I got lost once again – just the other day. In true Belinda fashion, I found myself driving around in circles and looking fervently for a nonexistent street. I was in Patten and I was late. In my haste, I pulled out in front of a canary yellow semi and the irate driver slammed on his Jake brake and pounded on his monster horn.
At this point, I decided my best bet was to find the Patten Police Department before that angry truck driver decided I was due for a sassing. Unfortunately, and not at all surprisingly, I couldn’t find the police station, either. That semi driver had his own agenda, and my only penance was a sour look and a shake of his fist. “I’m sorry,” I lip synced. He shook his head in response, affirmation of my hopeless state.
I sank back in my car seat, relieved. With the help of my cell phone, I arrived at my destination, 30 minutes late and red faced. The visit itself was delightful and well worth the perilous journey.
My next stop was the Veterans’ Memorial Library. This library is housed in a former Baptist Church and it is one of the most unique and beautiful buildings I have ever had the privilege of entering. At one end of the rectangular-shaped space is a magnificent stained glass window, adorned with various shades of golds, medium greens, and blues. It is stunning!
At the other end of this charming library is a small stage; the site of many children’s programs and plays, I am sure! Amidst the majestic window and stage are rows and rows of books, all alphabetized and neatly stacked on wide, sturdy shelves. In the middle of this arrangement is a medium-sized wooden table, gently marked by many years of use.
High tech equipment is scattered about the room in the form of flat screen monitors and printers, but they are lost in the wonder of authenticity. I lingered for a while, hesitant to leave that magical, whimsical space. I expressed my gratitude to the kind, accommodating librarian and exited through wide, wooden, lovingly scarred church doors.
I decided that I would travel home via Route 11. My plan was to go into Ashland and then continue on to my office in Presque Isle. That stretch of road on Route 11 is breathtaking. I savored the many twists, turns, steep hills and lush green, leafy fingertips that stretched above me, forming an endless awning of protection. Eventually, I realized it was best to find my way back to I-95 after seeing four young and unpredictable moose standing along the roadside; adventure in their eyes and enough power in their long legs to lunge forward into my path in the blink of an eye. The results would be disastrous.
The challenges of the day seemed daunting to me as I pulled into my garage nearly two hours after leaving Patten. I sat there in my car for a few moments, listening half-heartedly to Dr. Laura on Sirius Radio. She was mercilessly reprimanding a young woman for remarrying, even though her children were still in high school.
“What a day!” I whispered to the dark gray dashboard before me. I gathered up my things, closed the garage door, and smiled. In the midst of my wrong turns and unwise choices, there will always be unexpected blessings and I will always find my way home.
Belinda Ouellette lives in Connor TWP with her husband and their Goldendoodle, Barney Rubble. You may contact Belinda at dbwouellette@maine.rr.com.
