by Dana Dwinell-Yardley

I'm blogging from Salt Lake City, Utah — here for the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. What does a religious gathering have to do with the movement for Vermont independence? Well, Friday night I heard a sermon that every activist, every hardworking do-gooder, everyone who's ever bemoaned the craziness of their schedule or the weight of their responsibilities — and that just about covers all of us — should hear.

by Jane Dwinell

It's been interesting to have been in the media spotlight the past few months. Because of our involvement with the Your Money or Your Life program and the issuance of the new and revised version of the book, we
have been interviewed locally (in Seven Days) and nationally (in AARP Bulletin). With such interviews come responses — something I did not expect. All but one have been positive, with many people asking more questions about our unique way of life.

by Dana Dwinell-Yardley

It's nearly May, and us Vermonters of the Frozen North are suddenly thawing nicely. Last week's 80 degree weather saw the streets of Montpelier bustling with people relaxing, talking, coming out of hibernation and greeting the sun. There are Cate Farm seedlings at the co-op. There are Frisbee throwers and kite flyers on the State House lawn.

by Jane Dwinell and Dana Dwinell-Yardley

A fabulous book has moved through our house in the past week — The Long Descent by John Michael Greer (New Society Publishers, 2008). We’ve read other peak oil books and find Greer’s argument and suggestions to be less apocalyptic, and, well, more full of common sense! He — and we — know there will be less energy (electrical and petroleum-based) in the future, so the time to learn how to live with those changes is now.

by Jane Dwinell and Dana Dwinell-Yardley

It’s that time of year — when one glance into the refrigerator, pantry, or root cellar sets off sighs and complaints of ‘There’s nothing to eat!” Actually, there probably is plenty to eat, but you just need some creativity to help you use up the last of your winter’s store.

by Jane Dwinell and Dana Dwinell-Yardley

It’s that time of year — we’re caught in the dark and the snow or the ice, wondering what to do, especially what to do that doesn’t cost a whole lot of money. Here are some of our favorite low- or no-cost things to do when being stuck inside starts to get us down.

by Jane Dwinell and Dana Dwinell-Yardley

Here we are, at the beginning of a new year. Cold Vermont Januarys are great for dreaming, so as we head into 2009, the two of us have been thinking. What will make this a great year for our state? What changes do we want to see in 2009? What are our hopes for Vermont and her people? Here are our wishes for an independent 2009.

by Dana Dwinell-Yardley

It's December 1. The snow is piling up outside as I type. Yesterday afternoon I finally hung up my commuter bicycle in the shed. My bike served me well from April to October, as we made the trek to work from Montpelier to Northfield, 10.5 miles away. Despite only working in Northfield one or two days a week, I pedaled more than 500 miles this summer!

by Jane Dwinell and Dana Dwinell-Yardley

We don’t know about you, but waiting is starting to get to us. The summer gardening season is definitely over. Serious, hard frosts have come. The garden beds are tidied up, the compost bin is full, the firewood is stacked, and now we wait. We wait for the snow to fall. We wait for the winter to tuck us in, nice and cozy.

And we wait for the day after Election Day. Will things ever change, really? On our cynical days, we think not. On our hopeful days, we do.

by Jane Dwinell and Dana Dwinell-Yardley

Once again, our world and our nation is in a financial crisis—while the pundits continue to say that this failure of so many financial institutions and the volatility of the stock markets is a normal response and an expected "correction." Whatever the cause and whatever the cure of the current financial mess, we know that there are some great, guaranteed, good independent Vermont investments you can make if you have some spare money.