December 31, 2018 New Years Eve.    I am one step between an end and a beginning.   I am minding the gap and moving forward on this New Year’s Eve, 2018.   It will be my 72nd beginning and I am thinking hard about how to do this one differently.   I love the possibility of yet another chance. Of getting a free   pass to do things differently,   to try again . To let go of the things that hurt us , and think about the hurt we might have caused and how to heal.   To reconsider the brevity of our time,   To recognize that we are all so much alike and acknowledge the sorrow, and pain in others and offer comfort we might need for ourselves.   Maybe I will   take   more time to connect with stranger faces;   the acknowledgement of a smile, a kind word.   I find walking to and from the Dartmouth gym, that if I just keep my eyes up and look at oncoming   and smile,   I usua...

Wintering In Vermont. I remind myself,  from time to time of the purpose of winter. The struggle of cold.  We are, after all,  animals.  We cannot resist.  We must  learn to succumb, to rest and reflection . To  slow down and become still. Like the earth which has frozen and stilled the life beneath we also need to allow rest and wait.    I have begun to embrace this gift of solace and contemplation.  To write,  to focus on self and offer up time to consider change.  I have learned to be patient and stay in the moment of this journey. To embrace the dark, early end of day waiting for the next  Solstice which will start our journey out and up toward the light. It is a gift,  this season of winter.  A gift of letting go. I dream now of birds that will call to  me  at 4 am when the light begins, no longer looking for my feeders but of speaking of their own celebration and joy as they build ...

Wood smoke drifting, like a sidekick,   on chilly early morning walks.   Carved pumpkins competing on front porches  for upcoming Halloween.  The first hard frost laying to rest our tireless gardens.  Freshly made cider, harvest festivals, scarves, mittens and hats.  This season change  is an exciting time in Vermont, filled with anticipation of the first snowfall, fireplaces burning brightly through early morning darkness, soup bubbling away on the stove marrying the remains of the garden;  a first rate entry into comfort food category that helps to define the season. It is a good life here in Vermont;  community, schools, pace of life that challenge you to become less distracted by things that matter less.  Life is short.   

In case you have had it with shopping malls, crowds,  stop and go traffic, why not consider moving to Vermont. I am the owner of Ann Swanson Real Estate, in Thetford, Vermont, just on the other side of the Connecticut River and Dartmouth College here to offer a glimpse of life in this incredibly beautiful and sane part of the world. Yes, yes, we have winter, but no hurricanes yet. I recently listed a 315A +/-  in East Orange, Vermont for $850,000. It has two charming full time homes;  a 3 bedroom and a 2 bedroom . Both post and beam construction. There are two small cabins for seasonal use, 2 barns, a utility garage,  3 ponds, about 25 open acres of pasture, an estimate of @ 6,000 maple sugar taps. This is where you can rediscover yourself; either for weekend use, air bnb, or a self sustaining lifestyle. check it out on my website.  www.annswanson.com