and now we’re back.
by Joanna
Hello there, and a happy Monday to you! I have quite a lot of photos to share with you from our week away in Kansas. It was a fantastic week, full of wholesome activities and people that just make life more pleasant and fun, you know the ones I mean? We attended a wedding and a party celebrating my mother, hiked and picnicked, played Settlers of Catan, explored small towns, thrifted and went antiquing, weeded the vegetable garden, modified a couple of Polaroid cameras, played with the dog, went for walks, and then I even got to hold a chicken whose name I don’t remember. It’s funny, but when I make the list like that, I realize the obvious: that none of those things are exclusive to Kansas. And yet…combine them with the quiet, subtle landscapes and the people, and all of a sudden you’ve got about a million and one little magical moments! I try really hard not to say negative things on this blog about “This Place”, as I call it, where I find myself living, so all I will say now is that it just can’t compare. (Also the fact that the air here is so hot and stifling it taints everything it touches so that nothing found in it could be described as wholesome!) Okay, Negative Nellie time is over! Because I also know, every day, that I am so blessed and can be (and I am!) happy…no matter where I am living. I’ll just finish by saying that it is only ever time spent in Kansas that brings Robert Browning’s words floating to my mind: “How good is man’s life, the mere living!”
Over the weekend we decided to go a bit slow on the trip back home to Austin, stopping overnight to stay at a Bed and Breakfast (which had some really perfect bits of amazingness to it, but unfortunately NOT in the “Bed” or “Breakfast” [or even bathroom] departments!). So anyway, those phone photos up there is just a sampling from the whole week, and film photos will follow tomorrow.
When we got home last night, John set up his old record player and we cozied up on the couch just listening to some of the old records we’ve picked up along the way. Today has been a busy one, full of catch-up chores and errands, mailing off orders and putting new finds out in the shop (head over, I think you’ll like some of them!). And now a chicken is in the oven roasting alongside potatoes and carrots for dinner, and I am enjoying a moment to relax and just breathe!
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What is that one special place that holds magic for you?
I’m always impressed by your photography, but I really LOVE that one with the dandelions. My Dad recently gave me a film camera and I thought of you. I took it when he offered b/c you inspired me to try my hand at photography using an old film camera but I know I never will, so do you want it? It’s this model http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Fujica_STX-1 and seems in good shape but the lens needs to be cleaned and I never figured out how to open up the back. I don’t want anything for it so just email me your address if you want it.
thank you! email’s on it’s way!
P.S. Aw, I didn’t know you missed KS that much! I know it would be hard for me too to move away. It seems like not many people really like Kansas, so I’m glad to know another Kansas lover! I think this is a wonderful place. I’m glad you enjoyed your trip!
Funny – the place that holds that magic for me is the place you … less than love. 🙂 Texas, and specifically the hill country outside of Austin, is so magical to me – happiness in a place. 🙂 But, like you, I remind myself how happy and blessed I am, no matter where I happen to be located. Even in the blizzard …
🙂 i know i’m weird for not falling in love with this area! some days i like it more than others, but i’m *hoping* to learn to really love it. given enough time!
Well… first of all I totally agree with Veronica – the dandelion picture is awesome! Absolutely love it. And then for the place that holds magic… I think there are too many… which in turn makes me think that maybe they don’t really hold magic. Or that maybe I need to give this some more thought. But then shouldn’t it come to me without having to actually think about it? Mmh…
well…i like to think that, were i as well-travelled as you, i would have a hard time choosing just one. because the world really is such a beauty, and i just haven’t spent enough time in it!