Why I love Vermont

There are many reasons I love Vermont: being able to see the stars at night; not having billboards; the views; the slower pace; not having to wear makeup or nice shoes in public. It goes on.

Over the years (having lived in this state over half my life) I have tried to come up with what makes Vermonters different and special. Could be the cow manure on their boots. But it's more. I have chalked it up to a lack of pretension and being practical. Vermonters (my in-laws included) don't raise chickens and bake their own bread. Those are not practical. Eggs cost 99 cents a dozen and who has time to bake bread? Those are things that flatlanders do to seem more Vermont-y. That's the kind of thing I do.

Real Vermonters are down-to-earth. They don't put on airs and they hate people who are phony or pretentious.

And yesterday, I saw evidence of this practicality once again. File this under "Only in Vermont" and cross-reference it under "How Jessie Embarrasses Herself Once Again."

So I was sitting in the dentist chair having my permanent crowns put on. (Yes, they had to use a lot of anesthesia and yes I looked like Elvis Presley when I ran my errands afterward.) The dentist left to check on another patient, so I was left with his assistant, a nice lady I remembered from the time before.

We made small talk about our kids; hers are grown. And she mentioned here and there that "Jim works till 8 or 9 every night" and how late they eat dinner and all that. When I said it must be hard to find time together (because she takes care of her elderly parents after work), she said it wasn't bad because she travels with him on the weekends.

(Here is the part where, when I told my friend about this incident, she said, "Please don't tell me you asked what her husband does for a living.")

"So," I said, assuming the guy was a truck driver or something, "What does your husband do for a living?"

There was a pause. And then she said:

"He's the governor."

AAAAUUGH. (Dying of embarrassment here.) That's right. The governor of Vermont lives in our town (which I knew) and his wife works in town (which I also knew) for my dentist (which I once knew but forgot). And, hey, she had a mask on. How was I to know? Which is basically what I said (and then I vowed to write a column about this, which I probably will).

Later I got thinking, this probably has never happened in, say, California. But in Vermont, things are different. There is no governor's mansion; the first lady (?) works like anyone else; and ignorant people embarrass themselves every day.

That is why I love Vermont.

Then I went home and called every person I know so they could hear it from me and not from the gossip wheel that is life in a small town.

And I did some knitting.

Comments

[Carole]

It wouldn't happen here in Massachusetts either. I like saving myself from this particular embarassment, though.

[Norma]

My friend (originally from Queens) has a similar story about Gov. Dean and him tying his kids' skates right next to her at the rink at 5 a.m. She nearly plotzed.

I'm dying up here. Truck driver, indeed. Mwahahahaha! Heee!!!!!

[Laura]

What a great story! Makes a person want to live in Vermont. It's not just gorgeous, it's friendly and down to earth too! :)

[Cindy]

How cool is that that your governor has no mansion and all that expensive crap. I would only rate this as a 5 on the total embarrassment scale, wouldn't you? Embarrassing, but not totally humiliating? Maybe it's just me, but I think it was kinda cute.

[kitkatknit]

I love Washington State for the same reasons. Stars at night; not having billboards; the views; the slower pace; not having to wear makeup or nice shoes in public... I've lived here for most of my life.

I am still cracking up about the governor's wife!! (sorry) Sounds exactly like something I'd do.

[MJ]

Great story! Wish I could have a bit of Vermont here, even our office manager namedrops, and loudly too.

[Ramona]

Hey, I once had Tom Wolfe (the writer) walk into a hotel restaurant I was hostessing in (I was eighteen) and ask for directions to the upscale restaurant down the hall. The manager of the hotel called on the phone as I was speaking to Tom and asked if I knew who Tom Wolfe was and had I seen him. I was looking straight at Tom Wolfe when I replied, "I have no idea who Tom Wolfe Is". I will never forget the look Tom Wolfe gave me. Don't feel so bad, it happens to all of us.

[Cassie]

Fantastic story! Aren't you glad you had anesthesia as an excuse?

[JessaLu]

Too funny :o) I was expecting her to say "He's the Dentist" ;o)

[heather]

That is so funny! I like that they are like the rest of the people, not all high and mighty. Makes them more down to earth, don't ya think?

I got my yarn today and it's perfect. I love it. To agree with your previous post, your yarns ARE unique and the colors blend so nice. You do a fantastic job!
Thanks so much!

[Melissa]

Good to know that not all states waste their money on mansions and such for the governor. Maybe hubby and I should come to Vermont.

[lynne s of oz]

I so need to move to Vermont, except I'd die in winter. (Just typed winer, would be whiner if I had to deal with near zero celcius temps, let alone subzero!). I'm considered odd at work cos I don't buy expensive clothes and shoes and don't wear much makeup. I want out of big corporates!
Your merino tencel is coming up beautifully. And dyeing is so much fun!

[Latoya]

Good that you're on to that vine of gossip. Yes, mistakes do happen, life is full of them.
Knit on!

[margene]

At least you had presence of mind to start the gossip youself;-)

[hillary]

That's a great story. Thanks for a good laugh.

[Julie]

Thanks for the funny story. I hope you weren't in the midst of everything - choking on plugs of cotton can be dangerous!

[naomi]

(Hi. I got here from Norma's...) That was funny, and now I'm kinda homesick.

[Kay]

Good Gossip Management!!! I love this story! It should be syndicated in newspapers nationwide. Readers Digest!

xoxo Kay

[Amy Boogie]

Priceless. I don't think even the Maine governor's wife works.

[Carrie]

This story completely made my day. I love it to death.
In Arizona, not only would you see lots of billboards and never talk to the governor directly, but all the billboards have her face on them. I guess I could talk to the billboards.
Living in Tucson, I AM likely to run into Linda Ronstadt, though.

[Libby]

I totally just snorted reading that. :) But that's totally something I would do too...

[Kris in Wisconsin]

I also got here from Norma's. The story is pretty funny. But, if she works like everyone else, how are you supposed to know who she is. I would have been pretty mortified too.

[Susan]

Via Norma's also, that's just too funny. My friend's mom did a similar thing to Shaq in an elevator. We still tease her. How can you miss Shaq?

[Katy]

Having grown up in northern NH and then living in VT for seven years, I totally get how you could ask that question. ;) And it's why I love Vemont and miss it terribly!

[emmy]

Norma sent me here too.Although she didn't know that she did. I mostly lurk but I had to comment on this one!
WOW! Things are really different here in Virginia. I loved your story and look forward to reading more of your blog.