Sorry, can’t chat! Grandma is visiting for a few days and I have all sorts of things planned for her Maine vacation! Our Grandma is from “away,” which loosely translates to anyplace other than Maine. Therefore, Asa and I want to show her why the state motto is “Maine: The Way Life Should Be!” However, Grandma is also a creature of habit, so it is my goal to show her the Maine perspective on her daily routine.

Grandma insists on starting each day with a walk and yoga. So as a gracious host I will be accommodating that request, but with a Maine twist. I will take her to the beach so she can perform this daily routine surrounded by the soothing sound of the ocean, the smell of salt air, and the unique texture of sand. Namaste, Grandma! I even promise to let her wander around off-leash.

Now if Grandma has taught us anything it is that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Mainers take that one step further by insisting that it is served fresh. So when we return from the beach we will partake in a quintessential Maine activity, namely picking wild blueberries! There is a reason why Maine’s official state fruit is the wild blueberry, they are everywhere.  This includes our backyard. So I will show Grandma where the best blueberries grow, so that she can enjoy them with her breakfast. Also our bees have been kind enough to make a lot of honey this summer, so Grandma can enjoy Maine made honey in her tea.

By mid-morning we will divert Grandma from her usual routine. Vacations, after all, are all about taking a break and slowing down. Would you believe Grandma is always on the go and even more fidgety than Asa? Well luckily for her, Mainers know the value of slowing down. So I am going to introduce Grandma to the art of porch sitting. I understand this could be a difficult task for Grandma, so I put some of my favorite books about Maine out on the porch next to the rocking chair. I’m sure it will only be a matter of time before Grandma will be mesmerized by the slow rhythm of the rocking chair, while surrounded by the sights and smells of nature. But just to be on the safe side, to add to the experience, I’ve requested that our resident hummingbird to make an appearance. But you know how they are always flitting about in a rush! Well actually, Grandma does know! That’s why I want her to slow down, and be more like the wild turkeys slowly sauntering across the yard.

Grandma will only sit for so long, so by the afternoon Asa and I plan to hit the trails with her. From scenic oceanside walks, to more rugged trails meandering through the woods, Maine has all sorts of options for us to keep her entertained during her visit. The problem will be picking which of our favorite dog friendly places to show her!

Now a visit to Maine wouldn’t be complete without lobster. Can you keep a secret? Dad is planning to surprise Grandma with his world famous lobster rolls! Ok, so maybe they’re not world famous, but our family sure looks forward to them. Duke, the Bush’s Bake Beans dog, may be sworn to secrecy about the family recipe, but this Golden Retriever is all about sharing. Besides, Mom and Dad never share their lobster with me, so I might as well give away their secret recipe! The secret to the perfect lobster roll is grilling the bun in butter and skipping the mayonnaise. Paws crossed maybe Grandma will share her lobster with me as a thank you for the perfect week she will enjoy here in Maine. Now if you’ll please excuse me…