Post Title. 08/14/2010
Oh, how things have changed since my last entry. I can't believe it has been almost a year. I have so much to share and will do so tomorrow, for now, it is past 2:30 on Sunday morning. Road Trip Aug.1st. 2009 08/04/2009
Oh, what an adventure we had on Saturday! Steve and I decided to take a road trip to Springfield Massachusetts. We left our home about 8:15am and headed for Springfield via country roads. This may have been a lot longer, but it was much more enjoyable than taking the highway. Many roads that we found ourselves on were new to Steve and I. Here is a picture of our route. View Road Trip Aug. 1st, 2009 in a larger map Those who know me or have read my journals, know that I love old mill towns. New England has a deep seated history of mill towns. As we were driving through central Massachusetts, every small town we went through had its mill section with rows of mill housing, large mansions on the hills and stone and brick mills along the riverbanks. One such town, Ware, made a large mill into a children's factory clothing store outlet. Beyond the granite steps, we entered a world the advancement of time had forgotten. We walked on old wooden floors where workers in the 19th century had walked every day. Along the back wall of the mill, windows facing the river were open letting in the crashing sound of the river and the cool breeze generated by the water below. I had the chance of visiting the ladies room before we left and was surprised to find a long soap stone sink with outdoor spickets as the vanity! We used this type of sink at both my grandparent's farms when I was just a young child. Here are some pictures of the mill area we were in.  entrance to the children's store  The rushing water behind the mill  loft apartments in an adjoining mill  Golden Corral, Springfield Ma Now for the truth of why we were making this trip in the first place!! When we would stay in the Carolinas and Florida while full timing in our RV, we would frequently dine at the Golden Corral Buffet for dinner. It quickly become our favorite place to eat out. The last time we were down south and ate at the Golden Corral was early in 2003. when we heard there was one in Springfield, Steve and I turned to each other, smiled and yelled...."ROAD TRIP" Was it as good as we remembered it? No question. It was heavenly. So, now...with tummies full, we began to head on back to Raymond. Of course we couldn't take the same roads back, that would be going against the rules of road trips! On to a new adventure. The small, farm, country towns we were going through now were filled with corn fields and horse pastures along the sides of the road. With bright blue skies and clouds, big and puffy drifting by, the whole scene was breathtaking. There was one more surprise that Steve had planned for me before going back over the New Hampshire border.  North of Springfield is a town, South Deerfield Ma. where the Yankee Candle company got its start. It is now a huge mall that offers themed rooms like the Bavarian Village where it snows every four minutes, A Christmas Village and candle museum. There were German shops for ornaments, a shop for kitchen gadgets, a little eating room, the San Francisco Music Box Company store, a toy store and so many more that I can't remember. Half way through, we were exausted and I know we missed some areas. I was such a good girl. With my hands behind my back like mother taught me, I quietly looked, but.....I didn't spen a dime!!!!!  a stream by the roadway NH We left the farms behind and found ourselves traveling winding roads of forested rolling hills. Traffic was very light and with the sweet music playing, we had entered our own private world of enchantment. The woods of Maples, Oaks, Birch and Pine engulfed us from both sides of the road. Glimpses of a running, babbling brook could be seen beyond the embankments off the shoulder. Secluded country homes with long driveways were barely seen, but with sharp eyes of treasure hunters, Steve and I were rewarded with a beauty that is seldom seen. Here is a picture of the brook. We stopped so that I could take the picture, not knowing there was a flag on the bridge until I took out my camera. Back in New Hampshire, we started driving on roads that we knew and before we knew it, we were home. If you ever want a truely memorable experience, try taking a leisurly ride while playing a CD of patriotic music. Your part of the country will take on a rich, new meaning that you will never forget! Mid-Summer 2009 07/28/2009
 Here it is, the end of July! I didn't even write last month. For the most part we have not had a real summer. In fact, I can count on one hand the beautiful days we have had like this one today. Right now it is bright, sunny and in the 80s to low 90s. Hot for us as it has only been in the 70s with rain during the first half of summer. The kids go back to school in just over four weeks and they haven't even had a summer to enjoy! I will update as soon as I can this week. Post Title. 05/21/2009
Although I know my Mother has been gone for over seven years, I still find myself reaching for the phone to call her every so often. Yesterday was one of those days. I can't even remember what I was doing yesterday morning, but I remember the pain of loss when I realized that she wasn't just a phone call away. Spring 04/02/2009
Here it is, almost midnight, April 2nd. I am sitting here by the open window listening to the sounds of night. I haven't heard my peepers yet, but within a few more days after the rain has fallen and the temps stay above the forty degree mark, I will hear them nightly. It's pretty bad right now. I have a recording of peepers that I turn on before getting into bed in order for me to fall asleep!! Obituary in the London Times 03/27/2009
Today20we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: And Here We Go Again! 03/09/2009
Just as we start the second week of March, we are ready to plow out from another winter storm. I'm looking at about a half foot of snow out in our yard. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see more unsettled weather over the next couple of weeks. It seems that the old season of winter is in conflict with the milder, new season of spring that will start on the 21st. Soon enough, winter will realize it's futile to fight and will surrender to spring. Late Winter Storm 03/02/2009
Another winter wonderland just as we are starting to dream of warmer days ahead, flowers in the garden and outdoor adventures. As annoying as this may be, we, here in New England, are use to storms like this in March. At least March has come in like a lion and should go out like a lamb. Snow 02/18/2009
I know everyone has just about had it with snow, but....right now it is very late and my world is quiet. The snow is softly falling and looks so fresh and glittery under the light of the porch and the streetlamps. As it sits, undesturbed on the ground and on the bare branches of the trees, it's clean and white...at least for now. So Peaceful 02/08/2009
Sunday morning. If it wasn't for the snow on the ground, I would think it was spring. It's a little over 50 degrees outside and a warm breeze is playing with my windchimes just outside my window. At first, it sounded like it was raining, but I soon realized it is the melting of snow on the roof. A few days of this would melt most of the snow in short order. | AuthorI am a fifty-six year old wife, mother of four grown children and eleven grandchildren. Click here to edit.
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