NCMA Set To Unveil New State Art Museum, Rodins, Picasso

by Josh from North Carolina

An undertaking three years in the making, the freshly constructed North Carolina Museum of Art West Building in Raleigh opens its doors to the public at a free Grand Opening Festival, April 24-25. Adding 127,000 square feet of daylight-rich galleries to the museum’s already sizable campus, the construction also consists of four acres of landscaped sculpture gardens, reflecting pools, and a fully renovated pond. Supplemented by more than one hundred recent acquisitions, the museum’s permanent collection features works spanning 5,000 years, including a Picasso canvas and twenty-eight Rodin sculptures, the largest in the American south. Eye-catching works from renowned sculptors like Roxy Paine and Ursula von Rydingsvard, and a spiraling elemental work by sculptor Patrick Dougherty, watch over the elegant museum restaurant and manicured grounds. NCMA’s expansion seems to put it on par with the best mid-level metropolitan museums in the country.

Supporting the Grand Opening Festival are a wealth of musicians, artists, dancers, and craftspeople, to include the Carolina Ballet, Martin Luther King All Children’s Choir, Tift Merritt, Dendy DanceTheater, and a symphony concert. The festivities will cap with a fireworks display on Saturday night.

Tickets are required to tour the museum. All other festival events are open to the public. Find more information at ncartmuseum.org.

It's Spring Here in the Valley

by Charline from Arizona

Spring has spring and we don't need Punxsutawney Phil's shadow or the lack thereof to know this. Here in "The Valley of the Sun" spring is heralded by an abundance of wildflowers. Our normally reddish-brown mountains are green with vegetation because of the winter rains. Because of the mild temperatures there is a stampede of outside weddings but better yet spring training has arrived!

So the rains brought out desert landscape to life with plants most of us forgot even grow here. The weather is balmy and even in the heart of the city there are mountains and trails to walk, hike, and explore.

As far as weddings when better to have one than when you can stand outside in direct sunlight without fear of receiving a third degree sunburn or heatstroke. I can see the summer wedding now. After saying "I do" the bride falls to the ground in a heap. The groom looks at her; a horrified look upon his face. He had no idea she didn't really want to get married. "Oh don't worry," the doctor assures him. "She's just suffering from heatstroke."

I myself have sworn off summer weddings. A few years back on July 4th I was a maid of honor. Did I mention the ceremony was outside?!? I was sweating so profusely under my dress that I couldn't even focus on the ceremony. I did manage to hear the all important "you may now kiss the bride" and I hurried after the guests who had bolted from their chairs as they sought the cooler temperatures of the inside reception area.

Saving the best for last, spring training is a much celebrated event here and generally most of the valley, baseball fans or not, will attend at least a game or two. What's not to love? Beautiful afternoons, cloudless skies, the smell of fresh cut grass, the crack of a bat hitting a baseball, and quality time with ones friends or family. Not to mention the possibility of playing hooky from work or school. Plus you will probably get to see the majority of your favorite team's players in a single game!

"Play ball!"

Charline Ratcliff, author

www.thecurseofnefertiti.com

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

by Vanessa from Vermont

Vermonters celebrate two seasons during the month of March:
1. Mud Season
2. Sugaring Season

Both are special in their own way, but they always go hand in hand.

First there are the smells. The "Spring has nearly arrived" smells. They consist of decaying leaves, running water, budding trees, animals waking up and so much more. Then the snow starts to melt and gives way to frost heaves and ruts on the dirt roads which are the true veins and arteries of Vermont. The driving is slow. The muck sticks to boots and everything else. Little boys and girls dive in chocolate puddles and come home to be hosed down.

And then people start throwing around terms such as "tapping", "lines", "collecting" and "arches". One day you'll come upon a sugar house and see the huge plume of smoke and burnt orange ashes billowing out of the stack, and you'll know the season has begun. If you've never smelled sap boiling on a warm, sunny day in New England, it should be on your Bucket List. It is a smell that can cure a long, cabin fevered, lack-of-sun, winter. To taste this liquid gold is something to behold. It is pure blood and sweat from hard working people. The trees labor all year to produce the sap. The collectors wade through feet of wet, heavy snow and in all sorts of weather conditions. It takes roughly forty gallons of sap to create one gallon of syrup. Therefore, it is obvious why the final price per gallon of syrup can be in the range of $50. Real Vermont maple syrup is sweet and sticky and ranges in color from light amber to molasses brown. It is used in everything from cooking beans, as an ice cream topping, a dip for sausage or ham, an oatmeal sweetener, hash brown potatoes and more. And of course, pancakes and waffles without Vermont maple syrup is like cookies without milk.

As Vermonters, we know that both of these seasons are messy. But we also know that we cannot have one without the other. They are but signs that another winter has nearly passed, and we have made it over the proverbial hump.

As the saying goes, "There is a big difference between a Spring day and the first day of Spring". But as least we have something to look forward to, after a long hibernation...and that is so sweet.

Sympathy for the Devil

by Jon from Wisconsin

Well, it's that time of year again. Football season is through (congrats to the Saints) and for those of us who aren't too deeply interested in basketball or baseball, it's a long wait until things start picking up again at the end of summer. The Packers had a fine season and, if they can keep their stars aligned, things should only get better next year.

One thing is strange about this offseason, though. Beloved former Packer Brett Favre is again mulling his retirement -- but this time his indecision and waffling fall at the feet of the hated rival Minnesota Vikings.

The state of Wisconsin is sharply divided on the 'Favre issue'. I personally feel the Packers should have made an effort to keep him on the team, though I'll acknowledge that his persistent flirtation with retirement creates a lot of preseason anxiety.

One thing we're not divided on, however, is our general and thorough distaste for the Vikings. I don't think I really need to elaborate, all teams have their rivals -- let's just say that when I see someone strutting around here in the purple and gold, I think a little bit less of them.

This year is different. In the name of good sportsmanship, I hereby announce my temporary and limited sympathy for Vikings fans. By any reasonable measure, Favre is still a highly gifted quarterback and definitely proved to be a valuable asset for the Vikings. Out of respect for the player, I hope (and expect) that your coaching staff will have greater patience and appreciation for him.

Illinois Update - 3/1/10

by Krista from Illinois

Growing up in Peoria, Illinois I thought my local music scene was limited to bands like Mudvayne. Never the one to thrash around, I avoided it as much as I could. I found my joy from music from people like Regina Spektor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBEAaKcnNRg) and Rufus Wainwright (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_TxPQKcG7w). Recently I’ve discovered that my impressions of the local music scene have been false.

After moving to Bloomington for school, I’ve gotten the chance to meet some fantastic people. One of those is Lynn O’Brien (http://www.lynnobrienmusic.com/). Raised in Campaign, and now residing with me in Bloomington, Lynn is a true hometown hero for me. Her brand new cd, YES! was just released . In her own words, YES! is about celebrating life, taking opportunities as they come and enjoying what happens.

In a world where it seems that every day we are faced with another earthquake, scandal, murder, or just general grumpiness, Lynn O’Brien is a ray of sunshine. Her voice reminds you of a time gone past, sort of an Andrew sisters, but with a modern interpretation. Her songs at first seem frivolous and simply fun, but a second and third listen give you the chance to see her wisdom in saying YES!

Her first album, Umbrella, is just as fun, and is available on iTunes (YES! is only available locally at the moment) Both feature not only rich vocals, but a plethora of instruments, from the cello to the kazoo. Definitely worth a listen, if only to prove to yourself that there is culture south of Chicago.

A Quick Hello From Phoenix

by Charline from Arizona

In this concrete jungle known as Phoenix many of you may wonder what we do for relaxation. Allow me to share. On those rare days when the temperature gauge actually rests on that teeny line separating our “hot” versus “hell” months many of us venture outside. Where better to go than the zoo? I recently managed to cajole one of my friends into going along but sadly we forgot it was Valentine’s Day. We crested the last small hill which had kept the zoo hidden and came face to face with its overflowing parking lot. I briefly contemplated returning another day but we were already there and I was eager to see the animals. In locating a parking spot we were lucky enough to witness an “almost” altercation between two muscle bound hunks. The one was saving an empty space with his vehicle; the other was irate he could not have it. Temperatures have not even reached triple digits yet and already tempers are flaring.

Once inside I grabbed a map even though I didn’t really need it. I know the zoo like the back of my hand. I hurried off to visit one of my favorite exhibits, the Black Tailed Prairie Dogs. They are nothing if not predictable. As usual they were eating although I was unsure if this was breakfast, snack, elevensies or just plain lunch. I am fairly certain they are somehow related to hobbits. They are small, have hairy feet, are plump in the middle, and they love to eat.

“Recycling” took on new meaning at the Golden Eagle / Common Raven exhibit. An empty toilet paper roll was being carried around by a massive raven because the center was now filled with food. In case you were not aware, felines are not the only animals that “cat-nap.” The coyotes and Mexican wolves were also doing a great job of this. For the record “out of sight, out of mind” does not hold true at the zoo. The emptier the enclosure, the more determined people were to find its inhabitant. Consequently various sticks, stones, and even a few cacti became the elusive “animal.” I could have spent hours with the squirrel monkeys but apparently so could everyone else. I never really heard people go completely gaga before until about forty of them all noticed (at the same time) a squirrel monkey scratching its tail. The Hamadryas Baboon sitting alone on her log reminded me of a wizened old man. Truthfully I think she was just irate because the male was hogging the rest of their enclosure. The otters were out cavorting with reckless abandon; able to hold everyone’s attention until the onlookers realized they could go ride a camel. Definitely healthier than smoking one!

Also, in watching those around me I did notice collars on polo shirts are once again standing up. People! Please! There is a reason this trend ended! Finally, many of you may be familiar with “mini me” from the second and third “Austin Powers” movies? Well, I saw the three foot five inch “mini” version of Lou Ferrigno’s “The Hulk” today. What can I say? It was the hair! Whenever I saw him I idly wondered if he would become enraged, turn green, start growling, and lose his clothes.

All in all it was a great day at the zoo!

In sports, January 29^th was a sad day for the Arizona Cardinal’s organization and Cardinal fans since Kurt Warner announced his retirement. Warner comes across as a man who sticks to his decisions so I doubt that we here in Arizona will suffer through any “is he retiring, is he not” drama. A possible downside might be that Warner’s solid decision may not land him any Superbowl commercials like Hyundai’s comical vision of “Brett Favre Ten Years Later.” The upside is that Warner will definitely be remembered for his playing skills and not how many times he wavered back and forth about retiring. Let’s hope that Matt Leinart is capable of filling the rather sizeable shoes Warner leaves behind.

Lastly, I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to Gilbert police officer, Lt. Shuhandler, who died in the line of duty on the night of January 28^th. The tragic event started as a routine traffic stop but did not end until over an hour later; more than fifty miles from where it all began. I would ask that we remember these uniformed men and women place themselves in harms way every day in order to offer us protection and uphold the laws of our country. Maybe next time we see one of them we can take the time to treat them with thankfulness and let them know they matter!

Charline Ratcliff, author

www.thecurseofnefertiti.com

Cockfighting in Kentucky

by Tony from Kentucky

Animal cruelty is always a hot button issue in this country. From local issues to Micheal Vick Americans don't accept cruelty to animals. The state of Kentucky however is divided on one animal cruelty issue, cockfighting. For those not familiar with the practice sharp, knife-like blades are attached to the talons of roosters. Roosters by nature will fight when put together, so when raising chickens only one rooster is needed per group of hens. After attaching the blades the roosters are placed in a round concrete pen and allowed to fght to the death. This type of activity draws large amounts gambling, drug activity, and often the illegal trade of guns. In the state of Kentucky this horrific abuse is listed as a mis-demeanor with a maximum of a $500 dollar fine. According to reports in The Mt. Sterling Advocate, Montgomery County, which has a large cock-fighting arena that would rival many boxing venues, receives in excess of 1 millon dollars a year from hotel, restaraunt and other business activities.

Although the venue was taken down by state law enforcement two years ago, a Louisiana organization has reopened the facility due to the lax laws. They are more than willing to pay the fines and report the income. Local law enforcement turns a blind eye and the local mayor of Jeffersonville, another Montgomery County town in which the venue actually resides, has stated his approval of the activity due to the great financial benefit to the local economy. Currently the Kentucky state legislature is looking into making the activity a felony but until then, the practice will continue.

New Mexico Update - 2/4/10

by Jess from New Mexico

Reading through the surrounding blogs, it seems a blanket of snow has covered the entire country in its wintery shawl. All over sleepy little towns, people are slipping and sliding and driving at 20 miles an hour to work. New Mexico is no exception. Our fair, irregularly shaped state is getting school closures, delays and early releases almost twice a week now and drivers reluctantly leave their homes to slide through red lights on Cerillios Road. But, although we're not truly versed in the ways of winter, we do not complain. Instead we put on our game faces and hats with pom poms and we go up to the Santa Fe Ski Basin. These days the slopes are mobbed with inexperienced snowboarders, average skiiers and daredevils with wide grins venturing down some of the more intense slopes like Molly Hogan and Lower Wizard.

The Santa Fe Ski Basin, located up the wibbliest-wobbliest road in town, is the perfect place to learn how to become one with the snow. For the youngins, there's a great Ski School. Located up the double seated chairlift are some adorable bunny slopes and up the quad are some great intermediates i.e. Muerte and Midland. And for those feeling adventurous there's the triple lift which leads to fantastic views (Gayway) or a long, challenging mogul run (Roadrunner). Don't fit into the aforementioned categories? Well for those who don't feel like faceplanting into a mogul is enough punishment and would rather ski into a tree, there are runs like Big Rocks (a properly named run which resembles closer a sign pointing to a forest then a regulation run).

For those in New Mexico who love to glide upon the surface of the snow they go to the Santa Fe Ski Basin. For those who prefer requiring a parachute to ski, they go to Taos. In short, New Mexico is a great place for snow sports.

Arkansas Update - 2/1/10

by Doctor Perry from Arkansas

For the past few years I have awaken from my nightly slumber in the exact same way; a reluctant opening of one eye and then the other, a drunken stumble from the bed to the living room, and a glance out the window at the world around me. Each morning I partake in this ritual and yet I almost always see the same thing: nothing. The highway is quiet so early in the morning and not even the most insomniac-stricken peoples are out yet. And still I stare at the empty landscape, sighing at the blank view of asphalt that runs across the edge of my land. The sun has not yet risen but it’s already hot. It’s always hot.

But not today. When I peered, half-asleep, out that dirty glass window early last week I found a bizarre sight. Through the glass, frosted with ice, I saw not the usual dull brown and reds of the country, but an amazing world of bright whites and beautiful, shining snow painted over my land. Somehow, and I still haven’t quite figured it out, my hot, sticky, lazy town had been replaced with a vibrant, gorgeously breathtaking one. I was astonished. I was so excited, in fact, that I immediately ran out to greet the new alien planet I had discovered. This, I soon learned, was a bad idea.

What had at first appeared to be a gift from the gods soon became the most terrible curse I could imagine. Sure the snow is beautiful, and sure the children love the stuff. But as soon as I darted outside, running across the lawn like a schoolchild toward a candy store, I understood the horrors of winter weather. My feet were suddenly no longer attached to the ground. What blasphemy was this? My arms were flailing about wildly and I seemed to be floating. But I was not floating. I was falling. And it hurt.

Since that initial slip I have fallen at least a dozen times; on the stairs, on the sidewalk, in my driveway. Even my loyal dogs seem to be standing in specific areas strategically mapped to cause me to trip and fall. I can’t walk, I can’t run, and I can barely drive. Yes, we get it; snow is pretty. But is it really worth me risking a broken bone every time I go outside? I think not. So I’m begging you, anyone who has the power to do so, speed up global warming! Make the skies rain fire! Burn the earth! Whatever it takes to end this nightmare, I beg you to do it.

Please, set the planet on fire now, before someone gets hurt!

Civil Rights Protest Site Opens As Museum

by Josh from North Carolina

On February 1, 1960, four African-American college students, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr., David Richmond, and Joseph McNeil, began a sit-in at an all white lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Six months later, it ended with successful desegregation, blacks and whites finally sharing the same eating space. The Greensboro Four protest, as it came to be called, is widely considered as one of the seminal acts of Southern civil rights. Forty-nine years later, the former F.W. Woolworth five and dime whose events ignited similar sit-ins across the South has been transformed into the International Civil Rights Center & Museum (http://www.sitinmovement.org/home.asp).

Containing many preserved 1929 Woolworth architectural details, including terrazzo floors and an art deco staircase, as well as featuring the original contested stools and counter as its focal point, the center is a repository of historical documents and artifacts relating to the struggle for civil rights. The 30,000 square foot complex houses fourteen permanent exhibits, a state of the art auditorium, traveling exhibits, and an archival center. Notable artifacts on display include a 1950s era bus seat signed by Rosa Parks; a rare two-sided Coke machine, one meant for blacks, the other for whites; and a pen used by President Lyndon Johnson to sign the National Voting Rights Act of 1965 (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2010-01-28-international-civil-rights-center_N.htm). The museum’s stated purpose is to provide a place “to witness, to experience and to discuss how to affect social change in our own nation and around the world.” (http://www.sitinmovement.org/home.asp)

Greensboro is the third-largest city in North Carolina, and elected its first African-American mayor, Yvonne Johnson, in 2007.

Doors open February 1, 2010. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, and $4 for children aged 6-12 (under 6 are free).

When Pigs Fly

by Alan from Massachusetts (Link 1- Link 2)

Back in 2004, the Red Sox finally won the World Series. The headline on Boston.com: "When pigs fly, when hell freezes over". Well that same headline could have been used when Massachusetts did something that it rarely does -- elect a Republican senator! Scott Brown, a Republican, won the special election to fill the seat left vacant upon Sen. Ted Kennedy's death. We have elected Republican governors, but the last Republican senator from MA was Ed Brooke who served from 1967 to 1979. According to his Wikipedia biography, he was the first African-American senator elected by popular vote.

Many people believe that MA is a very liberal state. In some ways that may be true, but voter registration statistics disagree. According to the site DemocraticUnderground, there are 4,220,488 registered voters (as of 2008). Of those voters, 2,141,878 are listed as Independents (no party affiliation), 1,559,464 as Democrats, 490,259 as Republicans, and 28,887 as one of the many third parties. If anything, Independents and third party members are increasing.

Third parties include but are not limited to: the Conservative Party, Natural Law Party, Green Party USA, We The People, and the Constitution Party. The amount of Independent and third party voters is not surprising considering that MA is the cradle of the American Revolution.

Massachusetts also provides a variety of contrasts. There are old mill and factory communities, fishing communities, and country hamlets in addition to old cities. Our public transportation system is the oldest in the U.S. and its blue line was the first subway line to travel underground across water. It connects downtown Boston with East Boston and some communities on the North Shore.

I look forward to sharing more information with you about the beautiful state of MA and its residents.

Alan Cohen

http://acohen413.tripod.com

http://acohen843.gather.com

Phoenix Meets the Leftovers from California's Storm and Wins! Sort of...

by Charline from Arizona

I woke up this morning around six for seemingly no reason at all. My tired brain went into over-time trying to figure out why I was awake at this awful hour especially since I didn't fall into bed until sometime after two. Several minutes later I realized I was listening to the sound of rain. Again. Apparently when a person wakes up, their hearing is one of the LAST senses to work properly! Funny, I always heard it was smell... No pun intended.

So there I lay, wondering when exactly I had moved from Phoenix a.k.a. the "Valley of the Sun" to Seattle. When I was a child, my parents briefly lived in a small town on the Olympic Peninsula inappropriately named "Belfair". Correct town name? "Belfoul". Because of this experience I am quite familiar with the consistent rainfall Seattle is well known for. I can assure you the weather we have been experiencing here would definitely make her proud!

Where does one even begin to describe this storm and its effects? Should I start by mentioning that during the entire YEAR of 2009 Phoenix only received 1.59 inches of rain while just last week alone we received a whopping 2 inches? There were travel restrictions around the entire state of Arizona and I saw footage of a road that had been eroded from underneath by water. Dry gulches, river beds and washes now frothed and seethed with water that angrily pounded its way through them. A house around 48th Street and the Carefree Highway overlooking a nearby wash had part of the land supporting it washed away. Let me just state for the record, seeing a house teetering over an apparent raging river is not a common sight here in Phoenix! Did I mention yet that the ENTIRE city of Wenden, Arizona flooded early Friday morning? Can you imagine waking up in the morning, you know...when your brain is hazy and those senses we previously discussed are not functioning correctly...only to step out of bed and into the bathtub? How many of us would immediately wonder if we wet the bed...I know I might!

On the flip side, my mother felt it necessary to call late Friday afternoon so she could tell me what was happening here in Phoenix. *chuckle* Thanks mom! While Flagstaff received almost five feet of snow which caused the roofs on some buildings to collapse, there WAS a collective cheer heard around the state from the operators of the Arizona Snowbowl and the people who love to ski! City officials in Flagstaff are also thrilled because Lake Mary, which prior to this storm was only filled to thirty percent, now sits at sixty percent. More importantly if they are *cough* lucky enough to receive another foot of snow before winter's end their water usage will be covered for the next two years! Can I please get a "Huzzah"!

I am also pleased to announce that, to my knowledge, only two people were ticketed for breaking the "Stupid Motorist Law". Yes! That is an actual law here in Arizona; for its definition please follow the included link. I can't actually explain it to you for fear of what I might be compelled to say after! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stupid_Motorist_Law

In closing, here's hoping the skies clear, the house doesn't fall into the wash, the damaged roads get repaired, Lake Wenden dries up and Flagstaff only receives a foot of snow and not another four and a half or at least not all at the same time!

On a more serious note though... I would like to take a moment and offer my condolences to the families who lost loved ones because of this storm. I hope that each of you will take the time to remember them in your thoughts and prayers as well!

Charline Ratcliff, author
www.thecurseofnefertiti.com

A White Christmas

by Heather from Minnesota

Minnesota is well known for its cold, snow filled winters, and averages between 40 & 60 inches of snowfall annually. This year would be no different as residents prepared for a possible record breaking winter storm, beginning on the evening of Dec. 23rd, just in time for Christmas. The forecast predicted a possible 16 - 22 inches, with potential to become comparable to the Halloween snowstorm in 1991, which had a total of 28.4 inches in just 4 days, as well as breaking the Twin Cities Christmas eve record of 1916 with 2.8 inches, and it's Christmas day record of 1945 with 9.6 inches.

Over the next three days, the storm caused plenty of chaos. Hundreds of crashes were reported, and more than 1000 cars ended up in ditches. Nearly 1000 metro-area households lost power, and over 150 flights had been canceled at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. When the storm ended on Dec.26th, it had managed to break the Christmas Eve record of 1916, but failed to come close to the Halloween storm of 1991. Total snowfall for the duration of the storm was recorded at 9 inches for the Twin Cities, and nearly 24 inches in Duluth.

Grey Bears

A note from Juneau

The fate of polar bears in a warmer world is unclear. They are in a grey area.

The answer is to teach them to live on the arctic mainland, in addition to reducing the causes and exacerbation of changes in habitat.

We can't float synthetic icebergs because we're going to need those water passages for shipping routes; not just for commerce but for disaster recovery. Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and if we want to provide aide, we need increased avenues for global supply.

Luckily, bears are naturally becoming more terrestrial in the summer. Now some are swimming to shore in the summer when areas of ice have disappeared.

Do polar bears really need ice to survive? Or can they emulate brown bears and hunt on land?

Polar bears are known to eat a varied diet including: walrus, white whales, narwhals, and harp seals, small mammals, bird eggs, sea weed, grass, and other vegetation, although these food sources are less common.
Just today the news said bears in the Southeast, mostly Sitka, woke up out of hibernation due to warm weather. They had a snack, and are expected to go back to sleep. Bears are changeable; probably why they made it to top predator status.

How could we live together if we “invited” them to land? Polar bears are curious animals and will investigate human settlements and gar-bage. They have been known to eat crazy things like: plastic bags, styrofoam, car batteries, ethylene glycol, and hydraulic fluid.

Would they kill our pets, livestock, and first born children? Maybe.

Different Arctic nations treat Polar bears differently. They are protected in Canada and the United States. In Canada, polar bears are legally hunted. Seasons, protected categories, and quotas apply. In Alaska, polar bear hunting is not legal, but native people may kill animals for subsistence. In Russia and Svalbard, polar bears are completely protected. In Greenland, polar bears are legally harvested by Inuk hunters.

What do you think?

Things We Do For Love

by Jess from New Mexico

Down here in New Mexico we love pain. Daily we order pain in, smothering or on the side of our meals. But we don’t refer to it as pain, we just call it chile. Although it may be hard to believe, chile is not a bowl of beans and onions and meat but it’s an honest to goodness vegetable. In fact we grow them, peel them and roast them right here in our own state. If you’re driving past the right stores during the right time of year, you can salivate over the unmistakable smell of roasting chiles. But smelling is nothing compared to the experience of eating them.

Chile comes in two varieties, green and red (if you want both you ask for ‘Christmas’ with your meal). Debates are hotly contended over which makes your eyes water more but both are impressive competitors. When one eats chile on a good day, your eyes will begin to water, your tongue will feel as though it’s singed, your sinuses will be cleared faster than any medicine can and your lips will all but fall off from the warm tingling induced by the heat. To put it in perspective, chile isn’t as hot as well made wasabi, but it’s hotter than curry. But although some in season chile can make you forget how to speak, it’s tradition in the Southwest and we love it despite the pain.

Put Your Memories On Ice

by Vanessa from Vermont

Someone asked me today how many months we burn wood. ‘We’ was meant to be collective. I answered, “Roughly eight”. Yes, here in Vermont we burn wood roughly 8 months out of 12, depending on the year. This question was asked while a group huddled around the fireplace, warm soup was simmering on the stovetop and pie baking in the oven. Outside, it was a balmy zero. That’s right-zero.

Not surprising, weather is usually the topic of conversation in small towns across our state; in the post office, in the country store, at the bank. It is more often than not the first thing out of someone’s mouth, “Cold today, isn’t it?”, “Big storm coming!”, “Hope it warms up a bit”.

Given that Vermonters only have a few days of sun on average a year, we have to sometimes force ourselves to get out and enjoy ALL kinds of weather. I have found that this is when some of the best memories are made.

One New Year’s Eve when a nor ‘easter storm hit we went sledding down a deserted hill. The flakes were coming down so fast and they were so big, our eyelashes were loaded up with them. We could hardly catch our breath we were laughing so hard. There was the Great Ice Storm of 1998 that had the power company working overtime for over a month. We put on our skates the day after the worst of it and skated back and forth down the road. We made sure to bring our camera for that one! Most recently, we bundled up our 14 month old son and brought him to the local iced over pond. We put him in the smallest skates I have ever seen and made a memory I will never forget. It made no difference to him that it was 10 degrees. He only knew that his family was together and we were having the most fun. Our noses may have been red but the only part of us that hurt was our cheeks from giggling so much.

So, my new motto is: no matter the weather you are served, get out there and make some memories.

State Snack: Cheese?

by Jon in Wisconsin

State Senator Jim Sullivan (Wauwatosa) recently submitted a bill for consideration that would make cheese the official 'state snack' of Wisconsin. (In case you're wondering, Wisconsin does not currently have an official state snack.) Wisconsin has long been called 'America's Dairyland' and Wisconsinites (especially Packer fans) are commonly referred to as 'cheeseheads'.

I have mixed feelings on the bill. I love cheese (I used to work at a cheese factory, as a matter of fact) and cheese is definitely a major part of the Wisconsinite diet -- it goes well with many, many kinds of food (hamburgers, hotdogs, nachos, pasta, biscuits, chili to name a few). However, I'm not sure I like calling it a snack. That kind of implies that cheese is eaten by itself between meals. As far as snacks, I'm rather fond of chips, or beef jerky, or cookies.

I definitely think cheese is fitting of an official 'state ____' title -- I'm just not sure snack is the best noun to fill that blank. I think I would even go so far as to say cheese should be Wisconsin's state food, though I'm sure the corn (state grain) and cranberry (state fruit) would be none too pleased with that proposal.