I was explaining the accents of Maine to one of my students today. I had to explain the term 'Downeast' and the way people speak. That got me into the tough nature of the rural people in New England and how they have to prepare for winter. I explained about 'cords' of firewood and wood stoves. I have some pictures of woodstoves that I printed earlier in the year for another student. I explained about my 79 year old father and how happy he is with his annual Father's Day present of 5 cords of firewood. We (his children) have it delivered in June and he slowly stores it all in the woodshed by the beginning of July. I mentioned banking the houses and putting up storm windows. And I mentioned the competition between the blackflies and mosquitoes to see which species can consume more human flesh and blood in a summer.

Come to think of it, I'm pretty happy here in the tropics. When do you guys plan to arrive here?