Good Morning all – I took a breather yesterday. What we used to call a mental health day. Packed the dogs in the car and took off. We do this from time to time and it is usually just what the doctor ordered. We get away from the construction going on next door, hammering and pounding all day long. The glare of a computer screen, the ringing of phones. It was time for a day out.
It was raining when we left, in fact it was pouring. Determined we carefully found our way around detours and road construction till we were on the highway leading to the States. We crossed over in Massena and came back via Ogdensburg. The Massena border crossing was so painless we were through in a blink of an eye, No long line ups. It could be different starting today, this is a long week-end in Ontario,Canada. Monday is a Civic Holiday.
We had driven out of the rain, the sun was shining, there was a lovely breeze what better time to leave the main highway and follow a side road where once we had seen an Amish horse and buggy go. We soon found ourselves in another time, a gentler time, with lots of green pastures, and simple structures, it was a gradual shift, but definitely the hustle and bustle of city life was behind us. There were areas in our drive, where the road though paved, would have been barely able to handle two passing modern-day automobiles or trucks. Horse and buggies, yes.
We stopped at two different veggie stands, were home-made goods were also available. At one location I was honored with an invitation into the home so view a double size quilt that was being made on a homemade loom. Each stitch was carefully sewn by hand and if the daylight began to fade the woman used a kerosene lamp to guide her hands while she sewed. The quilts are lovely works of a rt, the one that would have interested me would have been the unfinished one, for the hours of labour the price asked left me truly humbled. It was just such an experience for me, I thought of my two sewing machines, my serger, my air-conditioned comfort, and here this woman with the big warm smile and happy eyes stood showing me her winter work, because in the summers she worked with her children bringing in the harvest and preparing it for sale. They travel 2 hours or so to go about 17 miles to the shopping centre in Ogdensburg to sell their home-made products in the parking lot outside of Lowes. (pickled green tomatoes with jalapeno peppers)
There was a quiet peace that settled over me while on this day trip that will last for some time to come. I rediscovered a part of me that I used to spend much more time with. The young girl at the first place we stopped told me that they have quilting bees, her eyes lit up just thinking about the joy they have in sharing community with their neighbours and friends. As we stood chatting I realized that life was a happy place, and what a rich blessing it was for me to be able to share in that moment. The odd car we heard was so out of place. I can still hear the sounds of hooves and buggy coming down the road, Nice.
There were places I would have loved to capture with my lense, but felt it would have been an intrusion, the people we met were so gracious and friendly.
The countryside and simple way of living, brings a new perspective on what I have let my life become. I am very happy with my life, and most of all I’m content, but now I know that I can also be just as happy with less. Maybe even more so.
Could I live without my computer and the internet? Yes.. Would I want to. No. I’m too selfish to give you all up. LOL. You have become so much a part of who I am, some of you, have shared your music and stories with me, touching me as only a good friend can do, yet we have never physically met, isn’t life amazing. Have a good day dear friend. Till next time…. Namaste – Oyashikiri
A big thank you to a husband who helps me live my dreams.
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