My parents named me Jenna and I decided to stick with it. I live in the Saint John Valley: it's UpCountry and there's something special about the place.

Whether it's the river that separates two nations (oh, Canada!) or the potato fields that draw the kids away from their desks each fall, there's always something that makes the County (as in, Aroostook) unique.

Like the fact that the road signs cautioning us to be aware of both horse-drawn carts and roller skiers are but a couple dozen feet apart on the roadside.

Or that when a County resident immigrates to another Maine town, being from 'up here' gives them an advantage in getting a job; we're known for being dependable.

Folks up here speak English, Valley French, and sometimes both (even in the same sentence).

I only speak English, but I hope to learn Valley French some day. Both sides of my family are French and I hear there's a good Thai restaurant across the border. I'd really like to order Pad Thai in French while in Canada. 

I also want to own chickens, rewrite a book, play the mandolin and write songs where the lyrics are recipes for cookies and pies. One time I wanted to walk ten miles and I went ahead and did it. So: there's hope in that.

I'm a big fan of hope. I'm also a fan of: excellent music, caramel, short books and long books. 

I enjoy good pens, large font on a take-out menu, and when the June bugs don't really come out much that year.

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UpCountry Living is a record of what it's like to live in a place like this. I tend to highlight the charm of small town living and I'm an advocate for simple lifestyles and slow days (good thing, because I'm at least 200 miles north of any place with that quickened pace). 

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If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me via the tab above the header. It'd be good to hear from you.