It all began with hugs and apples.
Phyllis and Art’s bounty from their espelaried Asian pear tree; just harvested, they were nestled on the table, ready to be eaten. Eat them we did, their sweet juices a perfect nectar with which to begin a long, peaceful weekend at water’s edge.
I don’t think either Tom nor I realized how much we needed time to just relax. We’ve taken our walks visited beautiful settings and gardens, attended concerts, enjoyed family and friends – but, it has been a long, long while since we’ve had an opportunity to just be.
Our hosts immediately took us out on the water, where we were fed and floated to the peace of trees, the swiftness of a heron taking off from a pier, and the primal chorus of sandhill cranes, beginning their long migration south.
.We visited garden centers and botanical gardens, watched movies, ate simple and hearty meals – and we talked and laughed and reconnected. I marveled, still do, at the decades that have passed and in some ways really haven’t moved much at all.
There aren’t enough words to express the gratitude I have for the sense of renewal I feel.
It ended as it began; with hugs and apples, the simple abundance of harvest and hospitality to remember the last, sweet moments of summer.
I’m so happy for you, Penny. I do know what it means to need these times of refreshment, and how wonderful that you could share your “down time” with such good friends. The time out on the water sounds particularly delightful. I hope you came back so full of peace that it will hold you for a long, long time. And oh those Asian pears! Gorgeous!
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Oh, Debra, I’m sure it will – and, like you, I have tons of photos to remind me of what my heart and mind might forget. 🙂 I did come back refreshed and will do my best to stay in this place of contentment, for awhile. tee hee
The pears – they are like more like apples! Divinely sinful.
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“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows
There is nothing more relaxing than floating along in a boat and enjoying the peace. I’m so glad you had such a great time, and enjoyed the time, the company and the apple-ish pears.
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My favorite quote, Janet! Of course, you know that and you were the one who first introduced me to “The Wind in the Willows”. We won’t tell anyone how long ago it was. It was so worth it, “messing about” this past weekend and we actuality talked about the book in our long weekend of conversation. 🙂
Thank you, Janet. It was a good, long float.
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Wind in The Willows was the book that made me stop turning up my nose at talking animal stories. When I was 11 or 12 I thought that I was way too grown up for that. Then, I picked this book up and decided that talking animals weren’t just for babies. Thank goodness, I would have missed Narnia. You know too, that I love boats, water and the woods. I am pleased to have introduced you to Mole, Ratty, and friends.
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I am forever happy that you did, Janet. Did I ever show you the picture of me in front of Toad Hall? It is a bookstore in MA. I’ll try to find it. Just think of all the books we would have missed if we weren’t, what? , we? tee hee
Did you ever read Watership Down?
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I’m convinced that I’m now going to dream (again) that Debra and I come to visit and you take us to your backyard outbuilding that ends up being a boat…..
Asian pears go well with an easy, quiet day. One of my favorites.
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Aren’t they the best? I keep calling them apples. Oh well. . . these were freshly plucked and are so, so good. I’ll share them with you and Debra in that dream, Andra. :}
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How wonderful to be so beautifully hosted. Pears and floating on water, and a weekend in which to relax – sounds well deserved, and delicious in all ways.
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Indeed, it was delicious in many ways, Juliet. We had a lovely time and these were the sweetest of fruits. 🙂
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Penny, what a beautiful, and characteristically wise, article. It sounds really beautiful, and I am so glad you and Tom had a chance to wind right down. I have a feeling you both really, really needed it. From this I take a lesson: everyone needs to timetable in the odd time like this. Thank you.
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We did, indeed, Kate; and thanks to such gracious friends, we had a lovely weekend. You are welcome. I just wish I could share this fruit with you.
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Sounds like a wonderful getaway …. we would love everything about it too. Our daughter and sil have an Asian Pear tree on their property and some mini-apple trees. IA great bonus of our visits to their place (now that we’re back).
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A perfect time of year to return, Sallie; when the pears and apples are being harvested. Aren’t the Asian Pears the best? Crisp like an apple from the outside, tender and juicy like a pear within. Michigan is a beautiful state and we did have a wonderful getaway. 🙂
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Yum! I’d say ‘pear apples’ are Jake, the fruit monster’s, all-time favorite. I love that they are ripe a long time like apples. Whereas pears have a much tighter target for maximum juicy deliciousness. Glad you had such a nice treat and nice visit.
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I wish I had brought some to give to Jake, Heather. You describe them perfectly. They are STILL firm – andI need a napkin once I bite into one. Hmmm, a small, espaliered tree would fit very nicely against your house. 🙂
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This was such a pleasant post with more beautiful photos. I’m happy to hear that you had such a nice end to the summer. And end it has! 🙂
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Brrrr! It certainly has on this chilly, rainy Saturday, Janet. Thank you very much.
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