June 15th - the evening arrival
Yes, Joanne Noragon and grand-daughter Laura in the little red car were having trouble finding a place to linger as they waited for me, so had opted for the driveway of the bus station.The good thing, from my side, was that I now had a clear picture of the car and could wave to them when I got through to the street side. Cincinnati had a super big carpark at the station. Cleveland did not. The 'taxi' did good managing to skip around the negatives of that.
The drive down to Peninsula was only about 30 minutes and the countryside was gorgeous. Peninsula is right beside Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The family home of 30 years sits on a quiet cul-de-sac facing trees and no neighbours in sight. First thing spotted is the For Sale sign... "You need to know something," says Joanne...
In the week or so since our last contact, life had turned on its head for the family. The home was up for sale and, in the case of Joanne and her grand-daughters, a new one found. Joanne's sister Janice and brother-in-law Tom were still on the lookout.
Laura had moved upstairs, temporarily, surrendering her room on ground floor to this visitor. What a lovely, peaceful and comfortable room, too. Joanne was on the other side of the hall and the recently updated bathroom was between us... now here was a shower to be desired! First class unit. Laura took hold of the Fudge and had a go...
Once refreshed, we sat out on the front deck, taking in the absolutely gorgeous evening. For other readers, it may help you to know that Joanne was one of my very first blog buddies and we 'hit it off' through the etherwebs straight away...when the reality of my getting Stateside emerged, she was quick off the mark and asking "you are coming here, aren't you?!!" Well of course I was. As with all other buddies met along the way, not only were my expectations met, but exceeded. Joanne is a grandmother in her early 70s who is seeing her grand-daughters Emily and Laura through to adulthood. She documents something of this experience on her bloggy, but also much about Peninsula itself and the characters and times she faces as the town's Fiscal Officer. Up till this time, Joanne has also been weaving wonderful cloth as a side-line; and her sister Janice is a long-arm quilter (more on that later). They have had a great workshop at one side of the home, a large space full of creativity. The weaving is now being retired from, once and for all. Emily starts at Hiram College next month and Laura continues at high school.
Out on the deck that evening, I reassured everyone that there was to be no ceremony and that I would fall in with whatever was needed in the event of house-showings or other matters.
Out on the deck that evening, I got a taste of the birds and insects of the area.
Out on the deck that evening, we watched a waxing moon.
It was a grand evening and I slept like a baby in Laura's bed.
Yes, Joanne Noragon and grand-daughter Laura in the little red car were having trouble finding a place to linger as they waited for me, so had opted for the driveway of the bus station.The good thing, from my side, was that I now had a clear picture of the car and could wave to them when I got through to the street side. Cincinnati had a super big carpark at the station. Cleveland did not. The 'taxi' did good managing to skip around the negatives of that.
The drive down to Peninsula was only about 30 minutes and the countryside was gorgeous. Peninsula is right beside Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The family home of 30 years sits on a quiet cul-de-sac facing trees and no neighbours in sight. First thing spotted is the For Sale sign... "You need to know something," says Joanne...
In the week or so since our last contact, life had turned on its head for the family. The home was up for sale and, in the case of Joanne and her grand-daughters, a new one found. Joanne's sister Janice and brother-in-law Tom were still on the lookout.
Laura had moved upstairs, temporarily, surrendering her room on ground floor to this visitor. What a lovely, peaceful and comfortable room, too. Joanne was on the other side of the hall and the recently updated bathroom was between us... now here was a shower to be desired! First class unit. Laura took hold of the Fudge and had a go...
Once refreshed, we sat out on the front deck, taking in the absolutely gorgeous evening. For other readers, it may help you to know that Joanne was one of my very first blog buddies and we 'hit it off' through the etherwebs straight away...when the reality of my getting Stateside emerged, she was quick off the mark and asking "you are coming here, aren't you?!!" Well of course I was. As with all other buddies met along the way, not only were my expectations met, but exceeded. Joanne is a grandmother in her early 70s who is seeing her grand-daughters Emily and Laura through to adulthood. She documents something of this experience on her bloggy, but also much about Peninsula itself and the characters and times she faces as the town's Fiscal Officer. Up till this time, Joanne has also been weaving wonderful cloth as a side-line; and her sister Janice is a long-arm quilter (more on that later). They have had a great workshop at one side of the home, a large space full of creativity. The weaving is now being retired from, once and for all. Emily starts at Hiram College next month and Laura continues at high school.
Out on the deck that evening, I reassured everyone that there was to be no ceremony and that I would fall in with whatever was needed in the event of house-showings or other matters.
Out on the deck that evening, I got a taste of the birds and insects of the area.
Out on the deck that evening, we watched a waxing moon.
It was a grand evening and I slept like a baby in Laura's bed.
Now we have to say that we may never have seen such a good bug pic as that fly. How ever did you get him to wait so long?? We KNOW you had a nice visit on the deck/porch!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Hari OM
DeleteThat there be a 17-year cicada. They like to pose... Yxx
You and your cicada's. In spite of my fondest hopes, they did not retreat underground until a couple weeks after you were gone.
ReplyDeleteIts the first time I've seen one of those noisy little critters close up, usually I just hear them!
ReplyDeleteLoves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
Porches and decks are the best visiting places....stella rose
ReplyDeleteOh I hate those cicada! They said Nati was going to have the 17 year ones this year but I think that fizzled out. Thank the powers that be. One year they were so thick you could not move without them jumping on you. Looks like your next stop was peaceful like the dove on the wire.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a friend
Sweet William The Scot
Hari OM
DeleteYes there were a great many of these little fellas and they did like to land on one. I don't mind them at all, but can also appreciate that most folks do! Indeed, a different pace at this place. Yxx
We have cicadas by us, too. In fact, I can hear them right now. Love the shot of the morning dove, too
ReplyDeleteYAM,
ReplyDeleteMy husband is an amateur radio operator. The folks in that hobby have an expression they use when speaking of meeting one another face to face. They say they eyeball each other. So pleased you were able to eyeball your blogger buddies. janice xx
lovely photos!
ReplyDeletehugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
YaYa you made a life time of new memories in June...my goodness the places you saw and friends you hugged and lingered with in their surroundings has been truly amazing. Blogging opened our world's to new friends and places.
ReplyDeleteHugs HiC and B-cat and Madi cat
Hari OM
DeleteOh yes HiC and Madi, you speak rightly; and as I have spoken to a friend earlier today, the thing we all need at this time of a world filled with media about baser instincts is to be reminded that actually the great part of the world is made up from the kindness of strangers and the gossamer threads of spirit. Huggies, Yxx
I am STILL enjoying your trip! I am so glad you are a good person, with good friends, near and far! xx
ReplyDeleteHello, wonderful photos. I love the house Finches and moon shot. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!
ReplyDelete