Time away from the familiar causes one to reflect on a great many things. Astonishing to have the precious gift of time that evades most people, who have families consuming much of their days. I, on the other hand, have nothing but time, as I search for a job – in a new place, not of the norms of Maine life.

Being a native Mainer, I took a lot for granted, such as the fragrances to which I have been accustomed:  pine trees, salty ocean breezes, and lilacs perfuming the air. Truly a strange notion to be set apart from the well known, even though it was of my own volition. Though I am certain of the move from the very end of the east coast south to the other, I am in the midst of adjusting.

Adjustments preoccupy every moment of each day so far, but it is a common experience for anyone who has left one place for another. I enjoy the near constant sunshine and the knowledge that I won’t have to battle the sometimes fierce New England winters. No more do I have to become agitated about driving in snow and sleet, nor of being fearfully cautious of black ice. There is a constant, nagging worry that hangs like a fog that won’t lift – will drivers be cautious or will they drive haphazardly.

When I worked at my previous job in Portland, Maine, I traveled the turnpike. It saved me time, and gave me a little confidence.  The personnel who operate the plows are diligent about maintaining the roads, plowing snow and salting it if necessary. Yet, and yet, the uncertainty of what lies ahead and the precariousness of some drivers caused me much grief. Cars and pickup trucks skid off the road – should be a warning to those who may be driving too fast for the weather conditions to slow down. Winter does not easily forgive hasty, mistakes or careless driving, even though it is in a place they have probably travelled regularly.

Now, I travel unfamiliar roads in Florida’s space coast. However, Maine beckons to me, and I hear John Denver sing “Country Roads” written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Danoff and John Denver:

Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains
Shenandoah River,
Life is old there
Older than the trees
Younger than the mountains
Blowin’ like the breeze
[Chorus]
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads
All my memories gathered ’round her
Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine
Teardrops in my eye
[Chorus]
I hear her voice
In the mornin’ hour she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
And drivin’ down the road I get a feelin’
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Take me home, now country roads
Take me home, now country roads

I know the lyrics don’t mention Maine or New England, but the very core of the song is about the known and how country roads take me home. You may even feel like you want to hear John Denver’s song.

My country roads smell of the sharp scent of pine trees; lulling, sweet scent of poplars; and undulating, intoxicating timothy ready to be mowed. One can be distant from familiar roads, but in an instant memories take one back to rumbling in a pickup truck through the rough dirt roads that take you home.