wow.
i looked at
the date of my
last blog post
and i can’t
believe how long
it has been
since i last posted
an update.
well, here’s why…
as you know,
i’ve been working
on this
little project that
is my book
(due out in april 2011 from grand central)
at the moment,
i’m waiting for
what should be
the final round of
revisions to arrive
on my doorstep from
my editor.
the really fun
begins shortly
after that, and i
can’t wait to
share the process with you.
more updates soon.
so…
what have been
up to since
the last proper update?
well, we took a very
quick drive up
the coast to
visit some friends.
on the way there we
stopped to
pick blueberries
then we found
mark, jeffra and mckenna
and hung out with
them at the beach.
the next day we
went to what has
to be the world’s
oldest aquarium
(i don’t know that to be true)
where we watched
the performing seals.
holy shit are
they loud.
later we headed
to another beach
where maddy
ran through the
sand like the
little california gal
she is.
we said goodbye to
our friends and
made the drive
back to los angeles,
halfway home
drove past some of
the spots where
liz
and i spent our
first wedding anniversary.
i didn’t really know
we’d be driving past
them, but after
an unplanned detour
we ended up doing so.
we continued our
drive, stopping for
some photos:
that week
my brother
david and his friend
flew out to
los angeles so
david could take my
old car from
my driveway.
it had been sitting
there, largely untouched,
for quite awhile
so it seemed natural
to give it to him.
i didn’t think it
would be as hard
to see it go
as it actually was,
(it was the car i bought when i first moved to la, and liz was the one who negotiated with the used car dealer to get the price down).
but i felt
great that it
was going to
one of my favorite
dudes in the
whole world.
later that week maddy
hung out with
melanie and i took
brooke to see
the why? concert in pomona.
yeah, it was
mostly for my
enjoyment, but i
had another reason for going…
i needed to get
the songwriter’s permission
to include his lyrics
in my book.
my friend lorieanne
set up the
meeting, and before
the show, yoni
graciously signed
the legal document
my publisher requires…
the amazing thing
is that he’s
allowing me
to use the lyrics
without asking for
anything in return
(aka, he told me i could use his words without paying him, even after i offered to do so).
that’s amazing.
i’ve also been in
contact with
a couple of other songwriters
whose lyrics will
be included in the
book, and they’ve
been equally amazing about
allowing me to reprint
their words
(taking care of these legal requirements really makes this whole thing seem so much more real).
and as if
yoni hadn’t
already done enough
for me, he fulfilled
a life-long
music nerd dream of
mine and dedicated
to me
the song i’m
using in the book.
awesome.
the next weekend,
we went to a
birthday part for
maddy’s friend, sophie.
brooke was
thrilled because
some guy from
some movie was there
and maddy was excited
to play with
some of her
favorite book characters,
watch sophie dance
with an older man,
see some giant bubbles,
get enveloped by
a giant bubble,
and finally,
sample every
sugary snack in
the place.
thankfully there was
some fruit in
the place to
take her attention
away from the candy.
as a bonus, we got
to hang out with
heather, mike and annabelle.
***
the next weekend
maddy stayed
in los angeles
with brooke and
i snuck back
to minnesota for a
weekend with some
dudes from college
(shhhhh…don’t tell my editor).
after a night
that found us
sitting in the
beer cooler
of a bar
until 3:30 am
i woke up the
next morning and
finished some edits
before meeting up
with some of the
dudes for breakfast
at a small town restaurant.
(this is the kind of stuff that really makes me miss minnesota).
someone tried to
convince me i
had taken a longer
trip than
i actually had
we kept driving south,
heading toward
my friend’s dad’s house
for a weekend of
dude stuff.
we rode around in
a boat for
a bit
the rest of
the weekend went
pretty much like that,
but add to it
a poker game
with one of the
coolest 70 year
old guys i’ve
ever met and a
trip to a really
small town
for a wrestling match
that i really can’t
begin to describe.
our driver
made one final
stop that night
(at a bar with children’s play area, no less)
before driving us home.
the next morning
we were on
our way back to
minneapolis, but i
insisted that we
stop to visit a
long forgotten
bit of my childhood.
i spent sunday evening
with a
small portion of
my family, and finally
got a chance to
meet my cousin
josh’s new baby, isla.
the next day
i was on the plane
back to los angeles.
it’s so incredibly weird
to fly without madeline.
i really missed
the wrestling match
we always have when
it’s time for
her to get
buckled in when
the flight’s about
to take off.
brooke picked
me up at the airport
and we headed straight
to maddy’s daycare
to pick her up.
it was the best
greeting ever.
***
the next weekend
was father’s day,
and brooke and
maddy made sure it
was a great one.
they bought
me a new
grill, took me
our for breakfast,
let me spend
as much time in
amoeba as i wanted,
and posed for
photos with me.
(i can’t believe how much bigger she is now. here she is in the same spot on august 5, 2008 and january 9, 2009).
what an awesome day.
***
maddy has been
so incredibly fun
the last few weeks.
(she’s so helpful).
and now she has
a couple
of favorite songs.
in brooke’s car
she listens to the
beach boys and michael jackson,
and in my car
she has far better
options, and lately she’s
been really into
“blood bank” by bon iver,
and “bright lit blue sky” by ariel pink’s haunted graffiti.
in fact, she calls
for both by
name and even
sings along.
(so proud of this kid).
last weekend brooke’s
sister came out
to visit
and we made
sure she spent
a sufficient amount
of time at the beach.
we also made
a stop
at the pier
so that maddy
could have a
lot of fun.
first she had
to measure up
(i use to do this to liz all the time and she would get pissed…see?).
then she was
able to ride.
but before all
of this happened,
she took a direct hit
thanks to a
passing seagull.
i was freaking out
about the shit running
down her forehead, but
i couldn’t jump into
action to clean
her up because
brooke was carrying the
diaper bag.
i yelled for her,
and as she frantically
searched for the
wipes, i snapped
a couple of photos.
maddy is sure
to have a lot
of good luck now
(or so they say).
the next day we
went to maddy’s
favorite park
for a little fun.
we saw a
coyote walking a bit
too close to the place
and after he left
we made our way
to the playground.
***
a few days ago
maddy made my life.
***
this weekend
tom, candee and deb
are coming out to
los angeles to
spend the weekend
with us.
we’re all looking
forward to it
but what they don’t know
(because they’re on the way here)
is that maddy
got sick last night
and slept for only a
couple of hours.
i slept for one.
we should be fun.
i’ll have an update
about the weekend
no later than wednesday.
thanks for your
patience while i
work on this book.
the blog has
suffered as of late,
but i think it’s
made for a pretty
decent book.
finally,
stranger friend/photograper, abbie morrison has a great little blog and she asked me to write a little something for her, which i was honored to do.
check it out if you have a few extra minutes to kill
106 Comments
Morro Bay! I have such great memories of going there when I was younger. I recently revisited and had to make a stop at the aquarium and feed the seals.
um, okay …you only hung out with DUDES the nite of the freezer. ahem!
Do my eyes deceive, or did you trim your beard? PLEASE TELL ME YOU TRIMMED YOUR BEARD.
Awww! I love youuuu daddy! So sweet!
Looking forward to the book.
Those videos are awesome. The end.
(she’s so cute)
Melt! She said “I love you daddy” She is as gorgeous as ever! Love, love her bathing suit! So happy for you and Maddy that you have Brooke in your life! Thanks for the much needed update!
@heather
yes…i trimmed the beard. i couldn’t stand to look at myself.
@sarah
you were there earlier, but you missed the freezer part.
be happy you did.
I LOVE that aquarium. My husband and I discovered it years ago on our many trips between the OC and the Bay Area. We are hoping to take our kids this week when we head back down to the OC for a visit!
Thanks for the update–although I understand you are busy with the book, I miss the updates and pics of you guys!
Matt, this post is magic, the photos and videos are priceless!! So glad that you’ve been having so much fun and that the book is almost done! I hope you’ll be coming to Texas (Dallas) on your book tour! Can’t wait!
Truly amazing that the artists were so kind to let you use lyrics, that’s so powerful!
Much love!
Congrats on getting so far with the book. I truly can’t wait to read it.
Maddie looks wonderfully happy.
Last night I spent about an hour reading the blog of a young Dad with three very young kids whose wife passed away late last year. He is depressed, no hope, imagining 50 Father’s Days ahead – alone.
Reading yours and seeing how happy you are, and seeing that you have someone to make your Father’s Day great, makes me cry. So happy for you. And isn’t it the absolute best when they say I love you for the first time??
Maddy, not Maddie. Maddy, not Maddie! NEXT time I’ll get it right. lol
Congrats on the book coming to completion! Y’all have been busy bees- looks like lots of fun adventures. Loving Maddy’s pink and orange shift. She is just such a little girl now. No longer a baby. Time flies!
Direct hit = grossest thing ever!!!! Thank goodness she’s too little to really remember that.
It’s always a joy to catch up on your blog and see what a lovely lady Maddy has become! I’m so happy that you are all doing so great! Thanks for sharing your life with all of us stranger/friends
The “I love you” video made me smile, but the bird poop on the head pictures cracked me up.
Take care, and I hope to meet you at the Celebration of Hope
I can’t wait to read the book. I should be done with grad school by then and will be looking for something good to read rather than educational journal articles. Loved the photos of Maddie with her “luck” on her forehead, she is precious!
Can’t to read the book. I am really looking forward to it.
Love the pictures. Maddy looks like Liz more and more every day.
Have a great 4th of July !
What happened to your baby and who is that big girl in her place?!?!?!
I think I’ve found my life’s calling-I’m opening a bar with a kid’s play area. Done and done.
PS-I’m literally salivating in anticipation of reading the book. (well, I guess not literally salivating because that is disgusting, but you know what I mean)
Thanks for the update. The I love Daddy video is possibly the sweetest thing ever.
Have to say, I was amazed by how much Maddy looks like your pics of Liz, especially in the “resting” on the playground close up shot. Gorgeous and so much like her mom.
Busy as ever, I see! Everyone looks happy and healthy, so that’s all that matters.
Can’t help but think of the movie quote: “you have a baby…in a bar!” when I look at that child area in the MN bar. Too funny.
Enjoy the 4th!
Love that you went to St. James, MN! I grew up there and know the Downs’ (Anthony is the reason I know about your blog!). My family has a place on Long Lake as well, love it there! You really should have stopped to eat at “China”, it’s the best…or not…lol.
you totally need to take her photo every year in that elevator and frame them. so awesome.
the bird shit made me laugh. lauuuuuuuuugh.
LMAO…only in the sticks of The MN will you find the convenience of a play area in the bar. Looks like a great Dude Weekend was had by all.
The videos are great!
The Seagull story…ah yes, THEY do say it’s good luck to be crapped on from the air. I had a similar experience at the MN Zoo, looooong ago in the tropical building. Some lovely tropical bird got me directly on the top of my head. I’m very lucky indeed
Can’t wait for the book!
I’m excited for this book
Thanks for the update as always. Glad it looks like you had an amazing father’s day! 
OMG she is just too cute
and OMG is that Chris Noth at that kid’s b-day party, aka Mr. Big????? I would have went nuts too !!!!!!!! some guy from some movie— ha ha !!
That is so great! She is too adorable. That I love you video just melts my heart! Is that by chance the Happy Chef man in Mankato?? I too have great memories by that guy!! Love from Minnesota!!
Thanks for the update! I can’t believe how much Maddy has grown either. Time sure does fly.
It looks like you have had a lot of fun and some very special moments these past few weeks. Hopefully you will have a lot more this weekend! Enjoy the holiday and have a blast with the family. Happy 4th!
Maddy has good musical taste.
She looks so gangsta in the measuring photo. And the one really close-up photo of her face, omg, she looks so OLD.
I know and love about half the tracks you suggested on abbiemorrison.com. Will have to listen to the others.
When are you going to break in the new grill (with a larger group of people)?
Matt,
Although we miss your more frequent blog posting, I think that I speak for everyone when I say, WE ARE SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE HAPPY and enjoying time with that cute little peanut of yours. Cannot wait to read your book!
Amanda
Without sounding like a weirdo that thinks she knows you better than she does….I think it is SO great how Brooke is in the picture. It makes me really happy for you to know that she was w/ Maddy while you were away, she made Father’s Day special for you etc. She seems like a wonderful person and I’m really happy for you all.
Matt, I had been wondering where you were! Busy with the book I’m sure. LOVE the videos of Maddy… “Daddy I love you.” What a sweetheart. Getting so big so quickly. I can’t WAYYYT to read the book. Long time reader of this blog. Take care and enjoy some family time… hope the sickies get better!
Love that last video of Maddy telling you she loves you. My eyes are still watering from it:)
And I also spent my childhood stopping to visit the happy chef guy. Every time we went to visit family in Mankato my poor mother had to stop so my brother and I could get out and push the button. Love it!!
Great update. I love in the video how she says, “yeah!” in response to “me?”, kinda like, “duh, of course I love you, silly!”.
Aww, the I love you daddy MELTS me!! Of all the things I can’t wait to hear, that is at the TOP of the list.
Glad to hear that things are going well. Minus the bird shit. G-ross.
Thansk for the update! Maddy is getting so big and adorable as ever! I would have been freaking the f out if I was at that birthday party with Mr B ig too!
yea! thanks for the update. glad everyone is doing good. Love the videos of maddy – too cute.
April 2011!! So exciting!!
I love all your pictures as always but the Running on the beach and the sunset one are my favorites from this post. And where did you get that cheetah suit Maddy had on…so cute!! That birthday party looked interesting-especially with the guy from Sex and the City haha
All of your posts touch my heart in different ways but this one did especially. I have 2 young cousins and the first time hearing them say ‘I love you cousin Anna’ really hit me so I can understand how that felt when Maddy said ‘I love you Daddy!!’ Love that video!!
Best Wishes!!!!! And Happy Belated Fathers Day!
If the kids and I would have gotten together with Brooke and Maddy while you were gone like we planned, I would have blamed my kids for getting her sick (phew)! I hope she feels better soon so we can get together and Maddy can finally meet our bunny!
Great to read a blog update from you – was wondering what had happened to you!
Totally get why Brooke was excited to go to that party – some guy from some movie! Eeeeeek it doesn’t get any BIGger than MR BIG!!
Lovong all the photo’s!
You are awesome. Your girls are lovely. Water runs downhill. The sky is blue. Same old shit, different day.
dear Matt,
wonderful update.
Dear Brooke,
*please* tell me that adorable swimsuit is available for me to purchase somewhere immediately! although it’s probably one of your fab vinatge finds… too, too cute.
So funny… I have a friend in the MN that just had a baby girl named Isla! It must be a common name in the MN.
Thanks for the update!
Yay! I’ve been waiting for an update.
Mady is the cutest thing. She’s such a big girl! Talking and singing. Isn’t it just the best to hear them tell you that they love you? Melts me.
All the pictures are fun! Brooke is so beautiful and sweet and I can tell that she is making you very happy. You’re smiling more, you just look healthy and happy. It’s great. And Brooke loves Mady so much, it’s so precious to see.
The picture of Liz by the measuring stick had me laughing so hard! What a fun memory.
Have a great weekend with family!
Long, long, long time reader…first time poster. Glad you’ve found Brooke!
Maddy is going to kick your ass one day over the bird shit picture but if you hadn’t gotten the shot, all of us readers would have been kicking your ass anyway. Either way, your butt gets whooped.
Maddy is nothing short of absolutely darling. Be proud Matt, you’re an amazing father.
Hope you come through Kansas City on the book tour!
Great update! I just can’t believe how BIG Maddie is getting and what a BIG personality she has. You are doing such a great job.
Such a funny, cute, heart warming post today. She just gets cuter and cuter.
Great update! She is such a beautiful little girl and so lucky to have you. I hope she’s feeling better soon.
The video of her singing is so darn cute! Is that a bruise on her left cheek? I hope she’s OK!
LOVED this post!
Who is taking video while, dare I say, it looks like you are driving?! Is Brooke in the car, too? Do you have a video camera strapped to your rearview mirror?
My one year old stops doing whatever she was doing as soon as the camera comes out.
So glad you are all well.
Lots of love!
PS: I cried when I saw the video of Maddy saying she loves you. That might have been the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.
Serious cuteness overload! I loved hearing her tell you “I love you daddy.”
Nice Anticon shirt.
My goodness, Maddy is such a mini-Liz, isn’t she?
Looking forward to the book! You should come out to DC for a book tour/signing!
I know those seals anywhere! Morro Bay??
If Maddy does the I love you routine with Oliver, you’re in big trouble!
Thanks for the new playlist and formal introduction to Ariel Pink! My teenage son, slobbering black lab and I are driving to Minnesota’s Iron Range tomorrow to spend the 4th at the lake with my parents…suddenly, I am excited forward to the trip with my awesome new songs! (I grabbed a few others from some of the artists for a long playlist of new tunes.) Feel free to post more!
Maybe we saw the same coyote?? The one I saw totally seemed to expect a hand out.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10528017@N04/4695801868/
the happy chef! my husband and i drove by that the other day and we laughed. i told him how you have a lot of pictures taken with these statues and how it made me think of you
then there you are!
i’ve never left a comment before but i’m a regular reader. we’re expecting our first child in december. i’ve always thought you were pretty amazing but getting ready to actually have a child myself…congrats matt – you are doing an awesome job!
Oh Matt – The “I love you” is the best. Made me tear up. You are so incredibly awesome with her, you are an amazing dad. Maddy is very lucky.
Love the videos. (How do you set up the video camera to take shots of her while you’re driving??) Can’t wait to hear more about the book.
@Ashley in the NYC- not vintage, actually… here’s the link! http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=432830&CategoryID=12420
Looks like you guys have been staying busy! I need to get myself to the beach soon—you’ve inspired me—although I hope the seagulls stay away. I can’t wait to read the book!!
It is amazing to see how much Maddy looks like her mom! She is all mommy! Thank God for that one!!! Great post!
Matt, been following you since the beginning. You are inspiring. Hey, were you at LAX recently? I think I walked by you, and my daughter was angry that I didn’t say hi. Anyway, happy to know you blog less. We miss you, but we are happy you live more joyfully and take the time to share moments of bliss and reflection with all of us.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for the update! Maddy gets BIGGER with every post! And she talks SO clearly for a kid her age!
Can’t wait for your book! I, too, hope you come through Missouri when you do your book tour!!
I’m also jealous that you got to spend time with the Spohr family! Little Annnie is running a close second to Maddy in the cuteness contest!
I got teary seeing the measuring up pic of Maddy and then the one of Liz.
I also had a bird crap right on my forehead, in my hair, and I never told a single soul because I was too embarrassed. I’m not sure why, it’s not like I encouraged the bird to shit on my head.
So good to see an update from you, Matt.
Look at how big your girl is growing. Amazing. 
I love the videos and the pictures. the seagull poop one is just priceless. =P I love the pic of her before the one of them going down the slide. The expression on her face is just priceless. 
April 2011 huh? I’ll be sure to set aside some tax money for that book because I sure do want it! will be looking forward to your next update. 
Damn Brooke, you make that suit look 10x hotter and yet classier, too. You have such great style.
Love the post, glad to hear an update!
you all look just wonderful, and can i tell you how excited i am for your book?!
Wow, what a wonderful time you’ve been having. If you don’t mind I will be checking back in from time to time for plugs on the book!
Great post. The “bird crap = good luck” is no joke. That happened to my wife on the way to breakfast one day, and later that day part of her family that she hasn’t spoken to in years and din’t know how to find called her. They have been reconnected ever since and has essentially doubled the amount of family she has now. I even think something good is going to happen now when a bird makes a deposit on my car.
Keep up the good work.
best morning ever – no fricken doubt
I loved the music post on your friend’s blog! I credit you for introducing me to Iron & Wine which I love, so I can’t wait to check out the rest of your picks! And re: John Mayer..I’ll give you that he’s the king of the douchebags, but have you listened to anything of his since “your body is a wonderland”? Because he has some seriously amazing lyrics. Listen to “slow dancing in a burning room” and “edge of desire”. I also love “the heart of life”.
Anyway, thanks for the update! I think Brooke should do a guest post sometime:)
P.S. I miss the morning pictures of Maddy on the front steps! Are you still taking those?
Damn, April 2011 seems much too far away! Can not wait though!
Ok, maybe I misread this, but…. While reading the blog you did for Abbie, I noticed you said girlfriend (future wife). Were you refering to Liz or are you and Brooke engaged????
Thanks for finally posting! I’ve missed hearing the updates!
The Happy Chef… you stopped at the one in Mankato, correct?
You’re so close to finishing the book that I can just smell the BBQ.
I laughed a bit when I came to read your post today and realized we had just visited the Aquarium you were at in Morro Bay just this afternoon! How funny is that place?!?! The seals were definitely a hit though. Glad you enjoyed the beach, the boys weekend, father’s day and just watching your little girl grow up. You continue to impress me with how amazing that little girl is… great work daddy! Keep on smiling!
@stacy
that was about liz.
I just think it’s great that you’ve found such an awesome partner in Brooke. Can’t imagine that it’s been an easy road for her (or both of you for that matter!) embracing all of this, but through photos and your stories, she seems to have done it effortlessly. It’s so much to fun to see you all enjoying life!
My son is just a few months older than Maddy, but he has autism so he is completely nonverbal. Her “I love you” video meant so much more for me since I’ve yet to hear those words from him. So sweet!
Those videos make me giggle! Especially her running around at daycare and saying she loves you in the car. Precious!
P.S.
I just bought that song off itunes, (“bright lit blue sky” by ariel pink’s haunted graffiti.) Thanks for posting it! I love it!!!
That last video is AWESOME! Love Maddy’s leopard print bathing suit.
You are always seem to have fun! Maddy is a lucky girl. She is getting so big. What a cutie!
Thanks for updating! I check everyday just in case
The I love you video was so sweet!
Um, some guy from a movie?! The one and only Mr. Big from Sex and the City. That’s how you roll in Cali, I see. Fun!
Those videos of Maddy are adorable! Love it when she asks for your hat and then your hair. And I laughed out loud when I saw the bird doo on maddy’s head.
Wait, you refer to him as “some guy” at the birthday party. Oh, Matt, I think Brooke should introduce you to sex and the city: the complete collection.
Great update! You three are adorable as always!
Blood Bank is an excellent song. Good to hear from you again. Congrats on the book. Many many.
Steph
Welcome back! Truly missed you and loved the update. Good luck with the edits….
I love the video of Maddy singing! My little man asks for Incubus, 311, and Tool and loves to sing right along with them. It’s a nice change from the Yo Gabba Gabba songs!
You guys HAVE been busy! It’s great to read another wonderful blog post! Maddy is getting sooo big! She is too cute! I’m glad to see everyone having a great time. I have to say…Brooke needs to come out and do a closet make-over for me! LOL Don’t stay away so long next time!
It was Mr. Big at the party !! Now that is awesome..looks like Maddy had a lot of fun !
still here & still reading
Didn’t you promise us a blog update for yesterday?
Great to see where you’ve been in the world lately. nice to see you three together having a good, happy, fun time.Maddy is growing so much (loved her party dress at Sophie’s party!). cheers!
PS Please ask Brooke how she does it to always look so fabulous in each photo!
1) i am so jealous that you guys got to see Chris Noth!
2) maddy just keeps getting cuter
3) brooke is gorgeous!
4) i can’t wait for your book!!
Holy Cats! Tell me you didn’t go to BBQ Days in good ole Belle Plaine! Love it!
holy jumpin hell.. her i love you daddy..really might push me over the edge towards baby number six..HA
ya know i wonder if i spend too long online when i am looking at the photos of that birthday party and think to myself that fuzzy blob in the background weirdly looks like a sphor..and it is.
You can see Mike hold Annabelle in a shot..
and I have no idea who the guy is or from what movie.. but California baby birthday parties are the shiz-nat..and her little friends fat baby legs are heavenly.
So, the friend with the hair and the glasses and the green flip flops. Hawt. That is all.
Matt, you travel so much!!! Omg it must be so much fun. I would go everywhere if I could!Hope you travel more and take pictures please. Enjoy your time.Bye
I am a casual acquaintance of Yoni Wolfe’s and a year or so ago when I read a blog entry you wrote about hearing the song “Brook & Waxing” and how it was playing on your laptop (or something?) when Liz passed away. I sent Yoni the link because I thought he would appreciate the fact that his music has been so important to you. So, I just wanted to say that I’m so thrilled that you were able to meet him in person and that he was able to meet you too. Even though I don’t actually know you, I think you are both awesome people, and I’m not surprised in the slightest that Yoni’s letting you use his lyrics without any kickbacks.
Nice work all around!
AHHHH! Love that you visited Happy Chef in MANKATO, MN. Love that place (actually, just love the statue out front). I went to Gustavus, and drove by there no less than 100 times on my way to Target in ‘Kato.
I think we grew up near eachother (yes, I’m a blog-stalker)…and some of the places you visit when you are here are familiar. I grew up in Orono, and am currently still living here.
Anywho…love the pictures and can’t wait to read your book.