My Roadworthy Chest Freezer: Greta in Winter

In 2016, for only the second time in my life, I bought a new car, an emission-free Nissan Leaf. I named it “Greta.” I recently ran into a friend who… Read More

Gravel Slalom and Roads Scholarship

    A driver navigates ruts on Texas Hill Road in Hinesburg March 21, 2022. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger It’s only January and the annual back-roads slalom season has begun… Read More

News flash: MAGA Republicans take on new patriotic challenges in support of democracy

Louisiana just joined 17 other states in banning transgender women and girls from competing on female sports teams. The Louisiana ban includes all public, private elementary and secondary schools and… Read More

Silverbacks in India

About 30 years ago, I was burned out and needed a break from a 50–60-hour work week. I was seeing a young photographer and, out of the blue, asked her… Read More

When is a Tool a Device and When is it the Buyer?

I love to work with my hands. I love tools – the simpler the better. The ratio of a tool’s utility to its simplicity defines a tool’s excellence for me.… Read More

Vermonters are Stingey with Syllables

While today’s young Vermonters favor the glottal stop: mount- ain, import-ant, apart-ment, hunt-in’ and fish-in’, etc., older Vermonters tend to avoid unnecessary syllables, favoring the terser elision.   Can you match… Read More

Why is Pharma Obsessed with my Cucumber?

A recent audit report by State Auditor Doug Hoffer lays bare the staggering cost of healthcare to Vermonters – $9,000 per year, almost $2,000 more than the national average. For… Read More

Blood Supply Safety Questionnaire

Thank you for giving blood today. In order to maintain a safe blood supply, we must ask you to fill out the following questionnaire. Many questions are personal, but will… Read More

President Trump alone in bed at night

I miss my mother, Mary. I always knew she loved me, even though she was a hard woman. I loved my father too, but realized when I was little that… Read More

Toilet Paper Hoarding

I went to Costco yesterday during geezer hours arriving just as they opened at 8:00 AM and was surprised to find the parking lot 2/3rds full. The entry protocol was… Read More

Winter Driving in Vermont

I was hurt. I always thought of him as my friend. He couldn’t stop laughing long enough to utter a word. Evidently I had said something funny when I called… Read More