Reply #47: And a few other Vermont milestones:

[DrZeeLit]

* The only state capital with NO MacDonalds.
* Vermont freed the slaves in 1777.
* Vermont declared war on Germany BEFORE the US Congress did.

My mom couldn't believe all the pumpkins and decorations (like LOTS of pumpkins) unchained to businesses and homes. Hard to explain that it is RARE for anything like this to be stolen.

I'll also add: NO TRAFFIC (compared to my former life in San Diego, CA), no smog, and not a lot of rage at all...

I live a different lifestyle now, not 24/7 movment -- mellow, slower, and less intense. I have time for art and reading and breathing. When I visit in San Diego, I can't handle all the frazzle -- especially (and this is odd) the zillion lights when I drive at night. And the cars going 80 mph with no space between. I guess I'm a wimp now... lol.

And this has to be the most political place I've ever lived in the US, but... the discourse is so civil.

Yes, it's a great place.... like a secret place that I wouldn't want to see change. And my husband has had a home here for 35 years, so even though I'm "new," we didn't change the landscape by moving here.