road also acts as boundary when it comes to winter weather. I have often seen rain to turn to snow as I headed into Farmington. 

And in the fall, the view of Maine’s foliage is stunning and the tree line along the 133 appears to be on fire with its bright colors.

Those views of Maine’s mountains are worth the drive just to spend 20 minutes marveling at our green planet.

Enjoy the photos. My wife Terri took the wheel of the car so I could rattle off pictures of nature’s creations with my Nikon.

Goodfellows52: Women's march a righteous cause for all of us

Goodfellows52: Women's march a righteous cause for all of us: “We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.”  — Edward R. ...

Women's march a righteous cause for all of us

“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.” 

— Edward R. Murrow

“Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate. “

— Hubert H. Humphrey

“Free societies are societies in which the right of dissent is protected.”

                                                                                         —Natan Sharansky

AUBURN — Witnessing a sea of humanity snaking through the streets of our nation’s capitol during the women's march reassured me that common sense, dissent and freedom are alive and well in the United States.

If you have a gripe with what you just saw across America and in fine cities around the globe, writer letter or relocate to a nation ruled by despots who intimidate and murder citizens for their opinions and outspokenness. 

If the current administration can’t understand what just transpired on the streets of Boston and New York City, then it doesn’t comprehend the intricacies and brilliance of the United States Constitution and its citizens, who gave us an old-fashion lesson in civics this weekend.

I stand with all women who demand to be treated with equality and respect — in and out of the workplace. I have no problem with a woman governing this nation. As a liberal democrat from the great state of Massachusetts, I voted for Mrs. Clinton after taking issue with President Trump’s acerbic remarks directed toward a female candidate and President Obama during an ugly campaign.

I grew up with three sisters and learned quickly that they are a formidable force when they band together. 

Nobody in this nation should be considered a second-class citizen.

Being bitter about Clinton’s loss is a waste of precious time, but what I can’t understand is a president with a Twitter addiction and his disdain for the Fourth Estate — the press. Calling the press to a briefing and then admonish it over the reporting of the size of inauguration crowds is simply absurd. This is the same nonsense when the president reeled off tweets about SNL skits about him.

Should the current administration move the press out of the West Wing, does the president truly believe reporters are going to go away or news organizations will start pandering to him?

When the press is doing its job right, I know the nation is doing well and not sliding toward rogue status, where life is cheap and leaders are assassinated when their countrymen grow tired of being tortured. We vote our presidents out of office. It works better that way.

By the way, the press isn’t going anywhere. Whatever it takes, the Washington Press Corp will file stories from the Watergate or from a phone booth like Clark Kent. The press will continue to keep a watchful eye on the U.S. government and its leaders, who need to be held accountable for their actions. 

I think we sometimes forget our officials work for us, but we reminds ourselves and politicians every time we vote. That is why citizens were standing up for themselves this weekend. It is our duty as Americans and to the founding fathers of a country that embraces dissent and debate.

This nation has always been a work in progress and I would like it to continue moving forward no matter who is in office.

Goodfellows52: A fine how do you do from Old Man Winter

Goodfellows52: A fine how do you do from Old Man Winter: "Maine is a joy in the summer. But the soul of Maine is more apparent in the winter."  Paul Theroux ...

A fine how do you do from Old Man Winter

"Maine is a joy in the summer. But the soul of Maine is more apparent in the winter." 

Paul Theroux

 AUBURN — Winter left its calling card two days before the new year arrived.

Old Man Winter wanted to assure residents of New England that he was still in the neighborhood and doesn’t like to be forgotten.

The weather guys and gals got this wrong again, but that is nothing new when it comes to Maine’s fickle forecasters.

Of course, weather reports varied just like Trump’s inane Tweets. We were on the receiving end of 19 whopping inches of snow in western Maine. It took 15 minutes with two guys (me and my son) manning  shovels to clear the walkway to the street.

It is miserable, heavy snow that puts your heart through a stress test.

But, and I hate to say this, we needed the white stuff after a summer drought that I had never witnessed in my lifetime.

For the morons who don’t believe in global warming, it was the hottest year ever on the planet, and if we continue to treat the globe like a toilet, watch Florida disappear thanks to rising tides due to a melting polar ice cap. I can’t fix stupid and I fear for the environment when an uninformed and inept presidency is sworn in at the White House on Jan. 20.

China is creating 10 miles of desert each year because of its neglect of its natural resources. You have to ask yourself what is the sense of being an economic powerhouse if a nation can’t drink its water due to rampant pollution. I guess having a fat wallet can justify ignorance.

Anyway, enjoy the snow and Old Man Winter’s chilly touch as we head into another year.

Goodfellows52: Clinton CLEARLY the right choice

Goodfellows52: Clinton CLEARLY the right choice: “Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President...

Clinton CLEARLY the right choice

“Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.” 

President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Editor’s note: Notice that FDR did not use I or me in this profound quote. No wonder why he was elected four terms. 

AUBURN — There is a candidate running for the United States presidency that begins most of his sentences with “I” and ends them with “me,” and you never hear the word “we” during his endless tirades filled with insults.

For the past year, the man with the fat wallet and big mouth has been spewing barbs about anybody and has insulted most of the inhabitants of the planet.

His name is emblazoned on buildings across New York City so I won’t mention him by name because it makes sane people nauseous.

I don’t know how voters cannot turn a deaf ear to a man whose locker room talk shocked an entire nation. He is certainly no gentleman or diplomat.

He says he is going to make America great again. I always thought this nation is a swell place to live. He also wants to build a wall on the Mexican border, but I guess he doesn’t know there is a great big wall to keep people, who are desperately seeking a better life, out of a country that was founded on people fleeing poverty and social upheaval. 

Not only that, he makes fun of them and deems them all a nation of miscreants.

And his verbal assaults on the human race do not stop there.

His acerbic comments should concern all constituents who will decide between Hillary Clinton and a narcissist who is only interested in himself and treats this campaign like a rock concert. By the way, if you haven’t heard, Clinton was cleared by the FBI over recent emails that were discovered on another computer.

Narcissists make horrible leaders because it is all about them, and when you run for president, it should be about us — although most of congress has forgotten that, too.

It is all about “We the people,” not “I’m the guy.” This guy forgets he has congress to deal with — if he is elected — and there are checks and balances that were installed in the Constitution to prevent despots from screwing up the works.

If only Jefferson and Washington could see how far we have fallen when it comes to electing leaders with some common sense.

For those of us who don’t agree with the “it is all about me” candidate, you can vote for the other gal. You know where I stand and I can’t tell you who to vote for in this odd election. You are all grown-ups now and must make your own decisions.

The election was also about character and substance and there is no hard evidence that those prerequisites exist in the Republican campaign.

I decided I wouldn't vote for him the first time he opened his mouth.

I doubt all of his supporters are deplorable, but I do know he is despicable as well as uniformed.

Goodfellows52: Walking off and away from Trump

Goodfellows52: Walking off and away from Trump: "There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea...

Walking off and away from Trump

"There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature more."

Lord Byron

LISBON, Maine — We needed to take a long walk in the woods after watching Donald Trump say nothing and loom over Hillary Rodham Clinton like a stalker in a dark alley in Sunday’s debate.

Civility was not on Sunday night’s agenda when the two competitors went head to head for 90 painful minutes. As a family, we are appalled that the man with his filthy mouth and lack of substance is still in the running for president.

I have no confidence in a presidential candidate who has no respect for the opposite sex and no concept of the greater good.

Yeah, I am a liberal democrat who will support Mrs. Clinton despite the email controversy.

Why? None of your damn business! Let’s just say you can’t reason with a narcissist — ever! After all, I am originally from from Massachusetts — and that’s Kennedy country.

Watch PBS' Frontline episode called "The Choice" and you will get the big picture of this horse race.

I voted once for a GOP candidate — and I still regret it. But this candidate might just tear apart the Republican Party with his senseless tirades.

While Republicans spent the weekend abandoning the Donald like passengers on the sinking Titanic, we decided to cleanse our souls of the exasperating Mr. Vile and drove to a place where the soothing waters  of the rambling Sabattus River washed away our disgust of a man who treats the Oval Office like a big joke.

My son was home for college and a long walk on the Paper Mill Trail was the right prescription to clear our heads of the traumatic experience of watching another round inanity from the overbearing GOP contender.

The Paper Mill Trail is our favorite haunt. It is paved, safe and the sound of the river’s waters can wipe away anxiety from stressed-out voters who experienced PTSD after Sunday's debate.

The walk is easy and the inclines give you a good workout. Right now, the colors of the foliage are brilliant on the trail and the stunning shades made the three off us feel pretty damn good on a chilly autumn day.

The cool air and the sweet sound of fast-moving water put a spring in our step on the trail where many other walkers had the same idea.

We felt refreshed after our two-mile walk in the sunshine and hopeful that the citizens of this nation will make an informed decision.

But then again, stranger things have happened in politics and some voters are easily swayed by a candidate's empty promises and antics.

Goodfellows52: A picture-perfect fair

Goodfellows52: A picture-perfect fair: CUMBLERLAND — It is a wonderful thing when you when make someone happy — especially if she is your wife. Last weekend, we went to ...

A picture-perfect fair

CUMBLERLAND — It is a wonderful thing when you when make someone happy — especially if she is your wife.

Last weekend, we went to an agricultural fair, which most Mainers do this time of year. 

It is a delightful ritual. What’s wrong with fresh air, smelly farm animals and food that is guaranteed to raise your cholesterol count to the point where your family doctor advises that you will be dead in 24 hours.

But I am not a native Mainer. I am a transplant from the Greater Boston area, who went to the Topsfield Field Fair every five years, which means I went twice as a boy. Hard-core Mainers would affectionally refer to me as a Masshole (that’s an asshole from Massachusetts). But I am OK with that and I am loved by all.

My wife is from Maine stock, a Windham  girl, if you will.

In the Pine Tree State, there are 24 fairs across Maine as summer wanes and autumn makes its chilly approach in September.

The Big One — Fryeburg Fair — draws thousands of visitors in search of fried dough, cotton candy, and a chance to bet on a horse. This harness raising not thoroughbreds.

We usually attend Cumberland Fair, which is just outside of Portland and about 40 minutes from our home.

It was a cloudy, raw day, but the smell of fries, sausages, and freshly baked pies, combined with carnies calling out to patrons to take a chance on their games, the absence of the sun didn’t get us down because we were in such a good mood. 

I was on a sugar high, anyway, after eating home-made maple fudge. It did melt in my mouth and I has this urge to wash it down with a quart of milk.

We played one game, and I managed to pick off two balloons on three tries with heavy darts, and Terri was awarded a plastic necklace.

After beating a carny at her own game and winning plastic jewelry, I was on a roll and my thoughts turned to the lottery.

We walked on when we saw a husband-and-wife team doing caricatures of fair goers.

My curiosity got the better of me and I persuaded my wife to have the artists draw my wife.

The artists tried to cajole me into a siting. I wasn’t shy, but I felt this was her moment in the sun.

Terri smiled as passerbys peaked in and watched as a pleasant man etched out the facial features of her face with a thick pencil.

When he was done, people nearly applauded the drawing. Terri was pleased and I was happy that she was happy.

She smiled all the way home as I sipped on apple cider and eyed another piece of maple fudge.