Everyday magic
It was one of those odd days where one thought leads to another, and then a series of "connecting the dots" that comes full circle, ending up with one of those synchronicities that leaves you wondering what you are supposed to make of it all.
Many years ago, I lived on the opposite side of Long Valley and one of the next towns had a small antique show in their firehouse, as a benefit for the fire department. It ran for three nights and each night, you could buy and eat dinner under a tent. Many of the townspeople worked at making and serving the dinner, all home made food, ending with your choice of desserts.... most of them with peaches. It was served family style. One year I met a friend of mine and his wife there for dinner. I just got an email from my friend's son, telling me about the date for the Drew University alumni baseball game in which his father, my friend, now at the age of 81, will still be playing . How awesome is he?!! Anyway... that led me to thinking about meeting him for dinner at the antique show (he and his wife were also antique dealers, which is how we became friends in the first place) and wondering when it was this year. It was usually in August, I thought.
Another conversation at work involved discussing wedding gifts because one woman needs to buy one and I remembered giving my neighbors, when I lived on the opposite side of Long Valley, an assortment of handmade and antique Christmas ornaments, including a "First Christmas" dated ornament when they got married ... and mentioning that one of my favorite gifts I ever received was from this same couple... stoneware soup bowls, and homemade soup.... and more homemade soup on an "installment plan"... I never knew when it was coming... I would just look out the window one day and she would be crossing the yard with a pot of delicious soup. A totally awesome gift (especially because I really don't like to cook!) They moved a couple of times, I also moved, and we lost touch over the years, but often things will remind me of them, and I wish we hadn't lost touch.
Today a man came into work to buy a gun. When I checked his paperwork, I noticed that he lives in the town where the antique show is held. He owns a general store and catering service there. I asked about the antique show at the fire house and he told me that not only is he a volunteer fireman there, he is also cooking the dinner there on Friday night. He told me that Thursday night will be ham, Friday night will be roast beef and Saturday night will be Turkey. What were the chances?!!
So, after he left, I looked up the antique show online to see what time it would be running and what time dinner would be served, because I'm thinking about going. I also noticed that now they have entertainment during the dinner hours. There is different entertainment by local artists each night. And on Saturday night.... the music will be supplied by.... yup, the guy that used to live next door to me! I don't remember him being a musician when he was my neighbor, but he is now.... and in addition to being a musician ... he is also a writer, a ghost hunter, and gives talks about local ghosts! (and now I'm really wishing that he was still my next door neighbor... homemade soup and ghost stories.... try to beat that!!) So now I'm wondering... do I go to the antique show for the caterer's roast beef dinner.... or do I go on Saturday night to see my old next door neighbor?!! And I pretty much spent the rest of my work day marvelling at how all these little things fit together... and wondering why (because I always believe that there is a reason for these things... it's just way too much of a coincidence!!) .... Synchronicities!! Love them!!
And yes, as usual ... all of these thoughts have nothing to do with my photo. I had to stop and check on the baby black vultures. They are fine. Today they weren't hissing and they didn't seem to smell as bad. Momma vulture was there, but she flew out the window when she saw me (some Mom she is!!) Anyway, this is the farm where they live. (Did you stay with me til the end of the story? hahaha!!!)
Everyday magic
It was one of those odd days where one thought leads to another, and then a series of "connecting the dots" that comes full circle, ending up with one of those synchronicities that leaves you wondering what you are supposed to make of it all.
Many years ago, I lived on the opposite side of Long Valley and one of the next towns had a small antique show in their firehouse, as a benefit for the fire department. It ran for three nights and each night, you could buy and eat dinner under a tent. Many of the townspeople worked at making and serving the dinner, all home made food, ending with your choice of desserts.... most of them with peaches. It was served family style. One year I met a friend of mine and his wife there for dinner. I just got an email from my friend's son, telling me about the date for the Drew University alumni baseball game in which his father, my friend, now at the age of 81, will still be playing . How awesome is he?!! Anyway... that led me to thinking about meeting him for dinner at the antique show (he and his wife were also antique dealers, which is how we became friends in the first place) and wondering when it was this year. It was usually in August, I thought.
Another conversation at work involved discussing wedding gifts because one woman needs to buy one and I remembered giving my neighbors, when I lived on the opposite side of Long Valley, an assortment of handmade and antique Christmas ornaments, including a "First Christmas" dated ornament when they got married ... and mentioning that one of my favorite gifts I ever received was from this same couple... stoneware soup bowls, and homemade soup.... and more homemade soup on an "installment plan"... I never knew when it was coming... I would just look out the window one day and she would be crossing the yard with a pot of delicious soup. A totally awesome gift (especially because I really don't like to cook!) They moved a couple of times, I also moved, and we lost touch over the years, but often things will remind me of them, and I wish we hadn't lost touch.
Today a man came into work to buy a gun. When I checked his paperwork, I noticed that he lives in the town where the antique show is held. He owns a general store and catering service there. I asked about the antique show at the fire house and he told me that not only is he a volunteer fireman there, he is also cooking the dinner there on Friday night. He told me that Thursday night will be ham, Friday night will be roast beef and Saturday night will be Turkey. What were the chances?!!
So, after he left, I looked up the antique show online to see what time it would be running and what time dinner would be served, because I'm thinking about going. I also noticed that now they have entertainment during the dinner hours. There is different entertainment by local artists each night. And on Saturday night.... the music will be supplied by.... yup, the guy that used to live next door to me! I don't remember him being a musician when he was my neighbor, but he is now.... and in addition to being a musician ... he is also a writer, a ghost hunter, and gives talks about local ghosts! (and now I'm really wishing that he was still my next door neighbor... homemade soup and ghost stories.... try to beat that!!) So now I'm wondering... do I go to the antique show for the caterer's roast beef dinner.... or do I go on Saturday night to see my old next door neighbor?!! And I pretty much spent the rest of my work day marvelling at how all these little things fit together... and wondering why (because I always believe that there is a reason for these things... it's just way too much of a coincidence!!) .... Synchronicities!! Love them!!
And yes, as usual ... all of these thoughts have nothing to do with my photo. I had to stop and check on the baby black vultures. They are fine. Today they weren't hissing and they didn't seem to smell as bad. Momma vulture was there, but she flew out the window when she saw me (some Mom she is!!) Anyway, this is the farm where they live. (Did you stay with me til the end of the story? hahaha!!!)