Cow Paths, Turning Points, and the Ones Who Led the Way
- Sara Tucker
- May 1
- 5 min read
Just before vacating his Paris apartment and moving back to the U.S., Herb Campbell came out on the train to have dinner with Mr. T and me. As we talked about the new direction Herb's life is taking, I asked him if he would have more time to write. "Oh, yes," he answered. "Definitely." I encouraged him to start a writing group in Rochester, Vermont, his hometown; Herb grew up on the Campbell farm. His mother was Barbara "Cookie" Campbell, author of "My Annie," first published by Korongo Books in 2010 and republished in 2015. Cookie and my mother, Idora Tucker, were founding members of the Hale Street Gang, the writing group that led to Korongo Books. Now, our mothers are gone, but Herb and I are still here: Time for our generation to write down its stories. Where to begin? This will be part of my message on May 16, 2026, when I give a talk at the Rochester Public Library (see announcement below). If you live in the area, come join us. —Sara Tucker
Cow Paths
By Herb Allen Campbell
I grew up on a dairy farm. Jerseys, mostly. A small, docile cow. Intelligent, gentle, easy to manage. Very independent, though.
The barn in the winter was a warm and safe place for me as a child. In the summer I would freely roam the fields and pastures. The White River ran through the middle of the farm and encompassed the towns of Rochester and Pittsfield.
The pastures the cows had access to provided endless enjoyment for me. At the age of six I discovered cow paths. These paths were cut into the ground with their hooves. A jersey is only eight to twelve hundred pounds, its stance about 18 inches wide. The path was only 12 inches wide and two to three inches deep, perfect for me to run through. Endless hours of exploring.
Jersey cows can be a bit clique-oriented. Our cows shared certain paths and created other short runs just for themselves, later rejoining another path. It was quite a myriad of paths. They all had their favorites, rarely changing routes. Never a straight path. Always meandering with no logical reason. Closer to a pasture the paths faded as the cows spread out to feed on grass.
I will not say I enjoyed the extensive manual labor of the farm, though it taught me a strong work ethic, which I have carried through the years.
When it was milking time, you could count on the cows being in the furthest reaches of the farm. To bring them back to milk, I would need to walk through the night pasture, cross the river barefoot, put socks and sneakers on my wet feet, then walk through several fields and pastures, looking for them. I am sure it was a game they thoroughly enjoyed playing with me. They were never found in the same field two days in a row. Getting them rounded up was not easy. They have an independent streak. Once I got several headed in the right direction I would round up the others, only to discover the first group already dispersing.
As a teenager, I knew a farmer in Pittsfield that had Guernseys. He would open his barn door, step out, and whistle a certain tune. Sure enough, in no time his cows would come over the rise on their own to be milked. I never learned to whistle.
I always watched which paths the cows took. I never figured out their logic. I wonder what they were thinking about me.
ROCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
2ND ANNUAL SPRING FLING FUNDRAISER
Press Release –
The Friends of the Rochester Public Library have announced their second annual SPRING FLING FUNDRAISER to be held on Saturday, May 16th, 4 – 6 pm, at the library.
This popular fundraiser will include a presentation by Sara Tucker, Korongo Books of Randolph, and feature their newest publication, Jack Rowell: Photographs. Since 2008, Korongo Books has helped hundreds of Vermonters write down their stories and get them into print. Its crowning achievement is Jack Rowell: Photographs, a 12-by-14-inch hardcover volume of portraits that showcases the life's work of Vermont photographer Jack Rowell. In her presentation “Being Seen,” editor and publisher Sara Tucker tells the story behind the book and reflects on the significance of Jack’s work in today’s world. Her short talk will include a discussion with the photographer.
Also in attendance will be Vermont Poet Laureate, Bianca Stone. Reading from her newest work, “A Near and Distant World”, Stone will present a collection that Sharon Olds proclaims “powerful, moving, and original”. Noted poet John Ashberry identifies Stone as “a brilliant transcriber of her generation’s emerging pathology and sensibility”. Edward Hirsch calls Bianca Stone “a seeker……… for something deep and meaningful, something ongoing, mysterious, and ineffable”. Stone is currently teaching at Dartmouth University, is a founder of the Ruth Stone House in Goshen, and has been an incredibly active VT poet laureate promoting poetry across New England.
Poet and artist Caroline Tavelli-Abar will be on hand for a live art happening entitled “Freedom, Forms and Taking Sail – Watercolors on Folded Paper. Educated at Norwich University, Vermont College, and the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture, Tavelli-Abar works in a variety of mediums including drawing, painting, watercolor, collage, poetry, bookmaking, and photography, For this event, the artist will be creasing paper in various patterns and then watercoloring between the folds, as well as over the deep bends. Inspired by the action at hand, Tavelli-Abar will explore the lovely balance between control and surprise that emerges in this disciplined but spontaneous process.
Complementary refreshments will include SOUP, inspired by Major Jackson’s forthcoming book of poetry and recipes entitled, “A Bowl of Goodness…Nourishing Poems with a Side of Soup”. The book will be released by Vermont publisher, Storey Books, in October, and event attendees will get a pre-publication taste of goodness. Jackson has said, “The comfort wrought from a medley of ingredients thrown into a pot gives a home warmth. It is that feeling I aim for when writing poetry and that I relish when reading”.
There will be an opportunity for attendees to explore “Spontaneous Haiku”, a do-it-yourself writing station to share their personal inspiration through haiku. Results will eventually be compiled into a chapbook to be sold at the library. Fundraising opportunities include a silent raffle, membership drive, and library swag. Open to all. For more information, call the library at 802 767 3927.
