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John Pepin
A native Vermonter, my ancestors include both Daniel Webster, a Hessian, and French explorers, who came to the New World with Samuel D Champlain. Growing up in Montpelier Vermont, during the 1970's...view moreA native Vermonter, my ancestors include both Daniel Webster, a Hessian, and French explorers, who came to the New World with Samuel D Champlain. Growing up in Montpelier Vermont, during the 1970's gave me an interesting perspective. I have watched the town grow up with me. When I was a kid. My sister and I would walk to school. Many times in below zero weather. On our way we would stop in Saroni's Country store ogling his candy. (He had the largest candy shelf of any store in Montpelier back then). After taking 5 or 10 minutes we would drop .05 cents. Off we would go, candy in hand, face, and clothes, walking through the cold, to school. Then Old man Saroni, hair sticking out every which way, (he didn't own a comb nor did he care to use one), would call my Dad at his store and pick on him over it. My family was clothed from Nates apparel. Saroni's and Nates are gone, the town has changed and I have moved away, but change is the nature of life.I grew up on stories of family exploits and tragedies. Vermont life back in the day was hard, and the rugged people who lived here told stories to pass the cold winter nights, as they fed the wood stove. My grandfather would often say on those below zero nights, “Can't heat this sheep shed.” Uncle Rolly would tell me tales of Vermont's past, like the time the governor was caught in a storm and sought shelter in a cave with a hobo, or the abandoned town of Kingsbury or maybe Kingston, I forget... next to his hunting camp. Apparently I had an ancestor/relation who was hanged an innocent man, Ace Magoon. His story became a Vermont legend and was largely responsible for outlawing capital punishment in Vermont.I worked for the same company for 30 years and am now retired and writing. For 10 of those 29 I have been a Journeyman. It has been rewarding in many ways and stifling in others. The duality of existence. Labor conditions the mind to be placid and focused while, as saint Aquinas said, “Routine is a gift from God.” It frees our minds to follow ideas to their logical end and explore possibilities in thought, while being productive. In working at a job for so long I have had the benefits of routine.I regularly use Learning Company courses. They range from Math to Philosophy and everything in between. I particularly enjoy the economics, history and philosophy. I have always been a reader. When I was a kid my passion was Science Fiction. I read every sci-fi book in my school's library. After graduating High School I turned to philosophy and history. World War II fascinated me for awhile. If I had to say what my favorite epoch to read about now is, I would have to say, the Ancient World.I hope you enjoy all my books!view less