Whiteley Creek Homestead

Little Falls Arts & Crafts Fair Sept 8-9, 2012

The Little Falls Arts & Crafts Fair, which is held annually during the weekend following Labor Day, is celebrating its 40th anniversary on September 8 and 9, 2012. (Little Falls is located 30 miles south of Brainerd, Minnesota.) Over time, the festival has grown to 650 exhibitors, 40 food vendors, and many musicians. With the upcoming weekend's sweater-cozy temperatures, it's the perfect outing to greet early autumn. 

One year, I purchased locally grown hops from a festival vendor that were similar to this garland that drapes the French doors in our "out my kitchen window cabin." Growing on the vine, hops are green. In their dried state, they are tan. The ones in this photo have been dyed a rosy color.

 

 

inukshuk (inuksuk)

I returned home from running errands today to find Dick putting the finishing touches on an inukshuk he built for me as a surprise... as a remembrance of our recent journey across Ontario.

What is an inukshuk, you say? Inukshuk, which is also spelled inuksuk, is the singular form of inuksuit and means "in the likeness of a human" in the Inuit language. We were first introduced to these rock sculptures as we recently travelled across the Canadian province of Ontario. Initially, we thought they were just a pile of rocks. As we began to see one erected every mile or so, their shape became recognizable to us as that of a human form. Their purpose, however, was puzzling. It was two weeks later at the annual Living Green Expo in St. Paul where the inukshuk resurfaced. Don Shelby, a retired WCCO-TV evening news anchor, was a presenter at the expo. He described the construction of his green home. Of course, I was intrigued with the house's sustainability factor, but it was the rock person erected beside his house that got my attention. 

At the conclusion of Mr. Shelby's presentation, I anxiously waited in line to ask him about his rock person. He explained that, in his younger days, he was in the service stationed in the Arctic where the stone figure called inukshuk was commonplace. He built one in his yard in remembrance of that time in his life. O.K., so I was first introduced to them in Ontario and now, strangely enough, they had resurfaced at the Living Green Expo. I have never seen one before and now it's two separate occasions within a two week timespan. Ah, yes, life is fun. But, I still yearned to satisfy my curiosity regarding their purpose. Online research provided the answer. The Arctic is barren... void of landmarks as a point of reference to aid one's sense of direction or location. Erected at intervals, an inukshuk with outstretched arms pointing in the direction one should travel, can be instrumental... crucial, really, in finding one's way to a destination and back home again. Dick's and my inukshuk stands ever so dutifully marking the way back to our home.

 

 

inn at serenbe

In yesterday's post, I shared Dick's and my outing to the two hamlets (two additional hamlets are in the planning stages) in the community of Serenbe 35 miles southwest of Atlanta. There was so much to see at every bend, so this is part two of our adventure which covers our two-night stay in the Inn at Serenbe.

L - We stayed in the 1905 farmhouse located in the photo's background. Our breakfast was served in the building in the foreground. R- Several cottages on the property are available for overnight stays, as well. Additionally, overnight and extended stays can be arranged in the Serenbe community (see yesterday's post).

 

L to R - 1) view of garden looking out our bedroom window 2) path leading to garden 3) very old Georgia pecan trees 4) pecans I gathered from the ground under the trees 5) concrete mushroom... oh, I'm in love

 

 

L - our server each morning at breakfast R - Blue-Eyed Daisy Bakeshop dinner specials where we ate lunch and dinner in the community of Serenbe. Let's be honest here. The made-from-scratch, fresh from Serenbe's organic farm food was so amazing that we stopped by for mid-morning and mid-afternoon goodies, too.

This simple lunch was artfully arranged on the plate by encircling the potato and tuna salad with raw rings of onion. Even the crackers were placed just so. 

serenbe

Thirty-five miles southwest of Atlanta, a quiet little 900-acre community named Serenbe came to be through much forsight and planning. It was where Dick and I spent two peaceful days and nights on Monday and Tuesday, November 7 and 8. Aptly named from the melding of two words, serenity and be, it is most certainly a place where "you will find the serenity to simply be." Built to preserve land from Atlanta's rapidly advancing subdivision-style urban sprawl, Serenbe consists of four hamlets with architecture that is unique to each one and differing functions benefiting the community as a whole. The first hamlet we visited was Selborne.

The Selborne Hamlet's focus is visual, performing, and culinary arts. Many artists reside in their studios and display work in Serenbe's galleries. The Serenbe Playhouse opened in the summer of 2010 with three performances for its inaugural season. Dick and I ate several made-from-scratch meals at the homey Blue-Eyed Daisy Bakeshop. I was drawn to the rustic pie crust that draped over the edges of a freshly baked apple blueberry pie. The crust was crunchy and a sprinkling of sugar sparkled like frost on a wintry morning. It was sooooo delicious!

I loved the name of a shop down the street... bloom a shop of unruly things. It was closed midweek, but my delight at the products within radiated through the shop's display window. I gazed especially longingly at this paper mache head that held a leaf-inspired headband.

Oh, to recreate one of these streetlights in my own yard. After dark, the glow was reminiscent of the lamp post in the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe movie. If only thick, fluffy snowflakes had begun to flutter down from above, I would have been magically transported into Narnia.

 There are small touches to be found around every bend in this community of Serenbe as seen in this nature-inspired road sign, bench, and garbage can. Click on the photo below to truly appreciate the detail.

 

 

Grange is Serenbe's farm hamlet that includes an equestrian center and an organic farm that provides produce to the community's three restaurants and a Saturday farmers market. The Grange Hamlet will eventually have a BBQ restaurant, tack store, feed and seed shop, etc.

 

The architecture in the Grange Hamlet, which is starkly different than in the Selborne Hamlet, looked to me to be patterned after a farmhouse, southern plantation, and an 1800s western town style. Notice how closely the houses are positioned. This preserves greenspace, which is an important goal of the developers. 

In addition to Serenbe's focus on maintaining greenspace, energy efficiency, utilization of green building materials and construction methods, and encouraging a cultural arts base, reducing impact on the environment plays out in the homes' front yards, where native plants provide beauty in lieu of high water consumption sod. Walking paths and horseback riding trails connect hamlets to foster a sense of community among Serenbe's residents.

A third hamlet named Mado, which will have a health and wellness focus, is in the planning stage. It will include a spa, vegetarian restaurant, juice bar, traditional and holistic medical services, assisted living, etc. Eventually, a fourth hamlet named Hill will include a post office, grocery store, fire station, and other supporting retail businesses. A Montessori school services the community's preschoolers with charter school construction for older students beginning soon.

welcome home vietnam veterans

Even though implementation of the draft forced men into active duty, Vietnam antiwar protesters directed their misguided bitterness toward those soldiers and labeled them as traitors. Our government did not have transition programs in place for the soldiers returning home after experiencing the trauma of war zones. Vietnam War soldiers were not welcomed home and thanked for their service upon their return from deployment as present day soldiers are. However, it takes just one. One person can right a wrong. More than forty years after serving in Vietnam, Dick, along with over 250 other Vietnam Veterans, were honored with a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Ceremony at Camp Ripley south of Brainerd. It was the brainchild of Minnesota Army National Guard Col. Scott St. Sauver, Camp Ripley post commander. 

 

At 12:30 p.m., the veterans began boarding buses that drove around the block then returned to their starting point. They descended the buses steps to be greeted by a cheering, flag waving crowd lining both sides of the procession's pathway that lead to rows of chairs facing a stage. After opening the ceremony with the National Anthem, various speakers expressed their appreciation for the veterans' service. Despite the passing of years, the emotion felt by the aging veterans was evident. It was only right, afterall, that the Vietnam War soldiers be welcomed home... finally.

In the Camp Ripley Museum, each war is featured in a display of photos and memorabilia. Dick stood at the Vietnam War display holding the flag of his country... a symbol of the United States of America that he valiantly represented. 

 

He explained to me the shortcomings of the vest that was designed to protect him from enemy fire. Because of the lack of extremity coverage, he took a hit to the upper arm earning him a Purple Heart*. It caused destruction to a major artery nearly taking his life. He was 22 years old... just a kid. Nerve damage affected a hand and foot and shrapnel still remains in various parts of his body. Throughout the years, I have eased him through recurring nightmares that he continues to experience yet today at 63 years old. Make it a point to thank a veteran for his or her service whether you know them or not. Let them know you care. *The Purple Heart signifies one thing...SACRIFICE. It represents either a combat death or a combat wound. It represents the blood that has been shed in defense of liberty.               

sears-roebuck mail order house kits

We so enjoy the Western Minnesota Steam Thresher's Reunion (WMSTR) in Rollag, Minnesota near Fargo held every Labor Day Weekend. The sounds of bustling activity coming from the 1800s era town's mainstreet, a train filled to capacity with the show's attendees chugging around the perimeter of the property, the melodic clunk and swoosh of steam engines running huge machinery as well as the smallest models built to scale, the whine of the sawmill blades slicing logs into lumber combined with the peacefulness of the vast farmland makes a perfect setting. It is Dick's and my tradition... our rhythm developed over the years... a way to welcome the impending autumn season... in vast expanses of farmland... in the rolling hills of western Minnesota to witness firsthand the harvest. My favorite at the show has always been the farmstead.

 

The farmhouse...

 

It was interesting to learn that Sears-Roebuck sold mail order houses in kit form between 1908 and 1940 selling more than 100,000 homes during this time period. An entire house was delivered by boxcar along with assembly instructions. Although this house built in 1990 by WMSTR volunteers is not a Sears design, it is a style representative of 1900 to 1925 farmhouses.

This is the cover of the first Sears-Roebuck catalog of house plans. It was published in 1908. Katherine Cole Stevenson and H. Ward Jandl have written a book about the houses entitled Houses by Mail: A Guide to Houses from Sears, Roebuck and Company that features nearly 450 house models with floor plans. Not to be outdone by Sears, Montgomery Ward had their own line of house kits. Rosemary Thornton has chronicled their offerings in her book, Montgomery Ward's Mail Order Homes. She is also the author of The Houses That Sears Built. 
    

storyhill fest 2011

Years ago, when my daughters were young, I attended a women's retreat at the Presbyterian Clearwater Forest Camp in Deerwood, Minnesota just 20 miles from Brainerd. It had such an impact... a happy memory just as children take with them after attending summer camp. Our days were spent listening to encouraging motivational speakers, singing, praying, crafting, eating healthy meals, canoeing, hiking, and filling ourselves with the solitude of the acres and acres of beauty surrounding us. Today, I returned again after so many years of absence to attend a Storyhill Fest. This time Dick accompanied me. Storyhill, the duo made up of John Hermanson and Chris Cunningham, organized the two-day event that included an impressive lineup of nine additional talented folk artists. 

 

A couple years ago, we had attended an Ellis concert in Pequot Lakes 17 miles north of Brainerd, so we were overjoyed to learn that she would be performing. One of her songs titled "right on time" imparts a powerful message to be content with where you are in life... no regrets over the choices we have made or the niche where we have been planted by our own doing or not. It speaks of contentment no matter what our lot in life. I have found that embracement of this simple, but profoundly life-changing, thought helps develop a peaceful soul.   

 

Other artists offered their own take on life's journey and the events that shape us and cause us to laugh, shed tears, ponder, understand more fully, and become a richer, deeper person. They included:

Peter Mayer and Carrie Elkin (Carrie introduced each musician, but, with the exception of singing backup with other artists, we missed her solo performance as it wasn't until Sunday. Her web site bio describes her as having "ridden a Gypsy breeze of serendipity for the last eleven years, moving from place to place." Also, others performing on Sunday that we missed were A.J. Roach, Grace Pettis, Ray Bonneville, and John Elliot.)  

 

a very pregnant Raina Rose with fiance, bass player Andrew Pressman

 

Anthony Da Costa from New York

 

In such a peaceful setting under the pines...

  

 

 

 

 

 

seward neighborhood minneapolis

Plain and simple... I am drawn to food co-ops. The Seward Co-op on East Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis and the surrounding Seward neighborhood are especially fun. The free-spiritedness flowing through the area is evident in the oversized wall art that spans the Seward Co-op's interior front wall... 

 

and in the native and wildflower plantings that have replaced traditional grass lawns in the front yards of many homes. The movement has really taken off in the Seward neighborhood where there are so many beautiful yards planted in wildflowers. I especially liked the steeply peaked roof and arched stonework over the front door entrance on this house. It made me think that gnomes live there. The garden makes a walk to the front door seem magical. 

  

train derailment

A yearly field trip my students and I would take each spring was to Lindbergh State Park in Little Falls (Minnesota) to tour Charles Lindbergh's childhood home. Dick had never been there, so I suggested that it would be a perfect little outing for this afternoon... until we remembered that all state-run operations are shut down until the governor and the legislature come to a budget agreement. Rapidly switching gears, we jumped on our four-wheelers and headed down a trail on our property... and discovered a train wreck! 

 

One hundred twenty-one coal-loaded cars, each carrying 116 tons of coal, were traveling from Montana to Superior Wisconsin. Eighteen of them derailed within sight of our property.

 

Such a mangled mess, but the conductor and engineer were not injured. Our day ended eventful afterall.

smokey robinson concert

To be transported back in time for just one evening... joy, pure joy. Last night, our daughter Jessie accompanied Dick and I to the Polk Theatre in downtown Lakeland, Florida for a two hour Smokey Robinson concert. Smokey Robinson... imagine!   

 

In the 1,400 seat Mediterranean-looking village theatre, that was built in 1928 when Lakeland was yet a rural community of 15,000 people, "stars" twinkled on the ceiling's "night sky". (The photo below is courtesy of the Polk Theatre web site.)    

I neglected to bring my camera the night of the performance, so I returned the next afternoon to see, if by chance, the marquee would still announce Smokey's concert. As indicated in the top photo, I was overjoyed to see that it was still there. The theatre doors were locked, but as I peered through the glass... there was Smokey smiling back at me. Well, O.K., a poster of him smiling back at me, but somehow that was good enough to partially remove the sense of emptiness I felt. The theatre had been so alive the night before with this truly amazing Motown legend commandeering the stage. However, as quickly as he came into town, he was gone. The memory, though... that will remain. 

  
A little Smokey Robinson history from The Ledger (Lakeland, Florida's daily newspaper) April 7, 2011... Robinson was born in Detroit in 1940. He formed the Matadors in the early 1950s, which later became The Miracles. He met record producer Berry Gordy, Jr. by chance, leading to a contract with Motown Records. The Miracles made their first big hit, "Shop Around," in 1960, and the hits kept on coming. Some of those songs include "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (1962), "The Tracks of My Tears (1965), "I Second That Emotion" (1967),  and "The Tears of a Clown" (1970).  Robinson also composed and produced songs for other Motown stars, such as the Temptations and Marvin Gaye. He went solo in 1972 and recorded hits such as "Get Ready" (1979), "Cruisin" (1979),"Being With You" (1981), and "Just to See Her" (1987).