There is so much to see and do as we travel the country side.. No it's not always quilt related and that is where the blog is great to share the experience...Yesterdays visit to Shipshewana was just wonderful.... We found a small quilt shop out on a lonely country road... Obviously it was accessible by buggy but it seems so isolated out there amidst the corn fields. As you walk in the shop you are aware of the darkness... of course if it's a dull day as it was yesterday it's even darker without electricity. Two gals are at the counter speaking in hushed tones in a dialect indiscernible to me as an "English". A small boy in plain clothes and a large black hat clings to his mothers legs and stares at me with interest and shyness. The store stocks the black socks and stockings worn by men, women and children.... Straw hats, boots, plain fabric and biblical toys fill the shelves and it feels a little as if we are transported back in time... The gal behind the counter enters our conversation and we talk of weather, quilting and children's holidays... The young woman and her son leave in their buggy and we take some time to catch up with them on the road. Della insisted we visit an Amish run grocery shop... It was wonderful, as we left we had a hand written "specials" list in our bag...Frozen Chicken leg quarters... 10 lb 39 cents lb. 3 dozen eggs $1.00 Multigrain bread 69c. You can purchase every manner of seasoning in bulk, there are pie mixes to die for and delicious home made bread. It was a great experience...In the evening we passed by a large gathering of buggies and decided to investigate... It may have been a wedding, or just a formal gathering, but there were about 40 buggies parked in the field... the tethered horses stamping their feet to deter flies. We got permission to photograph the buggies and received smiles and waves from the folks gathered... Our day ended very late... but what memories... Today was quieter. Mary, Kathy and I joined Jim on a walk around the town of Winemac. Jim turned 75 today and he enjoyed squiring 3 women around his town... "these are Della's Aussie friends" he says....
The air was hot at 8.30, the moisture languished in the air giving a misty glow to the environment. We walked through a park... as usual, I was slower covering the area than the others. I like to touch the trees, watch the Canadian geese swimming in the Tippeecanoo River who appeared suspended in the fast flowing water. I photographed bright orange lilies and purple daisies framed by huge trees whose canopies reached 50/60 feet. We visited my favorite antique shop and I got the bargain of the year... 20 art books from the 1950's in mint condition.... with 20 loose color prints in each book.... for $20 the lot. So now to another milestone and the shock of my Children and Husband. I donned a black helmet and joined Della's son Joe on his big green Harley Davidson. The air was warm and we drove through the countryside enjoying the beauty of the countryside. To my son Matty and avid motor bike fan... I loved the feeling and freedom, but I don't think I will take it up on my return home. The day finished with a birthday tea for friends serenaded by a faded crooner who thought it was cool to wear garish jewelry, a white sports coat and no socks....!!!!!! Now to prepare for Chicago tomorrow... I think we will sample the taste of Chicago and visit the Museum... I haven't told you of the fantastic quilt shop I found full of the most wonderful quilts.... That will have to wait for another day.
"Two men look out through the same bars; one sees the mud, and one the stars." Frederick Langbridge
