A well deserved break

I left California and headed towards Maine. I had mixed feelings. I didn't know what to expect. I just knew I was leaving the chaos behind. During the long flight, I kept wondering what it would be like. For starters, I didn't know if I was being welcomed or dumped upon my grandmother and her husband. I spent a summer with them, but I was 10.

 Camden, Maine was a lot different than Southern California. There were actually seasons. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. There was a lot to see and a lot to do. It was a great place to get mind off of things and get my life back on track. It was very beautiful. Very peaceful.

view of Camden Harbor

The place the kids would go swimming

I went to finish up 9th grade here and thought I might stay for just the summer, but I stayed until the following summer. Actually made some friends here. The lifestyle wasnt as rushed. Gave me time to read, think , and reflect on life.
When I arrived, It was March and  there was still some snow on the ground. I thought it was the greatest thing I ever saw. We lived in a smaller town than the one I had come from and everybody seemed to know who I was. I was Inez and Roy's grandson. It took a little while for me to establish me own identity, but at least they didn't know the people I had just left. This really was a fresh start.
Roy had a tinsmith business that he operated from his home. He was a skilled craftsman. Most of the stuff he made were replica pieces from either colonial or civil war times. Everything from candle holders to multi light chandeliers. A large portion of his business way making metal quilting patterns. I used to work in the shop on some Saturdays and a little bit after school. I enjoyed watching him work. I also enjoyed learning how to work the big metal shear, the various shaping tools and forms, and everything else that went along with it. More importantly, I had a role model. Someone who I looked up to and trusted. Roy was a wonderful man. He treated Inez very well. Inez had been married to Bob's father for a number of years, but things didn't work out. I'm glad things worked out for her and Roy. Inez was very active in politics. She was always involved with some committee or something in addition to helping out in the shop. She was always going to events were the Democratics would be. Peace marches. She was concerned with the nuclear weapons stockpiling. Even up into her final years, she was still very active in politics.