In which we find ourselves in another part of the world
The best days of The Sportsmen’s Lounge were behind it long before we got to town. So, no huge surprise to see a handwritten sign on the door saying they’re closed. They had some improbable flowers in the tiny dirt strip in the front, and neon signs from brands of beer I won’t drink and teams I don’t care about.
We only made it in one time, even though I was once told by a memorably alcoholic lady at another bar that the Friday seafood lunch was very much worth the trip.
I set the new porch lights to flashing for New Year’s.
This is what happens when you put a dramatic silk flower arrangement on a high spot, leave the iPad on the counter, and mix in an unknowable combination of a curious cat and air currents.
The first thing we did was to make sure that duct tape was not a feasible solution.
The Apple Store wants a whole lot of money for a new screen, the local repair shop wants less but still hundreds. We can buy a replacement kit for under $30, so we’ll try that first.
Make America Grout Again
American Federation of Shower Installers
The eyes have it at the Experienced Goods thrift store, where the windows are always artful.
And from a fun store called Positive Geek, we have a shrine to the late Carrie Fisher.
Driving along the road in Vermont, one of the last things you expect to see is a sign that reads “tacos.”
Now, this is southern Vermont, so I suppose Sarah Palin could see Mexico from here… but still.
We stopped, and learned that this is the distribution center for the former Tito’s Tacos. It’s “the former” because of a trademark dustup with a Tito’s Tacos in the Los Angeles area… It doesn’t seem like there is much room to confuse the two, but I suppose one has to protect one’s brand.
Now, Vermont Tito is selling tacos for breakfast and burritos for lunch out of a little corner grocery that we had never actually been in before. It’s a cute little store, the tacos were delicious, and we’ll be back. Good Mexican food is definitely something we miss around here, so this will be a welcome treat.
(thanks Kevin for the caption)
I never posted final pics of our new living room, so here they are, now that we’re all moved in and dressed up for Christmas. So far, we love how it looks and feels. The windows and insulation are keeping us nice and comfy. 
The Christmas roast Sherry found by working a contact in the restaurant business. The picture doesn’t really do it justice, but after feeding about 15 people to torporous excess AND providing big to-go slabs for those who wanted, there was still a whole bunch left over.
We had a wonderful Christmas morning at home, with presents and treats for all. The cats are basically drunk with flowers and ribbons and paper everywhere.
Even the birds got a fresh batch of seeds.
The tree gained an octopus and a seal, because why not?
It was a snowy pre-Christmas, and today we’ll have more melting.
We are thinking of friends and family near and far, and how fortunate we are this day. We wish everyone who sees this a merry Christmas and a safe, healthy and happy new year.
Back in Brattleboro, Everyone’s Books reassures me that the apocalypse hasn’t happened yet.
As the eye doctor would say… which is better, A 
or B?
One of our last SXM activities was a visit to the butterfly farm. It was surprisingly nice, lots of butterflies, a little system of koi ponds, tranquil music. Most of their business comes from vanloads of cruise ship passengers.
They give you a little cup of fruit punch, with or without rum, and you can dip your fingers in it and the butterflies will land on your hand and drink the juice off your finger. Once they’ve settled in to a meal, they are quite willing to let you walk around with them… one man in the little tour group finally asked a staff member to get a butterfly off him, since didn’t want to touch the wings.
Obviously I took a lot of pictures…
Maybe Rotary Clubs everywhere do this, but I’d never noticed before… sponsorship of rotaries. Brilliant!
“Trust in the Lord and be courageous” is not what you want to be told as you enter a restaurant, much less a restaurant called Skanki’s.
Brattleboro Adventure – the Auckland Edition 