“Do the next thing”

“Sure, I’ll go the whole two hours.”

Hey, that new store they put in where Reed party used to be on Pleasant street has two flags out front. A British flag (I think) and a US flag. The US flag is on the right and is lower. I’m thinking that might not be the right presentation, but I’ll have to check.

No, not Maine Street Brunswick parking! I avoid on-street parking most all the time. Backing out into that traffic is stressful. Maybe the student driver sign will help….oh, he’s making him do it a second time? Even when I used to drop Adam off at Chemistry class above Keith Field Classical Goldsmith, I parked in the Tontine Mall parking area to avoid the backing into traffic thing!

We head up Route 1 toward Bath. A car passes with a familiar yellow bumper sticker. Hmm, Fran has that sticker. Hey, that guy’s wearing a hat like, wait, that’s probably Michael Pajak. Safe passage, Michael!

Hmm, Adam barely fits in this car. His head is about an inch from the ceiling. When he looks left he ducks to see under the top of the door trim. What is this car, anyway? I’ll have to find out and make a note.

We keep going up to Wiscasset. Good thing it isn’t summer time, or we’d spend Adam’s whole 2 hour driving stint between Woolwich and Edgecomb! Wonder if they’ll ever decide to build a bypass. We take a left. Wait, Pegeen McConnell lives on this road somewhere. We were there once, I should recognize it, but I missed it. Isn’t there a campground somewhere down here? Downeast or something. That was a long time ago with the Grovers. My first taste of bacon wrapped scallops, fresh from the sea and cooked over a camp fire.

We eventually turn left in Dresden. Ahh, I know this route. To take a right you would go to the house the Horsman’s rented for a while. Hmm. The river looks high, I guess from the rain we got on Saturday.

We’re near the intersection of 127 and 197; oops, there’s a “Yes on 1 sign.” Jacki or Jonathan, can you go get that so Stand for Marriage doesn’t get fined? Couldn’t very well ask the driving instructor to let Adam pull over for me to get it.

Ouch, I am reminded of Jeff Foxworthy’s redneck. Has he been to Maine? Yikes. Does my yard look like that? I now resolve to do whatever is in my power to fight redneck curb appearance in favor or modest or invisible curb appeal. Tomorrow. Maybe.

Oh, I didn’t know this road cut over. We’re headed back to 197. I remember the day we were in that cemetery. Mr. Russell. I think of your Dad every so often, Jacki.

There’s Jacki McKeen’s road. Oh, good thing it’s not flooded. I didn’t hear that it was, but with all that rain it could have been. Good thing Diana McKeen only had to worry about frogging her Fair Isle today and not a flooded driveway!

Wait, we’re crossing to Richmond. Before we know it the Coast Guard Icebreakers we’ll be here on the Kennebec to usher in spring. Ok, yeah, winter has to settle in and freeze it first. We could have brought the meal Anna made for the Horsman’s after all. Then it wouldn’t have been so fun for Anna and Micah to visit them and their new baby Emma, though.

It was fun eating at the Railroad Cafe with the ladies back in October. I wonder how Susan Trott is feeling. Too bad we didn’t get to see her in the Monmouth play since the accident was two days before.

The library is there, so that means that the Horsman’s house is…..there. There it is; that is sooo cute! Just like the picture they showed me when they stopped by a couple months ago. God really blessed them with just the right home at the right price at the right time! Welcome Baby Emma!

Onto the highway, moving back into our stomping grounds. About 30 more minutes to kill. Whoa, I hate getting off of 295 toward Lisbon Falls. It’s a tight spot and there are always cars with the right of way. Just like getting off in route 1 in Brunswick. Well, he did fine. Shiver.

Hmm, glad he knows this area is strictly 40 mph. Oh, look, case in point, policeman with lights flashing talking to someone who didn’t know it was strictly 40 mph.

Ivanhoe. I’m pretty sure the Sprague’s still live here. I remember seeing Carli at the polls on election day. Maybe she lives in Bath now.

Whew. Ok, it wasn’t as grueling as it could have been. I didn’t fall asleep. Adam did well driving.

I applaud you if you got through this whole monologue of my mind. Your reading this is what it was like for me to ride in the backseat of a driver ed car for two hours. My mind just wandered, wondered, and remembered.

I can’t believe our trip to Stratton/Eustis now just a memory.  I’m so GLAD we have pictures!

Teresa took this photo of our family (minus Erik who is in Alabama doing Army things,) after the ceremony.

Another Simmler has made his way through the maze of schooling. Micah graduated on Saturday with three homeschooling friends.  The ceremony and cake reception took place at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Topsham, Maine.  Many friends and family members joined in the celebration.

LD1020. The debate is over, really. One side is firmly rooted in a premise and assumption of Biblical truth and a moral foundation. Their arguments all match their premise. The other side is governed by axioms like “Live and let live,” “Love is all you need,” and “Whatever feels right, do it.” Their arguments match their premise. How can the two sides ever agree? Neither will give in. It’s an impasse.

The latter lends itself to the confines of emotions and heartfelt tableaus. The former holds to right and wrong; it stands on scriptural principles that speak about the heart being deceitful if you try to trust in it alone. For those on both sides, it’s a no-brainer. On both sides there are tears for the future of the children and grandchildren. On both sides there is mourning for the happiness that would be if the others would only stop arguing and accept “the truth.”

All the wrangling for new angles and scraped up rationales are just vain attempts to out clever the other. Despite that, the discourse will continue because it is seen on both sides as a right and a duty.

What it all comes down to is a perspective of worldview: God and salvation vs Living for now. As the world continues on its course, and its people choose between virtues and feelings, there is one side that has peace. No matter what governments decide and despite the adversity, the only final victory will come when the gates are opened and all will answer for the choices they make here on earth.