Perspectives

You may have seen previous articles about the challenges of maintaining good health in the face of excessive environmental pollution. My April 2024 column reviewed the staggering amounts of microplastics in our air, water and food, while also highlighting growing concerns about a class of products called "forever chemicals."

I was today years old when I discovered that a caterpillar's body liquefies inside its chrysalis. Their bodies turn to gloppy, squirty goo, and it would be reasonable and rational to think dissolving is the end of any story. But it's not.

As ol' Al Tennyson said, "In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love." First, that's a young man's problem, and, as I remember, there was nothing "light" about that particular fancy. But, more to the point, while young men have their own challenges, the rest of us also have stuff to be happy about in the spring.

Every time March comes around, I think about what I might do for St. Patrick's Day. Typically that's nothing — no big celebrations, no elaborate get-togethers. Maybe I'll wear green. Maybe I'll make a matcha latte instead of coffee, just because it fits the mood. But most years, the day sneaks up and then passes just as quickly. What always stands out to me isn't the holiday itself, it's how much green we start seeing before there's any outside

If you're thinking about vacationing in Maine, March is part of the offseason for everything except skiing, sledding, and maybe ice skating or ice fishing. If you're into winter sports, you're in luck. But hiking trails are either frozen or muddy from rain or thaw. And while the weather is inconsistent, one thing is for sure: It will be cold.

Subash and I were in shock. We had spent two days cruising Vietnam's Ha Long Bay aboard a small ship and overnighting among 2,000 immense limestone towers eroded by the sea. The bay is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its "marine-invaded tower karst" geography and its diversity of wildlife.

Beginning this spring, Curtis Memorial Library's main lobby will undergo an update to better serve our patrons and reflect how today's visitor uses the library.