Our house in the woods is on a dead end road, several miles long, some of it paved, some of it dirt. There's still a working dairy farm, but another one is gone and the cauliflower farm shut down a generation ago. There are hunting cabins and log cabins, split levels and farmhouses, shacks and a-frames. There are a couple of trailers, and a compound belonging to an actor who comes in by helicopter. At the farmers market I got to talking to the old gent who sells blueberry wine. He has a pick your own blueberry farm and used to be a bus driver--our road was on his route. Last weekend two ladies showed up at our house, part of a 50 year reunion. When they were girls they used to have picnics by the waterfall that is now on our property. There wasn't a house there until the 1980's, and every now and then someone shows up to see the waterfall and remember when they were young. I left the ladies on their own, and through the open windows I heard them laughing, their voices rising high and happy.
I love this story! and how you left them to their memories and their laughter.
ReplyDeleteThis photo is spectacular...aren't the colors of fall just beautiful...
Happy Weekend!
That picture is on our road, just before the working dairy farm. It's a nice mix of woods and fields. The ladies were delightful.
DeleteWhat a wonderful story! It's the little things in life, isn't it? Your photo is beautiful too! Have a good weekend! Christa
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Christa--it is the little things.
DeleteAh, you should have asked if they had any photos of the waterfall from that time.
ReplyDeleteI thought about that later! I could probably track them down and know other people who grew up on our road --some who still live there. If I worked at it I could probably get some pictures--that would really be fun to have.
DeleteWhat a lovely little story of the people wanting to see the waterfall again..how those two old friends must have been laughing at the things they did as children.
ReplyDeletethat is so nice of you to let them walk and to be able to recall their childhood memories Jen. Nice to read about where you live.
Wishing you a happy weekend.. xx val
DeleteThanks Val--I write so much about the nature there--I forget the people.
It sounds like the perfect setting for a movie. Two older woman having a picnic by the waterfalls where the scene flashes back to an intriguing story that revolves around the cauliflower farm, the bus driver that makes blueberry wine and two little girls who meet at the waterfalls.
ReplyDeleteI love that idea. I'm already casting it.
ReplyDeletesounds like a nice encounter. and nice of you to let them see the waterfall (not that I would have expected anything else from you ;) but it needs to be said!) - I'm not that old, but already now, when I go home, there are places I played at as a kid that I can't get to anymore. and that's always a bit sad...
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DeleteI think that once you are an adult, that sense of feeling about the places of your youth is as strong when you're 30 as 70. I took my kids, who are in their 20's back to the town they lived in as children and they were surprisingly (to me) nostalgic.
Hello Jen, In a very few words, you have captured the essence of life on your country road over the passing years. Luckily, you still have the beautiful vista shown in your photo--I love the current admixture of green, and knowing the colors will intensify as fall progresses.
ReplyDelete--Jim
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DeleteWe are fortunate that there are strong land use restrictions on land use in the Catskills (because it is a watershed--our water goes to NYC) so those vistas will never be spoiled.
What a wonderful story and visit. I can almost picture them reliving those memories and laughing like kids again, it never goes away. You are way ahead on colors, gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI feel like the leaves turned a week or two early this year.
DeleteJen, your view in the photo and words is beautiful. I bet those two women were thrilled to be able to view their waterfall. How kind of you.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun when people show up to see it and relive the past--it happens once or twice a year.
DeleteWhat a beautiful story. It tugs at my heart as if I had walked down the road to visit the waterfall when I was young. I wish it was a movie. I would definitely want to see it over and over.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if a bunch of bloggers could write a movie together...
DeleteI love the colours of those trees in your photo Jen. Very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anne!
DeleteJust realized it's silly to thank you--as though I created those colorful trees all by myself!
DeleteThese ladies, yes, they know what's up. Inspiring.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteBeautiful autumn colors! We had summer temperature back for a couple of days abruptly but before I knew it, the leaves of dog wood trees along the street in our residential area had turned autumn colors.
ReplyDeleteI also love the story of the country road and the people involved. The ladies found themselves as a kid and the lives around the waterfall thanks to you!
Enjoy beautiful days, Jen.
Beautiful days to you too, Cosmos!
DeleteJen... I think you should begin the story with an opening paragraph and pass it along to other bloggers one at a time...each adds a paragraph. No telling what turns the story would take... Bow Street could add bunnies and flowers, Urban Cottage could have the girls relaxing during a kitchen renovation, Small but Charming Jane could bake up a nice Chocolate Tart for a picnic with Gus and Lucy's help, Haricot could add the poetry, and you Dear Jen... Well, you could paint the delightful scenes under the direction of your talented feline companions.... Adding many of your other blog friends contributions to the story! I think you have the making of an Academy Award winner here.... Smiles and maybe a giggle or two...Susan
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful story and fantastic picture :)
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