Author Archives: Nine Cent Girl

It’s Sugar Time!

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Tis the Sweet Season! Sugar houses all around are bursting with steam as the boiling continues into the night. Vermont does a few things well, but does maple syrup best. Hope you enjoy this look back at a favorite post as sugaring peaks again, xxoo

Nine Cent Girl's avatarNine Cent Girl

IMG_5307In late March–early April, Spring remains subtle in northern Vermont. Snow still covers the higher ground, while in the valley only the smallest of flowers break through the hard frozen earth. Sunny days might drive the temperature into the 40’s but nighttime sends it back below freezing. This pattern makes most of us stir crazy, but for the maple sugar maker this is a formula for success. Steam rising from sugar shacks once the boiling begins becomes the sign that Spring has indeed arrived and the sugar makers have no control over these fast and furious few weeks; once the nighttime stays too warm the sap slows and eventually stops. This labor intensive process can occupy a whole extended family and their neighbors, all coming together to gather the gallons of sap, boil it down and bottle the syrup.

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One Task

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I thought about writing a post on the upcoming presidential election and the field of candidates vying for our vote, then thought, better not, at least not without a promising outcome. Same with the weather. You see it’s still cold this April, and even though a northerly wind is a topic to start the conversation, it doesn’t get very far without May flowers. I considered writing about my mother, who a year ago still called me, still planned family gatherings; and yes, did everything humanly possible to make every last one. But really, who would expect otherwise from her, a true party lover and planner? I mentally moved on to the topic of food and considered offering a new recipe, but as I avoid the kitchen and the stove religiously, recipes are hard-fought posts for me. I mostly beg for them.

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An Angelic Light

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3kidsWe gathered in Austin, coming from one coast or the other, to raise a glass and give our cheer, for a moment all so dear. Parents and brothers and sisters, children too, now extended across the two families: this is what a marriage brings together.

During the morning we watched the Annual Pet Parade, and discovered what gems we could in the afternoon. At night, we donned our best to gather in Justine’s secret garden and celebrate with the newlyweds. There were, of course, tears here and there, knowing just how much our mother would have loved this fabulous party. She would have crafted a poem to recite for the occasion, as she did for so many birthdays and anniversaries and weddings. Filled with clever and not so clever rhymes, and we would have listened and laughed and so enjoyed her theatrics. Instead, auspiciously, my brother recited Wordsworth, from memory, to his new bride, and by doing so he made us laugh, he caused us to remember, and he helped us all to look forward.

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