Sometimes life seems to rush by in a blur, doesn’t it? So it has been this past week, with two days on the road and two in between. A time of pure bliss with a certain young miss.
Driving for eight hours on interstate highways, out of suburbia and into the parched corn and bean fields of northern Illinois, then southern Wisconsin, the growing doom of drought was evident. Ears of coveted corn on the cob, locally grown, are all but lost this year and the rise in food prices for corn products and by-products is imminent in an already fragile economy.
Hawks, however, were still soaring majestically above, searching for food. I saw cranes and egrets and other waterfowl wending their way up north in a primal pull as wilted crops slowly turned to a lush green in northwestern Wisconsin where there has been plenty of rain.
Nearing the Wisconsin Dells, I passed a small truck that was pulling a compact trailer. Elmhurst Boy Scouts was stenciled onto the rear of the trailer. As I passed on the left, I recognized him immediately. He was the Boy Scout leader of the grade school Jennifer and Katy attended – and a leader still, it seems. The year Sue and I were PTA co-presidents, this very same man invited us to attend a Boy Scout dinner. He was elated that we actually came, saying PTA presidents never come. I knew then, as I know now, that it is the small considerations in life that make a difference. We were both so glad that we took the time to attend and were treated like royalty that night – and the best stew I’ve ever eaten. It is funny, isn’t it, the memories we pass by as we switch lanes in life?
As you may already know, I usually have an audio book to help me pass the time on a long drive. The Paris Wife did just that, interspersed with Wisconsin Public Radio. Soon, the mighty Mississippi was crossed and soon this sweet little girl gave her Yia Yia a much appreciated hug and a kiss. An unplanned trip on this journey of life on one of the hottest weeks of a very hot summer with a lovely reward at the end of the day.
‘Tis good to switch lanes in life every-now-and then, don’t you agree?
“The memories we pas by as we switch lanes in life.” What a nice phrase and thought that is. And, “waterfowl wending their way up north in a primal pull.” Lovely imagery. I hope you have a wonderul time with that sweet little one.
LikeLike
Pass, of course. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Teresa. I’m home now and it was all too short, but she was a delight. We giggled and tickled and played with the tea set her Nana brought her the week before, and read books, and . . .
LikeLike
Oh Penny, she’s so grown up looking!
I really like the concept of switching lanes and this lovely post. The weather in Illinois sure is tragic though.
LikeLike
Thank you, Janet. She is talking in full sentences now and I so enjoyed being with her, even if just for a few days.
It is becoming pretty serious here and I’m afraid that the impact will be long term. It is 96 degrees here as I write at 8:30. Enjoy that lovely bit of weather you are having there on the West Coast of Ireland.
LikeLike
What a long journey, and what a sweet reward at the other end! I love your anecdote about the small considerations of life, and how they matter.
LikeLike
Thank you, Juliet, and you know about those small considerations, doing things like taking that very wet drive to visit an elderly person. They help us bring joy and consolation to others and we are better people for it.
LikeLike
Oh my goodness is that reward ever worth a long journey!
I have just had the loveliest time catching up on your posts I missed while on our roadtrip. I left too many comments for which I apologize (please don’t feel you need to answer them.) Thanks for all your insights!
LikeLike
I am so pleased to hear that, Sallie, and appreciate your comments. I’ve been doing a bit of catching up, myself, these days and understand. You are so very welcome.
LikeLike
Your little darling is growing up, Penny! I just know you had some wonderful conversations with her. What a doll! That’s a long drive, and as you say, in such hot and sweltering climates, but I know you wouldn’t have missed the opportunity for anything. I completely agree with you about the small considerations, as well as switching lanes. I think you’ve accentuated major elements of conscious living! I’m quite sure it was hard to say goodbye! But you’ll find a time to switch lanes again soon, I hope! Debra
LikeLike
We did, Debra. She is quite a little conversationalist and I delighted in her every word. Thank you. It is hard to say goodbye, but, then it always is no matter where our family is, isn’t it? I’m sure we will be up there again, soon. Tom couldn’t go with this time – it is always fun when Papa is with.
LikeLike
What a reward at the end of your trip…. she is gorgeous ! despite the heat, I envy you the drive, through some of my favourite landscapes. ( I can give the Dells a miss if I’m completely honest….. I remember visiting with 3 children in tow, Jess at 11 weeks old, deciding to stay overnight, and jess slept in a drawer as we couldn’t find a motel with a crib ). I hope the weather extremes have lessened a little by now. Fires and droughts and the damage done to crops is just so devastating.
This is a lovely post Penny, and I love the thought that you are her Yia Yia.
LikeLike
It is a lovely drive, Janice. The Dells are, well, the Dells. I call it Kiddie Las Vegas. They always mark the halfway point in the journey up north. Imagine that memory of Jess in a drawer! Heading northwest just gets more and more beautiful along that route, with the forested hills and lush farm valleys and vistas. I get lost in my thoughts through there in any season, but especially in Autumn.
It is already in the 90’s here, early morning, with predictions of 105° and the heat is covering such a vast expanse of the country. The fires in Colorado have devastated such a large area as well; homes, towns, wildlife, tourism, crops. Then I remember all the rain and cold in other parts of the world. An odd weather year across the globe if there ever was one. Now I’ve rambled enough for another blog. You have a good day there and enjoy your last week or so of solitude.
LikeLike
MTM and I once drove four hours out of the way, through the Dells, to get to Osseo, WI and buy whole pies at Norske Nook. FOUR HOURS for pie. He claimed he was buying one of the whole ones for his sister Lynn and then ate it all himself.
Driving through parched country is one of the most glaring ways to see devastation firsthand. I hope you get a break in the heat, as I know people in that part of the US aren’t as prepared for it. Even holding an ice cube in your mouth and letting it melt can help a little.
LikeLike
I know the Norske Nook in Osseo. We have often stopped for gas right across from it. Pie you say? MTM must really love them to drive for four hours – and now I have a reason to stop there on a future journey up to MN.
We have a very good friend who used to make the trek from Bloomington, IL to Racine, Wisconsin to get their famous Kringles. On his way back he would make a detour and bring us some. If we weren’t home, we knew Mike had been around by the sight of Kringles on the front porch. Ask MTM if he knows about Racine’s Kringles.
It can get pretty hot here come summer, but this sustained heat in the 100’s with no rain is becoming unbearable here. We will lose a substantial amount of crops this year.
Off I go to get an ice cube. Thanks, Andra.
LikeLike
He just described Kringles to me, and my mouth is oozing…….. 🙂
LikeLike
I thought that might happen if MTM described them. Heavenly.
LikeLike
She is just beautiful! Thanks for sharing her with us….
LikeLike
You are so very welcome, Sharon, and I thank you as well.
LikeLike
I’ve been reading about the drought, oh I hope it ends soon! What a nice destination for you, and the journey itself sounds fruitful. I love the story about the boy scout leader and you attending his conference. It must have meant so much to him! Enjoy your weekend!
LikeLike
I do, too, Sunday. The journey was nice on both counts. I think he was touched that someone(s) actually came and honor the scouts and the leadership and it was a lesson to me that we need to take the time to do these things.
Our annual garden walk is on Sunday, so, it will be busy and fun and, hopefully, successful enough for us to give out some scholarship money. I wish you were nearby to attend.
LikeLike
It is. A change of pace and scene can be as good as a spa break, Penny. Glad you had a goo time. That picture of Kezzie is beautiful!
LikeLike
Thank you, Kate. Most of her pictures are a blur as she is always, always on the move, so I just can’t seem to help myself when I get one of her holding still. It seems that between you and Big Al, with changes in schools, are about to embark upon your own changes of pace. Best of wishes.
LikeLike
Dear Penny, Kezzie has an infectious smile! I just had to smile back at her. I’m so glad to learn that the trip up there and back went well and that your two days with her were a joy.
Like you, I’ve been thinking that the economy is going to be hit hard by the drought and the failure of the corn crop. High fructose corn syrup seems to be in so many products and so prices surely will go up for food. Peace.
LikeLike
That she does, Dee, and it is nice to know you are smiling back at her. Thank you.
Corn products is such a big industry, especially with high fructose corn syrup, with so many by-products, not to mention jobs. Then, there are the farmers whose crops have been ruined, the corn used for feed, etc. Ah, it just goes on and on and we haven’t even touched upon soy beans and, of course, everyone else who will be impacted.
LikeLike
YEAH, YEAH, Yia yia! So very precious!….
LikeLike
Thank you, Mike.
LikeLike
Oh, I see so many of her relatives in that bright little face and curly hair.
I love genetics.
Did you hear the latest Kardashian is named “Penelope” ?!?!
LikeLike
Amazing, isn’t it Heather? Jennifer said the same thing when she saw it.
Oh, no. Say it “ain’t” so. Penelope Cruise insured my long-suffering name was finally pronounceable. Penelope Kardashian?!?! indeed.
LikeLike
There’s time to think on a journey like that, not just to observe what you pass as you go.
Your thoughts are good, switching lanes is good, a new perspective is good and the hugs of a sweet little one are the best.
LikeLike
So true, Friko. It is good to take these journeys now and again, isn’t it?
Thank you. Ah, those hugs at the end of a long journey are the sweetest.
LikeLike
Oh my goodness! Cleaning out the email inbox and stumbled across this unopened post…how I missed it is beyond me. Your Kezzie has changed so much since the last photos I saw; the ringlets and those brilliant blue eyes are gorgeous! Happy that you were able to have this visit with her and that the conversations have become more a two-way street! 🙂 Soon she’ll be reading books to you, rather than the other way ’round!
LikeLike
Sometimes my email inbox is as bad as my paper one, Karen. She is certainly becoming her own person. Those ringlets make the best pigtails, that her wonderful Daddy is quite creative with. Thank you. She’s quite a talker, stringing some pretty significant sentences together (can you hear the proud grandma here?). It is such a joy to be part of all the changes. Now, that I look forward to, as I’m sure you could guess – Kezzie reading to me.
LikeLike
A perfect letter, for letter is just what it feels like. Thank you. Witty girl with the blurry pic. :<)
LikeLike
Ha! She wouldn’t hold still long enough for a “still” shot, so . . .
That is such a nice thing to say, Nan, and I thank you.
LikeLike
She is a doll!! It is so interesting that you passed someone from your past on the road. I love the serendipity of it. I too, just returned from a trip and witnessed the parched landscape across Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. We returned to find that some farmers are cutting corn to grind into silage because they won’t produce much if they wait till harvest anyway. Sad…
Your post is beautiful, however, and lifted my spirits. Glad you are back, but I know this is a busy week for you.
LikeLike
Hi, Janet. Glad to see you are back home. It was certainly a serendipitous moment and there I was in my little box of a car, windows rolled up, air conditioning going full blast, smiling and talking to myself “oh, there is the boy scout leader from Field School”. The devastation is far and wide, isn’t it, and so sad. The implications will be around for some time to come.
Thank you. You’ve lifted mine in your saying so, Janet. It was very busy and I’ll write about some of it soon. To top it all off, our internet service was down the whole weekend. Sigh.
LikeLike
[…] I was switching lanes on my journey home from Minnesota on a blistering 100° Fourth of July, I veered off of the […]
LikeLike
Penny, your lyrical description encapsulates the extremes of weather we’ve been having and the dire effects of too little rain. Here some farmers can’t get onto their fields as they are waterlogged and too often the crops are rotting.
I love the gentle lesson about the consideration we owe each other. One to remember…..
LikeLike
The exact opposite of weather, Perpetua, with the same dire effects and results that will effect all in the end. I am hoping and praying that rain ends on your fair isle – and we get some rain here.
Thank you, Perpetua. It’s good to see you here.
LikeLike