Sun, 01/28/2024 - 5:45pm

Ed O’Brien

Ice Fishing on Norton’s Pond on a Sunday Morning. (Photo by Ed O’Brien)

I was sick this week. A good old fashion cold, complete with fatigue, body aches, a nasty cough, and a negative Covid test. I was very whiney.

It is that time of year, and I’m guessing many of you have had something similar run through your family. Sick kids with working parents trying to balance caring for the little (or not so little) ones, while hoping to avoid the illness themselves.

I have noticed that the kids are generally less concerned with missing school than the adults are at missing work. Granted, I am self-employed with terrible sick benefits, but I think it is difficult for many of us in the midst of our working years to let go, and let our bodies heal.

I kind of loved sick days when I was a kid. With a mother who worked from the home, I did not need to compete with siblings for attention. Bundled up on the couch under a blanket, I could watch all the terrible 1980s daytime TV I could stomach, which was a surprising amount, probably owing to the fact that TV time was fairly limited in my early childhood.

I couldn’t tolerate soap operas, but I could usually find a game show on one of the four channels available in Lincolnville at the time. What was that one “Big bucks, no whammies!”? I always enjoyed that show.

Ma would usually pick me up a can of Chef Boyardee spaghetti and meatballs from the Beach Store or Rae’s Butcher Shop, supplying me with all the fat, carbs, and salt a sick boy needed to regain his strength. Sometimes I’d even get a box of Luden’s cough drops — the most delicious and least effective cough drop available in the 1980s. Those things were great.

I guess my point is that there was a time when I could be a little sick without guilt.

In the end, I did have to take a little time off, and have generally recovered just fine, and work is still there for me Monday morning.

Surviving Winter

Even if you manage to keep yourself healthy, I think the period from January through March can be the most challenging time of year. Not that winter can’t be as beautiful as our other three seasons, but in my opinion, it is the most isolating. It is easy to get stuck in your own personal ruts, hiding out in homes from the cold.

So how can we get through until those first crocuses pop up in our garden beds?

Well, for one, ice fishing traps are starting to pop up on our local ponds. I shouldn’t have to tell the locals, but make sure you’ve checked the ice before you venture out. You need at least four inches for walking, at least six if you’re planning to bring your snowmobile.

Greta Gulezian and her crew have been continuing Pickleball into the winter at the LCS gym. Check out the Lincolnville Bulletin board for times.

The Lincolnville Library offers a number of talks and groups, and it is just a lovely place to sit and read and browse their collection.

The Snow Bowl is up and running across our southern border, with LCS transporting a busload of kids and volunteer chaperones every Friday afternoon. The Snow Bowl continues to be the place for local kids to get together outside of Fortnight, Minecraft, and Roblox servers.

Of course this weekend is the 33rd Annual Toboggen Championships. I’ll admit, I haven’t been there in years; it’s become huge, but there is a shuttle service from the Camden Village Green. Looks like it will be a time.

I’m looking forward to this Friday’s performance by the Mallett Brothers Band at the Camden Opera House, and getting out of the house with my wife and without children.

It’s winter, it can be difficult. Sometimes it is just a matter of just bundling up and forcing yourself to get outside. To make yourself to socialize, to reconnect. Trust me, you will feel better. Be good and reach out at ceobrien246@gmil.com

CALENDAR

Monday, January 29

Wage and Personnel Policy Board, 4:30 p.m. Town Office

Harbor Committee and Select Board Workshop, 6 p.m. Town Office

Tuesday, January 30

Library open 3-6 p.m. 208 Main Street

AA Meeting 12 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Board of Appeals, 11 a.m. Town Office

Land Use Committee 6 p.m. Town Office

Wednesday, January 31

Library open 2-5 p.m.

Planning Board, 7 p.m Town Office