85 N. Main St., Norwood, NY 13668
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Blog“Just Over the Hilltop”

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“When the sun in the morning peeks over the hill and kisses the roses ’round my window sill, then my heart fills with gladness when I hear the trill of the birds in the treetops on Mockingbird Hill.” We don’t live on Mockingbird Hill but we have birds out early in the morning singing a lovely tune while others are collecting twigs for building their nests and others are feasting on the bugs and worms.

Early morning is my favorite time of the day with its clear air, gentle sounds, and the warm sun rising slowly as a new day begins.  As the day progresses the sounds of busy traffic along with the starting and stopping of the school buses mingle with the tractor plowing the cornfield. Dick’s hammering on the north side of the shed blends with the road work being done on Route 56 near us. As much as I enjoy the early morning quiet, the activity and sound of work going on around is just as wonderful for it speaks of production. Hopefully, fruitful production and not just make-work.

Celebrations

The flags are now lining Norwood’s Main and Spring streets in preparation for Memorial Day. What a lovely sight our flag is and as we remember the fallen soldiers this coming weekend, I pray our pride and honor might be renewed in eternal gratitude for their sacrifice for and in this great land of ours. Yes, “this land is your land, this land is my land, from California to the New York Island. From the redwood forest to the gulf stream waters, this land was made (and preserved) for you and me.”

He even had his shadow “Harvey,” help him with the painting

Dick has finished installing a splash guard around the base of the shed, put up the west and north walls, primed and painted them, and installed a window in the west wall. This project is coming along nicely and looks as though it was always a part of the barn. He’s amazing and does amazing work! He even had his shadow “Harvey,” help him with the painting.

Many celebrations occurred within the family the last few days. My cousin Sara’s birthday, my sister Peggy’s 44th Anniversary, our daughter Kate’s 5th Anniversary, our granddaughter Heidi turned two, and our granddaughter Alysa turns twelve. Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all!

Rhubarb is plentiful in my kitchen thanks to friends so I made rhubarb pie for Writers’ Group and rhubarb-walnut muffins for our weekend guests from California. I also made our guests waffles not leaving out any ingredient. They raved of their delicious lightness and I’m glad they enjoyed them. Now I’m waiting for fresh strawberries to make strawberry-rhubarb jam.

Music and Flowers

Friday there were about twelve or thirteen people singing at Maplewood, which is the most I can remember. It was a grand old time of singing and as I’ve said before, this is one of the most precious and special days of each month. The expressions and grateful looks of each one gathered makes my heart swell with joy and pleasure. Music is not just for the birds!

Music is not just for the birds!

Yesterday, Dick and I went to Hopkinton to look at flowers and brought back yellow begonias, one for each side of the front door and a hanging fuchsia for the side of the porch. I also needed another Boston fern but I thought theirs weren’t as full as the one I already have. I should have picked up two when I got the first one. It was from our little market in the village and I thought if I like it I’ll pick up another next time I stop by and of course they were sold out when I went back. Oh, we also bought a few bags of topsoil to add to the gardens for they desperately need help, and some gladiolus bulbs which I think I’ll plant near the cedar fence. They should get plenty of sun there and I can “tie” them to the rails if they want to fall over.

Collecting

A few weeks ago, I was reading in “The Stillmeadow Road” by Gladys Tabor and she mentioned her collection of milk glass dishes. She talked about various things that people collect and I’ve found myself wondering, “what do I collect?” From a practical standpoint, I try not to collect things that can’t be used or only need dusting or storing. Many, many years ago I tried teacups (I was hosting many gatherings and they were useful and very beautiful), then I tried bells (because they were different and I thought others might not be collecting them) but that was a non-starter. Especially when I couldn’t even remember what I had or what I was collecting.

I don’t have to store them, dust them, or rearrange them and I still have precious memories for years to come

Gladys mentioned some people collect rocks and shells, some butterflies, others grudges, and some just a hodge-podge. Dick is a collector of books, rocks, teddy bears with just the “right look,” and gas caps (but that’s another story in and of itself). The only thing I could think of for me……I love gathering people together sharing stories, insights, and experiences, and then letting them go home. I don’t have to store them, dust them or rearrange them and I still have precious memories for years to come. Well, I’m not sure that’s what Gladys had in mind, so maybe I’m not a collector. What do you collect and what do you think I collect? Maybe I’m just blind to my own hoarding.

Have a lovely week and a special Memorial Day. I’ll be back next Tuesday from just over the hilltop in Norwood. Love, Sharon

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