One of the BEST things about the Red Hat Society convention in Chicago for  me was meeting Janet Swan and being invited to stay at her house while the rains blew over.  She and her beautiful German Shepherd King took great care of me and Seno.  We were handsomely garaged--me under an heirloom bedspread in a room with horse images.  Janet and I chattered away like a couple of school chums.  She is a "hoot" as the Queen Mother would say and I enjoyed her luscious green land and walks and restaurants.  Rutland, Vermont has a bouquet of old architecture and I was distracted from my errands by having to stop and record the great houses. 

Met Tony Two Shoes at the Post Office and he asked me "Why do you have all that eclectic stuff in your house?"  I asked HIM if he was pscyhic.  Turns out no, he's taking a course in profiling and criminal pscyhology and was "reading" me.  !!!

Had to stop by Mr. Twitter's garden supply place because it is surrounded by a purple fence.  They have a great collection of things you can add to your lawn and outdoor areas--some of the goodies would look good INSIDE a house too.  Use your imagination.

Getting out of Rutland was a challenge because they have only one DETOUR sign that sends you west but then doesn't tell you where to go next!  I did make it over to Odell, Vermont and stopped in for coffee at the cafe there.  I strongly recommend that you do the same.  The sign said, "Cream Puffs Today" and that's what I had for breakfast.  Mattie pointed out that cream puffs are made with eggs and there was milk in the filling so technically it really was the perfect breakfast.  I like the way she thinks!

Crossed Lake Champlain on the tiny ferry with the 5th and 6th grade class from Stockbridge, Vermont on their way to studio Fort Ticonderoga.  The kids were great--we piled them all over the car and took pictures (later).  The ferry has operated since 1799 and we thanked Larry for the ride and went off to the fort.  I figured I could use a brush up on my history too so I tagged along.

The entry way was stone and ironwork like the entrance to a great estate.  The fort is restored and looks very French which it was originally.  Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain boys figured into the fort's history by taking it and distributing the cannons to Washington.  It was called the first American victory in the Revolutionary War.   AND, get this, Ethan did his historic thing on May 10 and it just happened to be May 10 when I was there--the opening day for this year's season.  When you stop by the fort give a big "hello" to Lisa, Bill and Jackie and step back in time for a great history lesson.