Have you ever noticed how sometimes the weeks seem to grab on to the wind’s coat tails?
And, how sometimes , time itself is in a race to see how fast it can reach that last day of the month?
That’s how I’ve felt since October. Some days I wake up scratching my head, wondering where the moments have gone.
Simply put, we’ve been busy. Ugh. Now there’s a word with mixed meanings. If you’ve got nothing to do, busy seems like a dream come true.
But, if you’re stuck underneath a giant to-do list, busy is the last thing you want to be.
That’s where we’ve set up camp. Running here, running there, doing this, doing that. Gone ALL THE TIME. While the reasons behind all that doing are good, all that doing is wearing us out.
Ten days ago, we took a break and went to my parent’s house for a week. It was nice. Our “have to be somewhere schedule” came to a screeching halt. I’ve gotta be honest here, it was freeing.
One evening we took a drive and ended up in a little bitty town. Like small. Super small. It was quite obvious it’s days of busy were long gone.
The streets were literally gravel roads and as we made our way around the blocks, I noticed many of the houses looked like they were ten steps past abandoned.
The storefront windows were empty and dark. The railroad tracks seemed lonely. Instead of hearing the constant chatter of train whistles blaring, there was only silence.
The grain elevator stood tall as it braced itself against the sunset. I bet if such structures were given name tags, it would wear “Stately” quite well.
Although this might sound contrary, being there filled my heart with a sense of peace. I mean, can you imagine the town in it’s day?
It was probably robust and bustling with families running here and there. Merchants getting their goods and setting up shop. Farmers raising crops and bringing them to town to sell.
The church pews were probably crammed packed on Sunday mornings and during the week, the school desks probably held elbows on top and legs dangling below them.
Being there that day was so refreshing. It was almost like we flipped back the calendar years, stepped right into days gone by, and for the first time in two months, actually had a chance to just slow down.
Beautiful photos of the small town. I’m thankful that you had a resting and relaxing time. Slow Down (actually that’s what my grandson told me about my driving!!)
We are going to my son’s Christmas Eve. I can’t wait!!!!!!
Love you
LikeLiked by 1 person
You and I are such small town fans! The less people, the better!! Oh my, you will have a very merry Christmas then! Glad you get to be with them! โค๏ธโค๏ธ
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I’m hoping to bring a couple of grandkids home for the week!!!!! I love having them without Adult Supervision (parents)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wowwwwww!! Wouldn’t that be fun?!?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love our SMALL towns and backroads!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
โค๏ธ
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoyed this post, Jessica. Well written and I love your sentiment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness. You’re very kind. Thanks so much for that! โค๏ธ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fabulous read. Love it. (and wishing I could have been there with you).
Sending warm Christmas Wishes <3 ~ Cobs. x
LikeLike
This is the perfect post for this time of year. We all need to slow down. A great reminder. The tailgate pic is my favourite too. ;)
LikeLike
I am glad you got a break – 0 how wonderful that no matter where you go, you look for treasure and find it! beautiful pics.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The pictures are lovely, and make we want to know the stories behind the various buildings and objects that are in the photos.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Sheryl. Thank you for your kind words. It’s kind of neat you said that about the stories there. I looked up the town and found out a few interesting things. If the weather cooperates this weekend, I hope to go back by and take a few more pictures and write some more about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
More Wonderfulness! Being in the moment between peace and serenity! I am thrilled that you got to get away and enjoy yourselves!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow!! Thank you so very much! You’re so kind. Peace and serenity is correct. That sums it up quite well. ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t seem to open your blog. Is it open-able? Just would like to reciprocate your kindness towards my writing. ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I have heard there was some technical difficulties, but I checked my settings and such. I will check on it this morning! Thank you for letting me know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You may try Countrygirlcrafting.wordpress.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woo hoo!! That worked! I’ve never been able to see it/ connect. That’s why I’ve never read it or commented… ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think this is one side effect of globalism. Trade with other nations is a good thing, but not at the expense of our own people. We in turn are partly to blame with our constant demand for cheaper and cheaper goods. I for one have and will continue to pay more for goods made here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s an interesting way to look at it. I didn’t even think of that. I just saw a town grown old, but I bet you’re right. People don’t stay in a place where there is no means to have a comfortable life. I can’t wait until America is great again! ๐๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
We all need to do our part.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trying! ๐๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful, Jessica. I’m glad you took some time to slow down and push the reset button. I really do believe life should be less about doing and more about being….especially the older I get!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my gosh, I love that. Being sounds so much better. I realize doing is a must sometimes, but it also seems easy to get stuck in.
No wonder I’ve had writer’s block sooooo bad. No time to think! Ha! Thanks for reading. Means a lot to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
โ๐โ
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sad to see the abandoned properties- but your capture of the signs at sunset made me smile. Beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw! Thank you so much! ๐
LikeLike
Love this one. I know just what you mean when you said it was freeing to be somewhere and not have to live up to “the schedule”. I had that experience when we went to Des Moines to our kids two weeks ago. It kind of reset my mind so I could take a breath.
Those pictures are so cool! You sound like me when you imaging what it was like way back when.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh how I love what you said! Especially the part about resetting your mind. Being able to catch a breath is soooooo nice.
How fun that you went to Des Moines. I have family there. Have you been to the covered bridges near there and John Wayne’s birth place? Some neat placed around there.
I think you and I are kindred spirits. Living in this time, but loving other time periods as well.
Thanks for your compliment about my pictures. You couldn’t beat that sunset. The one with the Ford tailgate is a bit grainy, but I wanted to share it anyway. It was just the truck bed. No cab. And it was all full of weeds growing in it. ๐
LikeLike
I must admit the truck tailgate caught my eye :). I am glad you included it. I have never been to John Wayne’s birthplace and it is on my list of places to go.
Maybe we are sisters of other parents ????
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Sisters!! โค๏ธ
We didn’t go into John Wayne’s house, just drove by it. At the time Little Bit was 3 months old and I used all his patience up taking pictures of the bridges! Ha!
Glad you like the truck. It looked pretty cool in a yard where nobody lives.
LikeLiked by 1 person