November 7, 2026- Hana celebrated having her mother back, by crawling all over her, as they were together in the playpen. They also took a mother-daughter stroller walk, around Hoblitzelle Park. By early afternoon,they were both exhausted, but Yunhee fell asleep first. So, Papa got Hana lulled to sleep, and I held her for the better part of two hours, including giving her the afternoon feeding.
Aram was off on Navy Reserve business, so I was keeping myself around the house, for the very reason that Yunhee would need a second pair of hands, after her own long trip, yesterday. When Aram returned, this evening, and we had dinner, he wondered aloud as to how much Hana understands of our conversations. I said she likely understands more than he might think. Hana chortled at that, as if to say: “You have no idea.”
HANA’S NOTE– I am trying to stay one step ahead of my grownups. It’s not easy, since they have been where I am, which Mommy never tires of reminding me.
EXPANDING CIRCLES: Vermont- The Green Mountain State has been on my route, about a dozen times. I first went to Vermont in 1969, just before entering the Army. A brief drive through Vernon and Brattleboro was shortened by my having to lose some locals who were tailing me. The next time I passed through was on a bus from Boston to Montreal, in 1972. We stopped in White River Junction and in Burlington. I would have more leisurely and more pleasant visits to Bennington, Bellows Falls, Rutland and St. Johnsbury, whilst studying at the University of Massachusetts. Since 2011, I’ve been through Vermont while making return trips from Maine to Arizona, and cutting across to the Tri-Cities of New York, through Bennington.
The Turf- Most of Vermont is mountainous. The Taconic Range covers the southwest portion of the state, while its central and eastern portions are the province of the Green Mountains, and thus, the state’s nickname. (The Long Trail runs 273 miles, along the spine of the great mountain chain, which runs north-south and intersects with the Appalachians, as they veer off into New Hampshire.) The Champlain Valley is a lowland region, bordering Lake Champlain, in the northwest of Vermont. It is the location of the state’s largest population centers and much of its agriculture.Vermont is drained by the Connecticut, White, Missisquoi, Lamoille and Winooski Rivers. It shares Lake Champlain with New York and Quebec, and Lake Memphremagog, with the latter.
First Nations- Vermont is the ancestral home of the Abenaki, Mahican and Pennacook peoples. The indigenous peoples suffered greatly from diseases brought by the French and British settlers. The French brought Abenaki warriors into their fold, during the French and Indian Wars- 1688-1763. Many of the Abenaki left the area, once Vermont broke off from New York and became a state, in 1791. Those who stayed, gained State recognition as three Abenaki communities: Missisquoi, Nulhegan(Coosuc) and Elnu. The Mazipskwik Community is not state-recognized, but maintains Abenaki traditions.
Where I most feel at home- Bennington, Burlington, Springfield.
Where I most feel at peace- Springfield
NEXT: New Hampshire
