Friday, September 26, 2008

Rain on Friday

This is Vermont two days ago.  Today is grey and raining.  I pull into myself when the weather does this. 

I was driving east across Vermont yesterday - the colors were brilliant.  I cursed myself for not having my camera on hand.  This morning I remembered my camera and it rained.  So there you go.


Thursday, September 25, 2008

Soccer Season

I love watching little kids play soccer.  Yesterday I found myself torn between the 3rd/4th grade game and the 5th/6th grade game.  The 5th and 6th graders play with a lot of heart, if not much accuracy.  A big 5th grader chested the ball and the smile didn't leave his face for the rest of the game.  It didn't matter his team didn't win, he'd done his part.  Don't get me wrong, these kids get plenty down when they don't win.  But there is pride in accomplishment as well as winning.

The 3rd and 4th graders a more of a mixed bag.  One or two of the team members play like the dickens.  Racing up and down the field, playing all positions at once.  Putting their bodies on the line.  The rest are luke-warm.  Dancing on the field or calling out messages to their parents.  One little 8-year-old seemed quite surprised when the ball came to her.  She was facing the right way and could have easily kicked it back up the field.  But no.  She swiveled her body around the ball and ran it deliberately right off the side lines.  The road of least resistance I guess.  At least she didn't turn all the way around and put it in her own goal.

Today I watched a Varsity Game.  Our team is made up of 9th through 12th graders - we don't have enough girls for a junior varsity team.  These young women amaze me.  They play with a ferocity and determination that is awesome to see.  We haul injured players out of every game, not because the coach is pushing them irresponsibly, but because they are determined to give back whatever the opposing team throws at them.  And there are some tough girls here in Vermont.

The Autumn is more beautiful each day.  I think it's been 12 years since I've seen Vermont show off like this.  Every day I drive down the road and curse myself for not bringing my camera.  Maybe I'll remember tomorrow…

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Periwinkle Daisies




OK, so they aren't really called periwinkle daisies, but I have no clue what they are so that's what I'm calling them.  I don't remember ever seeing them before this year.  I'm not sure if that's because they are new this year, along with the bumper crop of apples and cherries, or if they were always there and I never noticed.

I am noticing more this year.  A young cousin of mine was in an accident and while he's recovering I'm describing to him "Vermont as I see it."  Well you have to actually look at stuff, and think about how to define it if you want someone to "see" what your saying.  It's made me focus more on what is around me.  That is a real gift.

The sunlight has a hazy quality today.  From where I sit the sky looks clear, but I'm betting there are a few wispy clouds in front of the sun on the other side of the house.

The road passes very close to our house.  It's not widely traveled - maybe 10 cars a day at most.  Fewer in winter.  Today the tall grass growing alongside the our road makes it seem more like a cart path.  It's wider than it looks from my window, two cars can actually pass each other if they are careful, but from here the dirt looks scuffed and narrow.  I can see evidence of the horses that passed by yesterday.  It's so tranquil.  A shaded lane.  A magical path skirting my country home.  If you were lucky enough to stumble upon it you could find yourself here.


Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The Flu Fog

I'm finally coming out of the flu fog.  I should have realized when my youngest came down with it that I couldn't escape but I wasn't prepared for how fast it took me down.  Slept an entire day away.

Today is bright and Sunny, but also crisp and cool.  My favorite fall weather.  I love the fall more than any other season.  No bugs for one.  And the air has this wonderful quality about it, so clean. Al least after the killing frost when there aren't any allergens left floating around!  I think I ditch the computer and go spend some time enjoying the day.

Until later,

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Mice in the walls

When we moved into this old farmhouse the previous owner asked me to tell him if I ever found money in the walls.  The local myth is that old timers used to hide their money in the walls and ceilings of their houses.  Up to this very day I've been tempted to tear out a ceiling or two, partially because they are ugly as sin and deserve to be torn out, but also because some part of me is hoping that I'm rich and don't know it.

But today, as I sit here listening to the mice nibbling the inside of my 200 year-old-walls, I realized that it wouldn't matter if there had been a bundle of cash hidden somewhere in the house.  Even if there once was a wad of bills waiting to be found, by now the mice have chewed it into bedding for their babies and it's useless to me.

Rats.

Monday, September 15, 2008

I've barely started and I'm already wondering if blogging is a good idea.  I use all the best experiences from my life in my novels.  If I've already written them here no one will want to read my novels.  They'd be full of PUS (previously used stuff.) Could my novels be obsolete?

OK - here is my REAL problem.  It's the title.  I'm supposed to put a witty or relevant label on each of my posts.  Yikes!  Most of the time I don't even know what I'm really writing about.  Besides that I write so late at night I can't even make sense of what I'm writing, much less label it.  The dang title looms so large that I haven't been able to make myself write in several days.

Maybe if I were to just number them?

Ah, well, moving on.  Yesterday was hotter and muggier that it's been in ages.  I don't think we had weather that obnoxious all summer.  I'm sure the grass must have grown and inch at least.  At 11 PM last night I was sitting at my computer sweating.  Gross.  I'm hope that's over with for a while.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Early Fall

Well it's turning cold again and the leaves are starting to change color in earnest.  This morning I went out to get the paper a little later than usual.  I think when I wrote you last time the sun hadn't come up over the hill yet.  Well today, when I rounded the apple tree and looked up at the hill the sun was just starting to hit the tops of the trees.  The rest of the hill was still in shadow and it was if the hill was topped with gold.
I ran inside to get my camera and when I got back the sun had moved so I was worried it wasn't as pretty anymore.  But I took a quick look at the photo and even I'm impressed!

Our new kitties went to the Vet yesterday.  (Did I tell you that the farmer down the road handed kittens to my kids?  That's all it took, of course.  Smart man.  Well maybe not so smart as he has about 50 cats and doesn't bother getting them fixed!)

Anyway the kitties names are Azul and Chili Pepper.  They are only about 5 weeks old according to the Vet.  Luckily they are eating hard food and doing fine.  Both are blue eyed and have long black and white coats.  It looks as if Chili may develop tiger stripes as he matures.

Well it's supposed to freeze tonight so I'd better go cover the pumpkins, tomatoes and peppers or they'll go squishy overnight.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Dear Rob…

Wednesday, June 25

Amy and all,

I'm sorry to hear the news of Rob's accident.  Sending love and light in your direction and praying for the best.

Love,
Kate and the rest of the gang.

Why in the World…

In June my fourth cousin Rob was in a horrible accident that left him unharmed - except for a traumatic brain injury.  I've known Rob off and on since he was very little.  My older brother was in a motorcycle accident when he was 16 or 17 but luckily recovered from the same sort of trauma.  My own son has a medical condition that has required neurosurgery on a number of occasions.  

The connection here is that when I found out about Rob I felt compelled to reach out to the family in the only way I knew how - with words.  For weeks I've been sending tales of Vermont to  Rob and his family and until Rob tells me himself that he no longer needs the diversion I will continue to do so.

Meanwhile I'm going to reproduce my little taste of Vermont here - pretty much so that I can bolster my own sense of self importance!

- kate