[chaz longue]

Sustainable living in the suburbs | burlingtonfreepress.com | The Burlington Free Press

[square peg]

I live in the Northeast Kingdom. Every time I check in on this thread I remember that I moved here by choice back in '86. I also remember telling my folks that I didn't come here to get rich, which has certainly been the case. (There were days that the local paper had absolutely no jobs advertised) I came here for a better and simpler way of life. Those were my only expectations. I was determined to find a way to make a go of it and have.

I also think of an older woman I ran into a couple of days ago in front of the grocery store. Hadn't seen her in a while and she shook my hand. We talked of life and all it's uncertainties. She's was born in this village. Her health has been failing for some time and I know that I won't have the pleasure of talking with her for much longer. It's people like her that have made my existence here all worthwhile. Not just the old, but the kids in the neighborhood who smile and say hi when we pass. The guy who reliably fixes my cars. The girl who works for minimum and actually says something behind the counter. There truly are people around me that I can count on.

Very simplistic, I know, but these are the things that have kept me here. We know and trust our neighbors. We still don't lock our doors. And VT a kick a$$ state for hiking and skiing, which is just icing on the cake. It's going to cost money to live anywhere, but I'd rather spend a little more and be content with life right here.

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by square peg

I live in the Northeast Kingdom. Every time I check in on this thread I remember that I moved here by choice back in '86. I also remember telling my folks that I didn't come here to get rich, which has certainly been the case. (There were days that the local paper had absolutely no jobs advertised) I came here for a better and simpler way of life. Those were my only expectations. I was determined to find a way to make a go of it and have.

I also think of an older woman I ran into a couple of days ago in front of the grocery store. Hadn't seen her in a while and she shook my hand. We talked of life and all it's uncertainties. She's was born in this village. Her health has been failing for some time and I know that I won't have the pleasure of talking with her for much longer. It's people like her that have made my existence here all worthwhile. Not just the old, but the kids in the neighborhood who smile and say hi when we pass. The guy who reliably fixes my cars. The girl who works for minimum and actually says something behind the counter. There truly are people around me that I can count on.

Very simplistic, I know, but these are the things that have kept me here. We know and trust our neighbors. We still don't lock our doors. And VT a kick a$$ state for hiking and skiing, which is just icing on the cake. It's going to cost money to live anywhere, but I'd rather spend a little more and be content with life right here.

There's no place on earth like The Northeast Kingdom, in my experience. Thanks for the terrific post.
David

[Adream]

Originally Posted by chaz longue

Sustainable living in the suburbs | burlingtonfreepress.com | The Burlington Free Press

Thank you, Chaz longue, for this link - what a fascinating article! My DH and I often discuss how great it would be to just move "off the grid" even a little bit. Tim Nitz is certainly on the right track.

[Lilybeans]

Question. I see it here, but can never figure it out. What is a DH? The only DH I know is a Designated Hitter.

[tkln]

DH = Dear husband...
Also DW/DS/DD - wife/son/daughter

[sugarmama!]

this thread is too long for me to read through! here's my two cents on why i love vermont.

i was born and raised there. i love the farm i grew up on. the dirt roads, the lake, ice skating, the clear night sky where you can look up and see every beautiful sparkling speck. the fall foliage, the first snow, the first frost, walking outside on a cool fall morning and seeing your breath for the first time that year. i love the mountains, the picturesque scenery. the village greens, the close knit communities, the apple orchards when they bloom...the smell is wonderful! i love picking strawberries in june and july, and pick your own pumpkins in the fall. i love running through the corn fields and playing hide and seek. i love the smell of spreading season. four-wheeling! hiking, biking, snow shoeing! MAPLE SYRUP!!!! it's still a safe place to raise kids, doors stay unlocked...house and cars. the county fairs/field days.

when my dh is done with his training we will most likely come home...so our kids can be raised how we were.

my kids need me...that's all i can write for now.

[OhBeeHave]

*sigh*

That sounded like a wonderful childhood, Sugarmama.

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by tkln

DH = Dear husband...
Also DW/DS/DD - wife/son/daughter

Thanks!

[flu189]

Amusing article in this morning's BFP paper. Apparently many HOAs and Condo Assn's ban the use of clotheslines, the focus location of the article just happening to be Williston. What a perfect way to save energy and the planet you may say by not using the electric or gas dryer. I guess aesthetics wins again, but take heart, Sen Dick McCormack, D-Windsor according to the article has been "trying for years to pass a law [to ensure] the right to use a clothesline." The scary part is that he has firm opposition in the legislative body. Good gosh, no consensus on such an issue and just think on the real time sensitive and really important issues which will need action.