Red Mill, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT

This is the view of Red Mill from Maverick, the writers’ studio at Vermont Studio Center. I’m here for the month of March as a writer-in-residence with several other poets, creative nonfiction writers, fiction writers, and playwrights. At least twelve of us join over sixty visual artists here. Everyone in community is a writer or artist; some are both. This aspect of VSC appeals to me the most. It’s an opportunity to work alongside creators who aren’t limited to words. So far, the experience has been fantastic. Last night everyone gathered to hear Brian Teare read from his new collection, Companion Grasses. I am inadequate to the task to offer praise to Brian’s technical mastery. I left the reading in a daze, overwhelmed and inspired.

Maverick Studios, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Vermont

This is Maverick Studios from the perspective of the bridge that overlooks the Gihon River. Today when I woke up it was -19 degrees. It’s now a lovely 23, and tomorrow it may be up to 30. Yesterday, it was warm enough to melt in places, and I could see the river flow.