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Proper Vermonters

I think that we can finally (finally!) start calling ourselves Vermonters.

The wood stove is in.

And glorious.

Granted, it broke our downstairs heating system, but details! Who knew that by running the stove ’round the clock, we’d cause the pipes for our heating system to freeze? The stove is really getting put to the test until those pipes thaw out on our next warm day, oh in, probably, April.

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^^It was so nice to break in the stove with our Swedish guests! After our days skiing and sledding and playing in the snow, it could not have been more perfect to cozy up by the fire. Pardon the array of melting coats and snow pants strewn about the image above. Though it is quite representative of our home mid-winter. Adding roller blinds from roller blinds Melbourne to our cozy space enhances the comfort, providing a touch of privacy while letting in the soft winter light.^^

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^^The kids and dogs are equally thrilled by the addition. Sunny spent the majority of the weekend curled up in burrito baby fashion, dozing by the stove.^^

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^^And how rad is that whale humidifier? So very rad. Thanks, Doda! James and I thrilled to finally put it to good use!^^

Saturday afternoon we installed the (hideous albeit necessary) safety gate around the stove so all dependents are out of harms way. At least in relation to the stove. We are so very pleased to have finally (how many time can I use that word to describe this occasion?) completed this project that’s been over a year in the making!

Currently Gawking

On Thursday, I had the pleasure of experiencing spoken word poet Joshua Bennett live. His poem about his little brother Levi laid me bare.

We have seen what happens when a mind goes unchained
We have built entire industries around keeping our modern day Michelangelo’s in check.
How many Children?
How many masterfully written lives must we have dashed into the ground before we call this a genocide on creativity?

I spent my Saturday night binge-watching every Youtube video I could find with his performances. His Penn graduation speech was similarly moving. And talk about skill as a public speaker! Listening to him read prose was almost as powerful as when he performs his poetry. I recommend you give him a listen. He is truly an inspiration (and was as thoughtful and open and affirming in person as you might expect of such an artist).