If it’s summer in Maine, yep, it’s time for a little E.B White

The fade-proof lake behind the store, just like in E.B. White’s day.

I’ll keep this short, because I know you want to get outside.

Yes, somehow summer has arrived, with all the wonders of that short and glorius season in Maine — the humidity, the browntail moth rash, the cars with out-of-state plates going 50 down my speed limit 20 one-lane street.

Some things never change.

In fact, I always think that when spring turns to summer in my town. And if you’ve been reading this blog for a few years, you know where I’m going with this. One of Maine’s best-ever writers, E.B. White, wrote an essay about my town 80 years ago, “Once More to the Lake.” He’d taken his 10-year-old son to the scene of his own childhood summers, and was moved by how little had changed.

And, eight decades later, much of it is still the same. I have yet to find something that captures that feeling of summer, whether it’s in my town or yours, than the words White wrote:

“Summertime, oh, summertime, pattern of life indelible, the fade-proof lake, the woods unshatterable, the pasture with the sweetfern and the juniper forever and ever…”

Now get out there and enjoy it, because you know it’ll be over shortly.

About Maureen Milliken

Maureen Milliken is the author of the Bernie O’Dea mystery series. Follow her on Twitter at @mmilliken47 and like her Facebook page at Maureen Milliken mysteries. Sign up for email updates at maureenmilliken.com. She hosts the podcast Crime&Stuff with her sister Rebecca Milliken.
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2 Responses to If it’s summer in Maine, yep, it’s time for a little E.B White

  1. Brenda Buchanan says:

    Yes! You know I share you admiration for E.B. White’s work, that his prose also moves me deeply. Thanks for bringing him into my morning!

  2. judy says:

    Lovely words, beautiful photo. Enjoy your summer!

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