It was a strong possibility that I'd have my stupid period while we were on vacation next week, but I got it this morning, thank god. (We don't leave until Tuesday, and it should be finished by then.) What a weird thing to be happy about, but I am THRILLED, since I had my damn period the other 2 times I traveled out of town this year.

Am I remembering wrong, or is that where your family usually goes?

We usually go to Kennebunkport. But my mom has been having a lot of trouble walking lately, and definitely won't be able to walk on sand. Old Orchard has hotels right on the beach where she can sit on her balcony and see the ocean. Kennebunkport doesn't have that (except for some houses to rent, but we weren't organized enough to do that when there were any still available.)

Is that about a half-hour away from Portland? It's got quite a foodie's paradise rep these days. I hope the issue gets resolved. I'm with Laura. This can be such a chore.

It is pretty close to Portland. And Portland does have a lot of great food. All of which my mother does not want to eat, because it isn't "Maine food." I made a point of making sure that every restaurant I suggested had some kind of lobster or shrimp on the menu, but apparently lobster rolls or lobster within a dish doesn't count -- it has to be whole lobster. (I think my sister and I will go into Portland on our own a couple times.)

How is lobster roll not Maine enough? I am confused.

How is lobster roll not Maine enough? I am confused.

It's not a whole lobster. It's maybe OK for once in a while, but it doesn't count as eating lobster.

But it's one of the most Maine dishes there is.

But it's one of the most Maine dishes there is.

After those terrifying bright red hot dogs!

There is no logic to be found here.

I get Hil's mom on the whole lobster. I wouldn't count a lobster roll, or lobster pie, or lazy man's lobster as meeting my Maine vacation lobster meal goal. The lobster roll is its own category -- one that also has to be met.

Did you all see the viral coverage of the woman who had her lobster roll snatched by a seagull? It made the rounds a couple of weeks ago. [link]

That's at Cape Neddick Light ("Nubble Light"), which is right where we vacation in Maine.

She got that lobster roll from Fox's, which is SO not worth the money. I mean, I'm sure they make a fine lobster roll, but not only did she have to pay twice to finally eat a lobster roll on the coast -- the first roll cost between two and three times what she should have paid in the first place.

Yeah, but it sounds like every meal has to include the option of a whole lobster. Which is a lot.

Clearly Cindy and Hil's mom would make good vacation meal partners.