I hope that shaft healed up alright in that cast 🙏

I would imagine dairy free ice cream is pretty disgusting

You should try Wilcox instead. That's made right in Arlington at their own factory.

https://preview.redd.it/pgq747zuqipa1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=15735548b316dc8ffbc7c7041ab2580c0077cef2

I second everyone else's suggestions about word of mouth and Front Porch Forum. I just want to encourage you to really go in on this, as any trade is in high demand these days. Not only is it really rewarding work, but it pays well and is very secure in the long run. Try things that are a little beyond your comfort zone, it's okay to learn while you work, there's always a first time for everything. As long as you are honest and dedicated, people will support your business and be more than happy to pay you to do things that they cannot do. That's what's great about a resilient rural community, people trading their skills with each other.

Trust me, you'd rather lose power for a few hours or days, vs the weeks it would take to find out where the fuck that root busted up the conduit underground. It's a terrible idea to bury power lines long distances in Vermont especially.

Try front porch forum, and make sure to phrase it so that guys with decked out trucks feel like you are suggesting that they wouldn't be able to plow it. Trust me, you'll get responses real fast.

I joked with a buddy of mine that his truck probably couldn't tow my tiny house, and you better believe I ended up hiring him to tow it lol

I really think people don't understand the amount of money it would take to ensure that all of the dirt roads in every town somehow don't develop pot holes or frost heaves. My town has only 1000 people, and has to maintain 50 miles of road. I would be paying 2x to 3x taxes (at least) just to fund a multi year effort to get the roads rebuilt to drain water better, not to mention constant grading (which is not even possible in very wet conditions). Honestly the best approach is to drive slowly when roads are rough, and really just try to drive cars appropriately suited for Vermont.

It's an awesome book. Reading it to my kids right now, but the way it's written is like a storybook, which makes it really fun to read. It has a great depiction of the Green Mountain Boys, too.

"Vermont the State with the Story Book Past", Cheney, Cora; Stephen Greene Press, 1976

A little story from the past. The Abenaki would often come to fish on the Connecticut river in the winter, and make camp in the fields of several farmers in bellows falls. Those in the town welcomed them and enjoyed their exchanges. Eventually the old chief that the townspeople had become accustomed to seeing became ill, and, fearing that he might soon die, the town called a meeting. They decided that it was only fitting to build the old man a house so that if he did die, at least he would be warm and comfortable. Unfortunately they didn't complete the house in time, but the people held a funeral for him which was attended by many townspeople and Abenaki people.

No I don't have an issue with anything he's saying. I'm just getting tired of seeing this dude get sick over every political injustice. Imo you have to be pretty privileged to spend that much time and energy raging about political issues, many people have enough suffering in their own lives, and if they don't, they seem to seek it out.

It must be exhausting to be in a constant state of outrage. You gotta decide if you're going to let the pain and violence of the world steal your peace, because I hate to break it to you, but there will always be a truly sickening amount of human suffering in the world no matter how incensed you get over it.

I honestly love my Toyota Highlander because it has the clearance and handling of a Subaru, but a better engine. I've only had to replace the battery since getting mine 2 years ago.

If you're in southern Rutland County I can advise a couple spots

It all depends on the specific swimming hole. If it's popular enough to find with a Google search, it's probably gonna be either gross or crowded. Definitely try a state park with swimming, or if you know of any "locals only" spots, they would be better. One word of caution, my daughter got giardia from playing in the creek. Kinda unavoidable when you're playing in streams all the time, but just be on the lookout afterwards and try not to swallow the water.

Yes, true, but its almost always either like nothing, or a ton of snow. There seems to be no in between lol

March is often the snowiest month of the year.

Wow that is terrible. Sorry that happened to you. What was it contaminated with? Particulates? Water? Oil?

Yeah unfortunately that doesn't work for kids haha.

Friends of ours had this last year, really bad. We had to drop something off to them, and we stood outside talking (no physical contact) about 10' apart. Nobody got it in my family. So I can confirm that this is one of those "touch only" things. Luckily, that makes it easier to avoid. Don't touch other people and wash your hands.

I wonder if isolating for so long has dulled people's immune response to these relatively common viruses?

Because we haven't been traumatized by superhuman-sized traffic jams. Out of staters feel like they need to pass because they're used to dealing with tons of traffic and long waits. We know it won't be long until we get to the next turn, so no need to risk our lives for a couple extra minutes.

Muck boots are my main footwear for like 7-8 months of the year. As long as you dry them by the stove in the evening you'll avoid having swamp foot

Maybe buy a house when you're ready to live here? We have a hosting shortage and buying a vacation home is pretty selfish at this point honestly.

Edit: also, if you're not willing to do the work of researching for yourself, no fuckin way you're gonna have the grit to actually homestead. Believe me, perusing around for property/townships is the easiest part of homesteading you'll ever do.

I believe buffalo soldiers was originally a reference to the Lakota tribes and various chiefs, like Crazy Horse, that lead many brave battles against American government land grabbers.