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Ledger-Transcript

A collection of 43 posts

The Deep Green

I am looking at a wall of deep, forest green, against which my whip and chair seem poorly matched.

Here We All Are

Here We All Are

The woods are resurrected and alive.

I Wuv Woadwork

It is roadwork season. Wherever we go around New England, at some point we will be down to one lane.

Burn, Drag, Split, Stack

Burn, Drag, Split, Stack

A pile of wood—branches and brush, or full-grown timber—imposes its presence. It can stop a truck.

Gripped by Vortex

Gripped by Vortex

It is the season when I feel the undertow of email offers, direct mail catalogues, and the bombast of television commercials. They won’t get me.

Shop and Drop.

When you shop like. . . I do, you rarely win prizes for Best Overall Present at the holidays.

Standard Time—Sort of

Standard Time—Sort of

Of course, “standard time” is a misnomer. Time is far from standard around the world.

Holiday Megalopolis

Holiday Megalopolis

It is within the power of marketing to transform any inherently good and joyful thing into one of those over-muscled people, wearing a Speedo.

Thanks for Working Today

Thanks for Working Today

Since we were together last, I attended a college reunion of sorts in Schenectady, New York. It was the 200th anniversary of the fraternity I belong to, and let me point out, I was around for the 150th. On the appointed evening, there was the obligatory reception and dinner, which

Autumn Hugs

Fall has arrived, and we hope, so will the pilgrims.

When the Inspector Calls

When the Inspector Calls

A singer’s got to sing, a dancer’s got to dance, and an inspector's got to find stuff.

Les Grandes Vacances

Les Grandes Vacances

What we would do if France did not have Les Grandes Vacances, which sends the country into a state of hibernation every August?

Blindfolded Canoe Racing

Blindfolded Canoe Racing

There is something about blindfolded anything that separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom: you do not see chickens daring each other to cross the road blindfolded.

Thinking About Our Vietnam Veterans

Thinking About Our Vietnam Veterans

Vietnam changed our country. It was toxic. But I believe, fifty years later, we have it to thank for the parts of us that are better than we were.

Daylight Savings for What?

Daylight Savings for What?

The poetry of our spring has less to do with flowers opening than snakes shedding skin. We molt. The sensible thing to do is hide.

Lost in the Woods

Lost in the Woods

For example, there is the possibility of getting lost in the woods . . .in freezing temperatures. I did this last week.

Walking on Ice

It is a superior feature of winter to be able to step onto a frozen pond or lake, and we have many of them. It is liberating.

Our Town

I kept thinking . . . all these people are paying what it costs to buy food for a week to hear what Mr. Wilder can share with them about life . . . . in our small corner of the world.

Election Day

“The price of greatness,” Winston Churchill said, “is responsibility.” He was talking to us.

The Pumpkin Period

The Pumpkin Period

Currently, you may have noticed, we are mired in the Pumpkin Period, characterized by the flavor of pumpkin in almost everything.

Summer People

The July and August people have arrived, bringing with them their patronage of our stores and their vehicles, requiring me to look both ways before pulling out of the driveway.

Good, Quality Thunder

Good, Quality Thunder

The rain had stopped and we sat just to watch and listen as the storm’s slashing furry settled to not much more than a purr.

Liver Free or Die

Liver Free or Die

I object to the narrow use we make of the animals that pay the ultimate sacrifice on the way to our table.

Calmly on the Waters

Calmly on the Waters

Of all the animals we will share property with this summer, we are most attached to the loons. They are the only creature that does not bolt the instant they become aware of our presence.

Total Eclipse

The memory of projecting light on the shirt cardboard stands out only because it was the same afternoon we were taken to see the play, Peter and the Wolf.