March 2, 2026

A Lazy Monday Morning

By Joe

There is nowhere I need to be today, nothing I have to do today, and nobody I need to see today. In fact, that’s true for the whole week. I’m on vacation.

No, I’m not going anywhere—unless you count going to Burlington today to do a little shopping. Our fiscal year comes to a close at the end of May, and I have vacation leave I need to use. I used to basically take off the entire month of May, but my current boss won’t allow that, so now I take time here and there to use it up. The only real travel I have planned is my trip to Montreal at the end of April, which I’m very much looking forward to.

This morning, when Isabella woke me up at 4 a.m., I got up and fed her, then went back to bed. Usually, I have to stay up once I’m awake, but it was -3 degrees outside, and crawling back under the covers felt like the wiser choice. I ended up sleeping until after 6 a.m., which is why this post is a little later than usual.

Today, I can leisurely drink my coffee, have some toast, and just do whatever I feel like doing. In an hour or so, I’ll shower and get dressed before heading up to Burlington for the day. It’s supposed to be a beautiful, sunny day. The high will only be 22 degrees, but it’s not supposed to be windy, and with the sun it should feel closer to 27. Practically balmy.

I have a few things I’m looking for, but mainly I’m on the hunt for a birthday present for a friend. She always gets me something thoughtful for my birthday and Christmas, and I never quite know what to get her in return. I used to love going into Ten Thousand Villages on Church Street—Burlington’s pedestrian-only marketplace—but they closed their physical stores and operate only online now. Still, there are a few quirky shops left to explore.

No alarms, no meetings, no deadlines—just coffee, sunshine, and a little Burlington wandering. That’s all, folks!

Have a great week, everyone! — I know I plan to.

About Joe

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I began my life in the South and for five years lived as a closeted teacher, but am now making a new life for myself as an oral historian in New England. I think my life will work out the way it was always meant to be. That doesn't mean there won't be ups and downs; that's all part of life. It means I just have to be patient. I feel like October 7, 2015 is my new birthday. It's a beginning filled with great hope. It's a second chance to live my life…not anyone else's. My profile picture is "David and Me," 2001 painting by artist Steve Walker. It happens to be one of my favorite modern gay art pieces. View all posts by Joe
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