Monday, August 11, 2008

Country roads.....

that take me home, or country roads that lead nowhere in particular. In Wisconsin there is no shortage of country roads. While we are no longer a leading agricultural state, much of Wisconsin remains "rural".
 The 40 and 80 acre family farms of yesterday are mostly gone. In my corner of Wisconsin, they were plentiful. You can still find small rural creameries at road intersections, out in the middle of nowhere. Mostly they stand empty. Sometimes someone lives above them in a family type apartment. Sometimes they are active and making cheese and butter from local milk. It's getting harder and harder to find that kind of creamery.
 I didn't have to go looking for Wisconsin today, it's all around me, at every turn in the road. Just over every hill, so many roads less taken. Soon the big yellow buses will add to the color of the countryside. The opening of school is just a few days away. Wisconsin has had quite a good summer. Enough rain, for the most part, and a marked absence of extremely HOT weather.
 We've been having quite a bit of September in our July and again this month. I awoke to a nippy August morning...and all of 54 degrees outside. Ashland came in at 34 degrees...definitely not August weather for us. But delightful to enjoy. It feels like Septemger when you step outside. The air is clean and crisp, with the sky an incredible shade of blue. Being a native daughter, I love Wisconsin, and I would even if I had not been born and raised here.
I've traveled a fair bit and altho there are place I really like, Wisconsin in home. I find that a place you love to be is rather like "the little shop around the corner". Familiar, comfortable, a good fit. Two of my children are Michigan born, and three are from Wisconsin. Five of my grandchildren call Minnesota home, but the other eight live here, in my part of the world. None locally, not even close, but that is what it is. Nothing new in my sewing world, altho I've been sewing rug strips together in the daytime and doing some hand quilting at night. Had lunch with Betsy today, she's kind of 'stalled' out also, but playing with Mile a Minute blocks. Waiting for the mo-jo to return, watching the world go by.
Posted by Picasa

14 comments:

Carolyn said...

What a delightful post, combining two of my favorites...John Denver and Wisconsin. I have many happy memories of driving through Wisconsin visiting family...my grandmother in Racine, my aunt in Delavan, friends near Oshkosh. It's a beautiful state! Thanks for sharing it...

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

My husband is from Wisconsin - we lived there a few years after we were married and two of our kids were born there. I agree - there are so many quiet roads to wander down - going nowhere or going somewhere. We loved the trips from Oshkosh to Whitewater to the Aunt's for holiday dinners.

In Western WA - where we live now there are few old country roads - it is so built up and over populated that you are about run off the road by people anxious to get home so they can go back to town for dinner or shopping - hurry hurry hurry!! But our two grandsons live here - and our two daughters and their husbands - so we wouldn't live any place else for all the money in the world.

We plan a trip for next fall back to Wisconsin - we'll take the train and then rent a car - and have fun traveling the roads and enjoying the small towns again. Thanks for the memories.

Katie said...

No city girl here either. I'm always drawn to the country roads and nature's beauty there. Great pics.

StitchinByTheLake said...

We could use a little of your cool weather here in Arkansas! Blessings, marlene

quiltmom anna said...

Finn,
Home is where the heart is and Wisconsin is certainly that for you.
For me, I am a prairie girl from Alberta- We have your big skies and country roads and I spent lots of summers with my grandparents when I was a child enjoying the beauty of Alberta country roads.
Life was indeed simpler then.
I now live in a large city -Edmonton population about a million in the metropolitan area. My grandparents farm is now sold (2005)but you can still find big sky and country roads. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos and reflections.

Sometimes it takes awhile to find the thing to spur on creativity- I am sure you will soon find a project that will rekindle the desire to quilt and help you find your MO- JO.
Regards,
Anna

Clare said...

My mo-jo's gone too. Goodness only knows where and I hope she comes back soon as there are bits and pieces of pink and white fabric all over the sewing table, mixed up with books and general stuff.

I can imagine Wisconsin being a bit like our part of France, but on a much much larger scale.

Lyn said...

Helloo Finn, thank you for describing part of your home to us.It is sad that a way of life has disappeared. Progress Huh.I think we all lose our MOJO, it will return.I Love the polka dot quilt. Warmest Regards Lyn

dee said...

Hope you find your mojo somewhere out there. If you come across mine-you have my address. Thinking about you!

Angie said...

I'm so glad to 'see' you! I've been worried since you hadn't posted since August 4. (Like I'm one that can call the kettle black ROFL) I know, I know, you're allowed time away from the computer...but you NEVER go that long without a post unless you're not well. You ARE well, aren't you? "I miss you when you're away"... :)

It's been Fall like here too, 53 deg. this a.m. And I do so love it!!! Fall is my favorite time of year. As a matter of fact, I'm off for a rare-for-me quilt class to make a Fall banner with pumpkins and such. :D

I thoroughly enjoy your descriptive posts, my friend! Hugs to Ebby!

Lyn said...

Hello Finn, I have just named you on my blog for a blogger award. If you would like to receive it please visit my blog for details. Regards Lyn

Amelia said...

We live out in the country...well not real far out -but not in any city limits. Some times we will take a different road - just to see other places and see how they decorate their yards...some do with trash and junk cars...now that makes me angry when people live like that. Certainly glad I don't have any immediate neighbors who fall in that category.

sharon b said...

I'm looking for my quilting mo jo too... I thought it was the heat and humidity here in florida. But guess this aliment is more widespread.. Enjoy your cooler temps. we'll hear those sewing machines humming soon..

julieQ said...

Love your descriptions of the dairies and your home, it just sounds so wonderful! I also grew up on a small farm, and and had the chance to visit Wisconsin in 4-H as a teenager, and worked on a dairy for 2 weeks. Heaven!!

Magpie Sue said...

Ahh, thanks for the country stroll! I miss those empty rural roads. Queen Annes' Lace has always been one of my favorite flowers/weeds too. {happy sigh} Interesting that the desert plateau of Texas felt like home to this Michigander!