By Mary Ellen Shaw Dating is often a time when you try to be good at something…even when you are not! With ski season just beginning I am reminded of my diehard attempts to strap on skis and get from the top to the bottom of Pico. It’s not that I had never skied before,…

By Mary Ellen Shaw Christmas will be celebrated differently for many of us this year thanks to the pandemic. While large gatherings are a “no-no” the spirit of Christmas and its true meaning will remain the same. I noticed Christmas lights went up in our neighborhood in early November. Some people even turned them on…

By Mary Ellen Shaw If you are old enough to be reading this you probably had a summer job during your school days. The winter months were spent searching for places to apply. The types of jobs available to young people today are often quite different than they were back when my husband, Peter, and…

By Mary Ellen Shaw Before the pandemic I was watching a talk show that used to air on ABC. One of the hosts, Keke Palmer, who is her late 20s, said that when she was a child and didn’t know the meaning of a word her parents would tell her to look it up in…

By Mary Ellen Shaw They say that with age comes wisdom. While talking with a friend recently we discussed how a lot of things we thought were “cool” back in the day were actually bad ideas! Many of us baby boomers grew up in houses where parents smoked. Back in the 50s when we were…

By Mary Ellen Shaw Halloween will certainly not be the same this year. The much anticipated parade will not wind its way through downtown Rutland. The crowd that the parade draws is not safe with social distancing guidelines. Sometimes we just have to accept that people who know more than we do have made the…

By Mary Ellen Shaw It’s time to be a “leaf peeper” whether you are visiting us from out of state or live here. In fact Vermonters often need a reminder to get out and enjoy what is right in our own backyard. The colorful display that Mother Nature puts on isn’t cancelled just because we…

By Mary Ellen Shaw I don’t know about you but I find that decorating for autumn can be just as much fun as decorating for Christmas! The yellow, orange and red colors that are prevalent this time of year brighten the days that are getting dark so early. Decorations outside bring cheer not only to…

By Mary Ellen Shaw When the pandemic hit back in March I think we will all agree that it changed our lives in a “New York minute.” Fortunately for us, spring was right around the corner and we could focus on spending time in the garden. When you grow flowers or veggies you always have…

By Mary Ellen Shaw You may not be ready to think about spring bulbs when fall hasn’t arrived yet, but now is the time to do just that! Finding the bulbs you want amidst the pandemic could be a challenge. It’s a good idea to begin the quest now especially if you want a choice…

By Mary Ellen Shaw At this time of year your garden can be pretty full and sometimes you have too much of a good thing! What can you do to get the most out of your crops? The easiest solution is to freeze the items. That may involve a little work before they go in…

By Mary Ellen Shaw If you planted a veggie garden in late May you are looking forward right about now to picking the “fruits of your labor.” At our house we have been enjoying radishes and lettuce for a few weeks. The beet greens are plentiful enough that we have cut them back and steamed…

By Mary Ellen Shaw You may have more free time these days and if you are seeking lighthearted entertainment look no farther than your yard! It’s too nice this time of year to be indoors so pull up an outdoor chair and take a break from your gardening chores. In my younger days I never…

Summer weather is here and many more people seem to have an interest in gardening this year. Some people want to plant flowers and others want to grow their own food. One beneficial effect that has arisen from the pandemic we are living through is the connection to nature that is happening for many people.…

By Mary Ellen Shaw Flowers give pleasure not only to the one who plants them but also to those who view them. I learned that firsthand recently on a couple of occasions. A young local artist, Carrie Pill, asked if she could paint one of my gardens. It is near the city sidewalk making it…