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Saturday 31 March 2012

Winds Of Change

The most changeable thing around here is the weather.  Last weekend I was gardening in shorts and had a sunburn.

This weekend I have this. ~



There are other changes in my village.  A block from my house they have closed a road because the bridge needs replacing and that's not going to happen with municipal cutbacks.  This was upsetting to all of us, not the least of all the farmers who used that road to access the highway from their homes and move their equipment from field to field.  We argued and we lost.



What happens when something has lost it's purpose?  Waste is a very bad word to country folks. Without any discussion, committees or architect plans, the road has become a public park.  Even with the grey muddiness of spring, a walk down the road has you passing cyclists, leash free dog walkers and parents strolling with their kids.

Anyone can pick the hickory nuts. ~


It's a safe place to ride all terrain vehicles. ~


Generations of courting couples met at the creek and carved their initials in the bridge.  I know my brother and his sweetheart did in the 80's.  It must have brought luck as they are still married today.  ~


A while back, I wrote about my daughters playing Pooh sticks from this bridge, twenty-five years ago, and posted this picture of them. ~


When I was there last week, I watched two neighbour girls playing the same game.

I stood and watched the creek water pass by. ~


I thought of how resistant I am to change.  I realized that the things that really matter flow on through the generations and are unaffected by most of the things that upset us on a daily basis.

Some change can actually turn out to be a good thing!  Once we get used to it, that is!




34 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post! I live on a farm and most of us out here don't like big decisions made about land that we have no say in. We do have some conservation areas out here around us and although they are beautiful and have brought some improvements, they also bring a lot more traffic and "city people" who drive way too fast and don't respect the surrounding private land. Thank you for reminding me to focus on the good things that the Conservation Agency has brought to our area.

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    1. I know what you mean about city people thinking our private property is public. Every so often, some one will use my dock to tie up their boat and hang out for awhile.

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  2. Your weather is like ours! We keep shirts and sweaters at the ready for the constantly changing weather. Changes, changes, yes, it can be a jagged pill to swallow. Although I have not lived in the countryside rural communities for a long time. I know the value of things like a run down bridge that goes without repair and a slow and tranquil creek . Thank you for this lovely post my friend xo

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  3. Oh- I am so sorry your bridge has closed. It sounds like it was more than just a passage over water..that it was part of people's lives. I know how sad it must make you feel.

    I see that you got some snow. We had some, too! UGH! xo Diana

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    1. What makes you think I care about your opinions? Sorry, just paying you back for your April Fools joke! lol I do care; I really do!

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  4. I love the image of your girls!

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    1. Thanks, Laura. I loved having daughters that age and the picture turns the clock back for me.

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  5. What a nice post I love the country, homey feel of your town and the history. I personally am a city girl myself, I can only take the country for a vacation of some sort but your posts make me want to visit and see the river, the bridge and the old tree.

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    1. It's a great place walk now with no cars to worry about.

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  6. Oh I can so relate to this lovely post! We bought our house on the edge of a pond high up on a hill with an idea that it would give us a taste of nature not far from the city. The only thing that has saved some of our idealistic thinking of that time is the size of lots. The pond is still there but the homes around it have increased in numbers. Fortunately the people that have bought around us have not torn down the houses to build Mcmansions but I still find myself frustrated by the all the growth and expansion. So it is rare for me to hear of an area being given back to its original state, letting nature take over. Not sure I make sense to you here. Lovely post Maureen.

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    1. I'm sometimes tempted to buy some acreage and build in the middle! The Mcmansions are creeping in on the outskirts of the village and it's only a matter of time before the modest homes are demolished for the lot. Sigh

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  7. A pretty area you live in...it is too bad they won't fix that bridge or have maintained it...it looks like it has been there awhile. I grew up on acreage with a creek and it brings back fond memories of following the creek along with my dog. Thank you for this.

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    1. I suppose they will tear the bridge down, eventually. They can't just let it collapse into the creek in case it disrupts the flow. I'm glad that brought back fond memories of your childhood home!

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  8. we have a creek and a bridge close by our house...provides houses of fun for my kids..i never really watch them..so who knows what they do?!
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

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    1. Sometimes, it better to no know what they are doing! I'm delighted to have you with me! I thought I was following you but will double check.

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  9. Too bad that lovely bridge cannot be rescued. I also am resistant to change and get attached to big landmarks like bridges. Have a terrific week:-0

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    1. I'm trying to get more comfortable with change but there seems to be so many of them in my village. If things would slow down a bit, I might be able to catch up with it!

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  10. Beautiful pictures. I love your creek. Fixed or not, I think you will always love that sweet little bridge.
    Have a wonderful week.
    Dottie

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    1. There sure are a lot of happy memories connected to the bridge on Big Creek! Have a great week.

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  11. What a beautiful area. It sounds like the closing of the bridge has given the surrounding area a new purpose. Kinda being recycled or rediscovered or reborn. A lovely place to spend a spring afternoon for sure. Thanks for sharing.

    Angie

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    1. It sure has worked out that way. It can be hard to find a safe place to walk in the country and now we have one!

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  12. I have a tough time with change too unless it is something I want to do. Your weather is fickle I see. I guess you have to wait to start that summer garden.

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    1. There's sure no planting the celery outside yet! Our weather is a little more than fickle here this year. It's more like wildly, crazy!

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  13. Weather is a difficult thing to predict. Having some country roads or paths is a great way of exploring and taking in the scenery. Thanks for visiting and leaving me your sweet words.

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    1. The bridge makes me feel like I have a destination on my walk. A little reflection can be a good thing every so often, too.

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  14. So true how we all are resistant to change. Pooh sticks on the bridge brought back memories of my son when he was little. He loved Pooh. Very interestingly told.

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    1. Thanks, Kim. I'm glad to find out I'm not the only one who has difficulty accepting change.

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  15. Very nice one...so true about how most of us resist change. But as the saying goes "the only permanent thing is change". :) But i really empathize with how you feel about all these changes that had great impact on your day to day lives there.

    Hopefully you'd feel better about them. :)

    ~Lisha

    p.s. I found you through Lori's blog at bleak2unique. I'm your newest linky follower! if you want you can linky follow me back at onehouseonecouple.blogzam.com :)

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    1. Welcome to It's All Connected. I'm delighted to have you with me and headed over to your site right now!

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  16. So true. Your post took me back to my village in the hills and the broken bridge by the brook.
    You know in the flood of 78 it got broken and since then no one really mended it. But truth is I loved hanging around by it..all of our siblings did.

    Such a beautiful post :) You just made my day

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    1. I'm glad to have brought back those memories to you! Will we ever get to see photos of the village you grew up in?

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  17. What lovely images. I feel like I was on a little walk through the early spring woods.

    I struggle with change, too. It's hard to feel like we're not in control.

    Resistance is futile...the only steady thing in life is that everything is going to change...sooner or later!

    Thanks for a thoughtful and thought provoking link to the letter S.

    A+

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    1. Thanks, Jenny. Does anyone in your class ever get a bad mark? lol

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