Exile #2 writes...
We have grown accustomed to sporting events being so much more than a sporting event. During our time in the country we have witnessed t-shirt cannons, and people dressed as hotdogs racing around a baseball diamond, we have seen fireworks rivaling any Guy Fawkes night, and people scrambling for a diamond engagement ring in front of home plate. We are now used to the commercials and spectacle of the Super Bowl, so it was a thing of delight to watch some BBC coverage of the World Cup Final half-time show and hear the gamut of responses - all the way from "I kind of liked it" to Wayne Rooney’s total and utter dismay.
The game itself could have been a little more entertaining, but at the end of the match, at least justice had prevailed. We had felt very ambivalent about the tournament when it began because, well, FIFA but once the football started it was hard not to be swept along because, well, football.
Showing posts with label Sunday column. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sunday column. Show all posts
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Day 19.176: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #558
Exile #2 writes…
It has been absolutely sweltering this week and although today has taken a turn for the better, we mostly stayed inside and kept cool. It didn’t hurt that there was World Cup footie to watch, although I couldn’t help wondering how the Norwegians were coping with running around on a summer afternoon in New Jersey.
I read a little bit about how England had been preparing, doing fitness drills in a tent heated to 90°F/32°C. It seems some of the coaches may have been doing the same, as a few have persisted in wearing suit jackets - either that or they have ice packs sewn into their linings. We’ve just learned, however, that the England game is delayed by an hour due to storms, so we’ll have to wait just a while longer to learn their fate (not so much of hardship for us as it is for those in the UK!).
It has been absolutely sweltering this week and although today has taken a turn for the better, we mostly stayed inside and kept cool. It didn’t hurt that there was World Cup footie to watch, although I couldn’t help wondering how the Norwegians were coping with running around on a summer afternoon in New Jersey.
I read a little bit about how England had been preparing, doing fitness drills in a tent heated to 90°F/32°C. It seems some of the coaches may have been doing the same, as a few have persisted in wearing suit jackets - either that or they have ice packs sewn into their linings. We’ve just learned, however, that the England game is delayed by an hour due to storms, so we’ll have to wait just a while longer to learn their fate (not so much of hardship for us as it is for those in the UK!).
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Day 19.169: Exile #2's Sunday Column #557
Exile #2 writes...
Norway turned out to be a fun little town, with a surprising number of artists’ studios on its Main Street, plus a number of nice cafes and restaurants. One was called Pizza XChange and something about the vibe of the town, or maybe because it was on the same block as the town’s cooperative market, it had us wondering what might be considered an acceptable exchange for pizza.
This building, however, intrigued us the most. The US is home to many societies: Freemasons, Shriners, Elks, Odd-fellows and more, I’m sure, but we’d never come across a Weary Club before. I couldn’t help wondering if their membership had increased lately...
Norway turned out to be a fun little town, with a surprising number of artists’ studios on its Main Street, plus a number of nice cafes and restaurants. One was called Pizza XChange and something about the vibe of the town, or maybe because it was on the same block as the town’s cooperative market, it had us wondering what might be considered an acceptable exchange for pizza.
This building, however, intrigued us the most. The US is home to many societies: Freemasons, Shriners, Elks, Odd-fellows and more, I’m sure, but we’d never come across a Weary Club before. I couldn’t help wondering if their membership had increased lately...
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| Weary Club of Norway, Maine |
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Day 19.162: Exile #2's Sunday Column #556
Exile #2 writes...
This has historically always been one of the busiest weekends of the year. Exile #3’s dance school usually has their dance show this weekend, often involving Exile #3. For probably a decade, however, it has also involved Exile #1, who films, edits, and reproduces videos of the show. Exile #3’s birthday is usually on or around dance show day, too, and to cap it all off, Father’s Day usually rounds off the weekend.
This year was not too different. Exile #1 filmed the show. Exile #3 went to watch and cheer on the dancers, we celebrated Exile #3 on Saturday evening, and today we celebrated Exile #1, mostly by letting him have a very rare lie in, and the opportunity to choose an evening outing. He chose Biddeford Pool and, although we had had a rainy, thundery afternoon, this evening was absolutely perfect.
This has historically always been one of the busiest weekends of the year. Exile #3’s dance school usually has their dance show this weekend, often involving Exile #3. For probably a decade, however, it has also involved Exile #1, who films, edits, and reproduces videos of the show. Exile #3’s birthday is usually on or around dance show day, too, and to cap it all off, Father’s Day usually rounds off the weekend.
This year was not too different. Exile #1 filmed the show. Exile #3 went to watch and cheer on the dancers, we celebrated Exile #3 on Saturday evening, and today we celebrated Exile #1, mostly by letting him have a very rare lie in, and the opportunity to choose an evening outing. He chose Biddeford Pool and, although we had had a rainy, thundery afternoon, this evening was absolutely perfect.
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Day 19.148: Exile#2’s Sunday Column #555
Exile #2 writes…
We’re in the period of almost summer. The State Park is open, the lifeguard stations are out on the beach, and the mats at the walkways are back, but the visitors have yet to show up. This meant we could head to the beach this afternoon for a walk without too much difficulty. While out, we ran into this adorable bunch, a group of female eiders with their chicks. They were mostly just bobbing about in the shallows, although, like human children some of the chicks seemed to enjoy a clamber on their Mom.
We’re in the period of almost summer. The State Park is open, the lifeguard stations are out on the beach, and the mats at the walkways are back, but the visitors have yet to show up. This meant we could head to the beach this afternoon for a walk without too much difficulty. While out, we ran into this adorable bunch, a group of female eiders with their chicks. They were mostly just bobbing about in the shallows, although, like human children some of the chicks seemed to enjoy a clamber on their Mom.
On the way home, we ran into an extraordinary amount of traffic, which turned out to be folks heading home after high school graduation. Yet another sign that summer is on its way.
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Day 19.141; Exile #2’s Sunday Column #554
Exile #2 writes...Exile #1 and I made the bold choice to get up at 5am to join our nature group at the coast for a couple of hours before church. I was not the only one to opt for a winter coat and nor did I regret it! Although we have not had any, there has been snow in the mountains, which is fairly unusual for Maine in May. It’s been pretty chilly though.
Afterwards, we swung by the house to grab the other Exiles and headed to church where Exile #4 joined the group of those being celebrated for graduating from college and high school.
Exile #4 then spent a bit of time catching up with a friend before we all settled down this evening to watch a movie. As always, we had a lengthy discussion about what it should be. Having enjoyed the very sweet Remarkably Bright Creatures last night, we opted for the grittier classic Fargo tonight. I hadn’t seen it since moving to the US, so I’m pretty sure I understood different things this time - but I thoroughly enjoyed watching it again and it seemed to be a hit with everyone.
Sunday, May 24, 2026
Day 19.134: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #553
Exile #2 writes...
One benefit of having our primary board game instigator home for a brief period is that board games happen! Yesterday, the game in question was Finspan, the latest in the Wingspan universe of games. We introduced Wingspan to Exile #4, so it was fun to have the favor returned with Finspan. It’s essentially a fishy version of the bird-based game but with some different mechanisms. It also, unexpectedly, gave E5N1 the opportunity to demonstrate some of his fishy knowledge, courtesy of the Marine Bio class he took this year (this being Maine, Marine Bio features pretty heavily on syllabuses!). As was to be expected, Exile #4 ended the game victorious, but we all enjoyed it, and it was a good way to spend a rather gloomy and overcast holiday weekend.
One benefit of having our primary board game instigator home for a brief period is that board games happen! Yesterday, the game in question was Finspan, the latest in the Wingspan universe of games. We introduced Wingspan to Exile #4, so it was fun to have the favor returned with Finspan. It’s essentially a fishy version of the bird-based game but with some different mechanisms. It also, unexpectedly, gave E5N1 the opportunity to demonstrate some of his fishy knowledge, courtesy of the Marine Bio class he took this year (this being Maine, Marine Bio features pretty heavily on syllabuses!). As was to be expected, Exile #4 ended the game victorious, but we all enjoyed it, and it was a good way to spend a rather gloomy and overcast holiday weekend.
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Day 19.127: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #552
Exile #2 writes...
Woah! It was suddenly summer today. After a long, cold winter, it’s taken until now for us to consider leaving our jackets at home, but today was the day.
Now we’re sitting with the back door open and there is a cacophony of peepers (tiny noisy frogs) singing to us from the woods. We’ve got a couple of even hotter days ahead but then, this being Maine, we’ll be back down to 60 °F/15 °C again.
Woah! It was suddenly summer today. After a long, cold winter, it’s taken until now for us to consider leaving our jackets at home, but today was the day.
Now we’re sitting with the back door open and there is a cacophony of peepers (tiny noisy frogs) singing to us from the woods. We’ve got a couple of even hotter days ahead but then, this being Maine, we’ll be back down to 60 °F/15 °C again.
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| Our ping-pong week ahead |
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Day 19.113: Exile #2's Sunday Column #551
Exile #2 writes...
As usual, we headed out early Saturday morning for a nature walk. We stayed pretty dry for the most part, considering the fact that showers had been predicted but just as we got in sight of the parking lot it really started to come down. That's when we spotted this little guy, who was doing his best to sleep through the whole thing.
As usual, we headed out early Saturday morning for a nature walk. We stayed pretty dry for the most part, considering the fact that showers had been predicted but just as we got in sight of the parking lot it really started to come down. That's when we spotted this little guy, who was doing his best to sleep through the whole thing.
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| North American porcupine |
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Day 19.106: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #550
Exile #2 writes…
It’s definitely warming up. The daffodils are out, and the forsythia. We’ve even dared to have the sliding door open from time to time over the last week or so, and every day it seems new birds return from elsewhere. As a consequence it’s getting pretty noisy.
Ours is not the quietest neighborhood. Until the trees leaf out, we can hear the highway, and the firehouse. Leaf blowing and mowing season seem to have kicked off already, and one of our neighbors likes to work on engines. But right now it’s the goldfinches making the biggest hullabaloo. As we sometimes see 20 or 30 of them at time they can really make an impressive amount of noise! But maybe more exciting was the sound I heard when I headed up to bed last night - a barred owl somewhere not too far away and another more distant one replying. Such a lovely sound, and nice to know they are near.
It’s definitely warming up. The daffodils are out, and the forsythia. We’ve even dared to have the sliding door open from time to time over the last week or so, and every day it seems new birds return from elsewhere. As a consequence it’s getting pretty noisy.
Ours is not the quietest neighborhood. Until the trees leaf out, we can hear the highway, and the firehouse. Leaf blowing and mowing season seem to have kicked off already, and one of our neighbors likes to work on engines. But right now it’s the goldfinches making the biggest hullabaloo. As we sometimes see 20 or 30 of them at time they can really make an impressive amount of noise! But maybe more exciting was the sound I heard when I headed up to bed last night - a barred owl somewhere not too far away and another more distant one replying. Such a lovely sound, and nice to know they are near.
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| Editor’s note: this is my photo from a close encounter with a barred owl back in October 2024 |
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Day 19.092: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #549
Exile #2 writes...
It’s been a fun having E5N1 around for the weekend. We got to spend a little extra time with him today and finish up his birthday leftovers.
It was also nice to go back to the high school yesterday and see a few old friends. The show was the musical version of 9 to 5 and, as ever, it was performed to a very high standard. For once, however, they had decided not to edit at all for language or content. This meant the Dad behind us had quite a busy time of it answering his children’s questions, my favorite being “Dad, what is blackmail?”
It’s been a fun having E5N1 around for the weekend. We got to spend a little extra time with him today and finish up his birthday leftovers.
It was also nice to go back to the high school yesterday and see a few old friends. The show was the musical version of 9 to 5 and, as ever, it was performed to a very high standard. For once, however, they had decided not to edit at all for language or content. This meant the Dad behind us had quite a busy time of it answering his children’s questions, my favorite being “Dad, what is blackmail?”
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Day 19.085: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #548
Exile #2 writes...
After a fun and busy Easter service this morning, we had an unexpected visitor! E5N1 came home to hang out with us for the afternoon. There was much sharing of music, including a choral piece he’s been working on, and we also called Exile #4, who is getting very close to the end of their time at college!
After a fun and busy Easter service this morning, we had an unexpected visitor! E5N1 came home to hang out with us for the afternoon. There was much sharing of music, including a choral piece he’s been working on, and we also called Exile #4, who is getting very close to the end of their time at college!
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Day 19.064: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #547
Exile #2 writes...
I went down to the basement this morning and discovered this sad sight.
All Brits will know the sorrow of a forgotten cup of tea that has gone cold but this is next level. It’s a fair representation of what has been a mostly good but very busy week. Exile #1 didn’t even get round to mentioning that we had lunch and a fun afternoon playing games with Exile #4 and their friends, who were spending spring break at an Airbnb nearby.
Nor did he mention the all too exciting drama generated by a stolen phone and the absolute need for us to be in communication with each other this week. So it is that we now have a family burner phone...
I went down to the basement this morning and discovered this sad sight.
All Brits will know the sorrow of a forgotten cup of tea that has gone cold but this is next level. It’s a fair representation of what has been a mostly good but very busy week. Exile #1 didn’t even get round to mentioning that we had lunch and a fun afternoon playing games with Exile #4 and their friends, who were spending spring break at an Airbnb nearby.
Nor did he mention the all too exciting drama generated by a stolen phone and the absolute need for us to be in communication with each other this week. So it is that we now have a family burner phone...
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Day 19.057: Exile #2's Sunday Column #546
Exile #2 writes...
From time to time we receive adverts from local real estate agents, wondering if we might be in the market to sell our house. Of late, however, things have taken a turn and, getting no reply from us, they’ve taken to mailing Exile #4 instead. We’re expecting to see Exile #4 this week, as they’ll be on spring break but it sounds like we might have to keep on eye on them while they’re here...
In other news, I couldn’t let the weekend go by without mentioning this rugby moment. So, Wales might not have won (still) but it was a moment of pure joy to watch Rhys Carre thundering towards the line with a big grin on his face, like he could hardly believe it himself.
If you didn’t see the try, you can watch it here.
From time to time we receive adverts from local real estate agents, wondering if we might be in the market to sell our house. Of late, however, things have taken a turn and, getting no reply from us, they’ve taken to mailing Exile #4 instead. We’re expecting to see Exile #4 this week, as they’ll be on spring break but it sounds like we might have to keep on eye on them while they’re here...
In other news, I couldn’t let the weekend go by without mentioning this rugby moment. So, Wales might not have won (still) but it was a moment of pure joy to watch Rhys Carre thundering towards the line with a big grin on his face, like he could hardly believe it himself.
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Day 19.050: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #545
Exile #2 writes...
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus, or, Happy St. David’s Day! We celebrated appropriately enough with Welsh cakes and a big, thankful sigh that there was no rugby this weekend.
In honor of the day, I bought some daffodils and noticed that they came with a very clear warning that they were not edible. Apparently there have been occasions when people have used them in place of onions, so labeling is now general practice, as they are actually fairly toxic. Funnily enough, the Welsh word for “leeks” is “cennin”, whilst daffodils are “cennin Pedr” or in other words, “Peter’s leeks”, so I guess the resemblance has been noted for some time. It struck me that cennin Pedr could actually be a bit of dark humor, referring to St. Peter, due to their toxicity, but Pedr’s identity seems to be lost in the mists of time, and as far as I know, he was just a Welshman with a field.
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus, or, Happy St. David’s Day! We celebrated appropriately enough with Welsh cakes and a big, thankful sigh that there was no rugby this weekend.
In honor of the day, I bought some daffodils and noticed that they came with a very clear warning that they were not edible. Apparently there have been occasions when people have used them in place of onions, so labeling is now general practice, as they are actually fairly toxic. Funnily enough, the Welsh word for “leeks” is “cennin”, whilst daffodils are “cennin Pedr” or in other words, “Peter’s leeks”, so I guess the resemblance has been noted for some time. It struck me that cennin Pedr could actually be a bit of dark humor, referring to St. Peter, due to their toxicity, but Pedr’s identity seems to be lost in the mists of time, and as far as I know, he was just a Welshman with a field.
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Day 19.043: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #544
There have been beautiful blue skies over the last couple of days, and some moments above freezing. Yesterday, I
even braved our nature group outing without the two thermal under layers that I usually wear. However, this being Maine we received the following blizzard warning earlier today, proving that winter is not done with us yet. It’s one of three systems lining up to come our way so it could be a busy week.
Whiteout conditions are expected with visibilities below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. The greatest potential for blizzard conditions will exist late morning through afternoon Monday. The hazardous conditions will arrive during the Monday morning commute and will continue through the evening commute. Strong winds will down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. A Few trees and power lines could be downed. The power outage threat is elevated.
Whiteout conditions are expected with visibilities below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. The greatest potential for blizzard conditions will exist late morning through afternoon Monday. The hazardous conditions will arrive during the Monday morning commute and will continue through the evening commute. Strong winds will down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. A Few trees and power lines could be downed. The power outage threat is elevated.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Day 19.036: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #543
Exile #2 writes...
We had a Mardi Gras potluck after church today, which was fun, and involved at least some attempts at southern food. A friend I was sat with reminisced about the time she had gone to New Orleans for a couple of days during its famous Mardi Gras celebrations. “But not,” she added, “the last couple of days. It gets really wild then!”
True to our roots, I expect we’ll go a little bit wild and flip some pancakes on Tuesday. Phew - watch out, everyone!
We had a Mardi Gras potluck after church today, which was fun, and involved at least some attempts at southern food. A friend I was sat with reminisced about the time she had gone to New Orleans for a couple of days during its famous Mardi Gras celebrations. “But not,” she added, “the last couple of days. It gets really wild then!”
True to our roots, I expect we’ll go a little bit wild and flip some pancakes on Tuesday. Phew - watch out, everyone!
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Day 19.029: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #542
Exile #2 writes...
Well, there was a convincing victory in the east coast versus west coast Super Bowl tonight, along with the usual side serving of musical artists and ads. Green Day played before the game and were, surprisingly, allowed to play American Idiot. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny performed at half time and put on a show that was a real celebration of love and Latinx culture.
There is always some tension surrounding the choice of musicians and this year so much so that an “alternative” show was provided on another channel. But anyone tuning out would have missed a treat. It was joyful and just what was needed. Now to bed - how do they make 60 minutes last so long?
Well, there was a convincing victory in the east coast versus west coast Super Bowl tonight, along with the usual side serving of musical artists and ads. Green Day played before the game and were, surprisingly, allowed to play American Idiot. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny performed at half time and put on a show that was a real celebration of love and Latinx culture.
There is always some tension surrounding the choice of musicians and this year so much so that an “alternative” show was provided on another channel. But anyone tuning out would have missed a treat. It was joyful and just what was needed. Now to bed - how do they make 60 minutes last so long?
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| This bowl is also super (and I made it myself) [Ed.] |
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Day 19.022: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #541
Exile #2 writes...
Although it’s too cold for the snow on the ground to melt much at the moment, it is managing to melt a little on roofs. Because it is so cold, however, that is just making for some spectacular icicles. We have a few forming a slightly menacing portcullis above our garage door but they are nothing to the curtains of icicles we saw along eaves on our walk on Saturday or the enormous 5 ft long spears that seemed to be forming on the corners of buildings. It’s not for nothing that many places put up signs warning people to watch out for falling ice!
Although it’s too cold for the snow on the ground to melt much at the moment, it is managing to melt a little on roofs. Because it is so cold, however, that is just making for some spectacular icicles. We have a few forming a slightly menacing portcullis above our garage door but they are nothing to the curtains of icicles we saw along eaves on our walk on Saturday or the enormous 5 ft long spears that seemed to be forming on the corners of buildings. It’s not for nothing that many places put up signs warning people to watch out for falling ice!
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Day 19.015: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #540
Exile #2 writes...
Well, the expected snow has begun. We probably have about 5 inches now but it’s going to be snowing heavily until the wee small hours and even after that continue on into Tuesday morning. Thankfully Exile #1 made it home from Florida before it all kicked off as airport chaos is ensuing.
In other news, this box caused a little excitement when it arrived earlier in the week. It was not, as it would seem to be, an enormous Toblerone but the expensive stick that we ordered for E5N1. Although I had witnessed him measuring his arm and choosing the appropriate size, I was still surprised that all that packaging was for this little guy!
Well, the expected snow has begun. We probably have about 5 inches now but it’s going to be snowing heavily until the wee small hours and even after that continue on into Tuesday morning. Thankfully Exile #1 made it home from Florida before it all kicked off as airport chaos is ensuing.
In other news, this box caused a little excitement when it arrived earlier in the week. It was not, as it would seem to be, an enormous Toblerone but the expensive stick that we ordered for E5N1. Although I had witnessed him measuring his arm and choosing the appropriate size, I was still surprised that all that packaging was for this little guy!
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