vermont

Tasha Tudor. Covered Bridges. Mountain View Lunch.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Posing in front of one of the covered bridges that is so Vermont.  A little over 100 still exist when over 900 existed at one time.

Today was about as perfect as could be.  Really the first day of full sun, along with warm temps that peaked at 72 degrees.   We started with a visit to the Tasha Tudor Museum in West Brattleboro, VT.  It is housed above the historical society with two small rooms dedicated to this most eccentric, delightful woman with much to teach us modern day people rushing here and there trying to accomplish all that we can.

Though the museum was small, Tasha’s life was big in richness of joy, living authentically, and truly living to the beat of ones own drum.  This was told in the 45-minute documentary that Tasha did– the only one she allowed anyone to interview her or to be in her home.  I was utterly fascinated and lost in the documentary, hanging on Tasha’s every word.  I loved how she said that her whole life has been a vacation.  She didn’t have any regrets. Though she lived as if she was from the 1800’s, dressed in frocks and without electricity, I really think she knew how to truly live.  She also talked about how getting older is such a joy, as well as she said that death she felt would be “quite exciting.”  She also had plans that when she died of going back to live in the 1800’s, married to a sea captain, sure of that is where she was before.  I have no doubt she did when she passed at the age of 92 in 2008.  Even John said he enjoyed learning about Tasha and that was just icing on the cake for me.

Then off we went to find a place to eat lunch, which was kind of an adventure in itself.  The town was quite busy but we couldn’t find a place where we could eat and enjoy an adult beverage.  Well, the walk and the wait was worth it when we found the Bier Garden up on the roof top that looked over the river and the mountain as the back drop.  I have photo album of it on Facebook.

Then as we traveled back home we made sure to stop at at least one covered bridge.  After visiting the Covered Bridge Museum yesterday I was eager to see a piece of this most nostalgic part of history up close and personal.  More photos on Facebook of two covered bridges we stopped at.

We have been traveling 1 1/2 to 2 hours every day to various places, so tomorrow we are going to stick close to home and just explore whatever we run across.  Though we will take a half hour ride to The Vermont Store that promises to be a step back in time where they sell everything and anything– the hard to find– the things of yesterday– the practical– and fun.  I have a feeling I can spend a few hours there!

 

Vermont. Be Still My Heart.

Posted by Barbara Techel

The minute we saw the welcome sign for Vermont it was as if we left another realm and entered in the stunning majestic of fall in Vermont in all its finest glory of brilliants…  Brilliant oranges, reds, and yellows.  My heart feels very at home here and I had tears in my eyes as we made our decent into the valley of southern Vermont yesterday afternoon. To be surrounded by the mountain and all the color that is a fall feast for your eyes makes me feel incredibly lucky to be here.  All I can think is that God must have been having one amazingly creative day when he thought up Vermont.

We are staying in a quaint little cottage that is about 900 sq. ft.  A wood burning stove, small dining area and living room. My laptop is set up right outside a darling little bowed window looking out over the backyard of fallen leaves. Don’t you just love the front door?  More outside shots and inside of cottage posted on my Facebook page.

Today we traveled about two hours to Shelburne Falls, MA to visit and tour Eddie’s Wheels where Frankie’s wheelchair was made.  That was so delightful and it was so nice to have met Leslie and Eddie Grinnell as well as their hard working and dedicated staff.   I’ll post pictures of that soon.

But here are a few more pictures of our sweet cottage.  I shall never want to return home… but there is no way I could leave my Kylie girl behind, so I will eventually return to Wisconsin.  I miss her already, but she is in good hands with grandpa P. who is staying with her and no doubt spoiling her rotten.

Below is the road leading to our cottage of quaintness…. Be. Still. My. Heart.

I Have Not Fallen Off the Face of the Earth. Special Project in Works.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Photo Credit

I feel bad I’ve not had time to update my blog lately– and quite frankly, I miss it.  But life has been quite busy!  We are getting ready to head to Vermont, my dream destination!  I can hardly contain my excitement and want to just jump out of my skin.  The latest peak color report is that we will be hitting peak color during our visit to Vermont.  I hope to see something similar to the above!

I’ve also been working on a special project that I hope to announce soon, so that has been taking up much of my time.

I don’t know if I will update my blog while on vacation.  I’ll just have to see how it goes. But I do have a very special post that is scheduled to post on Thursday, October 4th, so you may want to watch for it.  I interviewed author and professional dog trainer, Lisa J. Edwards for her upcoming blog tour promoting her book, A Dog Named Boo. I was honored to have been asked to preview her book, along with interview her.  This book is another shining example of the profound love animals have on our lives. You won’t want to miss it!