Just about every summer my wife and I make a point of going to Pawlet Vermont, to see whose picture adorns the home of an artist that lives by the dam there. Judging by my pictures, we didn’t make it last year, so I don’t know who was up there, but I was betting Barack would make it this year, assuming he wasn’t up there last year. In the past, the images have been of iconic individuals. Two years ago it was Willie Nelson.
A few years before that, another recognizable face.
I think the artist told us that Hillary Clinton made it one year. I don’t think it would have been hard to recognize her.
So imagine my chagrin this year when I saw this face.
I have no idea who this is. Is she an icon? The place didn’t seem open for business, so there was no one to ask. Now, there are two possibilities. First, this is a well known person of some sort that I do not recognize. Second, this year he went with someone he knew personally. Anyone have any idea who it is?
I am once again writing from the Long Trail Brewery, which features great beer and free Wi-Fi. I am blissfully unaware of everything going on in the wide world, with the single exception of the fact that there is a “death panel” debate going on, which is so stupid that I confess I lack the ability to mock it or the interest to discuss it.
So, once again, I present some pictures of Vermont.These animals are not refugees from a Dr. Seuss book, though they certainly appear to be his artistic inspiration. They are, in fact, Alpacas. I am informed by a reliable source that a studly male goes for a princely sum. Their wool is unbelievably soft and warm.
I took a bicycle ride today of approximately 35 miles. It began and ended at our rented house. The first 20 miles or so trend downhill, as is illustrated by this view of the river that runs along route 131.
But, as any seasoned cyclist knows, a round trip means you pay for every downhill. In this case the uphill is on the road from Felchville to Tyson. Felchville appears to be a mythical place. There is a sign in Tyson telling you that it is 10 miles away, but when you get there it is Reading, where there is another sign telling you that, should you reverse direction, you’re 10 miles from Tyson.
Anyway, the road from Felchville to Tyson ascends a ridge for approximately 7.5 of those 10 miles.
Here I must pause and ask why we cyclists inflict such pain on ourselves. There are portions of this road that ascend at a 15 degree rise, at the very least. But, all things must pass, and this is the sight that greeted me when I reached the point which is (save a few negligible climbs amid the downhill ride) the end of the agony. No one can convince me that these faces weren’t put there by a cyclist.
A few weeks ago I posted a picture of a stunned bird, and was surprised to find that the post attracted comments from people who quite obviously knew what they were talking about. The probable cause of the little bird’s problem, as well as its species, was quickly identified. So, here’s another challenge.
We were walking along a dirt road here in Vermont when I chanced to see this clump of vegetation about 20 feet from the road. It is ghostly white. This cluster was the only one in sight. Anyone have any idea what it is?
Since we left for Vermont, Sarah Palin has spoken out about Obama’s death panels. You know, those are the boards that will sentence your granny to death, should the cost of her health care prove too high. Well, we here in Vermont are ready to serve. We’ve already heard a few trial cases, and have delivered some verdicts.
As I write this, I have no idea when I will get close to an internet connection. I last posted from Long Trail Brewery, in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont. It was a bit hectic, and I had already fallen somewhat under the influence of their delightful brews. (Try the sampler, if you ever make it to the brewery).
It’s now Sunday evening, or at least it was Sunday as the keys were pressed when this was written. I don’t know when it will be posted. When I got up this morning the sky was blue and I got into my kayak as the mist, which is always thick in the morning, had mostly risen off the lake. This picture, taken from the kayak, illustrates the perfect stillness at that point in the morning.
You can rotate it 180 degrees and it almost looks the same.
And here’s a picture that illustrates the way the tourists are played to perfection here in the Green Mountain State.
This is Singleton’s Market in Proctorsville, Vermont. You can, in fact, purchase Whiskey, Guns and Ammo (sounds like the title of a Warren Zevon song, doesn’t it) at Singleton’s. You can also purchase $50.00 bottles of port or wine, sundry types of infused balsamic vinegars, marinated meats and other gourmet treats. Singleton’s knows its customer base.
We actually went because the little boy in our company was looking for a slingshot. Singleton’s sells a pro model for $12.95. He eventually opted for a different model from the Vermont Country Store, a decision that soon proved unwise, as it fell apart almost immediately. I got a wool jacket, made right here in Vermont at the Johnson’s Mills.
At the moment I’m at the Long Trail Brewery (featuring free Wi-Fi), drinking Belgian White. Having no idea what is going on out there, I will decline from attempting any political comment. I do understand from my wife’s Iphone (my Blackberry is even more useless up here than in Connecticut) that, after a gorgeous day yesterday, we are looking at days of cloudy weather, but I’m not about to let that get me down.
I’m going to confine myself to posting one picture, and shut this down. This is a shot from the dock by our house, looking, basically, straight down. In other words, it’s a reflection of a tree.
It’s quite likely I’ll be inflicting very little on my hapless readers in the coming days, as my access to news is blessedly rather limited, as is, more unfortunately, my access to the internet.
Tomorrow we are off on our annual sojourn to Vermont, so I thought I’d post something with a Vermont theme.
The only song I could think of was Moonlight in Vermont. Unfortunately, Willie Nelson’s version, which was the first I ever heard and a great rendition, is not available as a video, nor is Ray Charles’, which sounds great. I’m not a big Sinatra fan, but this version with Ella Fitzgerald, is definitely the best video of the song that I could find on youtube.
In keeping with the Vermont theme it occurred to me that a Phish performance would be appropriate, considering that they’re a Vermont band. As you might imagine, there is no shortage of Phish stuff on line. The problem is that I was never a big Phish fan, though you’d never know it judging by my inbox. I made the mistake of downloading something from their website at some point, and have ever since been getting almost daily emails. The point is, I have no idea which of their songs is a greatest hit, and which is merely an album filler. I picked this one, Bouncing around the Room, because there were so many versions of it available. This one was filmed here in Connecticut, on April 29, 1990 at the Woodbury Ski & Raquet Club.
Pity David Lattizori (well, not really) the developer who bought the Perkins Farm in Stonington. All of his plans to destroy develop the parcel have been frustrated, by the residents of the nearby Stone Ridge retirement community, which itself sits on land only recently raped by another developer. Per usual, it’s the folks who took advantage of the most recent destruction who speak out most vociferously against more of the same.
The protestors have a point, of course. We don’t need more upscale shops, or more hotels, and the “increased” tax revenues may represent a zero sum game, at best. Money spent in one place in Stonington cannot be spent elsewhere.
Actually, it will be interesting to see, should Lattizori get his zone change, whether he does apply for an incentive for a project that even he admits could not presently get financing.
This morning’s Times carries a puff piece about health insurance lobbyist Karen M. Ignagni, the point person for the Insurance Industry’s drive to destroy health care reform. It seems that the misunderstood insurance companies and their lobbyists were taking a friendly approach to health care reform and are now mystified, totally mystified, at the fact that the Democrats are pointing to them as the chief villains in this many villained drama:
One of the main architects of the friendly approach, Karen M. Ignagni, the industry’s chief lobbyist, personally pledged to President Obama that insurers would not stand in the way of a sweeping overhaul this time.
For a while, it seemed to be working — until recently, when the insurance industry re-emerged as Washington’s favorite target. “Villains,” Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker, called health insurers. And Mr. Obama derided the industry for pocketing “windfall profits.”
Taken aback, Ms. Ignagni, the 55-year-old chief executive of the trade group America’s Health Insurance Plans, wondered on Tuesday why insurers were being singled out when, in her view, they had accepted that change was necessary.
These would all appear to be salient facts, and it would seem it would have behooved the reporter to suggest to Ms. Ignagni that they might explain the mystery she can’t seem to fathom. But, no such thing. Not a word is mentioned about what is obvious to any informed observer, and not a person is quoted in the article who has a different take on the subject.
The Cash for Clunkers program may be out of money, but the Bulkeley House still offers Beer for Cash, or any other alcoholic beverage of your choice. If your choice be non-alcoholic, they will take your cash and turn it into some form of liquid refreshment.
Yes, it is yet again time for that select group of liberals, we few, we happy few, we band of brothers (and sisters) to gather together again and lift a glass and a fork, a knife, sandwiches, whatever, in solidarity with our liberal brethren and sisthren throughout the nation.
Are you liberal enough to make it in this select company? Come to the Bulkeley House (Bank Street, New London) at 6:30 PM on Thursday the 6th and find out.
A few years before that, another recognizable face.
I think the artist told us that Hillary Clinton made it one year. I don’t think it would have been hard to recognize her.
I have no idea who this is. Is she an icon? The place didn’t seem open for business, so there was no one to ask. Now, there are two possibilities. First, this is a well known person of some sort that I do not recognize. Second, this year he went with someone he knew personally. Anyone have any idea who it is?
