Tuesday, October 20, 2020

JUST NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE...

 







Since last weekend
 still had some 
beautiful weather to enjoy,
 we thought we would attempt
 another road trip. 
 It is beginning to seem
 that these road trips
 are just not what
 they used to be.






There is a small town 
fairly close to us
 by the name of Georgetown 
that we used to visit pretty frequently. 
 They had a really good little cafe
 that served an outstanding breakfast. 
 It was a small place and,
 truth be told, 
it hadn't been updated in many years, 
in decor or in customers,
 even back then,
 but the food was 
just plain old fashioned good! 
 Also there were really nice 
old, colorful, 
farmhouses, Victorians and cottages, 
well maintained 
with pretty gardens and
 you know I could 
drive and look at sights like that 
for hours.






Here is the little cafe, 
as it looks today,
 unkept and locked up.
 There was a sign on the door
 stating Covid-19 was the reason,
 but it looked like
 that may not have been
 the only reason. 
 It appears that this customer
 has been waiting 
quite awhile!




Dead Naked Ladies flowers
In keeping with the sign of the times



It is not a ghost town. 
 There were plenty of people milling about, 
most without masks, and 
when I told the Captain, 
"There is a naked lady",
 ha ha 
made him look! 






I remember this 
pretty B&B from long ago and,
 actually, it looks as pretty 
as it did back then, and
 apparently is still 
open for business...






...but this is one 
of the old farmhouses 
that we used to admire. 
 It was nicely kept up back then 
with a welcoming wreath
 on the front door and 
a pretty front garden. 
 Now it is a jumble of 
left up old, faded, Christmas decorations,  
broken washing machines and
 numerous other appliances 
alongside broken down cars and trucks
 in place of a pretty garden. 
 Most of the houses 
look exactly like this one now. 
 Some are boarded up
 but you can see everything
 but the kitchen sink
(that is out in the front yard) 
stacked up through the windows. 
 One out of every two houses 
look similar to this one.






We did see 
a great old faded red barn driving back,
 but we came away with
 a sinking feeling 
about this little town 
that we used to love.






 Try as we might, 
we could not find any 
changing leaves on this trip either.
  The closest things were 
the buckeye trees
 which were a different color and texture 
but just from dying foliage,
 still an interesting sight
 with the hanging fruit 
left exposed.






All was not lost though 
as we just happened to pass by 
this place on our way home. 
 We go through 
the drive-up and eat in the car, 
so we don't have to 
get close to anyone.






On a much brighter note,
 you may remember 
I mentioned that we had 
another anniversary present on the way 
from Tami and Tim. 
 It arrived and 
the box was big and heavy and 
we couldn't imagine 
what was inside...






...we were so delighted 
when we pulled it out of the box.
  We feel so blessed 
that our kids see us 
in this light and
 we thank them from
 the bottom of our hearts. 
 It is a truly beautiful sign
 printed with a
 beautiful message.






I think we picked 
the perfect place to hang it.  
I love it here. 
 It brightens up the dining room and 
adds a feeling of love and family
 gathered around the table
 even if it is not possible 
to do so, in person, 
this year.






Even though some things are
 just not what they used to be,
 remember
 the things that are
 treasured and most important in life 
do not change.


Stay smart

Stay well

And remember
 in the time of Covid-19:

We are not a herd of cattle.
 If we don't keep our
 humanity and our empathy,
 there is a good chance 
that a number of our fellow human beings
 may not survive.
 
Human beings
 just like all of us
 that have families and loved ones
 to protect.

Wear a mask and don't forget to vote.



...Judy...



Thank you, Linda, 
for including my post from last week 
as one of the features on
 I appreciate it so much.  
   








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43 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Kinga. I love the photography part of blogging..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  2. Judy, I love this post. Except for the little town that could be dying out. Your children gave you the sweetest gift. I love your sign, what it says and where you hung it. I am so happy for you and the Captain. Oh you are a riot, making the Captain look once you said " Naked lady." LOL. We wear our masks , wash our hand, use sanitizers. I would love to still be around when Covid isn't . I want to hug my family again. Blessings to all of you. Stay safe. xoxo, Susie

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    1. Thanks so much, Susie. I agree with you about being around when the horrible virus is gone. That is the point! But some still don't get it. That sign is so gorgeous. You may have seen that Kris has one in her guest room. When I saw it I thought it was gorgeous and then when we opened the box, was I ever surprised. I guess I am not a good one for too much change and seeing those little towns dry up is very sad..Stay well, my friend..xxoJudy

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  3. What a sweet, sweet gift! It suits your room perfectly, but of course, your kids knew it would. I feel the same way on drives lately. Although, things don't seem to be disintegrating, they're being knocked down and replaced with awful monster mansions. It's so sad, they all look the same...no charm, no real individuality, style and, most importantly, no history. At least there are still burgers to count on!! Enjoy the week my friend. xo

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    1. Thanks so much Kim. Thank heavens there are always burgers!! Did you see the sign in Kris's guest room. I envied it so much when I saw it there and was I surprised to open the box. Tami didn't know a thing about it. I agree about newer things not having the same affect as the old stuff, but there are some really beautiful new things too, I just feel sad when all the history is taken away. This little town looks really sad when you see how people can't respect what they have. I certainly am not perfect, but I just can't imagine throwing an old stove out into the yard unless it is used as a piece of garden art. Maybe they think that is what those old appliances are!..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  4. So much changes -- and not all for the good. But I loved your meditations on this. And your gift is simply lovely and especially wonderful from your kids.

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    1. Thanks so much, Jeanie. It really is sad to see something that has survived for such a long time to end up in ruins. I really love the sign. At first I thought where would I put it, it is very large, but the dining room turned out to be the perfect place. Our kids are always so thoughtful and I am always so appreciative of everything they do for us..Stay well, my friend..xxoJudy

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  5. What a lovely sign that says so much about a marriage that keeps on growing in love. ~ So sad about little Georgetown. ~ Enjoy your week ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Thank you so much, Lorraine. Isn't that sign beautiful? It says it all and I love that it fit (very large) on the wall in the dining room. Seems to be the perfect place for it..Stay well dear lady..xxoJudy

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  6. Nice post. That's a sad little town.
    Happy Anniversary. Your children were so thoughtful to give such a beautiful sign and you hung it in the perfect place.
    Happy Fall, Thelma.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Thelma. It is a sad little town. I guess there are any number of reasons why things don't stay the same, but it is sad when they don't. Thanks for the anniversary wishes. The years have certainly flown by it seems. I love the sign and it seems to have found the perfect place to be..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  7. Totally love your sign. I dont' think we have any idea how our world will be changed after this. We feel the same way, it is changing and we don't seem to be able to stop it. No I sound like my mom, 30 years ago..YIKES!

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    1. Thanks so much, Sandi. I am so behind in my answers and I apologize. Don't know where the time goes. Yes, our world is changing and mostly it isn't pretty. Maybe change will come..Stay well..xxoJudy

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    2. See, I didn't even realize that I had already answered you without the grey matter. Well you got lucky!!..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  8. Thanks so much, Sandi. You are sure right, the world is changing and maybe having to spend a lot of time at home is a good thing. At least, there we can make things stay as we want them, most of the time anyway. Sandi, I am trying to make this easier for you to read, but unless your comment comes in at the end I can't change that gray box. So sometimes it will work, another change that I don't have any idea where it came from..Stay well, my friend..xxoJudy

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  9. Oh I love the sign so much. Hmmmm I love mine too. What a great gift and I love this saying so much. Just perfect. Love that red barn on your outing and all the pretty to the B&B. Big Hugs. Kris

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Kris. When I saw yours I was smitten and I had no idea I would be able to own one too. Tami had no idea about yours. It was just a very happy coincidence..Stay well, my friend..xxoJudy

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  10. JUDY!!!
    O MY!!! I love this sweet sign and where you hung it is just perfect!! So pretty against the deep rich color of your walls!!Just stunning!! What a thoughtful gift that speaks of the life both of you have built together!! Thanks so much ofor stopping by!! And for your encouraging words!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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    1. Thanks so much, Deb. Isn't it a pretty sign? I just love it and it seemed like the right place for it..Stay well, my friend..xxoJudy

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  11. Hallo Judy,was für ein schönes Schild,du mußt sehr glücklich sein so liebe Kinder zu haben.Ein sehr schönes Geschenk.Ich habe meine Kinder und Enkelkinder auch schön lange nicht mehr gesehen.Zum Glück gibt es das Internet, da sind wir immer in verbindung.
    Bleib Gesund liebe Judy
    Von Herzen liebe Grüße von
    Brigitte Schmidt/Deutschland

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Brigitte. I just love the sign and I do feel really blessed for my children. It is hard not seeing them, but the internet and the telephone will have to do for now..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  12. Judy- That is so sad about that town. We see the same thing here in little towns that have been scarred by the passages of time. It is heartbreaking, isn't it?
    I love the sign the kids made for you- It is perfect and wonderful!
    Hope you have a blessed day- xo Diana

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Diana. I really love that sign. It is so pretty and it is sad about the little towns. I guess it is something that is happening all over..Stay well, my friend..xxoJudy

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  13. Hello Judy....What a wonderful testament to your marriage...the sign is beautiful! and your room is so cozy and inviting. We have little towns here that are thinning out, also. It is heartbreaking to think of the families that had to leave their homes and towns. Have a great weekend ahead. Debbie xo

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    1. Thanks so much, Debbie. Sixty years is a long time but in looking back it seems to have flown by. In this little town it seems that the boarded up houses are not lived in, but the ones with appliances and etc. strewn over the yards, you can tell people do live there. That is the sad part..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  14. Oh, Judy, I know exactly what you mean. I was thinking about your post today while driving to the dentist...There use to be sheep...here in the middle of town. There used to be pheasants, deer and bull frogs less than a block away from our house. There used to be a forest and marsh two blocks away, and now it's a McDonald's parking lot. Sigh...the worst part, is we sound like our parents now...LOL. Hugs, Sandi

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    1. Thanks so much, Sandi. You are right. I look in the mirror and see my mom. When I looked at her, I though she was beautiful, but looking at myself, not so much! I am not good with change and losing all the beauty of nature is not a pretty sight to me sometimes..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  15. That is so sad about the little town becoming run down and not what you remembered. I hope when the country gets back on its feet it can be revitalized. I live near a little country town and for years nothing ever happened and things just got a little more and more run-down, but now young people are moving here and fixing up all the little cottages. The sad part is that most of the farmland is being developed, too, so all the pretty fields are turning into housing developments. I try not to feel too sad and think about all the little families that will be moving in with little children, pretty yards and pets where once was an empty field. Your gift from your loved ones is so special and sweet and looks so nice in your pretty room. I hope we can get a grip on this pandemic so we can get on with our lives and enjoy our loved ones again, but I fear that might not happen any time soon. Please take care and stay safe. Hugs xo Karen

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    1. Thanks so much, Karen. Things do change whether we like it or not. It is hard to see the beautiful countryside views change but we all have to have a place to call our own. Look how well your's and mine turned out so this change will be a good one too. As long as they keep their kitchen sinks out of the front yard, I am OK with it. I guess it is not the difference that bothers me so much as the carelessness that some seem to treat it with..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  16. Yes, times do change places don't they.
    I did like seeing that red barn though, what a wonderful colour it is.

    That sign is just wonderful though and so thoughtful.

    Stay safe and well.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thanks so much, Jan. That old red barn was really pretty. I would love to have some of that siding off of it. I love the sign too and the thoughts behind it..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  17. Great photos, love the skelton in the closed shop, it is an real comment on what is happening currently.
    The sign is super and you found a wonderful place to put it. What a lovely, thoughtful gift.

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    1. Thanks so much, Adrienne. I am so behind in my answers. I really love that sign..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  18. I like how you have your dining room decorated. I wish the previous owners here didn't tear down the wall between the kitchen and dining room. I love that sign and it's just perfect in your dining room. The skeleton at the shop was perfect addition to the time we are in now. Red barns I am so fond of in the landscape. The man down from us painted his barn deep grey, I like red better. Happy Sunday to you, Betsy

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    1. Thanks so much, Betsy. When we were first renovating, I wanted to turn the kitchen and the dining room into one room but hubby wasn't going for it. Now he wishes he had done it. I love one big room for gathering and comfort. Isn't that red barn beautiful. Would love to have some of that siding with the paint on..I am so slow getting around to my comments these days for some reason..Stay well my friend..xxoJudy

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  19. What a perfect gift for you! Its charming and so very touching. You are brave venturing out, we only do necessary shopping, nothing else, I would love a play day mask free, I can't even imagine when that would be these days. My husbands company told them not until 2022 would they think its safe to return to work. I feel blessed, with acreage and a passion for gardening I feel happy daily, but there is a big world out there I would love to see again.

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    1. Thanks so much. That was really a special gift. I love it. I agree with you. My kids want to meet half way, bring our own lunches and masks and meet up on my birthday. I want to do it so badly, but hubby is dragging his feet. I think your hubby's boss has the right idea. Something has got to be done to stop this horrible stuff. So many now dead. Change has got to come..Stay well..xxoJudy

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy