A (Not So) Lazy Sunday

What a Day

 

After a few days of temperatures in the single digits—and down to sub-zero temps at night (yikes!)—today was a balmy 34 degrees. This meant that it was the perfect day for a long hike through Sabin’s Pasture, the nature area behind VCFA.

 

 

 

 

 

I was under the impression that the pasture would be next to impossible to navigate with snow on the ground. I have come to the conclusion that I was very much mistaken. It is, in fact, easier to navigate in winter than it is in the fall.  The waist high brush that obscured the paths then, lies fallow at this time of year. As a result, you can see where you’re going. You can make for spots in the distance instead of following meandering paths and hoping that you’ll get where you want to go. The views are unobscured, as well. You can see off into the distance, where “the cloud guy” (as my friend in the West calls the hand of nature in the skies) has been hard at work. It really is quite painterly and gorgeous.

Fellow Walkers, Strollers and Hikers

There are children, adults, and other dogs on the path on this cloudy Sunday. We’re all out to get some fresh air before the work and school week starts. You can take a walk in this town on almost any day of the week and come across dogs: small dogs, big dogs, white dogs, black dogs and red dogs like my own. Happy dogs, and happy owners. Last summer, as I was preparing to make the cross-country move from the West Coast to the East, I did several Google searches for dog parks in and around Montpelier. I found none, which made me worry. My dog, Parnell, is an emotional service animal and I need him to function. But HE needs a place to run wild and commune with other doggos.

What ever were we going to do?

But then we got to Montpelier and found that the whole place is a dog park! (especially around the college, where there are lots of green spaces) So, prospective students, if you have to leave the family dog with the family when you come to VCFA, know that you will still have plenty of doggy energy to keep you happy! Locals joke that there are more dogs than people in Montpelier, and it often seems that they are right!

Happenings at School

We’re in our second module now, Amahl has gone home to Berlin. We will miss him, and he us (from the horses mouth!) Jericho Parms is teaching a craft module on incorporating joy into your writing. Considering the shape of the world these days, it’s a great subject matter. We could all use a little more joy, both in our lives and in our writing.

Award winning Vermont author Sean Prentiss is also teaching two classes this module, one on Environmental writing and one on Thesis Planning and Mapping.

We had a Professional Development class with agents Jeff Kleinman and Sonali Chanchani, of Folio Literary agency. They also had a question-and-answer session at last Friday’s Cafe Anna reading. Due to bad weather, the crowds were slight, which made for an intimate setting, and lots of answered questions.

The next in the reading series will take place on Friday, February 28th from 5:30-7:30pm in the College Hall Chapel. It will feature Faculty member Jericho Parms, Visiting Writers Stephen Aubrey and Diana Norma Szokolyai, and Visiting Composer Dennis Shafer (who will accompany Szokolyai’s poetry). Please join us.

Post Script

(Or, When Monday was *Sun*day)

It was so beautiful out on Monday, with sunshine and clear blue skies that I decided to take the same hike as the day before. And then some. I met a neighbor–and her dog, of course–and she asked me if I wanted to join her in

hiking “the loop”. I am so glad I did. Not only did I get to know her a little better, I also saw some gorgeous scenery, like this shot of College Hall with Camel’s Hump in the background. Stunning!

 

And, of course, the dog loved running in the sunshine too!

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