Blogging about Maine lobster fishing from London?

Me and my oldest daughter in England.

I have been writing my blog, Notes from a lobster fishing village, for over five years now.  During this entire time, I have been living and working in London.  I have often, as others may have, questioned the authenticity of my writing.  Should I really be blogging about Maine lobster fishing and related information when I'm not even based in America, let alone a Maine lobster fishing village?  Wouldn't it be easier and more original for me to blog about something a bit 'closer to home?'

Since I began authoring this blog at the end of 2008, I have gone through some of the most significant, life-changing events I will experience in my time on earth.  I have gotten married.  I have purchased my first home. I have become a mother.  I have lost my mother.  I have given birth to twins.  All while living in a foreign country.

At times, I have felt compelled to blog about the experience of loosing my mother.  There is so much I would love to share with other new Mums who are going through the same thing.  I could fill pages talking about the exquisite sadness of trying to raise a young family without the loving support of your own mother.  How lonely you can feel as a mother, especially during the rough times, to not have your own mother in the background, worrying about you and offering words of encouragement. At the moment, my three-year-old daughter and 9 month old twins all have a vomiting bug.  As do I.   So often during these past few days I have wanted to pick up the phone to my Mum, share everything we've been through and feel her empathy and unconditional love. As time continues to pass, I will strive to keep her spirit and memory alive for my son and daughters, who will never remember her voice, smile or loving embrace.  This all is emotionally rich fodder for a blog.

And there is so much I would love to share with other mothers of twins.  About not feeling guilty if you're devastated when you find out you're pregnant with two babies (I cried for five weeks straight when I was given the news).  About the tremendous physical challenges of a twin pregnancy and the adjustments you must make to your life to welcome two newborns at once (when you'd only been trying for one more)!   And about how, when those babies are born, a double dose of love rushes in and saves the day, melting away so many of your worries.  About how amazing it feels to have two babies cooing at you at once.  About how I now I couldn't imagine there just being one.  About how it is still really, really hard.  About all the challenges and joys I have yet to face on this journey ahead.  Being a Mum to young twins (plus a three-year-old) is an all consuming task and it would be a natural and topical subject for blogging.

Or I could write about the life of an expat in London.  I have lived in the UK for nine years now and I absolutely love it.  My husband is British and still schools me on correct queue etiquette and the art of making tea.  My three-year-old daughter has the sweetest English accent.  I still pinch myself each day when I walk down the road, past the Ye White Hart pub and rowers sculling on the River Thames to bring Anya, in her gingham smock, to nursery school.

Me and 'the kids.'  Which do you think gives me the most trouble : )

Me with my children and my cousin, Madeline.

Or perhaps I should just take a break, especially as life is pretty full on raising three children who are currently under four years old. And yet I soldier on, blogging about the Maine lobster fishing season, lobster recipes and the art of the lobster roll.  Why?  Because I believe this is a story worth telling.  Because I still remember the genuine enthusiasm shown by so many tourists who greeted my father and me at the dock to ask us questions about lobster fishing when I was working as his sternman. Because I remember all the friends and colleagues through the years, who told me I should write a book about lobster fishing when they heard about my unique past (it was this blog that led to my book contract).  Because, I remember how, when I started writing this blog, there was very little quality information on the internet about lobster fishing.  Because I find it even more important to stay connected to my lobster fishing heritage while I'm away from Maine. Because I believe there is no perfect time to pursue your passions.  There is only the present.

 

Standing next to a copy of my book at the Bangor Airport.

Signing books in Downeast Maine.

Some day, I believe this will all come full circle.  I see myself back in Maine.  In my ideal world, that life contains ocean views and a bit more time on my hands.  In that world, I will be able to offer up fresh, first hand accounts of life in a Maine fishing village.  Which has always been my long-term intent for this blog.  Until that day, I will plow through, post after post, with crying kids in the background...or in my arms (I have been known to finish a post by typing with one finger as I clutch a crying kid in the other hand). I will continue to source stories and images from my infrequent trips back to Cutler and from my friends, family and others who keep me inspired and informed.  And while I remain in London,  I hope my love and commitment to the Maine lobster industry shines through in each and every post.