#vermont art guide

[mmwm]

LINK FEST: 26 MARCH 2024

Links that may or may not be related to gardens, food, travel, nature, or heterotopias and liminal spaces but probably are. Sources in parentheses. illustrated essay: Backyard Bird Diary (Amy Tan/Paris Review). A prosaic series of essays about different birds in her yard (or on her palm), as Tan learns the ways of birds (and bird feeding). video tour: AsiaBarong Gallery, Great Barrington, MA –…

[insidemyrottenbrain]

Years later - TSH

Henry Marchbanks Winter x GN!Reader

Word count: 1666

TW: religious imagery

Out of guilt and dread you end up leaving Vermont and building a new life. Just as you thought you escaped your past, you once again find yourself in its grasp.

The past haunts me. It has been years—so many I cannot begin to count, and if I’m being completely honest, I was not counting to begin with. Everything I have done was to escape that wretched part of my life in which my naivety and perhaps self-consuming passion, managed to control me. I wanted—want—to forget it all. 

The first time I stepped foot into what would soon come to be one of the few select places in my nightmares was very awe-inducing. The university was large, larger than I’d imagined. The stone walls had arched indents that made it look as if it belonged in one of the novels I read as a teenager and that my family wholeheartedly despised. The hallways were a contorted maze of watchful ancient statues following every movement with their eyes, priceless antiques donated by rich parents and students with more money in their pockets than I could ever dream of having. A multitude of departments found their home in that twisted place, such as theater, arts, modern literature, architecture, history, music, philosophy, and more. I believe you can imagine my excitement when faced with the exact kind of university I dreamed of studying at, especially when I had little to no hope of ever getting anywhere close to it, much less belonging.

One thing, as you know, led to another, and I ended up as one of the infamous Greek pupils. I’m quite sure everyone thought we were some kind of cult, which, if you think about it, isn’t entirely wrong.

The first few years were everything I had ever hoped for. I felt that I had found my place and, most certainly, my kind. We used to do everything together. Being with them was the only time I truly felt alive. It doesn’t matter whether we went to the comforting country house engulfed in trees safely from the outside world, had delicious dinners debating the most obscure topics, or simply studied in the library, sleep-deprived and on immense amounts of caffeine, I always felt as if I was doing something more than just existing.

Where did it all go wrong? I wouldn’t be able to tell you. I do not want to categorize Richard’s arrival as the initiator factor, for it was not his fault. Nor is it correct to say that the Bacchanal was the beginning of it all. It wouldn’t be Henry’s doing either, at least not the start of it. I have speculated on this over the years, and I have come to only one conclusion that seems right. My theory as to what the answer is and my attempt to pinpoint the exact place on the timeline are not as precise as I hoped they would be. It was not a single event that gave birth to our ruin, but rather multiple little moments, that are rather large in the big scheme. I also like to believe that Julian had as much of a role in all of this as the rest of us. Perhaps, even a considerably more sizeable one.

Everything that happened—I wish to leave behind. However, I recently came to realise, that, to my misery, it incorporated and formed my very being. My views, my ideas, my tastes, and my activities are all, to a certain extent, if not fully influenced and ruled over by it. I am my past.

My great, futile attempts to escape the life I once had, led me to London, a perfect setting for someone who wished to hide. A bustling place, where I had the chance to not be me, but a mere shadow lurking throughout the crowded streets, observing every passerby, while trying to guess their life stories, deepest desires, and strongest fears. I was no one, and I adored it. However, my presence became known among museum guides and librarians for its consistency. I have also earned a reputation among university students for being one of the few odd professors. This is probably due to the fact that I am very selective with my pupils, and I teach a couple that are quite brilliant in my office. I often have open discussions with them, for I consider it helps them engage with the topic better and understand the meaning and philosophy behind it in such a way that encourages them to analyze, observe, and critique. One such day, we were talking about the loss of self, Plato’s four divine madnesses:

‘Death is the mother of beauty,’ said Felix, one of my students.

I nodded in approval as I propped myself up on the desk.

‘And what is beauty?’ 

‘Terror,’ a voice answered from my office’s door.

My life up until this moment, along with all my darkest memories and the series of events that led me to where I am today, flash before my eyes, and it feels as if the universe has stopped specifically to play along with his sadistic trick. My jaw clenches involuntarily, my eyes threaten to betray my emotions, and I have to remind myself I’m not the same brainless kid chasing empty promises and impossible dreams, fully convinced that every existing land, no matter how vast it may be, is my playground and that fate will bend according to my petulant will. I have to get out of my head, the silence is stretching. My students, probably confused, are expecting some kind of sign from my disordered self. He is waiting for a reaction. The past has finally caught up to me. After all my futile attempts, it still managed to intrude on my present’s doorway. 

I take a deep breath. I look at my students, curiosity mixed with confusion clear in their expressions. I don’t need to look at him to know who he is.

‘I apologize,’ I start hoping that they cannot hear the tremble in my voice as accentuated as I seem to do, ‘class is dismissed.’

I need not say more before my students start gathering their belongings in complete silence so as to not further disturb the room completely filled with palpable animosity and perhaps something more vivid, cursed to lurk in the depths of our minds. I reach blindly toward my pack of cigarettes, lying somewhere on my desk between books and coffee-stained papers. Lucky Strikes, yet another sign of his hold on me. I light my cigarette, breathing in the curls of smoke spiraling down my throat. The sound of his leather shoes clicking against the wooden floorboards reverberates through my beating heart. I am well aware that even now, after years of attempting to escape from the rosary He entangled around my neck, I am still His most loyal devotee, respecting vigilantly every silent command. Deep and numbing smoke inside my lungs, like a relaxant, washes me with warm Indian summer waves of calmness.

He is fixating me with his cold blue eyes, watching for any sign of defiance. Over the years I’ve spent in his presence, I’ve learned to recognize his transitive facial expressions, his secretive ways, and his small habits, whether it is the way he holds a page between his fingers before turning it or his tendency to dive into long monologues about whatever interests him at that moment. It is a distinct ability that has grown its roots along my blood vessels, twisted and intertwined beyond differentiation. Understanding each other used to be our way of showing our affection. It is something so sacred that I cannot bring myself to weaponize against him and betray the bond we once had. You’d think that after so much time I’d be able to break free from the shackles His divinity holds me in and convert to a different faith. But He is nestled so deeply in me, that I cannot help but like the burns and the imprints upon my skin.

Henry Marchbanks Winter looks the same. But he now has a new pair of glasses and slight crow’s feet, along with faint smile lines framing his lips. He’s wearing one of his dark English suits, which have always fit him incredibly well. And if the wrinkles weren’t enough, the few grey hairs peeking from underneath the familiar dark colour of his hair are a brutal reminder of how much of him I missed. A cruel admonitum of the years that have passed and of all the times I wasn’t next to him, not by chance but by choice. It takes all I have in me to not fall to my knees, confess my sin, and beg for forgiveness. As if all the years I’ve been away from him turned into mere days I find myself falling back to my old habits and once again bowing down to his silent command.

Amor dominus terribilis est.

The cigarette burns, forgotten between my fingers, as I get wasted on his scent, for once, unbothered by the consequences.

‘I’ve finally found you, dilectus.’ Beloved.

‘I suppose you have.’ I cannot help but stare at him, hypnotized by the storm in his eyes.

‘I have been searching for you since the day you left.’ He reaches a gentle, steady hand to brush my cheek ‘London of all places-’

As much as I wish to let him hold me again I find myself interrupting him. ‘You have no business here.’ I walk to the open window and take my second drag from the almost fully burned cigarette.

He sighs, frustration slipping through the cracks of his perfection.

‘Like it or not,’ he emanates divine turmoil as he emphasizes every word  ‘you are my business.’

‘After so long we can’t be anything but strangers.’

‘You are wrong.’ He states immediately as I finish the sentence. ‘You cannot act as if you have forgotten everything we’ve been through.’ His hand once again finds its way to my face and caresses it with smooth, slow motions. This time I let him. ‘One more chance is all I ask for.’ He whispered.

‘One more chance.’ I agree, defeated.

[astrojulia]

Pluto transits in the Natal Chart

The transit of Pluto is widely considered to be one of the most intense and feared events in astrology. This is because Pluto, known as the lord of the underworld, exerts a powerful and transformative force on both global events and our innermost lives. When Pluto is at least 5° away from a natal planet or significant point in a birth chart, it begins to activate the planet's location on the chart and the houses it rules. For instance, if Pluto forms a trine aspect with the Neptune, and Pisces is on the sixth cusp, the transit will first activate the Neptune and then the natal 6th house matters. Typically, about three years before the exact aspect, one can start to sense the transformative work that Pluto is going to initiate. The conjunction aspect, which has a 5 degree orb, lasts for approximately 4 to 5 years. In summary, the Pluto transit is a potent and transformative astrological event that can bring deep changes to our lives. By understanding how Pluto interacts with our natal chart, we can better prepare ourselves for the changes that are coming and learn to navigate them with grace and insight. You can learn how to interpret the transits for you here

⌦ .｡.:*♡ Transiting the native houses...

⌦ .｡.:*♡ Transiting Pluto conjunct your natal...

⌦ .｡.:*♡ Transiting Pluto trines your natal...

⌦ .｡.:*♡ Transiting Pluto sextile your natal...

⌦ .｡.:*♡ Transiting Pluto opposite your natal...

⌦ .｡.:*♡ Transiting Pluto square your natal...

(CC) AstroJulia Some Rights Reserved

Sources:

[1] TOMPKINS, Sue. Aspects in Astrology: A guide to understanding planetary relationships in the horoscope. One Park Street, Rochester, Vermont 057067: Destiny Books, 2002.

[2] RIBEIRO, Anna Maria da Costa. Sinastria: Estudo dos Relacionamentos Teoria e Prática. Rio de Janeiro, RJ: Hipocampo Editora e Distribuidora Ltda., 1989.

[3] ABDUL-KHALIQ, Ajani. Hayden’s Book of Synastry: A Complete Guide to Two-Chart Astrology, Composite Charts, and How to Interpret Them. 13 junho 2017.

[16] LINHA ASTRAL - ASTROLOGIA: Seu site de Pesquisa Astrológica. Disponível em: https://linha-astral.com.br/. Acesso em: 29 de mar. de 2023.

[17] Astromatrix. Disponível em: https://astromatrix.org/. Acesso em: 29 de mar. de 2023.

[18] Astrolibrary.  Disponível em: https://astrolibrary.org/  Acesso em: 29 de mar. de 2023.

[19] Cafe Astrology.  Disponível em: https://cafeastrology.com/.  Acesso em: 29 de mar. de 2023.

[2] Iapetite on deviantart

[3] wildfireresources on deviantart

Art by soudwrong // Render by shiro-2002

[athreehundredthirtythree]

A Story About Veilguard & Me

I normally pop on here, at infrequent intervals, to mindlessly reblog DA memes and art from mutuals. I very, very rarely post at all, and almost never in my own words. This time, though, I have to. And you'll have to forgive me--what I'm going to say might sound unkind or like I'm not giving the game a fair shake. Also, there will be MAJOR spoilers, and I'm going to get very personal. It will be long.

All this to say, I don't expect anybody to actually read it. Or care, for that matter.

But sharing is a part of grief. And I need to tell you a story.

My parents divorced when I was a kid, and my father moved 1800 miles away (approx. 2900 km for people who live in sensible countries), so my uncle was a formative figure in my life. He was snarky, sarcastic, brilliant, and kind. He was the sort of person who all the neighborhood kids considered a father figure. He was my first DM in my first tabletop RPG, and my first video game was Baldur's Gate, played as I sat on his lap. I made the decisions and he moved the characters and clicked things to make them happen. He was my first Valentine, sending me a Vermont Teddy Bear on Valentine's Day when I was a little girl. I'm in my 30s. I still have that bear. His son, my cousin, had prom the same night as mine since we went to the same school. But my uncle made sure to come over to my house to see when I was ready and tell me I looked beautiful. He was my father in all but name. When I was little, he brushed my hair and tucked me into bed at night, telling me story after story, improvised on the spot just for me.

When I was in college, he got sick. I was the last to know. My entire family knew before I did. My uncle apologized, said he hadn't meant to tell me last. He'd assumed my mom told me. She hadn't because she "hadn't wanted to upset me during the semester." I was upset, but, hey, at least I knew now. And my uncle was doing well and responding to treatment.

Some years passed. I had a kid. Then the worst loss of my life, followed a few months later by another kid. All the while, my uncle's health was in decline. I had to watch him go from being a bright, vibrant presence in my life, a sun I could guide myself around, to a husk of the person he was. But I would talk to him a lot. I tried to get him into Critical Role when he got too sick to play D&D anymore, so he could still keep it in his life. But my aunt couldn't figure out how to make the podcast work, despite my written instructions, sadly. Instead, I told him about anything I was doing--now I was telling him the stories, for a change: about my life, about my kids, about how we were all doing fine.

Everyone told me he was doing okay, he was in a status quo. He'd never get better, but at least he wasn't getting worse. Cold comfort is still comfort.

I came home after the holiday party at my job a few years later when my mom pulled me aside for a chat. My uncle's health was failing, she said, and my entire extended family had kept that from me because they didn't want me to be upset at work. I had a job to do, Mom said, and she wanted me to be able to focus.

It was as she was telling me this that she got the phone call. My uncle was dead.

Her lies made it so I never got to say goodbye in a way he could hear.

I will never forgive her that.

And she knows it. I've told her. And all she can say is she's sorry, but she made the best decision she could at the time. For the sake of a job I don't even have anymore.

All this to say: I hate Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

In this game, the writers at Bioware have just made me relive one of the worst things that ever happened to me. For the sake of a fun little plot twist.

It's not a fun little plot twist. It's not an extra twist of the fictional knife for pathos points. It is a real thing that happened to me--a light in my life went out and I lost a chance to say goodbye when it would have mattered because of someone else's lies.

Dragon Age was, bar none, my favorite video game series, and I have an encyclopedic knowledge of its lines and lore. I have loved it since the moment I booted up Origins. And now I don't know if I'll be able to play any of the games again, knowing how it ends for a character who, by every metric but height and hair color, is a dead ringer for the uncle I lost. Who was a comfort when my uncle died--I don't have my uncle anymore, but Varric was always there, a click away, endlessly supportive, with a one-liner and a story, so reminiscent of the presence I will forever miss.

Is that stupid? Sure. But who said grief has to be smart? I make no apologies.

The fact that Solas can be forgiven for this, can ride off into the sunset with a romanced Lavellan, and Varric's narration sounds approving of it... feels like a judgment. Varric's lines about it being "[his] decision, [his] sacrifice. And you [Rook/player] don't get to take that from me" feels like a very personal "fuck you." It feels like Varric, as an unromanceable character, despite fandom clamoring to smooch the dwarf since DA2, is more disposable than Solas. Fuck it, it's not like anyone loved him, right? It's not like he was integral to anyone's story.

I am aware that Bioware doesn't know I exist. I'm a random schlub on Tumblr, and people who've been callously lied to about a death in reality are a vanishingly small group of people, not an important bloc to consider. But if the entire company had set out to make a game to hurt me personally, if they'd had a vendetta against me and wanted to break my heart--and not in a fun, engaging fictional way like they usually manage, but in a way that reminds me of a very real grief and hurts in a very, very real way... this is the exact decision they would have made. To not just kill him, but to lie about it for the whole game. I could have been okay with a Varric death in this game. Hell, I intentionally bring him with me to do "In Hushed Whispers" in DAI so I can see the terror demon toss his corpse into the room for the extra pathos. Death in stories happens, particularly ones with stakes as high as this one.

But writing that affects you, that makes you feel, makes you think, makes you cry--it's only good as long as it's in good fun. And there's a vast gulf between "a story that made me cry" and "a story that made me fucking despair because I just realized I can't remember what my uncle's voice sounds like anymore and I'll never hear it again." Between "a story that gave my favorite character a send-off in a way I disliked" and "my uncle will never meet my son, and I just got a big, fuck-off reminder of that fact." And Veilguard is the latter.

I wish I could say I loved the game. I wish I could say the ending brought me the closure I never got. But closure is a lie; the wound doesn't close. You just learn to compensate. The story cracked my heart along fissures that will never heal. And it hurts as badly now as it did the day I lost him, when I found out how much my family, my own mother, lied to me and I lost out on the chance to say goodbye in any way that mattered.

A gentle reminder to any writers out there who've made it this far: remember your readers, your players, your audience all bring their own context to your story. A fun twist to you because you watched The Sixth Sense over the weekend can be deeply, heartbreakingly painful to a player, because they bring their own life to whatever tale you tell. Take care with how you treat your characters; they're fictional, sure, but that doesn't mean they're disposable--because what happens to them can matter more than you think to an audience member in grief.

Next month, it will have been five years since he died. A milestone and a tragedy. The son my uncle will never meet is sitting on my lap as I write this and try desperately to remember what his voice sounded like. And this time, there's no one, real or fictional, to offer that missing presence. Because knowing how the story ends changes how the beginning feels.

Thank you for reading.

[ateven]

vermont 200+ year old grave art

Another grave stone, a face surrounded by flowers. The 1700 and early 1800's era stones are mostly slate. The writing has visible lines etched as letter guides, even a dotted one for lowercase letters like my paper in kindergarten had. Southern Vermont

[foethefirstexperiment]

The First Experiment is set in the Fallout Equestria universe, during the height of The Great War. It follows ponies from 5 ministries linked together in a group chat as part of a "morale building social experiment."

But something feels off, not everypony is telling the truth, and the true intentions of this experiment have yet to be revealed.

Don't be paranoid. Report suspicious ponies.

Fallout Equestria: The First Experiment is an EAST Corp Production. EAST Corp began as an audio drama production channel, splintering off from the failed Stable Tec Studios. Over the past five years we have produced Confessions of a Wasteland Pony, Terminal Secrets, The Wasteland Survival Guide, the documentary The Great Experiment, and the music of The Balefire Symphony.

HOLLIDAY VERMONT - Showrunner, Co-writer, art | https://www.tumblr.com/holliday-is-holligay

CINDER SCRIPT - Co-writer

LAPA - Art | https://www.tumblr.com/larasilvestris

ULYRITIRI - Art | https://www.furaffinity.net/journals/ulyritirri/

KRELLAK - Art | https://solaris-stane.tumblr.com/

There are a few ways you can support us! You can support any of the individual team members -- like the artists -- by commissioning them! They were commissioned for this project and were wonderful to work with! BIG RECOMMEND!

You can support me, Holliday Vermont, as showrunner, directly by donating at this link! I'm in-between jobs whilst I finish my publishing degree so any money would be greatly appreciated!

Or you can support EAST Corp Productions on Patreon, where the money primarily goes into our next projects, intead!

And if you've made it this far! Thank you so much!

[decervantes]

Parenting is Design Leadership

I was struck this week by how much our readings resonated with me as a parent. I take my responsibility as a leader to my children quite seriously. I try to be proactive, as a design leader should, rather than reactive to problems that arise. The mindsets laid out in the IDEO field guide could also be found in a parenting book (especially learning from failure, empathy, embracing ambiguity, and optimism).

I learn from my kids every day about how to be a better person and a better parent. I also think my art and photography practice has changed for the better since becoming a mother. Here are some photos I made back at the beginning of August in Vermont. I really appreciate when images toe the line between snapshot and artwork.

[christas-museum]

Christa Winsloe: 80 years ago

(10th of June, 1944–2024)

Full name: Christa Kate Winsloe (own preferred short form of first name since 40's is Chris (or full masculine version, Christian) which was found by people who read Chris' letters to Dorothy Thompson.)

WHO? A high-class pencil artist, a high-class sculptor (second reason of fame), a French resistance member (~ "completed all assignments"), leftist communist, into women, animal lover, wonderful amateur actress (lead Christarole in a play at the boarding school Kaiserin-Augusta Seminary), writer (including humorous mini stories i.e. feuilletones) & playwright: famous for (main reason of fame) Mädchen in Uniform (the book Das Mädchen Manuela (literally The Girl Manuela, known in print as The Child Manuela) . . .

A fact: the film Loving Annabelle is based on Mädchen in Uniform.

A knowledgeable fan can share a lot about this wonderful woman who was a real Manuela but with light skin, father's 9 of 12 siblings were born in Scotland instead of they had "Spanish grandmother"), and who predicted so called 10th of June (not the date, of course) as Manuela's number at school in the book was 55 and 23.12.1888–10.06.1944 is 55. 

Every post, an article (any site), anything related (eBay, (stock) photo sites etc.) means deine legacy and memory about dich lives on and on. Fanfictions and fan art related to anything du wrote are very important too to keep figurative fire burning bright. (One user on Tumblr commented on a poll ~ "as long as I'm in, the fandom exists" (about self as the only one member.) Sad almost complete Chris-related truth if say about text form (but random fans write something once in a blue moon, though.)

Personally, all our many similarities are like an incredible chance to be close to such smart (Art, German, languages (De, Fr, En, It, Hu), Natural History (Science?)), witty & talented woman. And to have Chris as a guide in some of decision making (but using logic mostly) is to be strong when needed. Meine HERO Chris.

The most suitable photo for such day (from Auto-Biographie und andere Feuilletones edited by Doris Hermanns.) My comment: as understandable, the photograph was taken some time after Dorothy Thompson's jealous husband sent Chris to his farm in Vermont? to live with his ex-wife.

Liebling Chris, wir (deine Fans) lieben dich. Ich liebe dich für immer.

[maverick-mchale]

⚡️ maverick smith mchale

⚡️ basics

birthday: January 11, 1999

hometown: Atlanta, GA

currently: Los Angeles, CA

⚡️ background

Greenwood had seemed more like a curse than a blessing as a boy, but it hadn’t been long until Maverick found his people there. Always social, he’d become fast friends with the two people he’d eventually call partners. Frankie, Fiona, and Maverick guided each other as friends, learned as lovers, and grew as people. Over the years, the trio became inseparable, graduating then moving from Vermont to Los Angeles to start a real life together. They strived to express themselves fully, which pushed Maverick to embrace the art of drag; nurse by day and a queen by night. Though the three of them moved as one unit, they were all open and honest with each other, able to pursue connections and relationships outside of their pod. It hadn’t taken long for him to find them, and it’d taken even less time for him to decide that he never wanted to be without them. 

⚡️ personality

+ pros: sensual, open-minded, intelligent 

- cons: stubborn, cocky, restless

[popculturelib]

Haunted States of America: Vermont

The Vermont Ghost Guide (2000) by Joseph A. Citro; art by Stephen R. Bissette

"Why Not a Ghost Guide?" the preface asks.

We have guides to Vermont Birds, guides to Vermont Trees, guides to Wildflowers, even a guide to Vermont Cows--so why not a Vermont Ghost Guide? ... This Guide is a first-ever effort. As far as I know, no one has ever tried to catalogue all of Vermont's haunts. However, as a true census of Vermont ghosts, The Vermont Ghost Guide can be little more than a beginning. After all, ghosts are elusive critters; I am convinced we missed a fair number.

The Vermont Ghost Guide includes a map on the back locating all of the towns Citro and Bissette chronicle in the book:

The Browne Popular Culture Library (BPCL), founded in 1969, is the most comprehensive archive of its kind in the United States.  Our focus and mission is to acquire and preserve research materials on American Popular Culture (post 1876) for curricular and research use. Visit our website at https://www.bgsu.edu/library/pcl.html.

[finishinglinepress]

NEW FROM FINISHING LINE PRESS: Walk Like the Bird Flies by Susan Ayres

On SALE now! Pre-order Price Guarantee: https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/walk-like-the-bird-flies-by-susan-ayres/

The prose poems and lyric verses in Walk Like the Bird Flies invite you to explore identity, #history, #nature, #myth, and #art. From Judge Roy Bean to Medea, from Étienne Trouvelot to Princess Di, these poems walk like the bird flies, traveling an emotive journey through love and loss, in imagined and actual landscapes.

Susan Ayres is a poet, lawyer, and translator. Her work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and has appeared in a wide variety of literary and scholarly journals including Yale Journal of Law and Feminism, Sycamore Review, Cimarron Review, The South Carlina Review, and Valparaiso Review. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and teaches at Texas A&M University School of Law in Fort Worth, Texas. Visit www.psusanayres.com.

PRAISE FOR Walk Like the Bird Flies by Susan Ayres

These poems transport us from Texas desert landscapes to New England mountains to Adriatic tavernas, festivals, and landmarks, and at the same time they offer vivid confrontations with the elements of the natural world—mud, fire, water, forests, the wind that possibly “[carries] messages from beyond”—treating both foreign cities and nature’s manifestations as phenomena to observe and honor through the eyes of an estranged but receptive traveler. Susan Ayres fuses images from inner and outer landscapes, raising questions that can’t be answered and perspectives that can’t be contained but nevertheless offer sparks of revelation in poem after poem.

–Leslie Ullman, (The You That All Along Has Housed You and Library of Small Happiness)

“Listen to me as one listens to the rain,” Susan Ayres begins this incredible journey, because only when she listens to the rain can her imagination wander and guide us through a history and geography that is at once personal and cosmic in its reach. Indeed, she ends with a long poem that itself carries us from “from silkworms to / Skies.” But what is even more exciting, and so skillfully done, is the kind counterpointing that moves us from a medieval bridge in Slovenia to the American west to a contemporary beach to Led Zeppelin, a combination that requires great skill and vision. And skill and vision are what we have here, giving us a new sense and appreciation of our world, for Ayres has given us poetry’s version of Galileo’s Starry Messenger.

–Richard Jackson, Author of The World as Framed: New and Select Poems

Please share/repost #flpauthor #preorder #AwesomeCoverArt #read #poems #literature #poetry

[fantomcomics]

What's Out This Week? 8/23

Postin' ain't easy, but it sure is fun

After We Gazed At Starry Sky GN - Bisco Kida

It all started with a job. When wheelchair-bound Subaru Miyazawa decides to visit the planetarium after finishing its brochure design, he unexpectedly bumps into Togo Awase, the photographer involved in the project. Although he'd admired his work, he never thought he'd see the man himself-or that Togo would go so far as to carry Subaru down the steps to view the starry night sky up close. Subaru could only hope they would meet again...

All The Lovely Bad Ones GN - Mary Downing Hahn, Scott Peterson & Naomi Franquiz

Travis and his sister, Corey, can't resist a good trick. When they learn that their grandmother's quiet Vermont inn, where they're spending the summer, has a history of ghost sightings, they decide to do a little "haunting" of their own. Before long, their supernatural pranks have tourists flocking to the inn, and business booms. But Travis and Corey soon find out that theirs aren't the only ghosts at Fox Hill Inn. Their thoughtless games have awakened something dangerous, something that should have stayed asleep. Can these siblings lay to rest the restless spirits they've disturbed?

All Tomorrow's Parties: The Velvet Underground Story HC - Koren Shadmi

An exploration of the group The New York Times called "arguably the most influential American rock band of our time," The Velvet Underground, and the complicated creative relationship they shared with legendary artist Andy Warhol.

Archie Horror Presents Chilling Adventures Anthology TP - Robert Hack

Welcome to the chilling world of Archie Horror, where demons roam the earth and terrifying tall tales come to life. From robotic rogues and inter-dimensional interlopers to sinister sorcerers and macabre mystics, this anthology collection has everything your horror-hungry heart desires. Riverdale and its surrounding areas are known to be hotbeds of strange happenings and paranormal activity, but sometimes things get downright disturbing, and even the most pure-hearted of people can't be saved.

Join the masters of Archie Horror, Madam Satan and Jinx Holliday (plus everyone's favorite talking cat, Salem), as they act as our tour guides into the realms of the unknown, plunge us into the depths of Hell and send chills up our spines! Featuring a retro, distressed cover by horror comic master Robert Hack. Collects seven killer comics: Madam Satan, Chilling Adventures in Sorcery, Jinx: Grim Fairy Tales, Weirder Mysteries, Chilling Adventures of Salem, The Return of Chilling Adventures in Sorcery, Happy Horror Days.

Art Brut HC Vol 1 - W. Maxwell Prince, Martin Morazzo & Mat Lopes

Presenting here the first major work from the creative minds behind ICE CREAM MAN-re-lettered, remastered, and under its original intended name! The world of fine art is falling apart, and only ART BRUT knows how to fix it. Alongside the Bureau of Artistic Integrity, Arthur Brut the Mad Dreampainter (and his trusty sidekick, Manny the Mannequin) must dive back into the very paintings that made him insane...or reality itself might just crumble to pieces.

A colorful, gonzo romp through art and art history, ART BRUT is equal parts police procedural, hyper-fantasy, and psychological thriller-a veritable Pollock-splatter of comics genres tossed onto one giant pulpy canvas! Each chapter features new cover art, new design, and a new Silver Age-style backup story featuring the art hero that no one's ever heard of-until now! Originally published under the title The Electric Sublime, this special hardcover edition presents the NPR-lauded, critically acclaimed material in its intended form.

Associate Professor Akira Takasuki's Conjecture GN Vol 1 - Mikage Sawamura & Toji Aio

Naoya Fukamachi is a university student whose ability to infallibly detect lies has left him friendless and isolated. When a paper of his piques the interest of his folklore studies professor Akira Takatsuki, a handsome and eccentric man, he soon finds himself dragged into Akira's research. Now, as the assistant in charge of common sense, he must help his professor interpret an array of unexplainable phenomena...

The Calvin & Hobbes Portable Compendium - Bill Watterson

Calvin and Hobbes is unquestionably one of the most popular comic strips of all time. The imaginative world of a boy and his real-only-to-him tiger first appeared in 1985 and could be read in more than 2,400 newspapers when Bill Watterson retired on January 1, 1996. This compact, portable new format is designed to introduce the timeless adventures of Calvin and Hobbes to a new generation of readers, and will fit easily into backpacks as well as on the collector's shelf. Featuring archival slipcase and cover art selected by the author, The Calvin and Hobbes Portable Compendium pays tribute to the strip's origin in newspapers while appealing to both new and existing fans. This set is composed of two 144-page paperback books, including over 500 comics from the strip's debut in Nov. 1985 through March 1987. It is the first of seven sets total to be released between 2023 and 2026.

Cat-Eyed Boy Perfect Edition HC Vol 1 - Kauzo Umezz

From the mind of Kazuo Umezz, undisputed master of Japanese horror manga and creator of The Drifting Classroom and Orochi, comes Cat-Eyed Boy! This deluxe edition contains five classic horror stories featuring a mysterious and dangerous cat-eyed boy who lives among humans, comes from the world of demons, and is despised by both. In four morbid tales, he interacts with humans and monsters to often-devastating ends. Then, in a final story, Cat-Eyed Boy must decide where his true loyalties lie-or if he has any loyalties at all.

Cuckoos Three GN - Cassandra Jean & Mosskat

Murry Summerfield, relentlessly decent son of the farmstead, meets Jacob Durris, charming but troubled new neighbor. When he discovers why Jacob has moved out to the countryside, Murry has his hands full keeping his friend happy and dealing with his own blossoming feelings.

Fantagraphics' Underground X-Amount Of Comics - Don Simpson

The most famous never-completed masterpiece in comics history- Image Comics' 1963 by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, and Rick Veitch-is finally given the irreverent, and completely unauthorized 72-page climax no-one ever asked for! Written and drawn in an authentic Old School manner, X-Amount is just enough to satisfy! A comic for the ages that may finish off the Silver Age once and for all! For sophisticated readers.

Furry Planet: A World Gone Wild - Joe Strike

Furries are the creative subculture of people who identify with animals. You can find them at furry conventions, furfests, worldwide-tens of thousands of people donning their most elaborate fursuits. In costume, furries unleash the animal within, letting their inner beasts roar and their inner cats purr, aware of the power-and joy-to be found in connecting with one's animal spirit and encouraging others to do the same. In Furry Planet, long-time furry and a media staple for commentary on the culture, Joe Strike-a certified "greymuzzle," as older furries are known-dives deep into this compelling subculture to share its appeal and rewards.

Giant Days Library Edition Vol 1 - John Allison, Max Sarin, & Lissa Treiman

The school year is just beginning at Sheffield University, jam-packed with new classes, new professors, new places to explore...not to mention new clubs, new cliques, and new shenanigans, too. For first years Daisy, Esther, and Susan, they've got new friends on lock, forming a tight bond from their very first days as next-dorm neighbors. But learning to navigate life as brand new (almost) adults isn't as easy as it looks, between old nemeses popping up, academic struggles, and new crushes on the horizon. It's a good thing these three have each other to help survive Hall Balls, bantering lads, and drama vortexes (vortices?)!

I Don't Know Which Is Love GN Vol 1 - Oku Tamamushi

With high school graduation approaching, Mei Soraike tries to confess her love to her best friend for whom she had long harbored a secret crush...only for her hopes to be crushed. But a little heartbreak is fine-because she'll absolutely, definitely, without a doubt get a girlfriend in college! And no sooner does Mei set her resolve than potential prospects start sidling up to her one by one...?!

I Don't Need A Happy Ending GN - Mikanuji

From office workers to high schoolers to a mistress and her maid, dive into a collection of girls love stories from the author of Assorted Entanglements! Mikanuji delivers a tantalizing mix of sweet and spicy in this anthology-including a brand-new epilogue for her short story "I Don't Need a Happy Ending"!

The Illustrated Guide To Monster Girls GN Vol 1 - Suzu Akeko

In the world of monsters, where scaring and tormenting humans is a way of life, even monster girls need to pass their classes, graduate and get a job! Enter Class Z: a bunch of failures more likely to be frightened and bullied themselves. Can this rag-tag group of underdogs become successful full-fledged monsters?

In Search Of Gil Scott-Heron HC - Thomas Mauceri & Seb Piquet

CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIP HOP! DISCOVER THE GODFATHER OF RAP!

Singer, poet and writer; considered to be the godfather of rap, Gil Scott-Heron is a myth and legend in the Afro-American music scene. Through his personal experiences, Thomas Maucéri discovers the life of this genius, alongside the complex past and present of the America that Scott-Heron lived in.

The Infinity Particle GN - Wendy Xu

This thought-provoking limited palette graphic novel by the co-creator of Mooncakes explores big questions through the eyes of an aspiring inventor and the lifelike AI she finds herself falling for.  

Clementine Chang moves from Earth to Mars to start over. On the first day of her dream job working for Dr. Marcella Lin, an Artificial Intelligence pioneer, Clem meets Dr. Lin's assistant, a gorgeous, yet cold humanoid AI named Kye. Sure, Clem has built her own robot-a cute moth-shaped companion named SENA-but Kye feels almost... human. When Clem and Kye begin to work together, their chemistry sets off sparks. The only downside? Dr. Lin won't allow Kye to become more independent. And their relationship is causing Clem to question everything she knows about her work. After all, if Kye is sentient enough to have feelings, shouldn't he be able to have his own thoughts? Where is the line between AI and human? As her future and her past weigh down on her, Clem becomes determined to help Kye break free-even if it means risking everything she came to Mars for.  

Lost Boy TP Vol 1 - Jay Martin & Frank Cvetkovic

The comics debut of accomplished music video director Jay Martin in a beautiful and heartwarming tale of adversity and survival.

In the aftermath of a deadly car accident in the remote Wyoming wilderness, a young boy escapes as the sole survivor. Stranded, freezing and without anyone around to help him, he struggles to stay alive as he attempts to find his way back to civilization. Along the way, through extreme tests of will, courage, and endurance, he discovers what it truly means to be tested, and learns that the secret to survival isn't always what you think it is.

Magic The Gathering Planeswalker: Notorious #1 - Cullen Bunn, Rich Douek, French Carlomagno, Carlos Pedro & Jahnoy Lindsay

Two of the most popular Planeswalkers in Magic: The Gathering history- fan favorite vampire Sorin Markov and the incomparable necromancer Liliana Vess, come together for a team-up that's not to be missed!

On a mysterious, unnamed plane, the two must work together to prevent a diabolical figure from unleashing hell on not only the residents of their plane of imprisonment... but other planes as well.

Mieruko Chan Anthology GN - Tomoki Izumi

The creepy, the crawly, the grotesque-the daily lives of Miko and friends when ghostly monsters lurk around every corner! The official comic anthology, brought to you by a variety of guest artists!

Bone: More Tall Tales GN - Jeff Smith & Tom Sniegoski

Jeff Smith's bestselling, award-winning Bone saga returns with this hilarious sequel to Tall Tales! Smiley Bone, Fone Bone, and their Rat Creature pal, Bartleby, take a group of young scouts to a legendary landmark that the Bone cousins found when they were kids. They share stories around a campfire, spinning tales of trips to the moon, the delights of quiche, an imagined monster come to life, and an encounter with the two stupid Rat Creatures gone hilariously wrong!

Mother Nature GN - Jamie Lee Curtis, Russell Goodman & Karl Stevens

After witnessing her father die in mysterious circumstances on one of the Cobalt Corporation's experimental oil extraction projects, Nova Terrell has grown up to despise he seemingly benevolent company upon by the town of Catch Creek New Mexico.

The rebellious Nova wages a campaign of sabotage against the oil giant, until one night she accidentally makes a terrifying discover about the true nature of the 'Mother Nature' project and a threat that could destroy the entire town.  

The Never-Ending Party TP - Joe Corallo, Rachel Pollack & Eva Cabrera

Twenty-five years after losing her lover Lulu in a cult ritual for Dionysus gone wrong, Mindy Morrow is trying to live her life and put the past behind her. Unfortunately for Mindy, the past won't let her go. While she's taking care of her friend Flavia, her frenemy Kate is trying to lure Mindy back into the old club scene, and something more ancient and terrifying awaits them all. Collects The Never-Ending Party #1-5 from the ComiXology original digital series, in print for the first time.

Of Thunder & Lightening GN - Kimberly Wang

Debut author Kimberly Wang crafts a thrilling two-tone sci-fi graphic novel, growing the seeds of hope from the gravel of apocalypse. In a world where pop media meets military power, two idol-supersoldiers are locked in a world-ending conflict on behalf of their corporate nations. Battles blast across a dying land, both sides convinced of their own righteousness. Ragnarok looms on the horizon. Yet Magni and Dimo-young icons created for the sole purpose of eliminating the other-find their closest reflection in their opposite. Now, completing their mission means destroying the one who understands them most.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Rebellion Complete Omnibus Edition TP - Magica Quartet & Hanokage

With Madoka Kaname's sacrifice, the hopeless cycle that once bound every magical girl to a terrible fate was broken at last. Or was it...? All does not seem right with the world, and as Homura pulls at the loose threads of the girls' new reality, is it possible that an even darker destiny looms ahead? Revisit the complete manga adaptation of Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Movie -Rebellion- in this deluxe omnibus edition!

The Schlub #1 - Kenny Porter, Ryan Stegman & Tyrell Cannon

Failing dentist Roger Dalton blames the world for his problems until he is body-swapped with the world's greatest superhero. Can Roger save Earth and finally prove to his family he's not a loser? Or are we all doomed?

Stolen Sharpie Revolution: A DIY Resource For Zines & Zine Culture SC - Alex Wrekk

The go-to guide for all things zine related, this book contains everything you need to get started creating your own zines and participating in zine culture. Includes thoughtful lists and step-by-step guides on everything from definitions of a zine, where to find zines, and why zines are important. Brand new sixth edition published by Silver Sprocket.

Stuntboy: In Between Time HC - Jason Reynolds & Raul The Third

Portico Reeves is the greatest superhero a lot of people have never heard of. He likes it that way-then no one can get in the way of him from keeping other other people safe. Super safe. He's Stuntboy. He's got the moves. And the saves. Except. There's been one major fail. He couldn't save his parents from becoming Xs. Which is a word that sounds like coughing up a hairball. But don't talk to him about the divorce, because of the hairball thing, and also, it gives Portico the frets. What's also giving him frets is his parents living on two separate floors in their apartment building. He's never fully with one parent or the other. He's in-between, all the time. The in-between time. And the elevator is busted, so to get between floors means getting past the bullies who hang in the stairwells. So when Portico and new friend, Herbert, and best best friend, Zola, discover an empty apartment, unlocked, they are psyched. It's a perfect hideout, and hangout, and it's not half anyone's... it's all theirs. So they decide to make it their own...let's say with stunts of the drawing kind. Problem is, that gives some Grown Up People the frets, which leads to double frets for Portico. And he's not sure his arsenal of stunts can combat that.

The Naked Tree GN - Keum Suk Gendry-Kim

Critically acclaimed and award-winning cartoonist Keum Suk Gendry-Kim returns with a stunning addition to her body of graphic fiction. Adapted from Park Wan-suh's beloved novel, The Naked Tree paints a stark portrait of a single nation's fabric slowly torn to shreds by political upheaval. Fleshing out the characters in fresh, imaginative ways, and incorporating the original author into the story, Gendry-Kim breathes new life into this Korean classic.

Togue Oni: Primal Gods In Ancient Times GN Vol 1 - Kenji Tsurubuchi

In the ancient kingdom of Yamato, between the era of the gods and that of men, there was a time when the two coexisted. Miyo is chosen to serve as a human sacrifice to her village's god, Kippuuson-no-Mikoto, but she's not ready to die! Can Ozuno, a monk with the special ability to speak one-on-one with the gods, save her life?

Whatcha scooping up this week, Fantom Fam?

[astrojulia]

Always under construction!! The arts used are mentioned in each post. The same goes for references that I'm only using for that post. Template // Art

ASTROLOGY

BOOKS

[1] TOMPKINS, Sue. Aspects in Astrology: A guide to understanding planetary relationships in the horoscope. One Park Street, Rochester, Vermont 057067: Destiny Books, 2002.

[2] RIBEIRO, Anna Maria da Costa. Sinastria: Estudo dos Relacionamentos Teoria e Prática. Rio de Janeiro, RJ: Hipocampo Editora e Distribuidora Ltda., 1989.

[3] ABDUL-KHALIQ, Ajani. Hayden’s Book of Synastry: A Complete Guide to Two-Chart Astrology, Composite Charts, and How to Interpret Them. 13 junho 2017.

[4] LEWIS, James R. The Astrology Book: The Encyclopedia of Heavenly Influences. Canton, MI: Visible Ink Press™, 2003.

[5] WOOLFOLK, Joanna Martine. The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need. Lanham, Maryland: Taylor Trade Publishing, 2006.

[6]NICHOLAS, Chani. You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance. New York, NY: HarperOne, 2020.

[7] GARGATHOLIL. Depth Astrology: An Astrological Handbook - Volume 1: Introduction. Smashwords Edition, 2014.

[8] GARGATHOLIL. Depth Astrology: An Astrological Handbook: Volume 2: Planets in Signs. Smashwords Edition, 2014.

[9] GARGATHOLIL. Depth Astrology: An Astrological Handbook: Volume 3: Planets in Houses. Smashwords Edition, 2014.

[10] GARGATHOLIL. Depth Astrology: An Astrological Handbook: Volume 4: Planets in Aspect. Smashwords Edition, 2014.

[11] REED, Theresa. Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginner. Newburyport, MA: Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC, 2019.

[12] LISBOA, Claudia. Os astros sempre nos acompanham (Edição revista e ampliada): Um manual de astrologia contemporânea. Rio de Janeiro: Best Seller, 2021.

[13] ORION, Rae. Astrology For Dummies, 2nd Edition. Hoboken, NJ; Indianapolis, Indiana: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2007.

[14] DEVORE, Nicholas. Encyclopedia of Astrology. New York: The Philosophical Library, June 1947.

[28 ]MARCH, Marion D.; McEVERS, Joan. Curso Básico de Astrologia: VOLUME I - Princípios Fundamentais. Tradução de CARMEM YOUSSEF. São Paulo: EDITORA PENSAMENTO LTDA., 1999.

WEBSITES/BLOGS

[15] SERVANTOFTHEFATES. Disponível em: https://servantofthefates.tumblr.com/. Acesso em: 29 de mar. de 2023.

[16] LINHA ASTRAL - ASTROLOGIA: Seu site de Pesquisa Astrológica. Disponível em: https://linha-astral.com.br/. Acesso em: 29 de mar. de 2023.

[17] Astromatrix. Disponível em: https://astromatrix.org/. Acesso em: 29 de mar. de 2023.

[18] Astrolibrary.  Disponível em: https://astrolibrary.org/  Acesso em: 29 de mar. de 2023.

[19] Cafe Astrology.  Disponível em: https://cafeastrology.com/.  Acesso em: 29 de mar. de 2023.

[20] Astrologia na era de aquário, astrologia e estudos astrológicos. Disponível em: http://astrologiaeradeaquario.blogspot.com/ .  Acesso em: 29 de mar. de 2023.

[21] Astrology and Numerology Study. Disponível em:https://astrologystudy.blogspot.com/ .  Acesso em: 29 de mar. de 2023.

[22] Astrologia Luz e Sombra. Disponível em: https://astrologialuzesombra.com.br/ . Acesso em: 29 de mar. de 2023.

[33] Astrolink. Disponível em: https://www.astrolink.com.br/artigo/a-historia-da-astrologia. Acesso em: 25 de maio de 2023.

YOUTUBE CHANNELS

[23] Marcelo Levi. Disponível em:https://www.youtube.com/@oimarcelolevi  . Acesso em: 29 mar. 2023.

[24] Astronalia | Mariane Chagas. Disponível em:https://www.youtube.com/@astronalia  . Acesso em: 29 mar. 2023.

[25] Encontros Astrológicos: Débora Mechica. Disponível em:https://www.youtube.com/@encontrosastrologicos. Acesso em: 29 mar. 2023.

[26] Lais Casttelo Academia Astrologia. Disponível em:https://www.youtube.com/@laiscasttelo . Acesso em: 29 mar. 2023.

[27] Marcia Fervienza Astr��loga+. Disponível em:https://www.youtube.com/@MarciaFervienza . Acesso em: 29 mar. 2023.

MY COURSES

Astrologia Autêntica - finished

Astrologia Nível 1 - Iniciação by Astronalia - coursing

Gaia Astrologia

BLOCO FUNDAMENTAL (fase 1) - finished

HISTÓRIA DA ASTROLOGIA - finished

ASTROLOGIA E MITOLOGIA - finished

ASTRONOMIA BÁSICA - finished

BLOCO FUNDAMENTAL (fase 2) - coursing

TEMPLATES/PSDS

[29] minikyuns on deviantart

[30] Iapetite on deviantart

[31] wildfireresources on deviantart

[32] sorberts on tumblr

[34] sparklypalace on deviantart

[35] soudwronf on deviantart

[36] v6que on tumblr

[devoqdesign]

Top Mobile & Web Design Agencies in Vermont USA

Vermont, known for its creativity and innovation, is home to several outstanding mobile and web design agencies. These agencies specialize in crafting intuitive UI/UX designs, seamless mobile apps, and visually stunning websites. Whether you’re launching a new project or enhancing an existing digital product, the following top agencies are your go-to partners for success.

1. Devoq Design:

Overview of Devoq Design

Devoq Design is a Vermont-based design agency specializing in creating beautiful, functional, and user-friendly digital experiences. Their approach centers on simplicity and elegance, ensuring designs resonate with users while achieving business objectives.

Key Services

Web Design: Devoq’s web designs focus on delivering seamless user experiences through intuitive layouts and responsive designs.

Mobile App Design: They specialize in creating apps that prioritize usability, performance, and aesthetic appeal.

UI/UX Design: The agency is known for its minimalist yet impactful user interfaces that drive engagement.

Why Choose Devoq Design?

Personalized design solutions tailored to client needs.

Focus on simplicity and clarity in digital design.

Strong collaboration with clients to ensure project alignment.

2. Ramotion:

Overview of Ramotion

Ramotion is a renowned digital agency celebrated for its modern and innovative design solutions. With a client roster that includes both startups and Fortune 500 companies, Ramotion specializes in delivering high-quality UI/UX design, web design, and mobile app development.

Key Services

UI/UX Design: Ramotion’s design team focuses on user-centric interfaces that are visually compelling and easy to navigate.

Mobile App Design: They craft scalable, performance-driven apps that cater to diverse user needs across platforms.

Branding: Beyond design, Ramotion offers branding solutions to ensure cohesive and impactful brand identities.

Why Choose Ramotion?

Expertise in working with global brands and industries.

Emphasis on innovation and cutting-edge design trends.

Proven ability to merge functionality with aesthetics.

3. Clay:

Overview of Clay

Clay is a digital design powerhouse known for its expertise in creating high-end web and mobile app designs. With a focus on combining form and function, Clay helps businesses deliver memorable user experiences and build robust digital products.

Key Services

UI/UX Design: Clay excels in designing intuitive user interfaces that guide users effortlessly through digital platforms.

Mobile App Design: Their mobile solutions are optimized for both iOS and Android, ensuring a consistent experience across devices.

Web Design: Clay’s websites are visually stunning, fast, and responsive, tailored to meet client goals.

Why Choose Clay?

Proven track record with global brands.

Meticulous attention to detail in every design element.

Focus on creating products that stand out in competitive markets.

4. Use All Five:

Overview of Use All Five

Use All Five is a creative agency that bridges the gap between design and technology. With a passion for storytelling, they transform complex ideas into visually engaging and technically robust digital experiences.

Key Services

Web Design: Their web designs incorporate storytelling and functionality, offering an immersive user experience.

Mobile App Design: Use All Five creates apps that are visually appealing and highly intuitive, tailored for user engagement.

UI/UX Design: Their designs prioritize usability, accessibility, and user satisfaction.

Why Choose Use All Five?

Strong focus on the intersection of art, design, and technology.

Expertise in creating visually stunning and functional products.

Collaborative approach that includes clients in the design process.

5. DD.NYC:

Overview of DD.NYC

DD.NYC is a design agency dedicated to creating elegant, functional, and user-focused digital products. Known for their expertise in both UI/UX and branding, DD.NYC helps businesses elevate their digital presence with cutting-edge designs.

Key Services

UI/UX Design: Their team crafts user interfaces that are both intuitive and visually captivating, enhancing user satisfaction.

Mobile App Design: DD.NYC’s mobile app solutions ensure smooth functionality and a seamless user experience.

Web Design: The agency creates responsive and visually engaging websites optimized for performance and user engagement.

Why Choose DD.NYC?

Attention to detail in every project.

Proven experience in delivering both creative and functional designs.

Client-focused approach that ensures project success.

Conclusion

Choosing the right mobile and web design agency is essential for the success of your digital project. Vermont is home to some of the best agencies in the industry, including Ramotion, Devoq Design, Clay, Use All Five, and DD.NYC. Each of these agencies brings unique strengths, from crafting intuitive user experiences to delivering high-performance mobile apps and websites. By partnering with one of these agencies, you can ensure your digital products are designed to captivate, engage, and succeed in today’s competitive market.

[amwilsonn]

William Smith Auction: A Legacy of Excellence in New England’s Art and Antiques Market

William Smith Auction has been a cornerstone of New England’s auction scene since its founding in 1962. Located in Plainfield, New Hampshire, this distinguished auction house conducts around 45 auctions annually, featuring a wide variety of fine art, antiques, and collectibles. Signature events, such as their Labor Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s sales, attract collectors and enthusiasts from across the region. Additionally, from May through October, they host on-site estate auctions, offering an intimate and curated experience for buyers seeking rare and unique treasures.

Unique and Historical OfferingsOne of the defining traits of William Smith Auction is its ability to source exceptional pieces with fascinating histories. A prime example is a 19th-century Black Hawk horse weathervane with its original verdigris and gilt surface, which came from the Austen T. Foster Farm in Derby Line, Vermont. Similarly, an 18th-century burl elm bowl measuring 20.5 inches in diameter showcases the auction house's dedication to quality and rarity.

Modern Design and Artistic ValueBeyond historical pieces, William Smith Auction is renowned for its emphasis on modern and 20th-century design. Among their standout offerings is the patinated bronze and pewter coffee table titled Oriental Marriage Whirl by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne. This piece highlights the house’s commitment to blending functional art with high aesthetic value, catering to collectors with varied tastes.

Appraisal Services and ExpertiseIn addition to auctions, the firm offers appraisal services, leveraging its decades of experience to guide clients in understanding the value of their possessions. This comprehensive approach ensures that clients, whether dealers or collectors, receive unparalleled service and insights into the art and antique market.

With a long-standing tradition of excellence, William Smith Auction remains a trusted name for collectors and sellers alike, celebrated for its expertise, variety, and dedication to quality.

This version integrates the keyword "William Smith Auction" seamlessly while enhancing the explanation.

For more details, visit AuctionDaily.

[burlingtonvttransportation]

How Do You Get Around Vermont Without a Car?

Vermont is a treasure trove of scenic beauty, quaint towns, and outdoor adventures. While many visitors choose to explore the state by car, it is entirely possible to enjoy Vermont’s charm without one. Whether you’re a solo traveler, visiting from a nearby city, or looking to reduce your carbon footprint, Vermont offers several convenient and sustainable Burlington Vermont Transportation  options. This guide will help you navigate the state without a car, explore the top transit choices, and address transportation between Vermont and Montreal.

Public Transportation Options

1. Green Mountain Transit (GMT)

Green Mountain Transit (GMT) is Vermont’s primary public transit system, offering bus routes across Chittenden County and beyond. The buses connect major cities such as Burlington, Montpelier, and Stowe, making it a reliable choice for those exploring the state’s urban and suburban areas.

Burlington to Stowe: GMT operates the “Mountain Road Shuttle,” a seasonal route that connects Burlington to Stowe, one of Vermont’s most popular destinations for skiing and hiking.

Fares and Accessibility: Most routes have affordable fares, and some are even free. The buses are wheelchair-accessible, and schedules are available online or via mobile apps.

2. Rural Community Transit (RCT)

If you’re venturing into Vermont’s more remote areas, the Rural Community Transit (RCT) service is an excellent option. This service operates in the state’s Northeast Kingdom region and connects small towns, making it ideal for exploring lesser-known gems.

Destinations: From Lyndonville to Newport, RCT makes rural Vermont accessible.

Reservations: Some routes require advance booking, so planning ahead is essential.

3. Amtrak Train Service

For a more scenic and comfortable journey, consider Amtrak’s “Vermonter” train line. It runs from Washington, D.C., through New York City and Connecticut, and continues into Vermont, stopping in towns like Brattleboro, White River Junction, and Essex Junction.

Highlights: The train provides panoramic views of Vermont’s picturesque landscapes, especially during fall foliage season.

Connections: Amtrak stations are often near bus stops, enabling easy transitions to local transportation.

Shuttle Services and Taxis

1. Stowe Airport Shuttle

If you’re flying into Burlington International Airport (BTV) and need to get to popular destinations like Stowe, shuttle services offer convenient, door-to-door transport. Stowe Airport Shuttle is a reliable choice for travelers without a car.

Booking: Advance reservations are recommended.

Group Options: Shared or private shuttle options are available, catering to both solo travelers and larger groups.

2. Burlington to Middlebury Shuttle

Several shuttle services connect Burlington to Middlebury, a vibrant college town with historic charm. This is an excellent option if you’re interested in exploring Middlebury’s art galleries, shops, and outdoor attractions.

Affordability: Shared rides reduce costs while maintaining comfort.

Frequency: Services typically run multiple times a day.

3. Taxis and Rideshares

Taxis and rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are widely available in Vermont’s larger towns and cities. These options provide flexibility and convenience, especially for shorter trips or when public transportation schedules don’t align with your plans.

Tips for Travelers: While rideshares are common in Burlington, availability may be limited in rural areas. It’s advisable to plan your rides in advance or keep taxi service contact numbers handy.

Cycling in Vermont

Vermont is a haven for cycling enthusiasts, and the state’s extensive network of bike paths and trails makes it an excellent option for getting around without a car. Many towns offer bike rentals, and some even have electric bikes (e-bikes) available.

1. Burlington Bike Path

This 8-mile path runs along Lake Champlain, offering stunning views and a safe, car-free route for cyclists and pedestrians. It’s an ideal way to explore Burlington and its surroundings.

2. Island Line Trail

For a longer adventure, the Island Line Trail extends from Burlington to South Hero, crossing Lake Champlain via a unique causeway. Bike ferries operate seasonally to help travelers complete the journey.

3. Rail Trails

The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail and Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail are popular for cycling in rural Vermont. These trails follow former railroad lines, providing flat and scenic routes that are perfect for casual riders.

Intercity Connections

1. Getting Between Vermont and Montreal

Montreal is a popular gateway to Vermont, and several transportation options connect the two regions.

Greyhound and Megabus: Both companies operate bus services between Montreal and Burlington. The journey takes about 2-3 hours and is an affordable way to travel.

Private Shuttles: Companies like Vermont Shuttles offer direct transfers between Montreal and various Vermont destinations, including ski resorts and hotels.

Amtrak and VIA Rail: While there’s no direct train from Montreal to Vermont, you can take a train to nearby New York state and continue your journey into Vermont via Amtrak’s Vermonter line.

2. Burlington Airport Transportation

For travelers flying into Burlington International Airport, shuttle services, taxis, and rental bikes provide convenient connections to local destinations. The airport’s central location makes it a hub for exploring northern Vermont.

Sustainable Travel in Vermont

Vermont’s commitment to sustainability extends to its transportation options. From public transit powered by renewable energy to bike-friendly infrastructure, the state makes it easy to travel responsibly.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Rentals: While this option requires a driver’s license, renting an EV can be a sustainable alternative to traditional car rentals.

Car-Free Lodging: Many inns and hotels in Vermont offer shuttle services, helping guests explore local attractions without a car.

Tips for a Car-Free Vermont Adventure

Plan Ahead: Research transit schedules and book shuttles or taxis in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Stay Central: Choose accommodations in towns like Burlington, Stowe, or Montpelier, where public transportation and amenities are easily accessible.

Embrace Local Culture: Walking and biking not only reduce your carbon footprint but also allow you to immerse yourself in Vermont’s charm and meet locals along the way.

Conclusion

Getting around Vermont without a car is not only feasible but also an enriching experience. From public buses and shuttles to trains and bikes, Vermont’s diverse transportation options cater to all types of travelers. Whether you’re exploring Burlington’s vibrant downtown, hiking in Stowe, or traveling between Vermont and Montreal, these transit choices ensure you can enjoy the state’s beauty without the need for a car. Plan your trip thoughtfully, and you’ll discover that Vermont’s charm lies not just in its destinations but in the journey itself.

Car Service Burlington VT to Montreal