Thursday, October 4, 2012

Vermont

Ahh the hills were alive and they looked beautiful as I traveled through Vermont.  I traveled from the Southwest corner to the Northeast corner in the matter of four days.  It was a whirlwind tour but it was so worth it.  Along the way though, I stopped to eat....alot.   So I am proud to say I ate and drank my way across the state. 
My favorite stop was the farmers market in Manchester.  What a great variety, I only wish I had a stove and refrigerator because there was so much fresh meat there that I could have gotten very creative.  But alas I did not so instead I purchased fresh apples, morning glory muffins, fresh fruit and wheat bread, and a funky new drink called switchel.  Switchel is a drink the farmers use to take out with them to the fields, it is made with vinegar, ginger, water and maple syrup.  Would you expect anything less for a Vermonter?  It took me a few days to get the bravery to try it, and once I did, I loved it.   It is the most thirst quenching, refreshing drink I have ever had, the soda companies should learn how to bottle this stuff. 
Another really yummy stop was The Pantry in Londonderry.  If you are ever in this small little town go to The Pantry.  They have a variety of sandwiches and pasta to choose from so you can not be disappointed.  I personally choose the Maisy.  Which is a breaded zucchini sandwich with tons of mozzarella, asparagus,  basil and roasted red peppers.   It took me two days to eat this sandwich, due to its size and wanting to elongate the enjoyment.  Plus I was able to pick up a local brew, a very soft and yummy peanut butter cookie and a cadbury egg, can life get any better?  I think not.
Now while your traveling through Vermont try and stop in Shrewsbury at the little country store there.  It is not very big in size but it is big in character.  To me it was like stepping into the store on the Waltons.  They have two chairs set up so you can sit and chat with the shop keeper, the glass cases are still there and being used.  You can pick up a little treasure for a gift or some homemade scones.  I choose the scones, apricot to be specific.  This is the second time I have stopped there and it has been worth it every time.  Although this time was more memorable, with all of my graces I decided that I would make a grand entrance.  I do really hate stairs, or should I say they hate me.  Anyhow, I fell face first, or knee first right on the old wooden stairs, and somehow I bounced.  Not only did I have one nasty gouge, but I ended up with two.  How this happened I don't know nor do I want to replicate it to find out. Needless to say it was a grand entrance and got everyones attention.

Along the way though I did get to see some beautiful churches.  There is nothing more peaceful then seeing an old church in the middle of nowhere and taking a moment to enjoy it.  Plus they have some of the coolest cemeteries. I have seen everything from dragons to pyramids and the burial site of a lady originally from England with a long title.  I am sure I would enjoy her story of how she ended up in a country cemetery surrounded by woods when she traveled so far from her native home.

I hope you have enjoyed my adventure in Vermont.  I did this go around, but I am also glad to be home.  It has been a long summer and now I am ready to travel only through my books for a while.  Who am I kidding, I only get a four week reprieve and then I am off to Illinois.  I can't wait to see what adventure awaits me there. 

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Who is Big Brother


My goal lately has been to read all of the books on the BBC list of 100 books everyone should read,  http://www.librarything.com/topic/61828.  So far I have read or listened to .......drum roll please.......16 books.  That does not seem like alot but it really has changed my genres and point of view.  I must comment though, I wish they would add "The Grapes of Wrath" to the list, how is it this book did not end up on the list?  This book has turned into one of my top 5 books ever, it really opens your mind and heart to those that were affected by the dust bowl and those who may be affected again if the crops keep failing.
One of the recent books I listened to while traveling through Vermont was "1984".  Now that is a thought provoking book if I must say so, it really left me with many deep thoughts.  Although the world is not as predicted it would be by 1984, you have to ask yourself is it too far off the mark though?  One of the main themes throughout the book is that Big Brother is always watching.  Is he watching you right now?  Think not, try again.  As I was traveling I noticed the billboards for reporting underage drinking, who do you think that is?  Big Brother.  I noticed a billboard for you to report insurance fraud, who do you think that is?  Big Brother.  We are taught as a society to watch each other and encouraged to report on those we feel are not conforming to society or trying to get ahead by cheating.  That sounds alot like Big Brother to me.  In the book Big Brother does not really exist, he is a fictional figure to bring peace to everyone.   On all of those billboards not one has a picture of who to report to, but yet if we call in on someone it will bring us peace of mind to know we did a good service.  Big Brother once again is here and yet we don't recognize him. 
I also drove through Saratoga Springs while listening to the part where they are giving our main character an insight into what society will be like in the future.  As I drove through town, I noticed how everyone was dressed the same, everyone walked the same, and when they got in their cars, they were all the same.  The most disturbing item though was how in "1984" they mention that no one will care about anyone else, there will be no love.  Observing those walking on the street, I saw very little touching of the partners and many people went out of their way to walk around another person.  Have we really as a society started to make "1984" true or was this a one day observation? 
As I traveled all over this summer I have met alot of great people, and a few that were not so great, but overall it was a fulfilling adventure.  I would hope the events and feeling of "1984" do not come to fruition but I still wonder what kind of world my boys will grow up in and will they too conform to society to the point they loose their identity.  I hope not.  All along I have taught the boys one mantra, " its okay to be different" .  I hope it sticks with them forever and in the future they will not have to worry about Big Brother nor lack of love and feelings as predicted in "1984".  May their world be filled with love, adventure and joy; on their terms and not by someone else.

So how many books have you read from the list?  Maybe by this time next year I can say I have completed the list, or maybe closing in on the finish line :)