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It’s really dark here in Vermont this time of year. And every year, by the third week in January, I feel like I’m seeing everything through the wrong end of a telescope. A dirty telescope. I stop wanting to answer the phone. I have a hard time picking out a cereal at the store. Most mornings it just seems easier to wear what I wore to bed.
After Trump’s first week in office, I feel worse than most years. And actually the whole world seems on edge. It seems like no one can decide how to help or what to do. Or how much to look or look away.
Dunkin’ Donuts and the library are the last two public places in most towns around here where everyone’s welcome and no one wonders how long you’ll be there. For about a dollar you can stay at Dunkin’ Donuts as long as you want. I went there to talk with people. Not about Trump necessarily. But about how their lives are going, and whether they fit into the famous middle class we keep hearing so much about. Also I went there because in January in Vermont, it’s good to sit in a bright place with a cup of coffee and talk with strangers.
Credits and Thanks
My thanks to John Dillon and Scott Carrier. The music in the end of this show is by Vermont musician Peter Cressy.
Erica,
I come here after being depressed by the latest news out of Washington. Such a pleasant change.
Erica this is such a great show. Thank you for sharing this glimpse into the lives of people I drive past every day but never talk to. Also, thank you for setting the example of putting oneself out there, of overcoming the hurdle of umcomfortableness, of pushing through the heavy curtain of depression and dread to participate in civic life.
A great show, Erica, definitely upper class!
You had me at tanning booth. The people you interviewed (the few of the many you interviewed) were brilliant. “Chug-a-lugging along.” And at the end when the man says that he’d be bummed out in January too if he didn’t have faith. And that you are middle class because you’re making a show. Best 16 minutes of January. A close second to the Green River Stories. And that Barre DD is the mothership.
Hey Ericka, my mom use to say ,”the first hundred years are the hardest after that you don’t give a damm!,” I only tell you this to cheer you up and make you laugh!
Seasonal defective disorder sucks! But it’s now the end of January and the days are getting longer. We’re coming out of the tunnel !
As far as Trump goes he’ll sit at the judgement table someday like the rest of us.
“Good will always outweigh evil ” Superman
I wish you a happy New Years and happy Soltice
John! I am so happy to hear from you. Yeah we’ve kicked this winter in the butt…right? Thank you John. Happy 1/2 way through winter. E
Fate and grace….no, faith! Surprizing how a faith/ religious outlook will help those who are really not being served well by our society. Perhaps not so surprizing to those who are now in power. Thanks for this piece Erica, and while I don’t suggest a tanning booth prescription, I do so very strongly empathize with the winter blues, and hope you go south soon. But, yeah, half way through winter now….I used to survive by a one week escape to the DR. That’s definitely an upper middle class solution, but… wonderful work you are doing, and thanks for speaking truth to power ( if that is what the donald is )
Bene Dodge
I love it: faith and grace. Dark winter days or not, we all need faith and grace to get us through our days.
Lovely program, Erica. Keep on sharing! Ruth
Hi Erica,
Great show. I love the texture of the voices, including yours which sounded as though it might break into tears and set up the show perfectly.
Robby
I’ve listened three times already. Do you have a cold? God, I don’t know whether to stay here or go. I am sorry for being hostile to the young bearded men, too. And I want to burst into tears because I can’t find words to express my love for the people you talked to in Barre. Do you want to go on a trip to Florida with me?
I’ve had a cold since before Christmas.
Another great one, Erica.
Who would have guessed that Dunkin Donuts could be a therapy center – for patient AND therapist?
I thought that the answers to your bold question about: How would you describe your class” were intriguing and hopeful
Maybe there are still some folks left in Vermont which not so long ago, was called “The Last Stronghold of the Yankees”.
Damn. I really loved this one, Erica.
Hang in there! This is one beautiful broadcast.
true grit.thank you.
Thank you for your work; it’s so poignant, never masking the truth, but also, nearly always exposing beauty. It’s such a wonderful connection to my beloved home state.
The Swedes say that skiing cures everything while the Finns say ski but have some disgusting fish dish and a sauna too. So to cure the winter blues: Ski and eat smelly fish. So far I’ve only done the one…..PF
Dear Erica -Thanks for another good story. I had meant to write you last month. At the end of December I visited your site again and listened to story on the Child Protective Services. We are adoptive parents, and our family was a sibling group of three. They were 6-1/2, 5-1/2 and 3 in 1986. I just listening, with my head leaning on my hand. We know the pain and the angst that comes with the territory of child services, dysfunctional families and adoption. Afterward I got thinking about the other two stories that had such a big impact last year–the interview with Ben, and the story about Jubal , and indirectly my years working in N. Hyde Park. It is striking–and perhaps a bit crazy even, that your work has touched on my life this much. So thank you. In the end, class doesn’t matter so much. Too often we view these things through the prism of consumption and material goods No one wants to suffer real deprivation, but comfort and convenience are overrated. Finding meaning is far more important. What makes us middle class are our values and character. Ultimately all we have is the power of our own lives and life energy, which is so puny and everything at the same time. So I hope at some point you will feel in your bones that you are doing good and valuable work, It is good that you are struggling to find new ways to be involved. As for the winter blues thing, I have found it helpful to do something nice for myself every day; re-read a favorite book, listen to music, call a friend….
Erica,
Thanks for yet another cracking show; I hang out for the next Rumble Strip episode. I find the work you do incredibly valuable. It is, without exaggeration, one of the things that keeps me going, and keeps me feeling engaged.
So a big thanks, from sunny, summery Australia.
What a huge boost in the middle of winter, and all the way from Australia! Thank you Stan….
e