From Skilled Hands

Spring seems to be here in the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 601. Things are, as my Dad used to say, greening up. Steve and I took a walk the Towpath Trail last week. It is a beautiful trail, well used by walkers, runners, bikers and deer. Along the trail, we saw vestiges of old homesteads, marked by the plantings of daffodils, pine and fruit trees and foundation stones. Take a look at some of what we saw:

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Wander on over to My Town Monday’s chief cook and bottle washer Travis Erwin’s place. You’ll find links to blogs all over the world. Pretty cool stuff.

The Washington Post sponsors a Peeps Diorama contest each year. To see the winner and finalists from this year’s contest click HERE.

What do you think about Peeps?

Another song from Playing for Change.

If we believe what we read in the papers and hear in the media, the world is a dark and scary place. If, however, we open our hearts and let our spirits soar, we can see, truly see, the amazing place in which we live. Turn the volume UP and see what I mean.

Playing for Change is a multi-media movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music.

My choice this beautiful day was either replanting the peas, spinach, mesclun mix and lettuce that Dylan the cat dug up when she used the garden as a litter box, or writing the My Town Monday post which I had intended to write. Since the day was beautiful and sunny, and snow is in the forecast, the garden won. So I replanted everything and fixed the fence after I took food and drink to #2 daughter who swam 400 lengths to raise money for diabetes research and education in the Swim for Diabetes today.

Last week I wrote about Bob Hunker, who died at age 82. I wrote about his vision and his legacy, the Peninsula Valley Historic and Preservation Foundation. The purpose of the Foundation is:

A. To preserve the historic architecture and character of Peninsula, Ohio and the surrounding area both within and proximate to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

B. To educate the public about the history of Peninsula, Ohio and the Cuyahoga Valley with emphasis on economic and social development, architectural design and construction, decorative arts and crafts, landscape, gardens, and overall built environment.

That this exists in today’s world is a gift to the community and to future generations. If you are so inclined, take a look at the Foundation’s website. There is an incredible amount of history there, from the Village’s first library, to the Bronson Chapel. All part of this Village in this beautiful Valley.

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My Town Monday’s originator is Travis Erwin. He tells us that he doesn’t have too much to say this week, but you can wander over there and ask him a question. Each week, Travis posts links to bloggers all over this fine planet who share a bit about the place they call home.

For the first time in nearly 21 years, there will be no children in this old house for the next 3 days. #2 daughter is visiting her sister in New York City this weekend.

The flight was delayed by over an hour, which would have made the off-Broadway play for which a friend of #1 had tickets impossible. #2 and I hot-footed it to the airport, and a very helpful ticket agent found the last seat on an earlier flight—-also delayed, but still earlier. She gave me a pass so I could go to the gate with my daughter. Once we were at the gate, and the agent there gave us up-to-date information, #2 said, “You can go now, Mom. I’ll be fine.” A quick hug, and I made my way back to the parking deck—-alone.

The house is strangely quiet this evening. There are no beeps and ring tones that signify teens in touch. There is no fiddle playing and no one telling me about her day. She is off on her first real Great Adventure, sharing it with her sister, who, not so long ago, took her first flight alone.

The words, “I’ll be fine, Mom.” echo in my memory, and I smile, knowing it is so. She is fine, and so am I. We have shared our roots and now we are sharing our wings.

Thanks to Cat Bennett for finding this