Category Archives: Just Writing

On Granite

Posted on April 3, 2017 by Julie-Ann Baumer

When I’m working on a freelance story, my office looks like a disaster area.  There are two computers running and one of them will have ten or twelve browsers open.  Books are all over the floor with handwritten notes stuck … Continue reading →

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Just Maine Folks

Posted on March 30, 2017 by Julie-Ann Baumer

Over two weeks have passed since my last biographical sketch of Lisbon writer Eloise Jordan.  In this last post, it was June, 1924 and Jordan had just graduated from Lisbon High School.  I’m a person who enjoys things in chronological … Continue reading →

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Spring So Beloved

Posted on March 13, 2017 by Julie-Ann Baumer

On January 6, 1979, Eloise Jordan’s New Year’s column in the Lewiston Evening Journal’s Magazine was what I like to call “weather and seasons.” Looking out over the year ahead she wrote: “We know the January blizzard that flares over … Continue reading →

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Six Degrees of Eloise

Posted on March 11, 2017 by Julie-Ann Baumer

Last Friday, my boyfriend Handy and I had the pleasure of attending a concert.  The Maine troubadour David Mallett was playing at Auburn’s Unitarian Church.  It was Handy’s birthday, an occasion worthy of a night on the town.  And even … Continue reading →

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Lady Alone Eloise

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Julie-Ann Baumer

Eloise Jordan, a long-time columnist and feature writer for the Lewiston Evening Journal, is remembered by few who read the physical incarnation of this local paper today.  Mention her name to the digital paper’s readers and the response will be … Continue reading →

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An Open Letter to My Blog Readers

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Julie-Ann Baumer

How many times have you seen a business or organization write “an open letter?”  For instance, Starbucks might write an open letter to coffee drinkers, explaining why the “holiday” cups don’t have a Christmas-ey theme.  The letter ends with an … Continue reading →

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Along the Foundation

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Julie-Ann Baumer

Jack and the Beanstalk.  I think that was name I heard in my dreams last night.  Or maybe it was Sasquatch, Godzilla, or King Kong.  It seemed so clear by the time the Sun Journal arrived in the front door.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Writing, Weather and Seasons | Tagged , | 3 Comments

The Calming Balance

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Julie-Ann Baumer

In a nation going collectively insane, building elaborations of the Neoclassical style are comforting.  There is a beautiful balance, a stylish symmetry, and a sense of purpose to them. This is the side door of the Davenport Memorial in Bath, … Continue reading →

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Counting Candles

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Julie-Ann Baumer

Handy’s father, Marcel, turns 98 today.  We celebrated his birthday yesterday; five of Handy’s six siblings were there.  (His youngest brother lives in California and couldn’t make it.) Marcel was born just after the first world war ended, he joined … Continue reading →

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Broken Celery Stalks

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Julie-Ann Baumer

Last Monday, I broke my vintage celery stalk spoon rest.  I’d had it for a long, long time; from at least the early 90’s when you could find mid-century domestic pottery at church bazaars and holiday craft fairs. I was … Continue reading →

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