Welcome to Vacationland
- Maine is known as Vacationland. From pristine wilderness to pine forest mountain ranges to crystal clear waterways and majestic shorelines, Maine is a perfect place to spend your vacation.
- Maine (nicknamed The Pine Tree State), has 6,000 pristine lakes and ponds for residents and visitors to savor and explore.
- Maine officially celebrates its Bicentennial on March 15, 2020.
I’m delighted that Mae Clair stopped by to help celebrate Maine’s 200th birthday! Mae is one of my favorite authors. I invite you to check out her bio, website and books—you’ll find mystery and suspense at its best. ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
Mae took this glorious photo in late September 2019 during her first Maine vacation. (Note: postcard frame and text added by me.) I think you’ll agree that Mae’s haiku is exquisite.
Outdoor cathedral
Sun fire and water as one
Tranquility speaks
More from Mae…
In late September of 2019, I had the pleasure of visiting Maine for the first time. My husband and I stayed in a beautiful A-frame overlooking Flanders Pond in the small town of Sullivan. We drove to Bar Harbor twice and spent a day in Freeport, but I think I enjoyed our moments on the deck watching the sun set, the most.
The photo I’m sharing today doesn’t quite capture the magic and fire of the sun when it sinks behind Flanders Pond, but the moments were spectacular—just like everything else we discovered in Maine. Naturally, we’re already talking about returning in the future. ~ Mae Clair
Mae Clair, Author
Mystery and Suspense, Flavored with Folklore
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The Power of Poetry
How Readers & Writers of All Ages Benefit from Poetry
- Improves Verbal Skills & Memory
- Enhances Cognitive Function
- Develops Empathy & Insight
- Encourages Creativity
Bette A. Stevens is celebrating Maine’s Bicentennial on her blog all year long through her new release, My Maine, Haiku through the Seasons (Poetry & Photography Collection). She’s inviting friends and readers to join in the celebration with their own photo and haiku creations highlighting The Pine Tree State.
Whether you’re a Mainer or from away, I invite you to join me as I celebrate #Maine2020 by submitting one of your favorite photos taken in “The Pine Tree State” and writing a haiku too! I’ll be publishing submissions here on my blog throughout 2020. Simply email me at bettestevens@tds.net SUBJECT: “Maine Bicentennial Haiku.”
“A nature-filled land that enlivens the senses and soothes the soul
—to me, Maine is poetry.”
~ Bette A. Stevens
“See Maine through the eye of a poet…”
Grab a copy of My Maine, Haiku through the Seasons today!
Comments on: "Celebrating #Maine2020 through Poetry with author Mae Clair" (89)
What a beautiful photo by Mae of Flanders Pond!
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I’m with you, Mark. Mae’s photograph is exquisite! Thanks so much for stopping by to enjoy and join the conversation. Have a great week, stay safe and well, my friend.
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Big post
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Wonderful post, Bette & Mae! I’ve never been to Maine, but this post certainly makes me wish I had. Great pic and poem. ❤️
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Thanks so much for stopping by to check out Mae’s Maine treasures, Kevin! 🙂
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You captured the soul of Maine in this photo! Amazing. Cheers to Bette and Mae for sharing the glory of Maine. 💙
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Agreed! So glad you stopped by to savor Mae’s contributions, Pam. 🙂
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👏😍
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Thank you for sharing Mae’s stunning photo of Flanders Pond and the beautiful poem. It’s exciting time to celebrate the 200th birthday of Maine. Enjoy the festivity, Bette.
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Thanks so much, dear Miriam. 🙂
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You’re welcome,Bette. 🙂
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So pretty! Many thanks for sharing with us 🙂
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Many thanks for visiting and commenting!
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Thank you, da-Al! 🙂
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This is a lovely poem by Mae Clair, Bette. She is a fabulous author.
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That is so kind of you to say, Robbie. Thank you so much! 🙂
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I’m with you all the way, Robbie! 🙂 Thanks so much. xo
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Maine has always called to me to come to visit and explore! I love the sunset over the pond, I think you captured that moment perfectly in that and the haiku, Mae.
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Thanks so much, Denise. I was intimidated to try a haiku but found it a wonderful experience in creativity. And the setting was just stupendous!
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Thanks, Denise. I’m with you–perfect photo and haiku too! ❤
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A lovely haiku by Mae, Bette. Thank you both. ♥♥
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Hi, Billy Ray. Many thanks for those kind words. This was my first attempt at a haiku. I think the setting truly inspired me!
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Thanks so much, Billy Ray. 🙂
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♥♥♥
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It is a place I’d love to visit! Great post!
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Maine is definitely well worth the visit, Jan!
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Thanks so much, Jan! ❤ Hope you'll get to experience the magic of Maine in person one day… xo
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Super photo and Haiku, Mae. Thanks, Bette for having Mae here today
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Thanks so much, John! 🙂
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Thanks so much, John. I was delighted when Bette asked me to visit!
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Bette, thank you so much for inviting me to your blog and for that lovely intro. Discovering Maine (and how to write a haiku, LOL), was a wonderful experience. I’m sure my husband and I will visit again. I can see why you love living where you do as much as you do. Maine is enchanting!
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The thanks belong to you, dear Mae! Such a sensational birthday gift to our beloved Pine Tree State… Hugs! ❤
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🙂
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She had a beautiful view from her deck indeed. I would have enjoyed that the most too.
Have a fabulous day and week, Bette. ♥
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Hi, Sandee. It was absolutely beautiful and so serene. The skies were simply spectacular when the sun set!
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What a view… ❤ Thanks so much for stopping by to enjoy Mae's lovely view and haiku, Sandee! xo
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What a fantastic post! Love that image and Mae’s haiku adds a special charm to it! Thanks for sharing the beauty Bette, Maine is so far from me… still I would keep it on my wish list. 🙂
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I’m glad you enjoyed the haiku, Balroop. It was my first attempt at writing one, and I would love to experiment again. Hubby and I both fell in love with Bette’s home state and definitely plan to go back again!
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Maine magic… as pure as California gold! ❤ Hugs and blessings, dear Balroop…
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🦋🤗
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You two really make me want to visit Maine. I think I’ll come in summer.
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Jacqui, when DH and I visited it was the end of September, but the temperatures were highly unusual. We packed mostly for fall weather, but each day was upper 80s. Even the locals we talked to said how odd it was. We had summer temps and fall foliage, LOL!
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First of October it’s over the river and through the woods, to the ocean I must go!
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Yay! Early summer is my favorite time of year… 🙂
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Absolutely beautiful, both photograph and words! Lovely to see Mae featured here, Bette! Great post, and OH, how I’d love to see Maine one day! This has just reminded me of that! 😀 ❤
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Marcia, if you visit, you will surely love it. Hubby and I were both smitten from the get-go! 🙂
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There’s no place like Maine… ❤ "The way life should be"–come soothe the soul. xo
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Beautiful! I’ve always wanted to visit Maine.
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I highly recommend a trip, Valeria 🙂
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I hope a trip is in my future one day soon! ☺️
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A perfect vacation getaway destination, Valeria… Mae’s post is awesome! Thanks so much for stopping by tor a visit! Do come again… ❤
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I definitely will! Thanks, Bette!
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How fun to share Mae’s experience in Maine. It is vacationland, especially in summer. Bar Harbor is one of my favorite spots (Maine lobster… yum). Beautiful photo and haiku. Thanks for the morning smile, Mae and Bette. 🙂
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Diana, I was amazed how lobster is EVERYWHERE! It’s always been part of my bio, how much I love it, but in Pennsylvania we normally get cold water lobsters from elsewhere. We have to order online to get good Maine tales. I was also enthralled by the number of lobster pots off Bar Harbor. Mindblowing, LOL!
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We don’t have lobster on the West Coast, so I miss it! My husband and I have talked about going back just to sit by the water and gorge. 🙂
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🙂
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So glad you stopped by for a fresh taste of Maine, Diana! 🙂
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What a lovely way to celebrate Bette. Maine looks truly beautiful and unspoiled.
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Maine is a treasure… Thanks so much for stopping by to take in a bit of it, Brigid! ❤
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The haiku from Mae’s is lovely, one I wish I had written. Of course, in Florida it would be palm and pines. We live in a preserve with lots of pines.
I associate Maine with lobster – and with a brother-in-law who lives there. Thanks, Bette!
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Hi, Marian! Thank you for the lovely comment about my haiku.
I’m also quite fond of Florida, though I have only visited the panhandle, Orlando, and southern gulf beach locations on various trips. Florida is another place I would like to visit again soon!
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Mae’s offerings are wonderful and I’m delighted you stopped by to enjoy, Marian! The diversity of our nation is amazing–a reason to write haiku wherever we may roam… 🙂 Hugs!
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Mae’s sunset photo is beautiful, and what a lovely haiku.
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Thank you, Priscilla. I had never written a haiku before and was quite intimidated by the idea. Now, I’d like to experiment again with other photos. Bette really opened a door for me in more ways than one, LOL!
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Cheers all around, dear Mae! 🙂
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I’m with you, Priscilla! ❤ Thanks so much for the visit and note… xo
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Beautiful photo and a lovely Haiku. I hope to visit Maine someday. It’s on my bucket list.
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Hi, Joan! Maine is definitely worth a visit. Hubby and I were just talking about returning again last week. It’s just so peaceful!
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Wonderful to have you here today, Mae! Your photo and haiku have brightened our day. ❤
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Hi, Joan. Delighted for your visit and note… You’re sure to fall in love with Maine! 🙂 xo
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I love Mae’s photo and her haiku. Thanks for sharing, Bette!
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Thank you, Jill! The tranquility of Maine was just spectacular!
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Me too, Jill! ❤ Thanks so much for your sweet note… xo
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Lovely, Bette.
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Thanks so much, Norah!
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Bette, you’re single-handedly boosting the tourism of Maine and how wonderful that Mae and her husband could visit! I love her photo and haiku … both exquisite! Hope you’re both having a lovely start to the week! xx😀❤️
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Hi, Annika. Once my husband and I visited “the Pine Tree” state I found it easy to understand why Bette loves it so much!
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❤
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Thanks so much for your visit and note, dear Annika! Hugs & Happy Week to you too! ❤
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I love the poem and picture from Mae. It is obvious how much both of you love Maine. Thanks for sharing, Bette.
Have a lovely week, Ladies 🙂
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Thank you, Harmony. I can still see that exquisite sunset in my mind’s eye!
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Hugs!
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Mae’s a marvel herself! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, Harmony. xo
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blush
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Dear Bette, your beloved and beautiful Maine sounds so very like the land I come from.
Sweden is densely forested. Lakes are in multitude and the coast line so much loved.
I am reading your beautiful Haiku book and understand your love and praise.
Natural beauty is such, it fills the heart.
💕
Miriam
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Dear Miriam, thanks so much for sharing your love for the natural world and Sweden. My maternal grandparents both emigrated from Sweden to US in the late 1800s. ❤ Blessings and love, Bette
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It looks beautiful 🙂
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Sue, it was my first trip to Maine, and I was thoroughly enchanted by its scenic beauty!
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It looks utterly gorgeous, Mae.
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