My fingers move of their own accord, tightening the straps while I press the lever open. I pull just a little bit more before letting the strap fall and wrapping a backup knot. I let both straps fall into the car and shut the door, hopefully keeping the straps from flapping around and breaking…

  This past Sunday, my wife and I decided to do some errands together. So, after breakfast we each knocked out a few household chores before finally jumping in my truck to head out.  We were about a mile down the road when I realized that I had forgotten my cellphone. My first instinct was…

  I didn’t want to do it. But I needed to do it. For both of us. Our marriage of 42 years is solid as a rock—and scrappy. We are a great team, achieving a high level of DIY with everything we do. But harmonious, not so much. I’m a scrapper. He’s internal. We argue,…

   A caterpillar eats and eats, becomes a chrysalis, and after a period of metamorphosis emerges as a beautiful butterfly! Except, sometimes… it doesn’t quite work that way. Occasionally, while sitting on my deck, I spot smallish, orange butterflies landing on our hop plants. Their upper wings, about 2 inches across, are bright orange with…

Horses, They gallop around, As free as the breeze, Prancing and dancing, Under the trees, Eating the grass, Smelling the flowers, As free as the leaves, They let their heart guide them, In a world of their own, Their imagination flowing, Helping them along, You know that you too, Can be free, Letting your heart…

  Recently, I wrote about the idea of the more things change, the more they stay the same.  The way this week begins, will be the way September ends. Other than the regular pace of the Sun and the Moon, nothing changes. Don’t be fooled though. Things that have been stirred up, reassessed and rethought,…

  Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—George Thorogood brings a history of blues-based rock-and-roll to  Rutland’s Paramount Theatre this Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.  Looking back on the genesis of the now famous band, it all started in Delaware. On the evening of December 1, 1973 at the University of Delaware’s Lane Hall, a guitarist, a…

  Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2-3 at 10 a.m.—ORWELL—Reenactors honor the 1776-1777 history of Mount Independence during this living history weekend.   Saturday’s popular handicapped-accessible Baldwin Trail walk, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., features experts at trail stations bringing the site’s history to life. Military tactical, annual reading of Declaration of Independence, and camp life and skill demonstrations.…

Saturday, Sept. 2 at 10 a.m.—QUECHEE—Lords and ladies all are invited to celebrate the falconry, the “sport of kings,” at VINS Nature Center in Quechee from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Experience the history, language, and traditions of this 3,000-year-old practice of hunting alongside a trained raptor. Join us for our flighted raptor programs, practice your archery…

  Saturday, Sept. 2—POULTNEY—An Art, Craft, and food fair, is on tap for Saturday, Labor Day weekend. Stroll along Poultney’s broad Main Street and throughout the village and browse the exhibits and sales of fine artwork and quality crafts. Also, visit the new Slate Quarry Park, Stone Valley Arts, the Poultney Museum of History and Art, …

  Sept. 1 at 5 p.m.—RUTLAND—Friday Night Live, Rutland’s community gathering and live concert series returns to Center St. and Merchants Row on Friday with activities, giveaways, shopping, visiting vendors, food trucks, and of course the free, live outdoor musical performance featuring headliner, “The Dave Mattews Tribute Band,” taking the stage at 8 p.m. Their…

  Wednesday-Saturday, Aug. 30-Sept. 2—WOODSTOCK—Sustainable Woodstock will host two overnight 24-hour e-bike loans so participants can take an e-bike home and try it out. Test one out on a scenic route or commuting to work, the grocery store, etc. The Upper Valley E-Bike Lending Library is sponsoring the event. There are four styles of e-bikes…

  Friday, Sept. 1 — STATEWIDE — Bear hunting season starts in September and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. (VTF&W) reminds hunters to review the bear hunting regulations. Vermont has two bear hunting seasons. The early season, which requires a special bear tag, starts Sept. 1, and continues through Nov. 10 with one exception. Nonresident hunters…

  Thursday, Aug 31 at 7:30 p.m.—RUTLAND—Steve Earle is one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation. A protege of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, he quickly became a master storyteller in his own right, with his songs being recorded by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, The Pretenders, and…

  Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2-3—PLYMOUTH—During Labor Day Weekend the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch, comes alive with the 18th Plymouth Folk and Blues Festival on Saturday, Sept. 2 and Sunday, Sept. 3, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Stars from Vermont and internationally known musicians team up for a lively…