At first we were congratulating ourselves on how easy Vermont seemed. The hills seemed to be just steep enough to challenge Ella but allowing us
to cruise up in third gear. Until we got to the mountains. Mountains in Vermont are ordinarily not what we would take seriously in California, but they
were serious for Ella. Vermont roads totally different: lots of hills with lots of traffic and essentially no shoulder, and no passing lanes.
Very minimal roadways.
Altitude had been building mostly by easy rises, incrementally. We were not that concerned until the fog. Rain on Ella’s windows, without
winshield wipers, without defroster we could deal with. Rainex and Fogex pulls the droplets together creating a frieze that it took a constant
effort to ignore and see through. Sort of like defocusing your eyes, here you must always look beyond. Fog on top of this poses a real challenge.
Everything becomes grey washed and indistinct.
Finding the road was difficult. Desperate for hints as to where the road is going - dependent on the white stripe on the side of the road, and
hanging on the oncoming car’s headlights for hints of the road’s direction. Interesting that the white stripe and not the yellow median stripe
was the most visible in this overwelming grey.
Vermont
Passing the scenic outlook, making jokes about how little anyone could see scenically. Suddenly a sign that says steep decline. Gulp.
Then a sign that says runaway truck ramps ahead. Gulp. Then a sign that says Moose Crossing next 2 miles. Hey mooses are really big deer!
Remember only 3 wheels with brakes. Engine rougher going downhill, forcing us to freewheel, using brakes more.
Bennington Church, St Francis Episcopal... Ella actually running blocking for a propane truck (a semi) on a long hill. we are just a touch slower...
The occasional car that is patient, not pushing, and a buffer for more dangerously impatient cars behind. Takes on a bit of the burden...
Ella, Model A toughness, ability to endure, go on Ella, awesome babe, overhauling a concrete truck on a grade... No hill taken for granted.
Each requiring careful planning and execution. Especially considering Ellas many current limitations/conditions...
Corn all the way to Vermont border, though not much
Going slower and slower. Like prisoners about to be paroled who have tremendous anxiety about something going wrong, derailing their probation.
The thought of not driving Ella into Cambridge was unthinkable to Emile. She had to do it all. Making my argument for not lugging her up the hills.
That flash of anger and resentment, certainly against me but also against himself for not doing this. I had to convince him twice. A few long minutes
to be waited out but on the next rise he downshifted. I made some comment about a picture I had taken and we were able to shrug that one off.
He of course wants to be perfect on his operation, making no mistakes to endanger this mission, but they did happen.
Somewhat mind-boggling where we ended up staying the night in Boston - Cambridge really. Driving deeper and deeper into the urban center I am
wondering where we will park Ella so she can be safe. Unsavory thoughts of parking her on the street only to come out in the morning and find her stripped
or simply gone. No worry. Emile has some post-doc friends who have this amazing house that is almost exactly half-way between Harvard and MIT,
right off of Massachusetts Avenue, the main thoroughfare between the two campuses.
We turn into a narrow driveway and drive into a tiny copse of woods! The effect was accentuated by arriving in the evening.
The sense was of a country house, although you didn't have to look too deep in any direction to see urban city.
We parked Ella between two trees, and despite the general misgivings that the landlady next door would be upset if she
stayed there, Ella cast her magic and enjoyed her first night in her new home in rustic elegance.
A houseful of young superwomen
a new generation of professorial type
all lovely distinct unique
an evening with them such a treat
their brilliance ranges freely
from political theory to peppermint
yellow squash raviolis hand-made meatballs
strange canned delicacies to tempt
shelves piled high with herbs
The discussion is wide-open
amidst friendly flawless hospitality
Erudition ranges far and freely
back from Maine, off to Austria
fine Petite Pinot Tase from Africa
all with such ebullient humor
what brightness emits
from their natural light
On of the young women in this house was a practicing herbalist, building up her clientele in the heart of Cambrige.
I couldn't resist the image:
The good witch of the East
I love her warm good humor
her passion to learn from the earth
to gently unlock its gifts to heal us.
Careful cultivation of the heart
in its goodness and loyalty,
That is the source of her charms.
We call her mind brilliant gifted
by our current cold measurement, yet
she has mastered this and moved on
Where our world seriously suffers
she will touch, save and succor.
Dear god grant her the courage
to persevere in her right effort,
and to believe in herself, always
William Bruneau, Publisher
18001 Shafer Ranch Road, Willits, CA 95490-9626 USA
Website: www.bbruneau.com
Our e-mail address is publish@bbruneau.com
© Copyright 2007, William Bruneau