Mountain Meditation

I must confess, I haven’t been honest about our last two weeks in Provence. There’s a bit of trouble in Paradise. The challenges we’re facing traveling abroad as seniors aren’t for the faint of heart! Colette left Marseille for her Avignon home to see her doctor for her annual checkup. She fell on the sidewalk…

Vermont and Provence share the distinction of a charming village and breath-taking view in any direction where you may go. While Vermont is verdant from rainfall and snow, Provence is quite arid despite the Sea since Mistral winds blow away the rain clouds. Both places are noted for rocky outcroppings—Vermont with granite, marble, and quartz,…

The view from Anne and Sebastian’s guest house of the Massif de l’Étoile leaves me speechless and mesmerized. The color and light changes every few minutes (like when our son Danny and I painted the Grand Canyon). Just to the east stands Garlaban Peak (over 2,000 feet like our Killington Dream Lodge). Can you imagine…

Can you feel how the energy changes depending on your location? Which places on Earth stir your soul, pull on your heartstrings, and make you whole? Vermont is a state that settles many minds, lowers blood pressure, and inspires through nature. Vermont is a state that stands for freedom where people come to flee oppression.…

Building our Killington Dream Lodge part 26 in a series on the Dye family adventure By Marguerite Jill Dye We’re headed for Europe as this column comes out to visit with friends and see old and new sites where I’ll paint en plein air like French “artistes.” I’ll take a break from my series of…

Part 26 in a series on the Dye Family Adventure by Marguerite Jill Dye A child’s awe Some of the stress and pressure in our lives was lifted once I quit my job to care for Danny, cook, keep house, and recover from months of sleep loss. My pay was low and child care high,…

Part 25 in a series on the Dye Family Adventure by Marguerite Jill Dye Motherhood, the next frontier We were awe-struck when our son was born. Duane cut the cord and bathed Danny in warm water. I held him on my chest as we fell in love with the sweet little fellow, all rosy red…

Building a Killington Dream Lodge part 24 When my husband Duane and I fled to Vermont to take a break and recover from my miscarriage, we spent time with my parents who were very encouraging as they always were. Dad, also had updates on the house. He’d been hard at work completing projects, both down…

Building a Killington Dream Lodge part 23 Duane and I spent time in Vermont when we could get away for long weekends. Duane enjoyed helping Dad catch up with two-man jobs delayed due to his cancer surgery. They talked while they worked about their lives, careers, golf, fishing, and other guy stuff. Dad listened intently…

Building a Killington Dream Lodge, part 22 Bright Vermont moonlight flooded the great room as we entered the upstairs of the Killington dream lodge. Flickering firelight from Dad’s new wood stove danced across ceiling, walls, and floor. The aroma of gingerbread filled our nostrils. Mom placed it on the counter to cool and cried out…

Building our Killington Dream Lodge, part 22 Vermont was the best healing balm for Dad’s cancer and my Argentine trauma. Our spirits were truly at home in our Dream Lodge where my parents had just moved upstairs! I ran up the real steps (the slanted ladder was long gone) and let out a cheer when…

Building a Killington Dream Lodge, part 21 Important steps were being taken in building our Killington dream lodge. Dad bought an oil tank and furnace. A septic field was laid out. They were all costly and progress was dictated by a limited budget and work just on weekends. When I completed my Kleiningersheim internship, Dr.…

Building a Killington Dream Lodge, part 20 On frequent weekends and vacation, Dad added sheathing to the outside walls, second hand windows in the bedrooms, and new Portland Glass picture windows across the front of our Killington dream lodge. Sturdy repurposed wooden doors from N.J. offices graced our house. (I helped when here, but sometimes…

Building a Killington Dream Lodge, part 19 By Margeurite Jill Dye I loved spending time in Killington without schedule or deadline after my college graduation. Our friend Ann took us to the Strawberry Festival and Vermont State Fair. My favorites were farm animals, 4-H entries, the petting zoo, and maple creemees. Being in Vermont reconnected…

Building our Killington Dream lodge, Part 18 Mom and Dad were digging in deep to tie us to the state of Vermont and all it stood for like self-reliance, hard work, and the courage to create an authentic life. These qualities to me represented Vermonters and what Dad was striving to accomplish. Mom supported him…