CentralMaine Sunday

J.P. Devine: Fever Dreams and hallucinatory thoughts — Aug. 14, 2022

Oppressive heat, in Maine of all places, led to a swampy, sleepless night for J.P. Devine as his thoughts lurched from Hoffa to O'Toole.

J.P. Devine - August 14, 2022

J.P. Devinee: Got the HORN? — Aug. 7, 2022

Cautiously passing the time on a summer day, J.P. Devine observes others who are oblivious of the horrors of HORN.

J.P. Devine - July 31, 2022

J.P. Devine: The keeper of the flame — July 31, 2022

Many characters come in and out of J.P.'s stories, and some of them are potent reminders of a past that remembers.

J.P. Devine - July 24, 2022

J.P. Devine: Joke's on the humorist — July 17, 2022

In these harsh days of the pandemic and other calamities, it's a tough job being an "intellectual who uses humor, or wit, in writing or public speaking," J.P. Devine says.

J.P. Devine - July 10, 2022

J.P. Devine: The enchanted cottage — July 10, 2022

Family will soon be visiting the Devine household, bringing with them an eye for a presentable movie set, J.P. Devine says.

J.P. Devine - July 3, 2022

J.P. Devine: The fire last time — July 3, 2022

The fires of the past burn brightly as J.P. Devine reflects on the Supreme Court's landmark decision before the Fourth of July.

J.P. Devine: Hello? Goodbye. — June 26, 2022

J.P. Devine says goodbye to New York City's last phone booth.

J.P. Devine - June 26, 2022

J.P.Devine - June 12, 2022

J.P.Devine: Strange faces in heaven — June 12, 2022

J.P. Devine imagines the most interesting people you could meet and question in the afterlife.

J.P. Devine: With a hole in it — June 5, 2022

A long romance with bagels slipped away only to be rekindled again, J.P. Devine says.

J.P.Devine: Three bitcoins in the fountain? — May 29, 2022

From an old fountain to upgrades at a city park, Waterville may be doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, J.P. Devine says.

J.P.Devine - May 29, 2022

J.P. Devine: What a way to go — May 22, 2022

Thinking about what it means to "pass," J.P. Devine mulls how to mark the occasion of crossing over to the other side.

J.P. Devine: Hurry, it's May! — May 15, 2022

Rising temperatures lift J.P. Devine's spirits, despite an increase in COVID cases.

J.P. Devine - May 8, 2022

J.P. Devine: Whatcha gonna do with all that dough? — May 8, 2022

For many Americans, it’s pretty hard to sit at the dinner table these days and not talk about anything but money, J.P. Devine says.

J.P.Devine: Just like in the movies? — May 1, 2022

J.P. considers how much life and the movies imitate each other.

J.P.Devine - May 1, 2022

J.P.Devine: It's all about stuff — April 24, 2022

Mulling a move to someplace else, J.P. Devine is reminded of all the stuff in their house and how it's tethering them to their Waterville abode.

J.P.Devine - April 24, 2022

J.P. Devine - April 17, 2022

J.P. Devine: The Easter Bunny cometh — April 17, 2022

A lot of scary things are going on right now, so J.P. Devine is thinking of colored eggs, bonnets and baskets and chocolate bunnies.

J.P. Devine - April 10, 2022

J.P. Devine: Face in the crowd — April 10, 2022

On TV, “extras” are those faces in crowds and at parties, cafes and street scenes, with no lines, who now have been upgraded with more dignified titles like “junior artists,” “atmospheres” and “background talent," J.P. Devine says.

J.P. Devine:: Freedom's song — April 3, 2022

Reflecting on his pet, Ms. Kramer, prompts J.P. Devine to ponder the larger question of what it means to be a caged bird.

J.P. Devine: Back from the dead — March 27, 2022

Dreaming of one more outing to the mall in South Portland, J.P. is whistling in the graveyard of memories.

J.P. Devine - March 27, 2022

J.P. Devine - March 20, 2022

J.P. Devine: Work it out, Vlad. Work it out — March 20, 2022

Never count out a former comic. One is now president of Ukraine, J.P. Devine says.

J.P. Devine: Buddy, can you spare a saw? — March 13, 2022

In search for browntail moth nests to wage war against in his yard, J.P. Devine mulls how "it's always somethin'."

J.P. Devine: There are stories here — March 6, 2022

War historically produces great literature, full of blood and anguish and the stories of our lives, J.P. Devine says.

J.P. Devine - March 6, 2022

J.P.Devine - February 27, 2022

Ban my book

J.P.Devine: They're coming for your books — Feb. 27, 2022

Book banners should be careful what they wish for, J.P. Devine says.

J.P Devine: Ukrainians at risk — Feb. 20, 2022

As the world watches whether Russia will invade Ukraine, J.P. Devine has concerns closer to home.

J.P. Devine: To tub or not to tub — Feb. 13, 2022

Childhood memories of using the bathtub have given way to the joys of showering, J.P. Devine says.

J.P Devine - February 6, 2022

J.P Devine: Well, was that fun or what? - Feb. 6, 2022

Enjoying his favorite cereal for dessert, J.P. Devine recalls a childhood moment when his mother introduced him to the magic of snap, crackle and pop.

J.P. Devine - January 30, 2022

J.P. Devine: Touring Waterville - Jan. 30, 2022

Once an eccentric tour guide when he first arrived in Waterville, J.P. Devine told some tall tales to Elm City visitors.

J. P. Devine - January 23, 2022

J. P. Devine: Because my daughter says so — Jan. 23, 2022

JP doesn't have to worry, his daughter lets him know what the wardrobe of this virus war is.

J.P. Devine - January 16, 2022

J.P. Devine: Music to dance by — Jan. 16, 2022

Throughout the years, Kay Devine has always been there for J.P. and others to help them with their "lines," and it's those memories that has J.P. thinking of dancing with She.