The French, they say, are both artistic and practical. In my experience, that’s hyper true. Perhaps it’s why the country French—whether Provençal, Québécois, or Acadian—all have that simple, rustic beauty and je ne sais pas quoi charisma. Did your ancestors live in a cottage or a castle? A pioneer cabin or a princely manor? As…
During high school, I received an underappreciated Christmas gift from my Downeaster grandparents—a book of poetry, essays, and illustrations featuring aspects of Maine history, legend, and culture. I don’t remember the book’s title or where it may have ended up along the road of life. But one thing I recall with clarity: Within its pages…
The paternal side of my family hails from the historical Republic of Madawaska. They are—or were—Brayons with a culinary legacy of ployes. If you have no idea what any of those are, I’m about to share more about Maine Acadian heritage on the trail of my fictional character Rose Michaud. While St. Martin Parish, Louisiana,…