I wish I were more articulate and could explain why these landscapes and buildings speak so strongly to me. I’ve always loved looking for hints of the past. I also inherited my father’s love of the underdog. Perhaps that’s why buildings that have not been preserved tend to call to me the most. I like listening to what the buildings and roads and patterns of settlement say about the culture of the people that created them. They just make me happy.

We drove through Saint Anne, Papineau and Beaverville. All settled by French Canadians. It made me so happy to see all the French names on various businesses and in the cemeteries. Perhaps that’s because I would see so many French names in Maine. I don’t know, I didn’t expect to be excited by that but I was. Sometimes, when we were visiting Maine there would be a TV show on in French and we’d always get excited and try to get my grandmother to translate it.

Whatever the reasons are, these landscapes soothe me. It’s as though I can feel myself relaxing and softening as we drive through these towns and fields. Somehow, they give me strength.

Beaverville grain elevator
Beautiful old school in Papineau
The graves of two Tegge children. A six month old died in 1905 and a one year old died in 1908.
Another big old Catholic church in Saint Anne
The Dixie Delite in Saint Anne
Ernie didn’t totally understand my love of this little white house. But those arched windows!They were on the dormers too. I did have to admit that those shutters on the arched windows looked stupid. I’m sensitive to inappropriate shutters. Surely there’s a website devoted to that?
I love this old laundromat. Look at the beautiful early stone peaking out of that wall. And the graffiti! Who graffiti’s the name of their town on a building. Don’t you wish you could see what’s under that facade?
Leo was pleased with this picture we took for him but I can’t remember what he told me. Sorry, Leo. ❤️

Onward.

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