L is G in VT

It’s as green as green gets now. The countryside, the bluish purplish mountains and lakes pull on our Irish heart strings. The fireflies have all but come and gone for another year. Oh, but what a year it was. Katrina-like rains of a week ago have wrung themselves out to beautious warm summer days we long for - that we looooooong for. Bright planets go unnamed in the night’s sky. Some red. Mars maybe? Big Dipper tipping to the north. Cassiopeia. They’re all there for another summer. Comforting like old friends on the front porch at night.

How can we turn our sights away from a national election? Our environmental mess? Gas prices? George Bush? His insane war? Our hearts weighted as our personal lists lengthen.

Hope and beauty, kindness and love are found in the most unusual places.

The berries at the Charlotte Berry Farm have been exquisite. Burlington’s July 4th waterfront fireworks were knockout - again. The Charlotte beach. Lazy middle aged hilarious tennis games. Laughter from our bellies. We’re walking more these days. Maybe polluting less. Three times up and around Mount Philo in two hours is a new record.

My girlfriend just extended her stay today instead of flying back to Minneapolis (she’s hopes to reclaim being down two sets in our week long tennis tourney). Now, we can share more of the beauty of our unfolding hearts. We can settle into our skins. We’re living in “bonus time land.” How nice is that? I’m trying to figure out if it’s my front porch that keeps her here with its sweeping views overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains to the west. Or is it the morning ritual for triple shot medium latees with 2% milk with a wave of vanilla? Dumpster diving at Tueday Morning? Project runs to Home Depot and Lowe’s. Fiddling with final touches from Spring’s kitchen renovation? Or maybe, it’s just me? Nah, it’s ALL of the above and below.

Summer in Vermont.

It’s amazing.

My dog is learning to BE A DOG. Less afraid of the cat. Less cowering. Chasing her squeaky toy until exhaustion and her tongue drag along the ground past her tail. Gaining new found confidence and self esteem. Jumping with her hind legs in mad chaotic atheltic scamper.

Went to Elton John. His first ever visit to Vermont. How can we ever forget his performance at the Fair Grounds? This wasn’t Ravinia. It was a fairground in Vermont.

Danced with my daughter to Michael Franti at the Shelburne Museum.

Attended a photography class with acclaimed regional photographer, Peter Miller, in the mountains of Stowe.

Hopes remain alive. Beauty and love are everywhere. This state is magical.

L is G (life is good).

Blessings - Thanks to Fletcher Allen Health Care, My Family & My Friends

Please view this short poem by recently deceased and forever lovely Irish poet John O'Donohue

http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/john_odonahue/ss_beannacht/ss-beannacht.shtml

I just adore that poem! A beloved person sent it very recently to warm my heart. Thank you my sweet Pepper.

Can it only be six weeks ago?

Yes. Indeed, it was. Six weeks ago. St Patty's night, it was.

There have been other events that have changed my world. Altering it unabashedly. Crashing through all the nonsense. There was the birth of my two children. I can remember the next morning seeing the headlines of that morning's Burlington Free Press realizing the world had suddenly changed forevermore.

Little did I know six weeks ago, when I drove myself to the hospital in Burlington doubled over in agony I would be changed once again. That the earth, the moon and the stars and all my universe would be changed irrevocably. That my debris field left behind by my inner tornado would ever so slowly bring light and wisdom.

After dinner that Monday night, I felt poorly. I emailed a friend saying I was not going to be able to speak with them later on as I was just not up to it. I sat down to watch a little TV when a searing pain knifed through my lower right rib cage. My breathing shallowed so that I could only inhale about 25% of my normal intake. I was scared.

My thoughts raced and spun at 90 mph. Was I having a heart attack? Was it some weird flu? Why did it hurt so much? What the hell should I do? I kept asking over and over and over...What do I do under such stress all alone...

Okay. To bed I thought. I'll surely feel better in the morning after some sleep. After all, I had broken my left leg 4 weeks before this and I was tired. Crutching it up the stairs I hopped into my room and plopped on my bed. As I lay back, the pain became exponentially worse. My dog, Marley, and my cat, Gretzky, who'd followed close behind up the stairs as they do when I shut down the house each night looked at me and I could sense they asked, "What is the friggin' matter with you?" Marley attempted to jump on to my lap as she could sense my pain, my fears but it wasn't the right time for all that.

As I attempted to lift myself into a sitting position again, I moaned. I knew then nothing was right at that moment. Still what to do... I was alone. Noone was there. I am divorced. My kids weren't coming for a few more days still. Should I call someone? Naw. Don't want to intrude and what would I say?

With my cell phone in hand and 911 in the cue waiting for me to press the button should I pass out, I struggled on.

Thoughts of dying did come to mind then. Dear God I thought, "is this it?" Am I going to fall over tits up on my bedroom floor? Gone. So Suddenly?!

I thought of my two children. I thought of my animals and my family and friends. What is the matter with me? What is this pain? Go away!

In a brief moment of respite, I thought this is my chance. I crutched it to the top of the stairs and like Jack Nicholson in that hilarious stare UP the stairs from the beach in the movie "Something's Gotta Give" I too thought Jesus I don't think I can make that. It looked like an Escher drawing. That staircase went on and on to forever and a day.

Thank God I made it down not one but two flights to my car at the basement level.

In the car, clutching my side, with my face leaning against the side door window, I set out for the hospital in Burlington. I know crazy right? But I thought they'll release me at 3 AM. I'll need a ride home. Who on Earth could I wake in the middle of night like that? So, off I went with 911 in my hand.

As I slowly walked through the hospital doors I stated I was having trouble breathing. I'd oft heard that was the quick way in and it surely was.

After a CT scan, and a million other things the ER nurse explained I would be admitted to medical intensive care and that I should call a close family member and a local friend too. It didn't occur to me then why they asked me to do that. They were in essence saying you are in one helluva lot of do-do and you best notify someone in case you croak. It was that serious.

The ER nurse, kind woman that she was, explained that my lungs were filled with clots and that I had a 5″ pulmonary saddle embolism. All Greek to me of course. I just tried to keep my sense of humor in tact as they hooked me up to more and more intravenous gear.

Three weeks after my release, I had a follow up with hematology. They said that was the largest clot they had seen anyone survive. They showed me how all 5 areas of my lungs had been comprimised with many, many, many clots. They further explained that just one of them, just one, could have been a released and convicted killer.

Every medical person that spoke to me in the hospital and since has remarked I have many, many guardian angels. I lost my mother recently and I believe my Mum reached down with her hands and love and all her might and said NO! It is not HIS time. No. Not yet. He has more to do. More to learn. More love to give. And more love to receive. Not yet. No!

Thank you MOM! I know! I just know!

I could never thank ALL, I really mean it, EVERYONE at the Fletcher Allen Hospital from the most accomplished MICU doctor to the Muslim woman that swept my floor around my bed for all their kindness, care, professionalism, intelligence and love. It was ALL of that and much, much more that saved me.

To my unbelievably wonderful, loving, caring, children who saw their rock Dad bloodied by his battle but NOT willing to yield. It was scary. I know. The tears. The laughter. And so it goes...Thank you my sweet loves so so much!

And my friends. You visited. You rubbed my feet. You made me laugh. You came back again. You cared for my animals. I love you too.

And my extended family. You dropped everything without a blink. You charged up to check on me. To meet and follow up with my doctors. To help me out of the hospital. To cook and feed me. To love me. I love you too. Thank you so much for such unbridaled generosity of your time and spirit.

My cast is off now. Been about two weeks! Walking a mile and a half to 2 and a half a day. Hard to believe I could barely pull myself out of that hospital bed only weeks ago.

Here I am.

Off for a walk shortly. I will carry you all with me. Appreciatively. Lovingly. Passionately. With clarity. With Joy. With Beauty. With Great Blessings.

Love,

Christopher and Tig to you know who

Top Ten List of Things to do on Lake Champlain

A purely personal list subject to change (guaranteed!) of my favorite things to do on Lake Champlain throughout the year:

10. Ice skating,

9. North Beach in Burlington for the day and an evening cookout,

8. Taking any of the Lake Champlain Ferries to catch a sunset or watch the full moon rise or both,

7. Wish List item...Owning a home on Lake Champlain,

6. Jumping off the back of my boat yelling with joy on a hot day in the middle of Lake Champlain,

5. Renting a boat or taking sailing lessons at the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center in Burlington,

4. Going to Basin Harbor passing Cathedral Rocks by boat for dinner,

3. Watching summer storms advance out of the Adirondack Mts across the lake from behind the Coast Guard Station in Burlington,

2. July 4th festivities and fireworks over the Lake Champlain from Waterfront Park in Burlington,

1. Hanging out in my boat, reading a book or listening to the Red Sox, drifting along with no particular place to go.

If you would like to add a comment or add your favorite Top Ten list of favorite things to do on Lake Champlain, please do so by posting a comment here at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington VT Real Estate.

Top Ten List for Charlotte VT

A purely personal list subject to change (guaranteed!) of my favorite things to do in Shelburne VT throughout the year:

10. Walking my dog up Mt Philo,

9. Swimming/Tennis/Sunsets at the Charlotte Vermont Beach,

8. Charlotte Land Trust/Open Spaces,,

7. Charlotte Central School,

6. Launching out of Point Bay Marina en routh to Basin Harbor or Whallon's Bay,

5. A "Charlotter", cup of coffee with half & half and sugar, and the newspaper hanging out on the
porch of The Old Brick Store,

4. Sledding down Mt Philo,

3. Views anytime atop Mt Philo,

2. Cycling Charlotte VT back roads,

1. Views from my front porch!

If you would like to add a comment or add your favorite Top Ten list, please do so by posting a comment here at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington VT Real Estate.

Top Ten List for Shelburne VT

A purely personal list subject to change (guaranteed!) of my favorite things to do in Shelburne VT throughout the year:

10. Canoeing or kayaking on Shelburne Pond in summer or fall,

9. Dinner at Cafe Shelburne,

8. Kayaking the Laplatte River as the birds migrate home from the winter,

7. Launching out of Shelburne Bay,

6. Shelburne Market,

5. Dinner at Sauce Bistro,

4. Summer Concert Series at Shelburne Museum,

3. Hike to the top of Lone Tree Hill at Shelburne Farms,

2. Picnicking at the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Concerts at Shelburne Farms,

1. Picknicking at the Mozart Festival Concerts at Shelburne Farms.

If you would like to add a comment or add your favorite Top Ten list, please do so by posting a comment here at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington VT Real Estate.

Top Ten List for Burlington Vermont

A purely personal list subject to change (guaranteed!) of my favorite things to do in Burlington Vermont throughout the year:

10. Summer picnic pilgrammage to enjoy a sunset at Waterfront Park on Lake Champlain,

9. A show at the Flynn Theater followed by profiteroles for dessert at the "Trat",

8. An evening stroll down Church Street,

7. Finding a parking spot,

6. JazzFest in June,

5. First Night,

4. Burlington Bike Path,

3. Coming in by boat to the Community Boat House to hang out on the docks for a sunset, dinner,
drinks or all 3,

2. Christmas Lighting Ceremony on Church Street,

1. 4th of July fireworks on the waterfront.

If you would like to add a comment or add your favorite Top Ten list, please do so by posting a comment here at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Burlington VT Real Estate.

Praise for the Charlotte Vermont Land Trust

Christmas has come early this year. I was rejoicing reading the Free Press this morning about the successful efforts of the Charlotte Land Trust to preserve 40 acres of open land west of Mount Philo, near State Park Road. A three year effort has paid off and I would like to express my deep gratitude to all who had a hand in making this preservation of important land a reality.

The Charlotte Land Trust recognized two main purposes for conserving this land. The first was for the property's prime agricultural value and the second was for preserving expansive westerly viewsheds from atop Mount Philo.

Who among us hasn't rejoiced in those spectacular views earned with only a short (30 min) hike to the top of Mount Philo to view the beauty of our Champlain Valley, Lake Champlain, The heart of the Adirondack Mountains, westerly sunsets that are superlative, walking with loved ones and our dogs, watching the bi-annual migration of Canadian Geese, Snow Geese, or Peregrine Falcons in jackknifed dive into the now preserved meadows in search of a meal.

Yes. It feels like Christmas Day allright!

Charlotte residents contribute to the conservation funds each year through 2 cents of the tax rate. This was authorized by the voters in 1996 and re-ratified again in 2006. Every ten years a revote must occur to reapprove the allocation of resources. In excess of a dozen properties have been conserved with help from this fund.

If you would like to make a contribution to the fund, you may do so by writing to the Charlotte Land Trust at P.O Box 43 Charlotte VT 05445. Their website is at present under construction at http://www.charlottelandtrust.org/

As always, if you would like to add your comments here at Hurd's The Word, please feel free to do so or go to my website at Burlington VT Real Estate.