In the Still of Vermont

I stopped here at Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co., in a big red barnlike building in Waterbury, before I head home for the drive that inevitably runs about 7 hours, though it takes others maybe 6.

I want to write here, where it's quiet and still, rather than at home, where things can get pretty hectic--and there's a fussy little dog who pees on the floor, dustballs behind the chairs, cracks in the ceiling paint, an often rambunctious, slime-making fifth grader. [Her slime ingredients are carefully lined up on her vanity: glue, food coloring, scented lotion, shaving cream, etc. Blending, pressing, squishing and kneading the soft slime is a stress reliever for Punch. Kids love it and she even peddles it to her friends.]

I asked Meggy to recommend a good cafe where I could sit and write...and she suggested Artisan. It is on my way home. Her brother, sister-in-law and their two daughters visited this past summer from Oregon and told her about it. You step out of the car and smell coffee. I got a regular cup for $1.95. Delicious. The music is great. There is even a coffee school here.

Anyway, here are some signs of Vermont that I loved on this trip. I arrived Saturday at 5 p.m. and am leaving less than 48 hours later, but rested and recharged. It is fun to see my friend and her husband. I'm so grateful Meg and I met on the first night of freshman year at Douglass College!

The Fabric of Vermont

1. Slippy, muddy dirt road this morning. But Meggy told me to turn left at the red barn in her Cady Hill Road neighborhood, so I did, and that helped. But I should have braked sooner when approaching the stop sign. My brakes stuttered a little.
2. Snow on the mountaintop. We drove up to the ski area, so lovely. Flurries. And we popped into the skytop village, stopping in First Chair Alpine Co. shop to browse fashion that works from town to trail, as the saleswoman said. Such beautiful sweaters, hats and gloves. I want to be rich when I walk in that store and feel the soft white hats, see the tapered, zippered sweaters and the little cosmetic bags made from real Swiss army blankets! I want money to be no object, as they say.
3. The cheery, cherry-red "Over Easy" gondolas that carry skiers [or tourists] from one area to another.
4. Mountains, mountains everywhere. Quiet, strong and still. Tranquil and trustworthy. Reminding me of men, women and sleeping bears of few words. They're not going anywhere. They weather storms--and look even prettier for having done so. Rain and snow cannot beat them down. We women can be like mountains. We weather a lot, have some wrinkles and crinkles but are still beautiful, majestic and strong after the storms. People know they can lean on us.
5. Cabot cheese. Yum, I had on my eggs at the Whip Bar & Grill in the Green Mountain Inn [since 1833] and saw Cheddar mashed potatoes listed on menus.
6. The annual crafts fair in South Burlington! Meggy loves to go, and that's why I came this weekend. It was really something. My favorites included: Alchemy Fine Jewelry, with Connie Coleman's slender, wavy, stackable silver rings with precious stones; Sweet Seasons Farm & Artisan Confections, where I bought lovely packaged vegan chocolates for Figgy's Christmas stocking, and a chocolate-dunked marshmallow on a stick for Punch; the beeswax candle booth, have to find card in my car; and Bonnie Doon's Scottish Shortbread, though I should not have bought a pack of 4 for $5 because I ate 3.5 of them and Meg only ate a half. Meggy always likes to visit artist Ellie Tallon's booth. She buys adorable clay Christmas tree ornaments for the little girls in her life, including her two nieces in Oregon and our Punchy. So sweet.
7. White steeples against November skies.
8. People in plaid shirts and sensible boots.
9. The beautiful deer that visits M & G's yard a lot.
10. Hearing about the events at church that Meggy helps with: the chicken potpie supper and the Christmas fair. Darn, my timing was off for both of those!

Well, I would love to write more, but I better go. I have a long road ahead of me.

Punch has Sister to Sister after school with her friend and my sitter/friend Elaine is getting her at 5:15, then bringing her home. I hope to be home by 9 p.m. Dan should be home well before that.

Have a good Monday.