Musings of a Maine Man Abroad: Prose, Poems, and Plays With a Spattering of Personal Philosophy

by Shand, Robert James

• ISBN13: 9781469782850
• ISBN10: 1469782855
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-03-13
• Publisher: Author Solutions

Summary

Written by a Maine man living in Mexico, this collection of short stories, essays, plays, and poems elicits a kaleidoscope of emotions. These tales are funny, horrible, and uplifting by turns. Author Robert James Shand provides a full disclosure of his personal life, from his experiences as a child growing up in Brewer, Maine, to his thoughts and feelings while living in Mexico. Through his stories, he describes gaining a deeper appreciation for the changing of the seasons in Maine, reflects on celebrating Veterans Day in Mexico, and laughs about the time no one believed that he saw a naked woman running down the street On a more serious note, Shand recalls his experiences serving in Vietnam as well as the traumatic stress he coped with upon returning home. Throughout Musings of a Maine Man Abroad, he maintains and supports his core beliefs about the world, God, and his personal relationship with Jesus.

Excerpts

In the very small town of Brewer, Maine, the chances of anything exciting happening during the long, cold winter is very slim. Folks around here bunker in during winter. They stay to themselves and family. Other than to attend the occasional church and school function, they don't go out much. That's what makes this so remarkable. About a month ago, a series of events changed my life and the life of my life long, best friend, Hadley. The phone rang at about ten past midnight. It was not completely unexpected. It had been snowing and I had the contract to plow the IGA parking lot. I did think it a bit strange that they would be calling this early, or late, depending on your point of view. But it wasn't them, it was the Penobscot County Sheriff's office. The deputy asked me my name and if I was acquainted with a Joseph A. Hadley, of Brewer. Yes, I said, what's this all about ? Could I come to the Emergency Room at Eastern Maine? She would explain there. He was my friend, of course I would be there for him. The things that went through my head on the way from my home to the hospital ranged from suicide to homicide. From someone finally taking all of the shit they could from Hadley and beating it out of him. Or, maybe he needed my special services, again.