I’ve been feeling on the edge for the past couple of days, knowing that today #1 daughter would return to New York City, where she is a college student. I’d shopped for groceries so she wouldn’t have to deal with that upon her return to the City, and helped her with some of the other things she needed to do.
She’d been gathering her things and packing them up for the past few days; I knew this. And when I went upstairs last night to chat with her, I was struck by the beauty of this whole process. It is fitting that she was leaving Labor Day weekend. This is a labor of another kind—not so dissimilar from that which brought her into this world.
When she and my husband took the last of her things out to the car, I told her not to forget her towel, and gave her a small square. I asked if this was where we hug and cry. It was.
And then they drove off, just like that.
And tonight, #2 daughter and I are eating convenience foods and chocolate ice cream as we watch cheesy movies together. Roots and wings.
A few weeks ago, one of my hens, one of the original flock (which makes her a senior citizen), started having trouble walking. The other hens began picking on her mercilessly. She would cower and hide her head under one of the nesting boxes. The others wouldn’t let her eat or drink, so I began closing them out of the coop while she’d drink. This went on for over 2 weeks.
Farm folks would say that this is Nature’s way of culling the flock, and I suppose there is truth to this. However, I decided that she should at least have some comfort for her last few days. So I put bedding in a crate, and put her in, protected. That was 2 weeks ago. This chicken won’t drink, but eats watermelon and grapes. She gets around in the crate by scooting. Each day I expect to find her motionless, but she is not ready yet.
Patience can be taught in many ways, I think. And creatures great and small can show us the way, if we stop to look.
The Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, is a sweet place. It was built by hands, hearts and imaginations of folks who carved their lives out of a wilderness.
This pedestrian/bike bridge on the Towpath goes over the Cuyahoga River. It was built on the foundation of the old aquaduct that took the Canal over the River.
The Village Hall was built in 1857 of stone from local quarries. It was built as a schoolhouse, and has been used as a library and a recreation center for local teens. You can read more about it here.
When I was taking this picture, I was standing in front of the Methodist Church. I became aware of something on my arm, and quickly brushed away what I thought was an insect. Seems like a bird sitting on the tree above me did what you think he did. Victoria, of Curious Masks, was quick to tell me that was a sign of good luck.
I passed Ronda, sitting on the porch of her Downtown Emporium. She is a wealth of information about the history of this Village. She has been here for a long time, and understands what makes Peninsula a special place.
This is the back of Ronda’s shop. It’s like this in my town.
You can buy tickets for the train in this caboose.
The Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, is a special place. Follow me through town, and you’ll have a glimpse of one of the places I call home.
If you ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, you’ll get off here. You can also board the train in my town and explore other parts of the Cuyahoga Valley and NE Ohio.
The train coming into the Village from the North.
The Main Street bridge over the Cuyahoga River.
The flower boxes on the bridge are planned, planted and lovingly cared for by the Peninsula Home and Garden Club.
The Peninsula Home and Garden Club was established in 1935, and has met very month since then. The Garden Club has a maximum of 40 members, and members must live or have lived in the Village.
Members of the club plan, purchase, plant and maintain the 14 flower boxes on the bridge. They put up and replace the flags that adorn the bridge, and in the fall, they place cornstalks along the span.
In the winter, the members of the Garden Club place greenery on the Main Street Bridge. This amazing group is non-denominational, and apolitical; it’s function in social and service to its community.
There are 2 beautiful churches in my town. Mother of Sorrows is the Catholic Church.
The Methodist Church is located on Main Street. The members of the Church are raising money to restore the steeple. Scroll down to see why.
When one of my children was little, we pointed out the Methodist Church. She asked where the other two churches were. “Which churches?” I asked. She responded, “The Method, and the Methoder.”
I’ll be back next week with more photos from our walk through the Village. The Village of Peninsula, built by the hands and hearts of generations; gently resisting change since 1837.
**I had promised to share photos from or trip to Black Mountain, NC. I will do so later in the week; I’m having trouble sizing the photos. Thank you for your patience.
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My Town Monday is the product of the creative imagination of one of Amarillo Texas’ finest, Travis Erwin. Take a trip on over there, and you’ll visit the town of Canyon, Texas. Then click on the links to the sites of my fellow MTM Marauders. You’ll learn a lot of interesting things.
We have been fortunate enough receive more press coverage about our Little Blue Guy, AKA the Little Blue Santa, and his friends. Here is a link to the article that Katie Byard wrote for the Akron Beacon Journal. If you would like to read more about the Little Blue Santa, please follow these links.
The American Marble and Toy Manufacturing Companywas one of the first companies in this country to mass produce toys for children. Toys, that had been available to the wealthy, were now accessible to most children. People could purchase a handful of marbles for a penny, and the company began producing other items. Small ceramic cats, dogs, shoes, hats, jugs and other items of daily life were produced.
We are in the process of developing a green glaze for the new Santa. Although there were no green Santas found at the site of the American Marble and Toy Manufacturing Company, we know that green and blue Santas are part of the rich Christmas traditions that immigrants brought to Akron, Ohio.
We are working on reproducing some of these toys as well as the Little Green Santa, and we will post them when they are available. If you would like to be notified when we have the additional items ready, send an email to FromSkilledHands AT gmail. com, and I will gladly add your name to the list.Â
Post a comment and I will you enter your name in the high tech Little Blue Santa Giveaway, in which I draw a name from a hat. The winner of the Little Blue Santa giveaway from my post of August 1, is Larramie.
I have discovered so much about my town, the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602; its rich history and colorful stories.
So this week’s MTM post is a scrapbook of sorts, photos in which, if you look closely, you will find a wee piece of my heart, nestled in the sweet softness of lovely memories.
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Number 2 daughter and I traveled to the Adirondacks in July.
As my daughter and I traveled along the highway, we passed exit signs for towns and cities large and small. And then there was one sign for an entire country. Go figure…
A rock along the roadside. Shortly thereafter a sign hoped we had had a nice visit in a town (we both forgot which town), and wished us Toodle-oo.
The road to Blue Mountain Lake. Where you begin to feel your muscles relax…
After a 9 hour drive, we were greeted with this. Sunset at Blue Mountain Lake repeated it’s glorious self each night.
My daughter and friends kayaked across crystal clear Blue Mountain Lake; then they kicked off their sandals and climbed Castle Rock.
We were staying next to Prospect Point Cottages. Prospect Point Cottages are on the grounds of the grand old Prospect House Hotel, one of the original Adirondack camps. Carol, the innkeeper, is gracious and hospitable. We attended a talent show and donated items to their “kitchen library,” where guests can borrow items they may have forgotten. Carol and her staff were also hosts to Lucy, a homing pigeon who showed up one day. She was offered food and water, and she stayed until she was ready to move on.
We also hiked up the beautiful Goodnow Mountain. Bare-footed kids beat adults with shoes without a problem!
It doesn’t get much better than this.
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Next week: Part 2: Black Mountain, NC and the Village of Peninsula.
As always, the amazing Travis Erwin, who celebrates his 25th (count ‘em) MTM post this week, is the founder and main MTM guy. Take a trip on over to his site. You’ll have fun and learn something, too. Then visit my other My Town Monday Marauders. I promise you won’t regret it.
The 2008 Summer Olympics start on Friday. Athletes from across the planet have converged to demonstrate their amazing skills. There are plenty of political, human rights and health issues with regards to the Beijing Olympics. But there is no denying the beauty of bodies in motion, celebrating our humanity and the community we share.
My friend, Larramie, shares interesting, thought-provoking and uplifting quotes, ideas, web sites and books at her blog, Seize a Daisy. She has found another gem, which I am posting below.
Gary Kamiya, who writes for Salon, writes: “Every Olympics is a miniature world — and leaves you feeling more hopeful about the human race than you were before.” Every four years, I am reminded of this, as I stay up late and raise a glass for the human spirit.
This week’s My Town Monday post is on the road most traveled—–you know, the one that is paved with good intentions.
I had intended to write about our trip to beautiful Blue Mountain Lake, NY, where we visited the Adirondack Museum, climbed mountains, and played in the clear water of the lake. We met some wonderful people and went to a talent show at Prospect Point Cottages. Ice cream played an important part of our week, and we dutifully tasted a wide variety of flavors and brands. When I was looking for links to post, I came across the Blue Mountain Center, a working community of writers, artists, activists and musicians. Take a look at their website—interesting food for thought.
Then, LIFE HAPPENED: we had an out of town guest, my niece got married on Saturday (it was beautiful), I had to work at the 4-H Dog Agility Show on Sunday evening.
I will plan on posting photos and more stories from our trip next week. Scroll down to my last post here, add a comment and you could win a Little Blue Santa.
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As always, My Town Monday is brought to you by the incomparable Travis Erwin. Take a trip on over to his site for a look at Taos, New Mexico, and links to others in the My Town Monday crew. You’ll read some great writing, see some great photos, and learn a lot.
We continue to hear from people whose lives have been blessed by the Little Blue Guy. Relationships that have been rekindled, family histories that have been recalled. Memories, the tapestries of family history; the delicious, sweet fabric of our lives have been made richer.
Our little business, located in the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, has been touched by the lovely and gentle Blue Santa. He has enabled us to share the process with others whose skills and natures have enriched our lives.
Making Santa Molds
These skilled hands are still making Little Blue Santas, and we are working on a glaze for a Little Green Santa.
Santas Waiting to be Glazed
Little Blue Santas in the Kiln
****We will be giving away a Little Blue Santa. To be entered into our high tech drawing (in which I draw a number from a hat), post a comment.
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