rurality - the mountains are calling -

- and I must go

Yep - it's February

and I know that many of you were wishing me a vacation on a warm, sunny beach -

not that I would turn one down

- ever - 

But a week at our mountain getaway

relaxing, exploring, skiing -

watching the snow fall -

(not to mention trekking up our long steep driveway because our little Subaru won't - seriously?)

is just what the doctor ordered - figuratively speaking.

So - we drive past this beautiful little farm often

- and we always slow down as we pass to catch a glimpse of the "oreo" cows.

The other afternoon, sitting in the car with my camera on my lap, I mention,

"Wow, look how pretty this farm is in the snowfall"
(Which is really code for "stop right now - I want to take a picture")

Greg: (drive, drive)

Me: "It would make a cool photo"
(Also code for "stop right now - I want to take a picture")

Greg: "Hmmm, what? Should I turn around?"

Me: :-)

Have a great day!

Rurality blog hop

coffee shop musing

A cold winter day in the tiny village of Jamaica, Vermont...

- snow flakes gently falling

I took this photo from inside our favorite coffee shop
- playing with my camera

- enjoying the friendly banter and a steaming latte
- a perfect winter afternoon...

Earlier this week, we found out that this wonderful little hang-out is closing.
I will greatly miss the Jamaica Coffee House and it's warm, friendly atmosphere.
In small rural areas such as this one, these small businesses are the backbone of the community.
I wish the owners well - and hope they are moving on to an exciting new venture.

Best of luck, Dave and Jamie!

Rurality Blog Hop

abandoned sugar shack - jamaica, vermont

After what seemed like an endless streak of good weather,

last weekend was cold and rainy.

I didn't mind too much, as I was in the mood for a lazy

lie-around-the-house-and read-with-a-nice-warm-cup-of-tea

sort of weekend.

We did manage to get out a little bit and enjoy the foliage,

which I must say, is spectacular this year.

I took these a couple of weeks ago when the leaves were just starting to turn.

I think this is an abandoned sugar shack - although I'm not sure.

It sits in an area of Jamaica, Vermont that was flooded by Hurricane Irene.

This week the village is celebrating the reopening of the bridge on the main street through town,
an exciting step forward in recovering from the devastation of Irene.

you can get anywhere from here

Many of you are probably familiar with the old Maine-ism

"You can't get there from here"

Which pronounced with the proper drawl is more like

Ay-yup, you can't get they-a from hee-a

Anyway - that is apparently not the case from this little village crossroads

in rural Vermont.

I love that this sign is right outside this little schoolhouse.

These lucky students have the whole world right at their doorstep.

I am joining Madge from The View From Right Here for Rurality Wednesday. Click on over for more rural scenes from around the world.

more scenes from south londonderry

After riding our bikes through South Londonderry,

and my camera battery dying mid-click - yeah, I'll never learn...

I decided to return in my car - (parking it at the post office),

and take a leisurely stroll through town.

How cute is this colorful birdhouse on a shovel handle? -

I'm thinking I need to copy this look -

the shovel that is - not the overgrown part

 - although...

This big guy was eyeing us warily

We returned the gesture...

I'm thinking this porch would be perfect for spending an afternoon with a good book and glass of iced tea.

And then - just for fun -

this handsome guy is my mom's cat, Oliver.

I call him Shy Guy.

Hmmmm - does it look as though he's eyeing me warily, too?

Yeah, I really have a way with cats.

Tuesday Muse, Rurality, Our World Tuesday

Have a great day!

south londonderry, vermont

We've had a long stretch of hot and steamy weather, here in New England.

It's a little unusual - but then it is July - so....

Saturday, Greg and I decided to head out for a little mountain biking.

Much of the riding is in the woods - which helps keep things relatively cool.

At one point, we came off the trail in the little village of South Londonderry.

This little post office caught my eye - and you know what that means...

As I'm taking a photo, a man stops and gives me a curious look.

"Quite a charming post office you have, here." I say to him.

"Well, let me tell you" he says, "I am full of stories"

We chatted for a while about the changes his village has gone through over the years.

As it turns out, this post office was once a drug store with a soda fountain - and a barbershop behind it.
I would have liked seeing that.

The main road runs along a river - which has caused its share of problems over the years-

although, you'd never know it right now.

I frequently drive through South Londonderry,

but I enjoyed slowing down a bit and taking a closer look.

(Yeah, I don't really ride bikes for exercise...)

Do you enjoy discovering new things about the places around you?

Our World Tuesday, Rurality Blog Hop