
Calls to overhaul Maine probate courts have stalled for half a century. The most vulnerable people may be at risk.
Norman Fisher’s enemy lived within him.
If he didn’t properly mix two medications each day, his diabetes would attack his body and mind. Once, his out-of-control blood sugar left him so delirious that he drove his car into a ditch.

Economic Warfare in Siberia: Destroying Rail Infrastructure || Peter Zeihan
There have been a series of explosions along one of the main lines of the Trans-Siberian rail network. To fully understand the significance of these attacks, we must look at Russian exports, alternative options, and what maintenance looks like.

Christmas by the Sea Parade – Camden, Maine 12/1/2023
Watch this video of the 37 th annual Christmas by the Sea Parade from Camden, Maine, on December 1, 2023. This parade featured more than 37 lighted floats celebrating the season and the communities of Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville, Hope, and Rockland. The parade kicks off a 3 day celebration of the season featuring Santa, caroling, ornament making, cider and cocoa, a handbell ringing concert, a performance of the Nutcracker, and much, much more. If you missed this 2023 celebration, be sure to attend next year. Parade video by Charlie Crockett; commentary by Penny & Charlie Crockett of C2 Productions and Maine Coast TV.

Rockland Parade of Lights 11/25/2023
Watch this video of the Rockland, Maine , Parade of Lights, a highlight of the 3 day post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas celebration – A Festival of Lights. This night parade featured many lighted and animated floats celebrating the midcoast community and Christmas. Trucks and cars were festooned with garlands of lights. On the floats were grinches, santas, live entertainers, and much , much more. Parade commentary by Penny & Charlie Crockett; video and editing by Charlie Crockett.

Images From Maine #167 || Peter Ralston
Dear Friends, When we were young, our mother taught my brothers and me the quiet but deep gratification of sharing a proper Thank You. Every year at Thanksgiving we each wrote a letter to someone of our choice to whom we owed thanks for something in the past year and...

New Tactics in the Ukraine War || Peter Zeihan
From 30,000 feet, the pace of the Ukraine War appears to be slowing and even reaching a stalemate; however, when we zoom in on places like the Dnieper River and Mariupol, we can see the new tactics and strategies being implemented on both sides.
The Ukrainians are beginning to use smaller waves of units to push across the Dnieper and hold ground along the riverbank. If this continues and they can successfully move south, there’s a chance that they can cut off supply routes and stir up some problems for the Russians.

Russia Backs Away From Nuclear Test Ban Treaty || Peter Zeihan
If you were hoping to start your week with some cheery news – it might be best to skip this video. Russia has stepped away from the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, so we have plenty to discuss today.
My initial concerns aren’t about a return to nuclear testing but rather a much darker scenario — that control of Russia’s nuclear arsenal may be compromised. We’ve already seen failures and cracks throughout the Russian military, but have those vulnerabilities made it to the nuclear program?

Escaped emus captivate Washington County
For the past month, a number of emus have been running wild across Washington County. The sightings of the birds, normally native to Australia, have prompted a range of responses from local people, and while some of the birds have reportedly met untimely fates, some have been recovered safely.

Why Electric Vehicles Aren’t The GreenTech Panacea || Peter Zeihan
When the major auto manufacturers start changing their EV plans, it's probably a sign something's not quite right. For all those who think they're better than everyone else because they drive a Tesla, this video is for you... Most people see electric vehicles and...

Images from Maine #164 || Peter Ralston
Dear Friends, It is a supremely gorgeous day here and minutes ago I walked from my studio over to the bridge—all of a one-minute stroll—to make these two images. Well, actually that’s not quite right; I did take my camera along (of course) but it was a little walk to...

Gigabit Fiber Speed on the way to Camden, Maine
For those of you in the Midcoast Maine, some of you south of Camden are starting to be able to get Gigabit Internet service from Fidium. Initial experiences have been high speed, dependable and reasonable pricing. For those in Camden, Maine, another company...

The Third Shale Revolution—Reshoring Manufacturing || Peter Zeihan
The third piece of the shale revolution is all about timing. As the world shifts from globalized supply chains to more localized and secure means of production, utilizing cheaper energy sources and products will be essential.
The US has become the lowest-cost-highest-quality producer of intermediate materials, meaning much of the leg work to restore supply chains and manufacturing has already been done. So what do we have to show for it?

The Second Shale Revolution–Industrial Expansion
So, how did the US use all that crude oil and natural gas produced during the first shale revolution? As the need for industrial expansion grew, so did the American refining industry’s footprint.
That’s the essence of the second shale revolution – America could now turn that crude oil and natural gas into a suite of products, ranging from refined oil to intermediate chemical products.

Images from Maine #163, Port Clyde Fire || Peter Ralston
Dear Friends, A very different sort of missive here today… one of a somber nature but with hope and the best of community woven into it. On September 28th a raging fire immolated the beating heart of Port Clyde, Maine… a beloved fishing village at the southern end of...

The First Shale Revolution–Humble Beginnings || Peter Zeihan
With ExxonMobil's acquisition of Pioneer, it's time to kiss the days of mom-and-pop shale operations goodbye. But before we look at what's next, let's look at the shale journey over the last two decades. Thanks to high oil prices in the early aughts, small shale...

Maine Class A Boys Soccer Camden Hills vs. Messalonskee 10/17/23
Watch this Maine Class A Boys Soccer game between the Windjammers of Camden Hills and the Eagles of Messalonskee. This game was played at CamdenHills Regional High School in Rockport on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. The play-by-play announcer was Charlie Crockett, the statistician Dave Ridley, and the sports videographer Penny Crockett. This game was the last regular season home game for theWindjammers, and the seniors on the team were honored before the beginning of the game.

Maine High School Football Camden Hills vs Spruce Mountain 10/14/23
Watch this Maine High School 8-Man Football game between the Windjammers of Camden Hills and the Phoenix of Spruce Mountain. This game was played at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport on Saturday, October 14, 2023. the play-by-play announcer is Charlie Crockett, and the sports videographer is Penny Crockett.

Maine Class B Girls Soccer Medomak Valley vs. Morse 10/13/23
Watch this Maine Class B Girls Soccer Game between the Panthers of Medomak Valley and the Shipbuilders of Morse. This game was played at Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro on Friday, October 13, 2023. The play-by-play announce is Charlie Crockett and the sports videographer is Penny Crockett. This game was Senior Recognition Day, and seniors Jordan Doughty and Haley Puchalski were honored before the game.

Maine Class A Girls Soccer Camden Hills vs. Hampden Academy 10/10/23
Watch this Maine Class A Girls Soccer Game between the Windjammers of Camden Hills and the Broncos of Hampden Academy. This game was played at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. Before the game, the Windjammer senior players were recognized. The play-by-play announcer is Charlie Crockett, statistician Dave Ridley, and sports videographer Penny Crockett.

Peter Ralston — Images from Maine #162
Dear Friends, I find myself in a reflective state of mind on this foggy, rainy morning and for some reason it got me thinking back to when and why I first started sharing these “hugs from Maine” with you. In that spirit, I am re-sharing the very first one with you,...

Maine Class A Boys Soccer Camden Hills vs. Edward Little 10/6/23
Watch this Maine Class A Boys Soccer game between the Windjammers of Camden Hills and the Red Eddies of Edward Little. This game was played at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport on Friday, October 6, 2023. The play-by-play announcer is Charlie Crockett, the statistician Dave Ridley, and the sports videographer Penny Crockett.

US Discovers Huge Lithium Deposit: What It Means…
Well, it sounds like the US finally decided to join in on the fun and make a lithium discovery of their own. This deposit is - supposedly - the largest ever, and it is located in the McDermitt Caldera near the Oregon-Nevada border. I want to make clear that these are...

Peter Ralston — Images from Maine #161
By Peter Ralston Dear Friends, I am dashing this off to you between Raven cruises. We’re still wonderfully busy here, between our own gallery and the exhibition of my work at Blue Raven Gallery in Rockland… not to mention a handful of remaining Raven days on...

Maine Class B Boys Soccer Medomak Valley vs Oceanside 10/3/23
Watch this Maine Class B Boys Soccer game between the Panthers of Medomak Valley and the Mariners of Oceanside. This game was played at Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro on October 3, 2023. The play-by–play announcer is Charlie Crockett, Statiscian Dave Ridley, and sports videographer Penny Crockett

Maine Class A Girls Soccer: Camden Hills vs Skowhegan 9/30/23
Watch this Maine Class A Girls Soccer game between the Windjammers of Camden Hills and the River Hawks of Skowhegan. This game was played at CamdenHills Regional High School in Rockport on September 30, 2023. The play-by-play announcer is Charlie Crockett , and the sports videographer is Penny Crockett.

Maine Class A Girls Soccer Camden Hills vs Oxford Hills 9/28/23
Watch this maine Class A Girls Soccer game between the Windjammers of Camdne hills and the Vikings of Oxford Hills. this game was played at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport on September 28, 2023. The play-by-play announcer is Charlie Crockett and the sports videographer is Penny Crockett.
Maine Class B Boys Soccer : Medomak Valley vs. Waterville 9/26/23
Watch this Maine Class B Boys Soccer game between the Panthers of Medomak Valley and the Purple Panthers of Waterville. This game was played at Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro on September 26, 2023. The play-by-play announcer is Charlie Crockett and the sports videographer is Penny Crockett.

Camden Maine’s Knox Mill Pond at Sunset
Beautiful picture of the Knox Mill Dam and millpond in Camden, Maine on a fall evening.
Maine, the way life should be!

Chechnya: Russia’s Influence and a Volatile Future
Today, we’re looking at Chechnya’s tumultuous history with Russia and what the future might hold. After two wars, a few decades of nominal Russian control and ruthless leadership, the tides might be turning for Chechnya.
That ruthless leader I mentioned, Ramzan Kadyrov, hasn’t quite set the Chechens up for success. However, as his health comes into question, so does the future of Russia’s role in Chechnya.

Peter Ralston — Images from Maine #160
I apologize for missing last Sunday's note. On one hand I could claim that we were dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Lee, but such an excuse would be worse than simply disingenuous. Truth be told, we were in the lee of Lee here in Rockport, in fact by the time...