Helen-Chantal Pike

Mar 20, 2013 4:26 AM EDT

Helen. A fun article to read. As one who has spent all my life here in the North and just adapted without thinking to our climate changes I enjoy your thoughts and impressions. Hope you beat Thoreau's record bu then he didn't venture as far into the wild as you did.

- Sharon

Apr 10, 2013 11:07 AM EDT

Though the sun shines not on my little postage stamp of woodland and earth today, this post warmed my soul and hydrated my spirit! 'The Sun' was once a favorite read. I'm reminded that in the storage room, there is a box filled with 12 years of Sun magazines and that it may be time to re-subscribe. My soul resonated with your longing for "convivial bliss" and after reading Marion Winik's 2 essays, I feel I've been asleep for 100years!! When did I go to sleep? Or, like the proverbial frog in the water, has an ever so gradual shrug of my shoulders under the weight of resigned futility dimmed the light to the point that I simply became immobile; hibernating in this remote woodland place I numbly and through a myoptic lense recognize as home. What now will I do with this glowing ember in my belly; this tickle, this wriggle of awakening awareness? Metaphorically, I'm feeling the delicious stretch and full being breath of a fully realized moment as I stand in the warmth of a spring day sun! I'm reminded that life's possibilities are infinite, only limited by my conscious awareness!!

- wendy macdonald

May 15, 2013 4:11 PM EDT

Helen, I think Jerry was there too! He went as part of his job at the Academy of American Poets. Love reading your blog.

- Judy Coletta

Feb 06, 2013 8:00 AM EST

I too love fleece, it is soft warm and feels like a snuggle. Lined pants are magical, nightgowns and sheets keep the heat in and fleece pullovers keep the wind out too. It is a modern miracle, right up there with velcro. Moving up from wool and flannel, this is the best way to find a warm hug whenever you want one. Thanks for sharing.

- Nancy Sabino

Feb 06, 2013 8:22 AM EST

Oh, my! You are so smart and creative in your fleece uses, Helen! I see another article coming: 101 Things to Do with Fleece. I adore the blankets - have slowly switched all our family blankets to them, plus have several throws for the sofas. The pant linings are brilliant (you're right, The Country Store has a wonderfully eclectic mix of unusual and practical offerings - makes a fun read). I think what you need now is a night-cap a la Twas the Night before Christmas ("I in my kerchief and mother in her cap" - is that how it goes?) Maybe set a new style trend, and let those sheep stay happy wearing their own coats.

- Pamela Waterman

Feb 06, 2013 9:53 AM EST

--The strength of the hills is in the people--
--necessity is the mother of invention--
Helen, you are one strong motha'

- eliz

Feb 06, 2013 5:33 PM EST

Sounds like you've got a storm coming, Helen! Good you've learned the ins and outs of fleece tent-building, and cat foot warmers! Get yourself stocked up and hunkered down for the weekend, and be safe!
xo Maureen (under my two Jersey light-gauge fleece blankets)

- Maureen Gribbroek

Feb 06, 2013 6:58 PM EST

And they're complaining here in Jersey that it's too cold...You are a trooper!!!!

- Maxine

Feb 07, 2013 12:44 PM EST

Wow, that sounds way to cold for me. I'm ready to go south from Jersey. It's to cold for me here. It seems the older I get the more I want the warm weather. Hope to see you soon. Let me know when you are in town.

- Traci

Feb 09, 2013 3:46 AM EST

Snug as a bug in a rug! My (cotton knit) hat is off to you for your bravery. Long live fleece!

- Eugenia

Feb 13, 2013 7:27 AM EST

girl, you better come in outta the cold! if it's fleece that warms the cockels of your heart and other places, i say fleece on!!

- lorraine stone

May 01, 2013 4:44 PM EDT

Thanks for the heads up on the wonder of fleece. In buying my turn-of-the-century summer bungalow turned winter residence, I did expect a bit of a draft through the wainscoting. And boy was I RIGHT! My fleece blanket is my new best friend. I'm able to keep the heat at around 58 degrees and be perfectly happy with that. Thanks Helen! I made it through the winter without my heat bills being too astronomical, thank to you!! Now, how do I keep these damn stinkbugs out??????

- Cathy

Jul 29, 2012 8:51 AM EDT

Sounds like you are adjusting to north country life and still keeping your sense of Humor Helen! Do I see a book coming about moving the NJ to Vemont something like Peter Mayle's adventures??

- Gail Kimball

Jul 29, 2012 9:31 AM EDT

Great piece, Helen. You are learning and doing it quickly.

- Sharon

Jul 29, 2012 11:50 AM EDT

OMG I thought you had me at the spider poop but the APB (all pests bulletin) is so apropos, too. I haven't quite done the North Woods thing, but when the reality of moving into our 1898 Victorian with stone-wall foundation sunk in, we also found ourselves taking on various multi-legged creatures so I can totally relate: from the truly petrified mouse lodged above the dropped-dining-room ceiling tiles to the mice that dared to eat my Easter candy, it was a constant battle. Our spiders were of the daddy-long-legs type which always seemed super-creepy. Shrink-wrap insulating plastic was a big help, but I'm filing your idea about the painter's tape!

- Pamela Waterman

Jul 29, 2012 12:16 PM EDT

Feel like I'm reading the Vermont Country Store catalog, stories to live by. Great, now I know what to buy you, takes the guess work out of gifts for Helen in the Great Northcountry. Having breakfast with Tim tomorrow to get the lowdown on his visit with you. Been low myself, not handling all the renovation work, and things are going well, go figure!!!

- Nancy Sabino

Jul 29, 2012 12:38 PM EDT

I love the shims! I laughed outloud. Wonderful description of North Country living! I have learned so much from you and still learning. Thank you!

- Debbie Alberini

Jul 29, 2012 5:44 PM EDT

Another tip: When you rake your lawn in the fall, bag the leaves -- and pile the bags along the house foundation. Instant insulation, a great savings on the oil bill, and by spring they'll be ready to spread in someone's garden for mulch. Isn't it fun rediscovering what "everyone knew" a generation ago? Love your post!

- Beth Kanell

Jul 30, 2012 4:03 AM EDT

Knowing you like I do, I had to laugh, but I'm very proud of all the things you are doing to solve all your pesky problems. I enjoyed reading it all! I've been thinking of you and I will call you soon.

- Traci Evans

Jul 30, 2012 2:39 PM EDT

You make the North woods sound so compelling. Sans the spider poop, by the way.

- Eugenia Harvey

Jul 30, 2012 2:43 PM EDT

Spider poop? Ugh! I of course enjoyed the part about the schnauzers. Mine killed a nest of baby bunnies the other day- double ugh. Any thoughts for ants? Our house is now infested... thinking its because it is so dry that they are coming in doors for food and water alike. I bought stock today in Terro baits- since the Pest Control company seems unconcerned at my predicament and cannot make it out for 2 more days.

- Love, your adoring neice

Nov 26, 2012 8:11 AM EST

As your cheese-making farmer next to your first Vermont home, I have to report that a different class animal on our farm has become the leading rodent killer: the goat. The cat has adopted a pet mouse in the house and plays with it until the mouse is tired and escapes again into the basement while the dogs barely lift an eyebrow. The goats, however teamed up and cornered a little shrew in the corner of their pen the other day! You know firsthand how mimble they can be and three of them teamed up and very daintily stepped in the creature's path until it was in the corner then one of them stepped right on it. I am not sure it was trying to kill it or just sort of poke it to see what it was. Another great use for the might goat!

- Roberta Gillott

Feb 16, 2012 7:18 AM EST

You nailed it, Helen. Ice may be nice, but not on foot! You still get courage points for arriving in January, though.

- Beth Kanell

Feb 16, 2012 7:32 AM EST

Sounds like the Jersey girl will do just fine! All the best and know that spring will arrive before you know it.

- Ruth

Feb 16, 2012 10:41 AM EST

Shiver.

- Eugenia Harvey

Feb 26, 2012 10:31 AM EST

Gosh Helen since Nov I have been so busy and out of the loop that when I log on to FB I have no clue what anyone is talking about or where they are. Oh my! I did not realize you were GOING~ it took me five years to go 'over the river' lol. I am not a winter person and thankful this winter has been mild here. I have salt water running thru my veins. Ice up north yes...get used to it...snow is a blessing. Be Safe~EnJOY your new Pike Land~Enjoy reading your posts.
Hope our paths cross soon. If you are ever down this way PLEASE let me know. I will meet up with you. xo Cheers, Kathleen

- Kathleen Bumball

Jan 10, 2013 5:46 AM EST

So enjoyed reading this Helen!

- Pam Munson Steadman

Feb 03, 2012 2:31 PM EST

I agree, & love the ability to watch the world go by, however I NEED a gps. When I fly to a strange city & have to get somewhere, they have been a Godsend. Yes I'm sure I miss some local color, but I'm rarely late to a gig these days...

- Kevin John Allen

Feb 05, 2012 9:41 AM EST

A wonderful travelogue, present and past. We who spent vacations in cars traveling to another place, at the mercy of parents who sometimes did and sometimes didn't know where they were going, appreciate the best of both worlds. Getting lost is like failure, you don't know how unexpectedness can be both terrifying and exhilarating, until it happens to you and you survive. Thanks Helen, miss you.

- Nancy

Feb 05, 2012 11:48 AM EST

Well said... a reminder to the fact of something so many of us are losing site of...our own intuitive sense of direction.

- maxine snow

Jan 20, 2012 9:46 AM EST

Fresh off the keys! So timely and informative!

- Carolyn Grass

Jan 20, 2012 9:46 AM EST

Now the "i" in image may stand for iPhone, that pocketable device that can instantly capture what's in front of the lens, send it to a list of computers, and store the image in the Cloud. It reminds me of the old term "cloud of witness." I'm glad your father caught images of his era, and I expect to enjoy the ones his daughter has captured and will capture of hers.

- Beth Kanell