Four Days Away

♫The Foggy Dew♫

When we made our plans back in August for our New England Leaf-Peeping vacation we checked the Fall Foliage forecast.  It said "near peak" for the four days we chose--October 7 to 10.  As you can see that rainy Monday afternoon when we arrived at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, Massachusetts the trees had not gotten the message. . . .

Three Days Away

The last time we were in Oxford, Maryland was 1975.  Oxford is a very small village (pop. 607) on the eastern shore of Maryland along the Tred Avon River which empties into the Choptank River which flows into the Chesapeake Bay.  After 44 years, we thought we should visit again.  This is a post card from that visit.   . . .

Oxford was officially founded in 1683.  In 1694 it was mandated by Maryland legislation the first and only port of call for the eastern shore of Maryland.  Anne Arundel (later called Annapolis) would become the second port of call and was located on the western shore of the Bay.

Now What?

Before the tender age of three I had gotten lost twice, according to my mother.  The first time was in a soybean field behind our house when I was two.  The second time I took my little red wagon and my dog, Tuffy (above) with me.  I don't know how long I was gone or how far I got, but the police found me plodding along down the sidewalk.  I don't know why my mother says I was lost.  I knew exactly where I was going!

Beatrix Potter's Birthday

“I am aware these little books don't last long even if they are a success.”

― Beatrix Potter

Several of Beatrix's characters have gathered to wish her a ♫Happy Birthday♫

Anticipation

♫Anticipation♫

Spring is an exciting time of year!  What I love about it is the anticipation of what is to come.  Just like waiting to unwrap the presents under the Christmas tree when I was a child, the anticipation of flowers unfurling from their tightly wrapped buds is half the fun.  Come see what's in my garden and what awaits.

Welcome to my garden!

Nature's Balm

♫Early in the Morning♫

I recently read an article about how nature brings out the best in introverts.  Being one myself I can attest to this.

Village Life

I've been lost of late in the world of Thrush Green.  Is anyone else familiar with Miss Read's books?

Crocus!

The first sign of Spring in my garden showed itself today!  Look carefully or you'll miss it. . . . 

Still Life Color

♫Ocean of Color♫

The month of March is the in-between month when the snow that covered the monotonous brown of Winter has gone and the green of Spring has only appeared in the stems and leaves of the soon-to-be blossoming daffodils.  I don't know about you, but I'm usually starved for color by this time of the year.  In the meantime, enjoy this feast of color from my Photo Library. . . .

Living Romantically

♫Here, There, and Everywhere♫

"When it comes to living romantically, one shouldn't follow a road map either -- it's something you should discover through contemplation and intuition."  

-Winston Churchill

Pilgrimage

"I felt in need of a great pilgrimage so I sat still for three days." 
-Kabir

Making Connections

Dear Reader,

Did you know that Agatha Christie wrote novels in addition to her well-known mysteries? I didn't until last week!  She used the pseudonym Mary Westmacott in case you want to search your library for them.  The story I am reading at the moment is  "Absent in the Spring" published in 1944. . . .

Letters From Me

I've just finished reading Lilian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who series--all 29 books!  Have you read them?  They are "cozy mysteries" in which a Siamese Cat named Koko helps solves murders.  After a few books James Qwilleran, Koko's owner, settles in the fictional town of Pickax City, population 3,000, "400 miles north of everywhere."  It is widely believed Braun's setting was somewhere in Michigan where she lived for a number of years.  One of the reasons I loved the series so much is that Qwill, as he was nicknamed, lived within walking distance of downtown and made his daily rounds visiting eateries, shops, and visits with the storekeepers, etc.  This reminded me of my three years in Valparaiso, Indiana (1964-67) when I was a teenager.  This is a postcard off the Internet of downtown Valpo, as we called the town, in the 1960s. . . .

Lincolnway, Valparaiso, Indiana

Ordinary Days

"Such a day of small things, still, but on God's terms, and that is enough."  

-Lilias Trotter, 1 January 1902