Vermont Visit

Part of my visit included returning to Shelburne starting with a reunion of colleagues at the Shelburne Community School, where I met many wonderful educators whom I once worked with.

I am also fortunate to stay with great friends Nick and Cindy Cowles at the Shelburne Orchards where creation occurs at every turn.  Friday morning began at the Village Wine and Coffee Shop with owner and musician Kevin Clayton

The VW&C Shop is a favorite spot for locals, writers, artists and LTR’s (LapTop Refugees).

Afterward, Nick shared the Orchard’s “Dead Bird” Brandy facility, the stills​

(two handmade Portuguese copper stills with a rocking chair for the one who “watches” the distillation process) and the aging casks made of European and American oak aged 7 years

I ran into Moriah Cowles who helps steward the Orchard

and creates knives at her forge nearby

More great friends include the painter Katra Kindar

and her husband Tom Tintle, Tom is a master wood maker who shared his wood bowls with me

As the day progresses, I return to the wonderful space Nick and Cindy are allowing me to stay at. You may have heard of a “studio apartment”, this is a “stable apartment”

built over Cindy’s horse stables. I am a guest of Maven and Lily who reside below.

This is a magical place with the trees just beginning their bloom

The Orchard, Nick as a musician, Cindy  as an artist, and all these amazingly talented friends above have influenced my creative process in so many ways. I am grateful to be here!

Over the weekend there was time to visit with friends

… then with relatives

Allie and Jenna will marry this July and are recent graduates from St. Michael’s (Allie) and UVM (Jenna).

After six days my trip ended with a morning departure from Burlington, returning to Southern Oregon.

While on a delay in San Francisco I met Tuffy who helped pass the time.