I was in terrible pain when we arrived in Valence to spend several days with our dear friends. My guardian angels, the DonCoeurs, rescued me from a Pyrenees storm 20 years ago. I was alone on the Camino de Santiago when a violent tempest arrived, leaving me exposed on a cliff top, shivering and terrified.…

The World Stroke Organization notes that more than 12.2 million individuals experience stroke each year across the globe. Perhaps even more telling, the WSO reports that, globally, one in four people over age 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime. Stroke is indeed a threat to public health. However, despite the prevalence of stroke,…

Besides Vermont in general, where do you like to watch your foliage from? We always talk about where the color is the best via location — the state of Vermont even puts out an interactive map where tourists and locals alike can figure out where to spend the day across our great little state. But…

 Last Monday, I put my 20-year-old son on a plane to Melbourne, Australia. All in, he was in the air for over 20 hours. I fly regularly and anything over three hours makes me insane. Sitting in such a cramped space for an extended time makes my body ache and exhausts my mind. I can…

By Meira Droznah  Ah, synchronicity. When you know the Creator  is still arranging  the universe just  for your passage  through it  And you are part of the Arrangement For someone Else.  One big puzzle That fits Together perfectly This is Joy.

Intro I saw on the internet the other day a woman commenting on online dating: “If you are ‘still figuring it out,’ then maybe you should take a minute and do that before dating.”  After thinking about it, I agreed. While I know everyone does things at their own pace and in their own way,…

For the most part, it’s recommended to see a balanced perspective on things. The more points of view you take in, the more likely you’ll gain a well rounded approach to things. The consensus model can be wonderful like that. That said, there has never been a time in history where we have been subjected…

I’ve heard about the Sparkle Barn in Wallingford for years, but never had the chance to go. I drove past it many times, and noticed how cool it looked, but didn’t have time to stop in. Friends told me how much I would like the place, and boy were they right. On June 30th, I…

For the most part, it’s recommended to see a balanced perspective on things. The more points of view you take in, the more likely you’ll gain a well rounded approach to things. The consensus model can be aThat said, there has never been a time in history where we have been subjected to the opinions…

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…

Thirty years ago, I attended a friend’s destination wedding in Paris, France. It was a fun affair that involved several events related to the nuptials, balanced with a few sightseeing tours that introduced us to French culture. I remember having a blast but feeling slighted when it came to the few museums we visited. I…

As sometimes happens when you are sitting next to a stranger for a period of time a conversation begins. Recently a woman asked me if I was from Rutland. I said that I was and then she told me that she had lived in Proctor all of her life. I followed by commenting that not…

I don’t Spartan, but I have always felt that the race itself constitutes the beginning of the fall season. Although this year, with the hot summer temperatures, I’m not really sure how that fits in to any season except “Vermont.” But at the same time, it’s my signal to kick in the dryland training, that…

I was sitting in an auditorium last spring watching my son graduate from high school when a funny moment occurred.  The class valedictorian was giving his speech and at a certain point mentioned the various personalities of his classmates and how they were a microcosm of society. “Some of my classmates are going to be…

By Emily Haynes As the height-of-summer floral abundance fades, goldenrods and asters fill the landscape with hits of yellow, purple, pink, and white. Beyond the beauty they provide, these late bloomers are a critical food source for several native species of wild bees. During late summer and fall, many specialist wild bees are active, said…