Sunny and temps in the 50's today. Uh, that means it's going to be warm. Saw this when heading out to the compost pile the other day.
Yesterday I mentioned Alta Johnson, oldest living resident in Ira. A reader of this blog asked me how old she is. She is 92, but it got me to thinking. The reason I know that she is the oldest person in Ira is because the town has a tradition of bestowing the "Ira Golden Cane" to the oldest person in town and Alta received it just a little bit over a year ago. I happened to be there at the presentation because my wife is one of the movers and shakers in town, and I was there to take photos for the town newsletter.
This is a tradition that has been going on for a long time, no one knows exactly how long. It began with a local family and was adopted by the town elders at some point. There's something very heartwarming about this tradition.
Vermont is a wonderful place to live. In my opinion it has two important characteristics that make it so. One is its great natural beauty and the other is the strong sense of community here. I'm sure that residents of East Wallingford, Shrewsbury, Weybridge, and Salisbury know exactly what I'm talking about. Life is not always easy out here in the sticks and neighbors tend to look out for each other.
A number of years ago, I woke up to the sound of a loud CRACK from somewhere in the yard. Went outside to find that a very large limb from an oak tree had broken off and was blocking the lane to our house. I got out my chain saw and began to cut it up. About 10 minutes after I started, I saw my neighbor from the other side of the creek (I know) heading my way. He was accompanied by his son, and he had his chain saw. He said he had heard the crack and figured I could use some help. About 10 minutes after he arrived it was deja vu all over again. Another neighbor appeared with his chain saw and his son for the very same reason. We all made short work of the aforementioned limb. I was a little stunned and very grateful.
These good samaritans weren't friends. For the most part we all just minded our own business, live and let live. But when I needed them, however, they were there for me. I think it may be a dynamic that has died off in many parts of our country. It is good to remember these examples of compassion and caring during the long cold months of winter here on the other side of the creek.
Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day here. It looked like winter but it really wasn't. Temps in the 30's. Snow melt in and alongside country roads. A lot of people were out walking in the afternoon.
Sound of children playing in back yards. Snowbanks diminishing, don't have to guess when pulling out of Kahle Road anymore. Alta Johnson, Ira's oldest living resident, was out sweeping her driveway
I may be embarrassed to admit it, but I pray earthwise, too. I learned to meditate over a decade ago now, and when motherhood made it sometimes impossible to find the time to sit for twenty minutes, twice a day, I found a way to distill a little of that experience. By closing my eyes, however briefly, and resting my thoughts on the core of my perception, I can gain some of the peace that meditation brings me. I have come to think of it as prayer, although I ask for nothing and speak to no one within it. It is a profoundly nonverbal experience, a sharp breath of pure being amid a forest of words. It is an untangling, a moment to feel the true ache of desire, the gentle wash of self-compassion, the heart swell of thanks, the tick tick tick of existence. It is a moment when, alone, I am at my most connected with others. I can feel entirely separate in a crowd of people, but when I close my eyes, it's as though I have waded into a river of all consciousness, bathed in common humanity.
December
Wintering
Katherine May
Last week, I think it was Friday, was a beautiful sunny early spring day. I thought it was about time to bring my truck in to get that vibration in the cab looked at. We dropped the truck off and on the way home, I wanted to check to see if the sap lines to the gathering tank were hooked up, and to see if the sap was running. They were and it was.
About 50 yards up the road there were a couple of state trucks stopped in the road. They were filling in pot holes with asphalt. And about 50 yards up from that, we saw signs of home repairs taking place on the old house that had changed hands over the winter. I guess I'm not the only one who's decided it's time to get going.
What is it they say about March, in like a lion, out like a lamb? March certainly came in with a roar here. It was very windy last night, and is still blowing out there. Sticks and branches scattered all over the place. I took out the compost a little while ago and it was very difficult; very cold, the lane is like a skating rink and it's very difficult going in the crusty snow, if you can even call it snow. I really feel sorry for the deer right now. Saw a couple walking the very steep bank behind our house. It is a south facing slope and I think they are looking for acorns there.
Heading to bed on Saturday night I saw this.
And this.
