Reporting in from Northern Vermont in mid-August of the most glorious summer we've had in years; perhaps ever. The high point of the summer (so far) was a family reunion of sorts ... all four of my husband Schuyler's kids, all seven grandkids, and one spouse-in-law joined us at our tiny camp near St. Regis Falls in the northern Adirondacks. Here's a picture of 6 of the seven grands on Jose, our '64 Dodge pickup.
The camp includes the original cabin ... all 300 square feet of it ... a guest cabin with two bedrooms and huge screened porch (added by us) ... a pond of about 5 acres populated with an uncounted legion of leeches (if you stay on the surface, you're mostly safe) ... and about 50 acres of woods, some tended; some wild. We've had it about 15 years, and count ourselves as very lucky. The region is poor, poor, poor and our spot is definitely off the beaten track. The nearest real town (St. Regis Falls) has been in economic decline since the chair factory burned ... in 1906 or so. The regional high school serves 6 or 7 towns and last year had a graduating class of less than 20. People take good care of us, but you have to wonder what will -- in the end -- become of the human culture in the region.
Reading? Just finished Pearl by Anchee Min, a fictionalized account of Pearl Buck's early years in China and what happened to the people and community she left behind. Have become something of a fan of Eric Kraft's "Peter Leroy" series. Leroy, Kraft's alter-ego, lives in a fictionalized world of Babbington, NY in the mid-to-late 20th century. Many of his experiences and the world he describes definitely remind me of life in Central New York at pretty much the same time. The two books I've read so far are Herb 'n Lorna, which recounts Leroy's grandparents very interesting parallel life's occupations (known to each but not known to the other) and Leaving Small's Island. The latter account is about Peter Leroy and his wife's challenges in managing Small's Island/Hotel just a quick launch ride across the Sound from Babbington. At least three levels of story. Kraft disguises some very fine writing skills in humor. Fun.
Looming on the horizon ... going back to school in two weeks! First time in about 38 years ... distance learning graduate certificate program from St. Louis University (no on-campus work, so no overnights with Debby!) to get a Certificate in Community Benefit. If I survive and if I still think graduate-level work is a good idea, the 18 credits I'll earn will take me halfway to a Masters in Public Health. Stay tuned ... 6 credit hours for three straight semesters.
What was I thinking?
Penrose Jackson nee Penny Zimmerman
The camp includes the original cabin ... all 300 square feet of it ... a guest cabin with two bedrooms and huge screened porch (added by us) ... a pond of about 5 acres populated with an uncounted legion of leeches (if you stay on the surface, you're mostly safe) ... and about 50 acres of woods, some tended; some wild. We've had it about 15 years, and count ourselves as very lucky. The region is poor, poor, poor and our spot is definitely off the beaten track. The nearest real town (St. Regis Falls) has been in economic decline since the chair factory burned ... in 1906 or so. The regional high school serves 6 or 7 towns and last year had a graduating class of less than 20. People take good care of us, but you have to wonder what will -- in the end -- become of the human culture in the region.
Reading? Just finished Pearl by Anchee Min, a fictionalized account of Pearl Buck's early years in China and what happened to the people and community she left behind. Have become something of a fan of Eric Kraft's "Peter Leroy" series. Leroy, Kraft's alter-ego, lives in a fictionalized world of Babbington, NY in the mid-to-late 20th century. Many of his experiences and the world he describes definitely remind me of life in Central New York at pretty much the same time. The two books I've read so far are Herb 'n Lorna, which recounts Leroy's grandparents very interesting parallel life's occupations (known to each but not known to the other) and Leaving Small's Island. The latter account is about Peter Leroy and his wife's challenges in managing Small's Island/Hotel just a quick launch ride across the Sound from Babbington. At least three levels of story. Kraft disguises some very fine writing skills in humor. Fun.
Looming on the horizon ... going back to school in two weeks! First time in about 38 years ... distance learning graduate certificate program from St. Louis University (no on-campus work, so no overnights with Debby!) to get a Certificate in Community Benefit. If I survive and if I still think graduate-level work is a good idea, the 18 credits I'll earn will take me halfway to a Masters in Public Health. Stay tuned ... 6 credit hours for three straight semesters.
What was I thinking?
Penrose Jackson nee Penny Zimmerman
