And All that Jazz

I always look for some good jazz bands wherever we go and I didn't have to look far.  Loads of great music in Burlington, much of it free (but always tip the band...for their "muzik lesuns") and the RadioBean Coffee House had not one, not two, but THREE jazz bands on Thursday night (every Th is jazz night) so we stayed for the first two fabulous bands, Cody Sargent and Friends and Shane Hardiman Trio, but by 11:00 pm I was turning into a pumpkin and didn't make it to the last local fav band, Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band.  RadioBean is a quirky hipster hangout with eclectic decor (think old stripped down box spring for a wine rack and red velvet hanging lamps with fringe) and unique mixed drinks.

RadioBean Coffeehouse, Burlington

Since it was "Parent's Weekend" at U of VT and Columbus day for the Canadians (Monday off) the campground was full and we had to move Max to a new site for our last day on Friday. 

Benefits of mobile tiny house living:

-moving takes about 10 minutes

-cleaning takes about 10 minutes

-efficient heating source: spaceheater (propane if needed)

-can't accumulate "stuff" since there is no place to put it

-no yard work

-if you don't like your neighbors you can move

Downside to mobile tiny house living:

-bathing is like showering inside a refrigerator

-often run into each other

-bang head, knee, toes into "house"

-hard to hang Christmas decorations and have them stay

-no turkey in the oven here...maybe a drumstick leg

-toiletries fly out of the cabinet and bonk you on the head after moving  

After moving spots we headed to Montpelier, the smallest state Capitol in the nation at 8,000 people (nope, there isn't a zero missing).  Smaller than Baraboo, can you imagine the gossip there??  But this little town is cute as a button with some fun stores and restaurants.  We had lunch at Captiol Grounds, a local sandwich shop and coffeehouse.  OK, I'm not going to brag about our food since I'm not going to walk that bridge to an AARP card, so I'll just say it was fantastic. Then headed to the Capitol which was in beautiful condition.

We took a lovely FREE tour of the State Capitol given by a local character: 

 All of the fabulous lights were originally gas lit, the cord coming down attaches to the lamp on the desk so the Governor (yes this is the Governor's office--this is all a working building) could control the gas.

Who cleans these chandeliers?

Look at the cute Court House.

Back to Burlington, just a 45 minute drive, because we had tickets to go on the "Darkness Falls" tour of haunted Burlington. OK, no comments on the quality of this photo...it's because of the spirits that it's fuzzy, see look at all the orbs (for you Shelly):

Part of the tour, The Follett House, named after Timothy Follett, a shipping and railroad tycoon, built at the height of his wealth in 1840 but within 13 years he lost everything and had to sell the house to a rival railroad tycoon, Henry Campbell.  Looks creepy at night doesn't it? 

Haunted happenings include a certain picture that will not stay on the wall, thumping with no source, coffee pots with mysterious liquids. 

Also found some poignant graffiti along the way: 

And so that reminds me of the manifesto we have adopted to host our "Lost With a Cause".  I happened to start writing a manifesto, a published declaration of our intentions and motives, kinda like a mission statement only sans the missionary work (no creed), and I came across the Holstee Manifesto written by three guys who started the Holstee company.  They wanted to write about what they defined as success with the goal to create something to reflect back on if they felt stuck or living according to someone else's definition of happiness.  Read more about this cool company at: 

https://www.holstee.com/pages/manifesto 

We have a copy of the manifesto hanging in Max and it goes a little something like this (with our own reflections in parenthesis).

This is your life. Do what you love and do it often. If you don't like something change it. If you don't like your job quit. If you don't have enough time stop watching TV. (And spending time at the "screen".) If you are looking for the love of your life stop, they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love. Stop over analyzing, life is simple. All emotions are beautiful. (And don't identify with them!)  When you eat appreciate every last bite. (But it's OK to leave the last two bites so you won't be "overstuffed"--Tyink family syndrome.) Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people.  We are united in our differences.  Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them. Travel often, getting lost will help you find yourself. (But know you're never lost and never need to be "found".) Some opportunities only come once, seize them.  Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create (and do) with them so go out and start creating (and doing). Life is short. (And years seem like minutes as you age.) Live your dream and share your passion.