Life as I know It

My photo
San Luis Obispo, California, and South Bristol, Maine, United States
Author ~ Illustrator ~ Lecturer

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Dear Little House



We made it-5,250 miles, 16 states, uncountable new friends, and lots of wonderful adventures.



Stuffed to the ceiling from front to back. 



For the last thousand miles, I shared my few inches of foot space with my new lemon verbena, named Nancy for the Lemon Verbena Lady. Tucked in the bag is also a linear-leaf thyme, which was a gift from Nancy, who drove hours from Pennsylvania to Chagrin Falls just so we could finally meet in person.



Stuff kept slipping forward when we stopped. Whank, it would clobber me every time.


After a morning TV interview, we taped the FM radio show "Cover to Cover" in Cincinnati, then went on to Columbus for another TV appearance the next day.



Kathleen Gips' WONDERFUL Village Herb Shop in downtown Chagrin Falls, Ohio. It felt like (and smelled like) the old Heart's Ease to me.



Oh, wow, this old owl weathervane was a wonderful surprise. I think Joyce of Octoberfarm should have one of these.



Everything about Chagrin Falls feels timeless–even their police car.



On a side street in Chagrin Falls, we discovered this charming little guest cottage.

The Town Hall where Kathleen hosted the Fairy Tea and my talk.



Setting up for the gathering. The desserts were divine.


I loved meeting the people who attended, especially the children who had great stories to share with me.



Kathleen and Jack Gips' back garden. I wanted to plant myself there.



After my appearance in Phelps, New York, Jeff asked if we should give it a try and just drive the 9 hours straight to get home. "Yes!" I said, "I don't want to be anywhere else."

We swung into our narrow country road at about 11 P.M. The trees arched above us blotting out the stars. As we rounded the curve and broke into the clearing beside Little Harbor, we both whooped. The half moon shone above the rushing waters that flooded through the narrows between Half Tide Island and Birch Island. The stars flecked a sky blacker than any we'd seen for weeks. Fireflies flashed on and off along the roadside and up the sides of the granite cliffs by the boathouse. And the scent–balsam fir mingled with the aromas of seaweed and the Rugosa roses that brushed against our car. HEAVEN.


We're still unpacking, cleaning, weeding, and rocking in our old porch chairs whenever we get a chance. I keep saying over and over, "I can't believe we're HERE." 

Tomorrow we leave for a visit with our dear friends Sue and Joe on Martha's Vineyard, and my workshop at Highfield Hall on Cape Cod. Then HOME, to our dear little house.

Sending love to you all,

Sharon

P.S. Please drop by Garden Grow Along for some ideas for focal points in your garden.

P.P.S. My apologies for not being able to answer all your e-mails and comments. We've been on the move so much, and I will try to catch up next week. I promise!

29 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Sharon ~ I have a wide smile on my face as I read of your being home again at your lovely country place. I've read so much about it from your writings through the years, that I can feel your joy at being there once again. Enjoy your summer.

Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

eidolons said...

Whee! The woman wearing red in the photo of your signing at Chagrin Falls is my mother-in-law. She stopped by and picked up a book for us and another to share with her grandsons (our three boys). I think she mentioned to you that I'd first encountered your books at a benefit for Litchgate in Tallahassee. It was neat to sort of get to share you with her - even long distance. (:

Vee said...

I can well imagine the relief it was to cross the threshold. (My father has been known to stop in Kittery, get out from behind the driver's seat and kiss the very ground.)

Have a fun time with your friends and hurry back.

Your view is spectacular!

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Oh my, I love this picture of your Father kissing the ground. Well, we get to the middle of the bridge over the Piscataqua and start honking, yelling, and jumping in our car seats. People of course see the California license plate and just figure, oh those nutty Californians. Sometimes I cry. Remember how E.B. White reacted every time he crossed the bridge into Maine?

Love,

S

P.S. Spears' vegie stand is in Nobleboro.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

Chagrin Falls sure is a charming little town, I love the buildings. That weather vane is really neat, I've never seen one like that.
Enjoy being at home! As much fun as I have on our trips I always can't wait to get back to our little house. Your car sure does looked packed!

marcia said...

Woohoo! You made it! Ahhh the sweetness of HOME. I could feel it in your words.

You have been one busy woman, perhaps you can slow down a bit now and relish the summer months in Maine, but do you have it in you to *slow down* ? :)

The Herb Shop building reminded me of my visit to Cincinnati years ago...all the older brick homes. I LOVE the owl weathervane and the cool police car.

I planned on being at Highfield Hall but now I'm not quite sure. If not,I will be there in spirit and let's plan connect in the near future.

happy day!
~marcia

P.S. I'm happy you loved the lupine post.

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Sharon,

It was lovely to discover your wonderful blog and many thanks for visiting mine.
Isn't that always the best, coming back home and sleeping in your own bed after a holiday.
I love all your photos and what a cute weather vane.
You asked about my new bloggie camera, I took the photos indoors on a cloudy day, so I am going to try some more photos on a brighter day. It is very compact and fits into a handbag nicely, if you do not want to take a large camera.
Sony, normally make great things, so I am sure it will be good when I get used to it.

Happy week
Carolyn

Little Acorn Learning said...

What a beautiful, full life you live! xoxo

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Awww...it was just so nice to see your comment. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Sharon, I think you were born with a certain star over your head and I love the ways you are finding to share your knowledge and love of life and people and nature and just out there living life to the fullest!
It's always beautiful to hear about what you are doing.
My goodness, dear friend, HOW do you do it all? *smile* It just sounds like you are having the time of your life..
How great that is!
Love and a warm hug to you, Sharon!
Mona

Erin | Bygone Living said...

Chagrin Falls is so charming... I'd love to go there!
You always have such great experiences to share with us :)
And you're visiting Susan Branch tomorrow?? Do send her my love! I hope you take lots of pictures too!! ♥ Xoxo

Claudia said...

Yay! You're home! I'm so glad you made it and that you can enjoy your little piece of heaven.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sharon~~ What a fabulous view. And I love the Gips' backyard.

The police car is very cool and the owl on the weather vane, I love little touches like these, don't you?

I'm glad you made it safe and sound. I hope you have many hours to hunt for angel's tears. I saw a cluster of dandelion seed heads the other day and thought of your wishes jar. Love it!

Lori ann said...

Dear Sharon,
oh my. This made me yearn for something i didn't even know existed.
enjoy all your moments.

♥ lori

Rebecca said...

There certainly wouldn't have been room for one more thing in your vehicle! I can imagine the joy you have sitting in your back yard knowing you are home (for awhile)!

Thanks for taking the time to highlight some of the people and places you discovered along the way.

I must put Chagrin Falls and Gip's backyard on my "Must-See" places!

Dawn said...

My heart is overflowing for you as I read this. Maine Sweet Maine. Starry skies and fireflies. You finally made it!
And how wonderful is that Chagrin Falls? Like something out of a Rockwell painting!
Have alovely time with Sue and Joe. Hi from me!
This was such a joy to read. I had a little lump in my throat the whole time.

Yours,

Dawn

Morwenna Hill said...

Gosh what a wonderful adventure, I loved sharing every moment of the journey and the sights with you. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
I hope you have a truly wonderful time with Susan and Joe tomorrow, to be quite honest, I wish I could come too!
Love Morwenna
xx

Kristina said...

Home again, home again, jiggity jig! So glad you made it safely to your lovely home by the sea! Thanks for sharing your adventure on the road with us!! Happy gardening!

Kristina

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Glad to see my namesake made it to Maine and you and Jeff as well! It was wonderful to finally meet you and Jeff. I felt like I had known you for a long time! Hope it won't be such a long time between visits! xxoo Nancy

Thea said...

sigh...i was looking up at the sky last night around 11pm. even though my sky it lighted up by the glow from our nation's capitol, it is nice to know that, even hundreds of miles apart, we can still share an appreciative moment. twinkle twinkle little star, we say hello no matter where we are... yours 'til Ringo Starr joins the big dipper...t p.s. skip a stone in the water for me

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What an amazing trip! I know everyone that met you along the way so delighted! We just drove to the mountains of NC to spend the summer. It's so nice to feel cool in the mornings...and to see the mountains again! Enjoy your summer! Get some rest! ♥

Kay's flowers said...

Chagrin Falls looks and sounds wonderful. You've had such a long and busy trip that I hope you are going to take some down time now. Enjoy every minute and thanks so much for sharing all your adventures with us. How blessed we are to hear about them.

Blessings,
Kay

jaz@octoberfarm said...

i love that weathervane but i have no more room for any more....time to move and start a new project!

Eleanor said...

Hi Shar, I would love your blog even if I didn't know and love you! Thanks for lifting my spirits and making my day. Love, Elle

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Tears in my eyes as I follow you home. There is no place like it and years ago - when I traveled some" I have been known to kiss the ground of home and vow I would never leave again.
Rest - please rest.

Nan said...

Oh, I'm so happy you're home, even if you had to leave again for a little while. What a trip. I think I would be utterly exhausted, but where better to rest and rejuvenate than your home. So looking forward to your Maine postings.

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Yep, Morwenna (new bride!) and others, we had a GREAT time on the Vineyard with treasured old friends. I'll post some photos of Highfield Hall, our great meal with our friends, and the visit I've wanted to make for decades. I think you'll love experiencing my dream come true visit to a legendary woman who lived in the mid 19th century on Martha's Vineyard.

More later,

S

The Unusual Farmchick said...

Home... How wonderful it must feel after being gone so long. A great ending to your wonderful travels.
I am so sorry I missed you while you were in Chagrin Falls. Some last minute things popped up up, preventing me Panda & I the opportunity to finally meet you.
Somehow, someday, I hope the opportunity presents itself once again.
Enjoy your time on Martha's Vineyard. The Captain & I stopped there during our Homeymoon in the New England states October 2001. We dream of going back in the summer.
Happy home coming! ~:~

Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings said...

Honey, I'm thrilled you and Jeff are home. There's no place like home. Did you place your ruby slippers in one of the closets? :) ~~Dee

nocton4 said...

lovely photos, what fun x
the sunset is stunning.