EAST MONTPELIER – My oldest child, Virginia, turned 65 this past week. This sort of thing usually evokes, on social media, the comment, “Goodness! Where did the time go?” I shall avoid that; I know perfectly well where the time has gone since that sunny spring day in Keene Valley,[Read More…]
Columns
Jewel in the Crown Shines Again
HARDWICK – One of the jewels in Hardwick’s village crown shines again. The original Jeudevine Library building has cast off the shadow of mid-twentieth century linoleum, and, under the skilled guidance of Topnotch Floors, has revealed her original late nineteenth century beauty: lustrous, rich red and golden brown oak flooring.[Read More…]
Go Out and Get in the Way
GREENSBORO – U.S. Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis said, “With God we will find a way when there is no way.” He advocated that we “find a way to get in the way. When you see something that is not fair, not right, or not just, you must[Read More…]
Spring Brings Broderick’s Saxon-Merino Lambs
EAST HARDWICK – Spring has sprung, with several new faces arriving to the Green Mountain Merino farmstead. Located in East Hardwick, Kevin and Karen Broderick have been cultivating a symbiotic relationship among the sheep and hops for some time. This year introduces a new line of Saxon-Merino ram genetics, acquired[Read More…]
The House of Life: a Quiet Revolution
GREENSBORO Sister Gail Worcelo strolls through the tranquil grounds of Green Mountain Monastery in Greensboro, pointing out walking trails, gardens and their prayer yurt. When she’s not traveling the world visiting her fellow sisters, she splits her time between prayer and working in these gardens. Those two things are deeply[Read More…]
Of Ferns and Other Fantastic Fractals
READING – Fractals are sometimes referred to as a “visual representation of math.” They can be observed in the spatial arrangements found in many familiar forms, patterns, and shapes in nature: from the branching of trees, ferns, river systems, and lightning, to the patterns found in leaves, seedheads, crystals, seashells,[Read More…]
There is a Place for Annual Flowers
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – In recent years there has been a push to reduce lawn and to substitute native trees, shrubs and perennials that support pollinators and birds. I am all for that. Entomologist Doug Tallamy’s excellent new book, “How Can I Help: Saving Nature in Your Yard” explains the[Read More…]
Rainy, Cool Pattern Breaks Up by Weekend
EAST HARDWICK – Persistent rain the past several days didn’t cause a washout, as intervals of sunshine peeked through broken cloud cover intermittently this weekend. Highs have generally been in the 50s to 60s, which is normal for this time of year. A healthy three quarters of an inch to[Read More…]
If Anything but Friendly, Butt Out
EAST MONTPELIER – Of all the numskull, hammer-headed, misguided, ham-handed, tin-eared ideas floated by our current president (and there have been many, by my count), the one about annexing Canada as a fifty-first state has got to rank in the top 10 world-wide. His supporters claim he was just joking.[Read More…]
Sims Fosters Community Communication and Collaboration
CRAFTSBURY – Katherine Sims founded Green Mountain Farm-to-School, worked as a Vermont House Representative for four years and is currently working as a consultant for nonprofits. She communicates with both the local community and the scientific community to be informed on topics around legislation and nonprofit work. She gave some[Read More…]
What Paul’s “Present Crisis” Means for Us Today
WALDEN – First Corinthians, chapter seven, contains a puzzling passage where Paul writes about marriage and virginity saying: “Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.” (1 Cor 7:26) At first glance, the chapter focuses heavily on personal choices:[Read More…]
Mating Rituals of Muskrats are Sensational
NEW ENGLAND – Muskrat mating is so sensational that songs have been written about it. Fans of 1970s pop music might be familiar with a certain ballad, written by Willis Alan Ramsey and popularized by bands like America and Captain & Tennille, about two anthropomorphic muskrats falling in love. Though[Read More…]
