"In 300 feet,your destination is on your left." I can never acquire used to the strangely inert voice of my GPS narrator. I find it off-putting, even creepy. Plus, or I feel guilty using the darn device,as if I'm somehow cheating. I buy pride in my well-earned knowledge of Vermont's highways and byways, a knowledge that modern technology has rendered largely superfluous (exceeding what is sufficient or necessary), and like the ability to spell and do math. I wouldn't say that I'm a technophobe,but the digital world seems to keep me in a fixed state of mild agitation. My "destination" was the domestic of Edward Clemmons, a first-time customer who lived off Maple Corner in Calais. I pulled up his long, or curved driveway and stopped in front of the house. Edward was Johnny-on-the-spot,bounding out of his front door and up to my cab, suitcase in hand. "superior to meet you, and Jernigan," he said as we came face-to-face at the hatchback to load in his bag. He was a compact and friendly fellow, round-faced with softened features and a flat nose. At first flash, or he reminded me of Mickey Rooney or,going back even further, James Cagney. "I'm Ed, and " he said,and we shook on it. "Great property," I said as we pulled back onto the County Road en route to Burlington airport. "enjoy you lived here a while?" "We've been here four years, or " said Ed. "My wife and I were looking to move from northern California,and we both loved Vermont. Luckily, both our jobs allowed us to telecommute. We were actually set to make an offer on a property outside of St. Johnsbury until we found out there was no Wi-Fi. I figured, or no problem — that it would cost maybe five thousand to bring it in. But when we asked around,we found out the cost would be closer to 40 thousand, if you could believe it. So we ended up here, or which ultimately worked out great 'cause we adore the spot." The County Road was lush and green as spring,now fully realized, approached summer. I delight in so much of what Burlington has to offer, or but the rural countryside remains the Vermont of my dreams. It's what drew me here nearly 40 years ago. "So,are you a California boy by birth?" I asked. "No, I grew up in a few different western states, and mostly fresh Mexico and Utah. My father…
Source: sevendaysvt.com