Blue Skies Smiling At Me

Before I mention anything else today, I'd like to start off with this study. Apparently men who do housework and take care of children are more likely to get the girl. So my question is this: I do housework and I love kids. Sooo, what's the problem? Okay, I'm just kidding. But I am curious to know how accurate this study is.

I guess it's the point in this blog where I give you a brief recap of my adventures in Vermont. It was really cool last night, with a mountain breeze and a full moon shining bright, casting mountain shadows in the fields and meadows. We were invited over for dinner at Pam and Geoffs for a great summer meal topped off with a homemade bluberry dessert made with blueberries we picked the other day. Before dinner, my dad and I went for a great bike ride loop up and down Mad Tom Road and around past the Vermont Horse Show and then back up Mad Tom Road. Today, we're going to do another ride and perhaps take kayaks out on Emerald Lake. The Manchester farmer's market is today so we will be sure to stop off there for some local produce. Eh, it sounds like I'm being paid by the Vermont Tourism Board, but I swear I'm not.

A horse is a horse...of course, of course:



Here are some weird facts that you probably didn't know such as:

The top of the Eiffel Tower leans away from the sun - it can move as much as 18cm, as the metal on the side facing the sun expands in the heat. It can also get as much as 15cm taller when the weather's hot.

I enjoy a good original funny song...thanks to our reader Leigh for sending it in :-)

Summer Lovin'

There is nothing quite like Summer in Vermont. I know, you're probably rolling your eyes thinking, "Here he goes again, blabbing about Vermont and how great it is while I'm sitting here at my desk at work" but try and think about it this way instead: "Wow, I love it when Evan tells us about Vermont because it feels like I'm there with him and I can daydream as I sit here at my desk at work". See, much better.

In the few days I've been here I have noticed that the weather has greatly affected the crops. Everything is much later than it usually is. Lack of sun and lots of rain will do this. I was just glad to see that the blueberries have made it through the weather although they are in need of more sun. I went blueberry picking the other day and it is one of my favorite things to do. It's the most beautiful spot and you can walk far away from other people and pick on your own. It's hard to fill an entire bucket when you are taking photos and eating some blueberries as you pick.We managed to pick 10 pounds and they are delicious. My dad also planted emergency blueberry bushes on top of our hill by the vegetable garden just in case we run out and need to pick some for pancakes or cereal. How convenient!

I stopped off at a farm stand yesterday to buy corn and remembered that at the gym I recently saw someone on the Food Network make creamed corn recipe but there was no milk or cream. Really? Yes! They cut of the very tips of the kernels and then scraped the rest of the corn with the other side of the knife to extract the corn milk (starch) and that is what was used to thicken the creamed corn. I had no idea. I still just like my corn on the cob and even better, grilled corn on the cob. And while we're on the subject of corn...

For any photographers out there wanting to photograph lightning, here's how!

Remeber slip and slide? You run, you slide, you hit the bump and take a dive..or was that Crocodile Mile? Well here's a really long Slip-and-Slide.

By now you've probably Mad Men'd Yourself. But have you cast Sesame Street characters for the Mad Men Parody that is in the works?

Jerry Who?

Since I was a kid, I have always loved going to the supermarket and doing the food shopping. There is just something about the supermarket that I have always and will always love. So even today, in Vermont, I jump at the chance to "go into town" and get food for dinner. It has made me think about why I like the supermarket so much and I think it has to do with my love of cooking. So much possibility exists at a food store. You can put together most any meal with the ingredients all confined in this one building. Exciting, no? I know plenty of people who hate to go food shopping, they despise it. The other reason I like food shopping is the scene. Squeezing fruit, calling out numbers, complaining, the pharmacist, cleanup in aisle 6,the announcements,the shopping cart, and overheard conversations. Which brings me to the conversation I witnessed last night at Shaws.

The guy in front of me was getting ready to pay for his few items and the checkout guy turns to him:

Checkout man: Do you have a house at Stratton?
Customer: No
Checkout man: Really? You look so familiar.
Customer: Yeah, I've been told I have a familiar face.
Checkout man: Wait, are you Jerry Vale?
Customer: The singer?
Checkout man: Yes.
Customer: No, is he even alive?
Checkout man: I'm not sure. The last time I saw him was on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Since I didn't know who Jerry Vale is, I looked him up and put his photo at the start of today's entry. And yes, according to Wikipedia he is still alive.

It was my turn to step up to the Checkout man and surprise, surprise I turn to him and say "So, who do I look like". He ponders for a minute and then immediately says, "Albert Brooks". Which is funny because not only am I a huge fan of Albert Brooks, but when I worked for Letterman, his assistant used to tell me that Dave called me Albert Brooks. It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye. After this encounter I wondered if this checkout guy had this shtick as a way to strike up conversations with people. The old, aren't you... Hey, aren't you Debbie from High School high, remember me? Rick? Sorry, you look just like my high school girlfriend. Wanna grab a drink?

I am currently sitting by the window looking out at the sun-drenched mountains protecting the meadows below. I can see how writers sometimes need to get away from the hustle and bustle and write in a place of beauty. I have already taken a bunch of photos and am looking forward to taking more. Friday we are heading to Saratoga to go to the races so that will be a lot of fun. Lots of walking, bike riding and blueberry picking to come. Stay tuned.

done with the fair. Now on the farm