Green Mountain Farm

I paraphrased the title because I couldn't find the sentence in the book for this review, but this was Elliott Merrick's philosophy of life. You do have to "live in the past" when you read this book, but I'm sure Mr. Merrick would forgive us. This book is a wonderful collection of essays chronicling the history of his family's life in northern Vermont during the 30's. He and his wife bought the rundown farm and raised a family there. I felt I was there too because the essays are so beautifully written. The Merricks were rich in love for their home and family which was far more important to them than being rich in money. If you like the Good Life by the Nearings who lived in Vermont at roughly the same time you should enjoy this too. The Merricks and Nearings had very different philosophies concerning the use of animals and the right way to live, but both families write a clear window to the past. The Merricks were a family with children who did use animals for food and work. The Merricks also didn't realize how useful it would be to encourage visitors to work for their supper. The Nearings were childless and determined to support themselves on their farm. Still, they all loved their pieces of Vermont.

Green Mountain Farm is one of my favorite books on county living. The book focuses not on "how-to" but rather on nature, eccentric characters, contented introspection, and concise philosophical musings. The book is a collection of essays describing a life that many of us dream about: leaving the city to create a happy and successful life in a beautiful countryside. Merrick writes in excellent prose, full of crystal-clear imagery, wit, and occasional humor, easily carrying the reader into his world.Merrick converts the tedium, never-ending farm work, and other hardships of life on a remote farm into benefits. Even mistakes are fortunate. "We did everything wrong, but it turned out right." Perhaps this rosy view of such a life was mostly due to Merrick's outlook: "It's a matter of temperament, you see."

This book tells the story of a writer who settles in Vermont in 1934 with his family. It is filled with personal stories of adventures that the family had and the people that they met. Early in the book, an immigrant ski maker convinces the family to move up to the Northeast Kingdom. Merrick describes the early days of the ski industry, when people still wore homemade equipment on the slopes. He also describes his part in the 1930s survey of farming practices, contrasting his own experiences working his farm to supplement his writing income.