In honor of the State of Maine’s Bicentennial (official birthday March 15, 2020), I’ll continue posting articles about Maine history, events, people, and places that include poetry and photographs throughout 2020 and 2021. Wishing everyone A Very Merry Christmas & A New Year 2021 filled with the Peace, Love, Joy and Hope found in God’s greatest gift—the Christ Child. ~ Bette A. Stevens
Isaiah 9: 6
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Councilor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Maine
Did you know?
- Maine is the most tree-covered state among the 48 contiguous states (US Department of Agriculture Forest Service 2016).
- The Pine Tree State‘s pristine lakes and ponds total 6,000 (Maine.gov).
Last week I received a phone call that made my day! A local resident had checked out my latest book—My Maine, Haiku through the Seasons, from our local library and called to tell me how much she enjoyed reading it. Now that’s a great way for an author to begin her day…but, the wonder didn’t end on that lovely note. In fact, it blossomed into an extended conversation with the caller, Irene White, a fellow nature lover and gardener. Irene lives on Great Moose Pond, just a few miles from our farmstead in Hartland, Maine.
“I loved your book so much that I wrote a poem, not a haiku, but a poem nevertheless. My Christmas poem was inspired by a sweet card created by a seven-year-old boy named Bentley Lane in 2017. I enjoyed Bentley’s artwork so much that I purchased several cards from his mother’s craft table at the local Christmas fair in town.” ~Irene White
Silently we all say “thanks”
Poem by Irene White (2019)
It’s a frosty morning
and Christmas is in the air.
So put on your tall boots
and your warm wooly coat.
Hat and mittens too,
and grab the trusty saw.
Warm up the truck
and head for the woods.
Up there be a stand,
it’s thick and green.
The tracks abound,
this way and that.
The rabbit hopped this way,
and the deer circled round.
But look over there,
the perfect tree.
Push forward, pull back,
again and again.
Until the final cut,
and she’s yours!
Now load it up
and head for home.
Shake off the snow
and bring her in.
All the kids shout, “Yeh”
and the dog gives a leap!
We get ready to string the lights,
and silently we all say, “Thanks.”
Discover how reading and writing poetry benefits everyone from kids to corporate executives at this link on Bette’s blog. Whether you’re a resident Mainer or from away, I invite you to come celebrate Maine. I would love to hear from you if you have a favorite tidbit (i.e. poem/photograph/very short story) to share with us about your love for the The Pine Tree State.
About Bette A. Stevens
Inspired by nature and human nature, author Bette A. Stevens is a retired elementary and middle school teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of eight. Stevens lives in central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys reading, writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and families, for childhood literacy and for the conservation of monarch butterflies (milkweed is the only plant that monarch caterpillars will eat). Stevens has written articles for ECHOES, The Northern Maine Journal of Rural Culture. Stevens’s books include The Tangram Zoo and Word Puzzles Too!; Amazing Matilda, Children’s Picture Book (Ages 4-11) 2013 Purple Dragonfly Book Award and Gittle List; Pure Trash (MG/YA/Adult) Short Story; Dog Bone Soup (MG/YA/Adult) Coming of age Novel (2017 KCT International Literary Award Top Finalist 2017); and My Maine, Haiku through the Seasons (Poetry and Photography Collection) 2019.
- Find Bette’s Books at Your Amazon
Comments on: "Celebrating The Pine Tree State—Christmas Poem & Artwork by Local Mainers" (65)
Thanks, Bette.
I was in Bath & Arrowsic, Maine in 2006. We toured the lighthouses and museums. We flew in and out of Portland. The night before we left, we ate dinner at an Irish pub and watched the boats bob up and down in the water. It was the first time my husband had seen the Atlantic Ocean.
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Happy to hear you had a chance to visit my favorite Little City by the Bay on the East Coast if only for a brief stay, Cindy. Dan and I have traveled the shorelines of both coasts. San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Carmel are among our many favorites along the Great Pacific. Wishing you and yours a blessed and beautiful 2020! xo
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How great to be the state with the most trees. I have a fondness for trees that runs deep. And what a sweet thing to get a call from a local fan and a poem. You are well-loved, Bette. Happy New Year. ❤
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So very grateful for so much… Thank you, dear Diana. My 2020 overflow with God’s richest blessings for you and yours! ❤ xo
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Hi Betty:
I also plan on sharing my initial Maine Haiku as a Word Press blog with attached photos. Would you rather I send you this link or just send the poems freestyle?
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Hi, Jim. A link to your post will be fine. That way, I can either reblog it or copy what I need if that is OK with you. It would be great to have a short bio from you as well. Looking forward to your feature! I’m so glad that we’ve connected. Happy writing, blogging and traveling, my friend. 🙂 My email is bettestevens@tds.net (for whichever option you choose). Thanks!
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What a wonderful phone call. And besides knowing that your book touched another, isn’t it magnificent to know that you, and your book, inspired another too. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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Wonderful, indeed! Feeling blessed and wishing you and yours a beautiful and blessed 2020, Pam! ❤
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I’ve started writing some Acadia Haikus, Betty, and will send a few next week. Thanks for the invitation. Jim
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That’s awesome, Jim! Looking forward to showcasing your taste of Maine… ❤ Thanks so much.
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Bette:
I have close to 100 photos from our r de t cruise visit to Acadia National
Ark and nearby Bar Harbor Maine. I will get back to you by email after New Years. I would love to do something for your Maine celebration. USFMAN
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That sounds wonderful, James Usfman! Look forward to hearing from you. 🙂 Happy New Year!
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Bette, what a wonderful phone call and how lovely for her to share her poem! I love it and the artwork is lovely! Your Maine sounds magical! Wishing you a joyful and creative New Year! Xx
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Thanks, dear Annika. ❤ May your New Year be blessed and beautiful! xo
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I think the wonders of Acadia National Park that we visited on our last cruise would make a wonderful setting for poetry.
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I agree! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit, James. It would be wonderful if you have a photo you’d like to share and perhaps write a haiku to go with it…. 2020 is Maine’s Bicentennial Year and I’ll be featuring photos and poems from Mainers and folks from away who love Maine. If you’re interested in being a blog guest as I celebrate the big event all year long, email me at bettestevens@tds.net SUBJECT: CELEBRATING MAINE Acadia is a treasure. Wishing you a blessed and beautiful 2020!
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It’s wonderful to inspire others, Bette. Great poem!
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Thanks so much, Jina. ❤ Irene and Bentley inspired me too… xo
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You have no idea how much I miss what used to be our annual trip to Maine. But we couldn’t do such a long drive anymore. I drive only in emergencies and Garry just doesn’t enjoy driving these days. Maine is so beautiful … and unlike a lot of parts of Vermont, it’s not “fancy.” You don’t have to have tons of money to live in a nice place.
Massachusetts is 60% woodland too. As the farms have been deserted, trees have grown up over them. We’d have more trees, but we are a very small state. You can drive one end to the other including top to bottom in a few hours. Maine is HUGE and all uphill. And I miss it.
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I know what you mean, Marilyn…there’s no place like Maine! Dan and I have been to 46 states, drove from Atlantic to Pacific six times, up an down both seaboards and lived ‘away’ in NY, CA & VA for a few years. Every state has its unique beauty, but to me there’s no place like that green, green state I call home! Our traveling days are done, but the memories live on. ❤ Wishing you and Garry a blessed and beautiful Christmas and New Year! xoxo
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This is just wonderful, Bette! What an amazing piece of art from a child! I look forward to your future Maine posts. Thank you.
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Thanks so much, Jennie. ❤ It is such a delight to share Bentley's artwork that inspired Irene's poem–Maine and Maine people continue to inspire me! Blessings, my friend!
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You’re welcome, Bette. I know how you feel!
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I can just smell that pine sap from the Christmas tree. Here’s wishing you the merriest of Christmases, and a healthy, happy New Year!
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Thanks so much, Joe. ❤ May Christmas and New Year Blessings abound for you and yours…
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Congrats, Bette. You know you’ve created some worthy art when it sparks someone else to create still more art. How many riffs off of “Starry Night” are there in the world? Well done, my friend. Sharing… : )
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Thanks so much for the lovely note and share, dear Cathleen. These lovely creations by Irene and Bentley represent Maine and Maine people so well. Art at its best! ❤ Wishing you and yours God's richest blessings at Christmas and always! xo
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What a lovely share, Bette. A delightful poem.
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Thanks, dear Robbie. Irene’s poem is quintessential Maine… I adore it! And dear Bentley’s art show how much The Pine Tree State inspires us all–young and old. ❤ Merry Christmas! xo
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I don’t think life gets better than that, Bette–nature, friendship, and pine trees. You are a lucky woman!
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Abundantly blessed and grateful… ❤ May your Christmas and New Year be filled with wonders, Jacqui! xo
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What a lovely story and poem and the card is just precious! Merry Christmas, Bette! ❤️
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Thanks so much for stopping by to enjoy them, Eugenia. Wishing you and yours a beautiful and blessed Christmas & New Year! ❤ xo
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😊
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Great post, Bette! The card by Bentley was adorable and the poem by Irene was well-written.. One of these days I have to get to Maine. It’s not too far from home and nature is beautiful. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
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Thanks so much for your lovely note, Mark. I hope you and your family have a chance to come experience Maine… For me, Maine is poetry. ❤ Wishing you and yours a blessed and beautiful Christmas & New Year!
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Lovely, Bette! How fantastic to connect with Irene, and how generous of you to share her poem.
Wishing you a blessed and Merry Christmas!
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Thanks so much for stopping by, Mae. Wishing you a blessed and Merry Christmas too! ❤ Any chance you would like to contribute to my Maine's Celebration to continue through 2020? It would be great for readers to hear from a Maine vacationer… xo
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Hi, Bette! I would love to contribute.I enjoyed my time the Pine Tree State and hope to return again. Just let me know what I need to do!
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So lovely, Bette! Confirmation that 2020 has wonderful things in store for you 🙂
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Hugs & Happy Holidays to you and yours! ❤
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How wonderful, Bette! I love Bentley’s artwork and Irene’s poem is the perfect partner for it. And all inspired by your book. I love how the world works. Have a fabulous Christmas, Bette.
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Thanks so much, Darlene. ❤ I love them all! Wishing you and yours a beautiful Christmas and God's riches blessings in the New Year, my friend. xo
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Wonderful story and poem. It really gives the warm glow of Christmas celebration.
By the way, Bette, Maine really does lead with big margin as the most forested State.
89% of forest. !!!
No worries about finding a Christmas tree. 😊🎄
Miriam
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Thanks so much, Miriam. Maine’s landscapes, seascapes and people never cease to inspire! Blessed to call The Pine Tree State HOME! ❤ Christmas and New Year blessings to you and your family, dear Miriam. xo
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I wish you and your family a warm and joyful Christmas too. Bless.
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❤️
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Christmas blessings and love, dear Jill! ❤
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Love this, Bette! Merry Christmas!🤣
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Thanks, Jill! ❤ xo
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Wow! What a way to pay a compliment! Love the sentiments and the poem. Stay blessed dear Bette. Merry Christmas.
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Thanks so much for your lovely note, Balroop. Irene’s poem and Bentley’s artwork are priceless portraits of Maine… Blessings and love at Christmas and every day, dear Balroop! ❤ xo
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What a sweet poem for Christmas, Bette. I love she reached out to you to share this. What a gift.
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Thank you for sharing!!.. “Life gives us brief moments with another, but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a lifetime, So live that your memories will be part of your happiness.” (Author Unknown)…
You and yours have a wonderful holiday filled with joy, love and happiness!!.. 🙂
Until we meet again..
May your wishes come true
Your spirit know only peace
Your heart know only love and
Your life’s journey know only happiness
(Larry “Dutch” Woller)
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Thanks so much for your lovely note and wishes, Larry. ❤ May your Christmas and New Year overflow with blessings!
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A Thomas Kincaid painting in words, Bette! Merry Christmas!
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Thanks so much for sharing, Jan. I know that Irene will be delighted that you dropped by to join the conversation and live such a lovely note…I’m right there with you on Irene’s wonderful poem. … May your Christmas be very merry!
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How sweet that a boy inspired a grown woman to write her poem about a Christmas tree. Kids have so much to offer, and I think sometimes people overlook that.
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Kids are amazing! I love that Irene shared her wonderful poem inspired by Bentley’s artwork. They’ve both inspired me… Have a wonderful Christmas and thanks so much for stopping by to share in the celebration, Priscilla! 🙂 xo
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Hello pricilla bettis
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Beautiful, Bette. Giving thanks is so very important.
Have a fabulous day, Bette. Big hug. ♥
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Thank you, Sandee. ❤ Feeling blessed by a fabulous day of fresh fallen snow. Thankful for friends like you and for having the opportunity to meet new friends too! Blessings and love, my friend. ❤ Hugs!
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Loved the poem, Bette!
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How lovely!
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Thank you, Alethea. ❤ Christmas and New Year blessing, my friend. xo
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