I went up to the mountains of NC for my birthday weekend. Had planned to knit in the cool mountain air, do some fishing, and just generally RELAX.
It was absolutely lovely. Caught wild trout, finished a very special *pay it forward* project, ate amazing local organic meals at Seasons.
The relaxing, not so much. I was incredibly restless. Kept feeling like I needed to go for a long walk down by the lake. The last morning, Monday, I finally just gave in and went down by the lake on the way to breakfast. I knew it would make me late getting back home, and possibly late for work, but I just HAD to go walk by the lake!
Oh my GOODNESS. The water lilies were in full bloom. The lake was glorious. I turned to take a picture of one of my favorite little cottages on the water and out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the For Sale sign. My heart leapt. I absolutely adore it. I thought that was the reason for my need to take this walk, but it turned out to be only the beginning. I decided to go the LONG way around to breakfast and came upon a White Peacock perched on the fence of the organic gardens which provide the feasts at Season's. I began to take pictures, and talk to the peacock, because, of course, wouldn't you? A voice, oddly familiar, answered me. "You must come and meet Glen". I turned, and saw the Gardener. My heart just melted. She was leaning on two canes, and slowly made her way toward me. I walked quickly to cover more than my half of the distance. "Glen?"
"Oh, yes" she said. "He is my new young turkey, and needs to meet people!" I spent nearly an hour with her, meeting her sweet animals, gasping over her perennial fuchsias, hoping that the abundance of figs would be ripe. "Next time you visit" she said. We talked about her Pygora goats and how she used to spin the fiber during the War. Then she invited me in to her amazing hand built house to see the sweater her sister knit for her in the second world war. Thick and heavy, still lanolin rich, it was hard to keep from crying as she told me how hard it was to be almost a world away from her sister in France.
I wrote my name and phone number down for her and she knew immediately how to pronounce it and what it MEANS. We talked about my time growing up and the wonderful visits to HER home country of Belgium. I felt like I had known her my whole life.
She showed me her drawings, her self-published children's books....I bought all of them on the spot. Soon I will post the details, so all of you who have young people in your lives can give them as holiday gifts...they are SO magical!
A rare glimpse into an intentional life, where gardening and animals and fiber and books and music and art and raising your children close to the land still MATTERS....such a GIFT!
I made it to work with (literally) one minute to spare.
Wishing you blessings and LOVE
as always!
Namaste.
beautiful...
Posted by: sUsAn | August 25, 2011 at 02:05 PM