How's that for a state motto?
Vermont's founding fathers (and mothers) took to heart the early American goal of independence, while recognizing that no one can stand alone. As it required a coalition of ragtag continental militias to wrest freedom from the British Motherland, the forging of a new country - the United States of America - would necessitate the commitment and cooperation of its young states.
Vermont still maintains that spirit of independent goodwill - think of curmudgeonly Robert Frost ("good fences make good neighbors"), the radical homesteaders the Nearings, who drove off anyone wishing to see them before noon, their "writing time," but then graciously opened their doors for afternoon chats, and then there's our contemporary Independent Congressman Bernie Sanders, irascible on the floor of the Senate as he argues for protections for the poor and disenfranchised.
We've come to Vermont many times - Jacquie went to graduate school here, and our daughter studied in Burlington. There's seldom been a visit when we haven't exclaimed, "If we had to live anywhere other than Maine...."
We love these Green Mountains, and feel at home here. Curmudgeonly, radically, lovingly at home.
Beautiful photo. It looks like the weather is cooperating. :)
Posted by: Becky Driscoll | May 30, 2011 at 06:53 PM