A Taste of Stillwater

The crisp cool morning air was already becoming warmed by the sun as my daughter, Donna, and I made our way for a mini outing to Stillwater. We wandered along noticing many antique and artistic shops along the street, and finally found our way to Lost Treasures, which captured our attention for an hour, with it's many unusual and creative offerings. There was beautiful pottery, paintings, clothes and many decorative and artistic finds for us to choose from. We both found treasures to purchase and treat ourselves. The doors were open on both ends allowing the fresh late summer breezes to blow in off the river and invited us to come again soon.

By then, our appetites were whet and , at the suggestion of the shop's owner, we tripped our way to the upper level of the Grand Garage to settle into a nice booth at The Kitchen, where Peter, our friendly waiter, served us. The food was artistically prepared and was as delicious as it looked. I enjoyed a Greek salad and Donna had an unusual salad with beans, lettuce, tuna slices, olives and capers. French bread sliced thinly added to our food fare and we we deliciously satisfied. Some guests were seated at an outdoor dining area where colorful umbrellas shaded them and added to the cozy atmosphere.

Our last stop was to visit Scentchips, a neat little shop, where we were were immersed into the fragrances of many small pastel colored chips made mainly with soy wax and fragrances. We both purchased some to give away as gifts to loved ones. My favored fragrance was plumereria, as it reminded me of Hawaii, where the blossoms drooped from the trees everywhere, scenting the air with sweet aromas.

The ambience of Stillwater and some of the very lovely old buildings seems, to me, to be a bit European. It made me think how nice it would be to wander the streets and walkways along the active river's edge in the evening, after the sun had settled in the west cooling the day down. It seems that at sundown, the world settles into a quiet time mood, a time of reflection and peace.

Short get aways, such as our trip to Stillwater, add pages to our memory logs to be treasured in years to come. The simple joys of discovering together fun places to visit and explore strengthen the golden thread of friendship and love that unite us, one with the other.

Live today well with the intent to discover and share with your loved ones. Celebrate our gift of life.

Something is Missing

Well.. today I finally did it after thinking long and hard about it. I cancelled my land line phone and am relying on that easily misplaced cell phone. No more answering machine to look at for an occasional message to light my life and greet me. It almost feels like an important member of my family has suddenly up and left me. But then, it was my choice , wasn't it? So now, I will carry my little cell phone with me when I am out and about, tucked safely in my waist carrier pocket. Doesn't that sound silly?

It just goes to show how dependent we become when we attach ourselves to life's many luxuries which to us become necessities. Electric lights, running water, television, washers and dryers and so many more items which make life easier at the touch of a button. We are creatures of habit and get so used to things that we take them for granted.

I remember growing up when life was simpler and not dependent on today's modern conveniences. Perhaps there is a part of me that still yearns for the days when a family sat around the Zenith radio and listened to the Lone Ranger, the Cisco Kid, Jack Benny or hundreds of other wonderful radio programs. The thing is, listening to the radio, which by the way, had very little advertising, encouraged one's imagination to work and picture the characters in stories. Our minds brought them to life and it was all the more exciting. Also, we'd gather together sharing popcorn and kool aide or homemade root beer. It was together time as a family

With all of today's comforts to save labor and time, people still are too busy going about their lives and they do not seem to use their saved moments to be with family and friends as often as they could. I guess it is called the rat race, but we are not rats, we are unique individuals who have an important purpose for being here. Each one of us has talents and gifts that will enhance our little corner of the world and light the way for others. We need to connect in person with loved ones, to share conversation and hugs, the things that make life worthwhile.

Sometimes it is good to be without something we are dependent upon. It teaches us to simplify, in a small way and adjust to change. My cell phone is just another convenience to keep me connected to friends and family but I could live without it. Now the table that held the telephone is already decorated with a boquet of flowers and looking like it was made for just that.

A step towards simplicity is a step in the right direction. Let's get going.

Morning observations

A wonderful cool air beckoned me to take my morning walk today, despite a sore foot. I met a nice little elderly lady along the way who was out trying to catch her trailing vine which was headed far away from the deck railing, where it belonged. Everybody seems invigorated by this fresher air, which is signaling an autumn not too far off.

Even the birds are rejoicing. When I got back to my apartment home, I heard all sorts of chirping on my balcony and there sat three young finches, fluttering their little wings as fast as they could and chirping in unison. What do you think? They were waiting for mama, who was eating finch food from the hanging sock on the post nearby. After she ate awhile, she promptly went to her babies and put some food into their eager mouths. That is the first time that I have seen that delightful sight.

I marvel at how God's critters all have the basic instinct to be parents, to nurture and to survive in a world so very vast and over powering. When we consider the complexity of creation and the perfect order of all things, I wonder how anyone can doubt a greater power that rules the universe.

Sometimes, I have to laugh when I think of how complicated we make our lives by always trying to take control of things and make things be something that was not meant to be. We should be more open to living and learn to accept life with it's many stages and enjoy each one.

I think of the aging process and how our bodies begin a slow decline with changes we do not at first accept, then we begin to deny them, then we gradually try to adapt to them with makeup, medicine, or therapy of some kind. But the best thing happens when we can see ourselves as we are and accept the changes, enjoy the new stages and learn to laugh at ourselves with others who also are in the same boat.

On our journey in life, we travel together sharing many joys and sorrows but it is all an adventure that leads us to more wisdom and understanding. However, all that wisdom and understanding may be helpful but it often comes too late in the game.

So let's roll with the circle of life and know there is no beginning and no end, just a blending of yesterdays, todays and tomorrows. A beautiful circle that leads to forever.

She's a Sweetheart

She is a very special young woman in my life and in the lives of many others. She has an open, friendly way about her that draws others to her by her sincere curiousity about everyday things in life. She is a beautiful person inside and out and I am thankful to know that she is my daughter, Donna.

When you enter her humble home , there is a sense of her personality all about echoed in the decor with little collections of teapots, paintings and other reminders of the things she loves and they have a sentimental value to her. Her personality is reflected in everything in her small but charming duplex.

Upon entry, one is greeted warmly by her four beautifully groomed cats, who are the joy of her life. They are her little family and all enjoy being at home with Donna, where they are pampered and doted upon daily. From special treats on birthdays, to bird and squirrel watching from her bedroom window sill, they enjoy the good life. They are in "cat heaven"and there is no meow about it.

Donna loves people and is totally respectful of each person she meets, never critical or unkind and always willing to help a friend in need. She befriends all people and animals alike. Birthdays are important to her and she always gives little thoughtful gifts to each person on her long list of dear ones. She knows it is not the cost, but the thought that is important. Little things mean the most when shared with love.

People are drawn to this young woman because of her warm and sincere personality. When she was a baby, I was sure God had given me a little angel to have as my daughter, because she was such a pleasant natured peaceful baby, rarely fussed and was like a ray of sunshine in my life.

Kahlil Gibran said, in his book, The Prophet, "Your children are not your children but sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you, yet they belong not to you". We are blessed to have children and mother's especially are truly blessed to have daughters who can be our children when young and our friends as we get older.

I am greatful to know that God has chosen to bless me with such a caring person as Donna.
Kindness, love, understanding and support all wrapped up into one lovely package called my daughter. What more can a mother ask?

Sandcastles

What is more wonderful than walking barefoot along the sandy beach with the scent and taste of the salty sea air upon us? The sound of waves lapping rhythmically against the shoreline are soothing and seem to wash away all worldly concerns and lull us into peaceful oblivian. I do not live near an ocean but do remember spending blissful days in Hawaii where the warm greenish blue colored waters of the Pacific Ocean wove a spell of tranquillity to tourists and locals alike.

I recall, especially, the stretch of beach where an artist had fashioned a beautiful display of sancastles and sea gardens that were breathtaking to behold. Even the seagulls hovered over the water and swooped nearby, as if to admire the artwork, which was to be enjoyed momentarily before the waters rose with the tides to sweep them away.

I wondered why the artist created such beautiful works knowing that in a short matter of time they would be wiped away. Her answer was that her work was a work of love and all beautiful things on earth have their moments of glory but soon will fade into memory. They are to be enjoyed in the present and anticipated in the future. She was a very perceptive and lovely woman, wise beyond her years.

The silver sword plant is an amazing plant that thrives in Hawaii on barren soil, often up on craters of a volcano. It has beautiful silver colored spires that shimmer in the light and it can live up to fifty years. The special thing about it is that it blooms only once in it's lifetime with beautiful purple colored daisy like flowers. I have only read about it and seen pictures. To those who know the plant, the anticipation of waiting for that sight of it's flowering makes everything worthwhile.

Amazing sandcastles and silversword plants that grant us glimpses of beauty, though ever so briefly, remind us of the fragility of life and how we must treasure them while they are with us.
If we walk our path slowly and observe all of those splendid sunsets, springtime blossoms and the multitude of ordinary wonders all around us in creation and in people, we will have lived well.

Take time to enjoy the special moments that life offers, for they may never return exactly the same.

Detour, There's A Muddy Road Ahead

Detour, there's a muddy road ahead used to be the words in a country western song when I was growing up. Then, I only listened to the catchy tune and paid little mind to the words. Isn't that the way we are as we get advice when we are younger, and even older, that we do not think any of it applies to us? We are captains of our souls, and masters of our fate, or so we think. Not true.

I met a lady, not long ago, who had been married a few times and had been the almost perfect wife, mother and friend. Never the less, things changed with divorces and a death. She had followed her heart in all decisions and gave unselfishly of herself, always thinking she was happy but as she grew older she began to think, like Alfie, what's it all about. Where do we find that contentment within when there are more questions than answers?

Once again, not paying any attention to advice or detour signs, she plunged into a short term relationship hoping she had found true happiness and a long term love. Wrong again.. so she picked up the pieces of shattered dreams and tried to rebuild her life using some of the lessons she had learned from mistakes along the way. The mistakes and wrong choices we make along the way teach us the most valuable lessons if we only pay attention to them.

Why are some of us restless and always searching for what might be right in front of us? The lady once again moved forward and found a friend she respected and was able to be herself with and she was happy. Happy because she had learned that despite the detours and side tracks she had taken, there were smooth paths ahead when we value ourselves and know that we are unique and do have so much good within ourselves to share with others.

Heed the detour signs but move on with optimism that there is always a tomorrow for new beginnings. The oft used saying, "Live Laugh, Love "says it all.

Recollection of Alma, Wisconsin

Several years ago, my husband and I took a trip down the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River and discovered so many charming little towns. River towns always seem to have a special ambiance about them and draw me to them. We then discovered Alma where I captured many memorable photos and memories in my store room of fun places to visit.

The train track runs alongside the river and then seemed to pass through, blowing it's whistle, every fifteen minutes. There was a small dining place along side the track that served the town's best breakfasts for traveler's and residents.

The town is set beneath a steep hillside that is dotted with lovely older homes, terraced flower gardens which splashed color everywhere, and long rising stairways that led to the upper level.

The overlook at Alma, offered a wonderful view of the town and river below. It was a wonderful place for picnics because of the view and the fantastic cool breezes that wafted on the air. It always seemed to be breezy on the overlook when we were there.

The old Burlington hotel no longer serves the superbly prepared cuisine that it used to, I am told, but I believe it still is there, under different ownership. I recall a beautiful gold colored railing that used to be in the forefront of the bar, which was there. It was a highlight feature and I wonder if that is still there.

We used to stay at a very welcoming, open door type, Bed and Breakfast run by a dear couple who were so hospitable. When a guest walked in, we were to look for an unlocked room and if it was empty, we signed in. It was very informal. The man and his wife who owned it, also had a farm nearby and often the man was out baling hay or doing farm chores. It was a very old home and I even drew a detailed drawing of that home which I shared with them. The architecture was lovingly planned and of course it, like all of the other homes, nestled on the hillside.

It is good to recall how things used to be when one visits them at an earlier time in life but they probably change over time like everything else. Don't they say nothing is permanent except change? Pictures and memories can capture the moments of our life and return us again to yesterday once in awhile when we feel nostalgic.

However, here we are in the present, enjoying our lives celebrating today and all the happier days of the past. Today is the day to start building more memories sharing life and love with family, friends and those strangers who someday may be our friends, also. Peek into the past, but move on ahead with enthusiasm. Live, laugh and love..is an appropriate saying and guide for each of us as we travel the pathway of life.

Gallery of Seasons

Lately, I have noticed slight changes on the leaves of trees as they begin to turn from vibrant green to gamboge yellow and even in some areas, there are soft touches of red or orange. Tinges of an approaching change in our panorama of seasons.

To my eyes, there is no more beautiful place to be in the autumn than upper Michigan. I grew up on a small farm nestled amongst the maple covered hills and when the hills took on their autumn apparel it was a sight to behold. The warm glowing colors of red, gold, rust and orange mingled together in a fine tapestry that could only be created by one greater than ourselves.

As a teenager, I loved to take walks in the woods and play among the slowly falling leaves and savor that earthy smell of the woods. Sometimes, I would collect pretty leaves and press them in books or wax them to put on a card to share. A boquet of dried leaves and cattails was always nice to set in a large vase or jar for an indoor touch of Fall.

We are so lucky to live in an area where we have the four seasons, each offering their own special beauty and flavor. I look forward to each one with anticipation. Spring and fall are my favorites but winter is my favored one to paint in pastels, because of the wonderful contrasts. Also, winter recalls to me the joys of childhood and walking in the winter woods after a fresh snowfall. The silence and beauty of fluffy white snowflakes settling lightly upon boughs of evergreen and grasses is almost sacred. Sometimes, fresh rabbit tracks spoke of a woodland visitor greeting the wonderland that lay all about.

I sometimes compare the aging process of people to the changing seasons because they both happen so slowly , before ones eyes, yet they are often not noticed until one day we see them with a new awareness. Life is an ever changing process, each season bringing it's very own special beauty and wonder to be appreciated and savored , whether we speak of seasons or people.

The earth is our playground where we can laugh and dance among the many wonders of creation. The sands of time fall slowly ,but surely, bringing change to each of us and to the earth upon which we dwell as visitors for a little while in God's splendid creation. Enjoy the day!

A Good Friend Is Better Than Gold

A good friend is better than gold is a quote that I used to put on my magnets and cards to share with others. We all, hopefully , have some friends, old or new, but what we need in our lives are true blue good friends.

They accept us as we are, faults and blemishes, the good and the bad because they see our inner spirit which defines who we are. What attracts me to a person are all of those intangible qualities that touch my senses and soul. A sense of humor, loyalty, kindness and a sharing of good conversation about the everyday happenings in life are important, and most of all being an honest, honorable person. I am, and I suppose everybody is, drawn to those special people that enter our life. They are our friends and being with them, sharing moments in time, enriches both parties lives. the giver and receiver. We are mirrors to one another and seek to bring out the best in each other by sharing the best in ourselves.

We all need people in our life who can help light our path while we also can light theirs by the things we do and say. Think how sad it would be if we could not communicate with one another. We would be isolated in time. I believe sincere communication is the link to any relationship if it is to flourish. Hopefully, friends can always share with one another but sometimes in men and women relationships, it can be more difficult when the thread of sharing verbally becomes broken.

I have endured some shattered expectations in my life in relationships, but thankfully I have learned so much from them. Now, I am at the point in time when I realize my own sense of self as a woman reaching out to friends around me, in my little world. The future is brighter and I picture myself as a butterfly emerging from a cocoon flitting from flower to flower with a song in my heart.

There are so many good people out there just waiting to share friendship and love. It just takes a smiling hello to warm another person's soul and open the swinging door of friendship.

Better than gold, indeed, is one true friend. How lucky we are to walk that two way path to a friend's house and share the gift of friendship.

Gathering Wild Flowers

When I was a little girl, living on our family farm in Upper Michigan, I used to spend much of my summer days, gathering wild flowers for mom's table. She had so many boquets around, I think perhaps it was annoying, but she never scolded.

Our farm was situated amidst the hills and woods and there was a large meadow laden with summer's daisies and Indian paint brushes. Daisies have a tough stem when you pick them by hand, and are hard on the fingers after so many. Because they were so plentiful, I would keep on picking trying to gather every pretty one. But of course, that would be impossible, like trying to catch every raindrop that falls.

There were purple violets with long stems, yellow cowslips in the marshes, may flowers, dutchmens britches and so many more, always waiting to be gathered and placed in a glass on the kitchen table for my mom. It was fun.

When we are children, we see the world so innocently and with a sense of wonder and joy. So often with the passing of time and life, we lose that childlike quality and abandon it for grown up views. Oh, it is there hidden within us, but tucked away and hidden among all the other hidden albums in our life. I refer to albums, because lately, I have been working at finding photos in my computer to transport to chosen places. It takes time and searching, but eventually the lost is sure be found.

As women, we go through so many phases of our lives, experiencing love, joy, pain, sorrow and eventually the process of coming to terms with who we really are. For years, we are wives, mothers, caregivers, grandmas and a multitude of many roles, but when the dust settles and we are alone with our awareness of our mortality, we begin to reevaluate ourselves. We search for that younger, more enthused and lively person within us. We want to be free to be the person we were meant to be and it does not happen to every woman but to many.

We want to gather more of those many wildflowers that are so plentiful. We want to feel special and loved by somebody else but we also want to love ourselves. Love is what makes everybody special. It is the magical golden thread that binds us all together as one. Where love lives, it is like that never ending field of daisies. It is endless and beautiful and to be treasured.

Dance among the daisies and sing a song of life, dear friends.

Sunsets and Rainbows

Last evening I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. It was after a terrific thunderstorm which had all the drama the skies could hold , dark, boisterous clouds, sharp streaks of lightening, thunder so loud it sounded like a bowling alley on high volume and the sirens warning all to the impending storm. Then the rains came in torrents to satisfy the thirsty ground after a day of intense heat and humidity. During the break in the storm, for a few minutes, there was a brilliant double rainbow set in the sky, as a sign of hope.

The after show was well worth it though. I was just driving home after visiting my friend and as I turned onto the freeway, the splendid sunset arose into view on the western horizon. Wow!

It took my breathe away for a moment, because the intense glory of the rose, peach and crimson that splashed across the pallette of the sky, highlighted by the setting sun was unbelievable. Of course, there I was driving, no camera and cars behind me so I could not stop.

Wonderful things happen when we least expect them sometime and we are usually not prepared with cameras and such but luckily they are imprinted in our minds gallery of keepsakes.

I recall another time when we were traveling in the south and we saw a flock of pelicans flying over the river as they were about to land. By the time I got back with the camera, , of course , they were gone.


Lately my life has been so full of wonder as I am branching out into a world of new friendships, adventures and awakenings, after a couple years of coming to grips with grief and loss. Not wanting to dwell on myself, I can only say, with answers to my prayers, God has led me to find joy and laughter in every day, for which I am so grateful.

Each new day can hold a bit of magic and wonder in it for each of us if we keep our heart and mind open to discovering the world around us and seeing goodness in the people we meet. The storms in life always are followed by beautiful skies and rainbows, if we seek them.

Sometimes we should put on those rose colored glasses and look at life through the eyes of a child and see beyond despair to the love and goodness all around us. It is there waiting to for us. Celebrate the rainbows and sunsets that light your life.

Family Time at Don Pablos

One of the wonderful things about getting older, is that we realize more and more, how important it is to share time with friends and family. That invisible golden thread that binds people together is strengthened each time we get together and share conversation, laughter and hugs. Today was one of those days for my brother, Fred , sister in law, June and myself.

It was nearing supper time and after mulling over a choice of places nearby, we opted to go to Don Pablos Mexican restaurant in Roseville. It had a colorful and authentic atmosphere with brightly painted tiles covering the lower wall of the front counter. Areas of red, blue, yellow and green were dramatically placed on walls and a chimney decorating areas around the dining area. A pretty fountain sat in the center of the dining room and a sign was posted stating that any coins from the fountain were donated to the local animal shelter.

As soon as we sat down, we were greeted by a smiling waitress who brought us tall glasses of water and a basket of homemade and tasty tortilla chips with some spicy dip. Margaritas were saved for another night. The featured meal tonight was enchilladas so we enjoyed that delicious arrangement off of very hot plates. The area was soon bustling with customers, friends and families with children. It was a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

As we ate and conversed, we could see the Mexican cook forming balls of tortilla dough and pressing them in a large round press. She then tossed them onto a griddle to bake so there was always freshly made tortillas, she said with a smile.

What was the nicest part of the unplanned evening was sharing family time chatting and laughing together over the simple happenings of the day. Fred and June are not just dear family members, but they are my best friends. As we are getting older, we spend more time together and delight in each others company.

We all have the same twenty four hours a day to spend and yet often they are not spent wisely and sometimes get frittered away. When we reach the age that we start to count our blessings more and know the value of moments shared with loved ones, it is a gift that time itself gives us. A gift not to be tucked away but to be scattered on the soft breezes that touch the lives of those around us with love.

It is true that in the end of all things. love is what really matters most.

After the Storm

When the summer days have been hot and humid for a long time, we always welcome a good thunderstorm. You know how it is that we feel in our bones that sense of an impending storm coming. Then we note the changing skies as billowing clouds accumulate on the horizon and soon cover the heavens.

I especially recall the skies a few years back, which were breathtaking , in their before storm appearance. Huge, and fluffy clouds which were backlit with a peach orange glow from the setting sun sent me rushing for my camera. Photos can never capture the moment in time that we wish because the moment is not only what we see, but what we feel.

A good thunderstorm with lightning sweeping across the sky, also releases nitrogen from the deep roots of alfalfa, I once read, and the atmosphere changes. Lightning has been spectacular lately shooting from varied directions, both vertical and horizontal. It is God's theater in the sky reminding us of a power greater than ours.

After the storm passes, and the welcome rains have fallen, there is a quality of freshness and energy released that fills our senses with exhilaration. We feel happy and alive with renewed energy and hope. The rainbow that often appears is the reminder that all is well with the world. No pot of gold there, but a promise of continuity in an ever changing world.

In life, we have those stormy skies and warnings sometimes ,when things seem so bleak and threatening but we must take heart. There is always hope and a way to solve all problems if we reach out to loved ones and to God. Like the gathering clouds that foretell an approaching storm, we can know that after the storm passes, there will be an awakening and renewal which nurtures and heals.

Let us endure the storms life may bring us and know that instead of a rainbow, there will be for each of us a bright new day, a promise of tomorrow.

Madeline Island

I recently puchased a pretty cup at a garage sale, which has a picture on it of a seashore, with waving grasses and tiny seashells. I love it because it reminds me of the many occasions my husband and I would pay our yearly visit to Madeline Island. It is such a special place for me to be where the sky and the great waters of Lake Superior melt into one.

Bill and Mary Ellen, now since departed, had a wonderful, simple cottage, built with loving labors , which was one of the most hospitable places I have visited. Friends and family were always welcome .

What I most recall about our mini vacation there are the fresh breezes blowing off the lake, across the sea of waving grasses and wild flowers like daisies, and blue flag iris. The air was sweet and beckoned me to the lakeshore where I loved to wander barefoot in the sand, gathering some of the tiny white rocks for my art projects. Sea gulls hovered and screeched over the waters adding to the picture. It offered solitude and peace and touched my spirit evoking a oneness with the universe. Like a star in the great heavens, we are but a speck in the field of time.

Mary Ellen was a fantastic cook and in the evening we would share her fine cuisine on the screened porch while listening to the lulling sound of the waves on the beach and the call of the seagulls. Friends and family sharing fine food, wine and conversation created a warm bond that united all of us, even though time has changed our lives, as it will.


On cool evenings, Bill would build a small fire in the black stove which shared it's warmth rapidly. In the evening sky, stars twinkled, as one by one, they covered the heavens making it like a starry canopy over the moonlit waters. It was the perfect ending to a dreamers day.

Perhaps we should all be a bit of a dreamer and relish those precious memories that nurture our spirit and return us again, if only in our thoughts, to the joys we have known. Each of us can touch the lives of others by kindness and sharing of our talents or gifts. It is those things which will be remembered long after we are gone.

Dream on, dear friend, sow and gather the memorable seeds of your life's journey and scatter them to share with others.

Memories of Lanesboro

My sketchbook contains glimpses of a happy summer spent in Lanesboro, Minnesota, several years ago with my husband Dave. Lanesboro lies in the southeast corner of our state and is a town of antiquity. It has an old world charm and is inviting to artists, nature lovers and those who like to explore places off the beaten path. Limestone bluffs and the Root River are part of the landscape that create a peaceful haven.

The town was set up on two levels , an upper level which was more up to date and the lower level which contained many antique shops, a winery, Mrs. B's Bed and Breakfast and other tourist attractions. The buildings were reminscent of times gone by, as they stood tall and untouched by updated versions.

We rode our bikes along the paved bicycle trails that lead beneath the limestone bluffs, through lush meadowlands and passed some farming country where fields of baled hay dotted the landscape. Birds were plentiful and filled the air with song. The air was sweet with the fragrance of new mown hay.

Sunday morning, we were awakened early to the sound of church bells peeling from a large church atop the bluff in the newer part of town. Their music echoed throughout the valley below and spoke of harmony and peace. Somehow, I often think I see the world through rose colored glasses because I find such comfort in quaint and beautiful out of the way places, where time has stood still, even for a little while.

I have not been to Lanesboro for years now, and hope to go there again soon. Will I be disappointed to see that the memories I have of once upon a time are no longer there? I hope not. Nevertheless, I have my memories and they remain in my treasure trove.

As we travel along the paths of our life, we see and do so many things that at the time will seem pleasant because we are living them at the moment. However, they are also the sights and happenings which warm our hearts and carry us back to our younger self, when life was fresh and full of wonder. Time has a way of sifting out any bad memories and embellishing the good ones. It heals and restores that which is good for us and enables us to know peace within.

My wish is that all of us, young and old, have within us that store room of happy times to enjoy this gift of life which we all have for a brief time on this earth.

Montblanc, Spain Road Trip 1968

Looking back at some quick sketches I did years ago while my husband and I were on a road trip in Spain, I came across one special reminder of a simpler world, then almost forgotten. It was of the medieval walled village of Montblanc, Spain, founded in 1163.

We drove into the town late at night, winding along narrow roadways, that seemed to climb higher and higher, until we came to that quaint old walled town. It was about 9:00 in the evening and people were out in the cobbled streets, singing and dancing. We had a room in a very simple hacienda , with open windows, no glass, and shutters outside, where we freshened up before wandering about.

In those early days, some villages were surrounded by a stone wall, about ten feet high, as a protection from the outside world and any enemies they may have had. There was no communication with the outside world, no newspapers or radios to connect them with happenings around them, except through persons who carried the news. It was a step back in time and yet most charming.

We strolled the narrow stone paved streets and chatted with the local shop owners who displayed cheeses , of all sorts, hanging from racks for purchase. There was a sausage shop filled with wonderful delicacies. There were wine shops with locally made wine from their own fine grapes and bottles nicely displayed for purchase. Each small shop was family owned and offered its hospitality to visitors and locals alike.

Because the streets were dark, lighted only by an occasional gas lantern, and the lights from the shops, also gas lit as there was no electricity then, it bore a romantic charm that painted itself into my mind. The people were happy and carefree and glad to have visitors because then there were very few tourists. In Spain, because all people take an afternoon siesta, they are up very late and dining at about 10:00 p.m. which was late for us. But the fruits of good country cuisine were worth the wait because each dish was prepared with love and a desire to please. I was fortunate that my husband spoke Spanish, among several other languages.

What colors my mind mostly about that secluded village is the simple charm it carried before fifty years of change and embellishment remade it to the more modern town it is now. It is true that time changes everything but I like to remember it as it was long ago. I feel more comfortable with the simple life and ways of the people before modernization came into the picture.

Perhaps all of us, carry in our memory , pages of simpler days when stress was an unheard of word. We should try to return now and then, to days gone by and seek out the solace and peace we once found in simplicity.

Let's discover the quiet joy within ourselves when we reflect on peaceful recollections of times gone by that nurture our spirit.