After living in dense communities near pulsing commerce and throbbing nightlife in both Bali and Mexico, I could only theorize about peace. Quiet, for me, was closing all doors and windows against noise seepage and turning on Leonard Cohen.
What would it be like at Granny’s Landing with a mile-long gravel road to reach the blacktop, and the closest neighbor also that far away? What about the twenty-minute drive separating me from the nearest town, Palisade, MN, population 167, with a church, a gas station, and the local pub? I couldn’t imagine it.
Now that I’m here, my understanding of quiet has been radically redefined.
Deep and profound, the hush stretches unbroken across fields to the horizon. Sun-soaked or moon drenched, it envelops my senses and holds me in a womb-like embrace. Jangled synapses in my over-taxed nervous system relax. Sometimes crickets, sometimes the rattling bugle calls of cranes passing overhead, remind me that other life exists.
Actually, that’s not quite true about the distant neighbor. My sister’s front door is a short stroll from mine – like half a city block at most. But Gwen and W are family. They occupy a completely different category.
I’m staying with them while my dwelling takes shape and they’ll be my main social scene in the years ahead. We have extended morning coffee and hash over the latest breaking news. At five o’clock witching hour, we convene on their screened porch to recap the day’s events. Wine flows and our conversation morphs into deep philosophical discussions while sunset outlines the treetops in gold.
Wonderful family! They know what needs to be done, how to do it, and who to call if they don’t. They have a seemingly endless supply of saws, drills, hammers of all sizes, and motivation to get my house built. (I would, too, if I were hosting me!)
But when it came to installing my new windows, we needed help. At 10:00 a.m. this morning, reinforcements appeared on the scene. A van and a car lumbered toward me, a mini-parade kicking up a trail of dust. My construction crew had arrived.
Lofty, his right-hand man, Dante, and Gene, whose role remains a bit of a mystery, unloaded an impressive stream of power tools, looked at my plans, and groaned. “You want six windows across the front here? And three more in this wall? Nine windows?”
Of course, I want nine windows. The view is spectacular. I love light. And I think I mentioned that number when I hired you to install them.
I didn’t say it, but I thought it. Instead, I asked if there was a problem with my drawings because the installation of all my windows appeared to work just fine on paper. The three of them studied the diagram again and agreed that it could be done. I left them to it for a few hours. When I returned, the southeast wall as I had first seen it like this…
had been transformed to this!
The vision I’ve carried in my dreams for months, inviting light and sky and the tranquility of pastoral views into my house, is manifesting.
writing for self-discovery 
Sep 07, 2022 @ 17:55:45
I can’t wait to see the finished product, Sherry!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sep 07, 2022 @ 18:32:33
You probably shouldn’t hold your breath!!!
LikeLike
Sep 07, 2022 @ 17:57:31
Sherry, that view is just stunning and you’re going to love gazing at it as it changes with the seasons. It’s an exciting time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sep 07, 2022 @ 18:35:03
I already see a change in the weather from 50 years ago (plus plus). Summer is stretching out – the weather is absolutely glorious right now. Breezy, warm, no bugs – 85F today but 40 – 50F in the morning. I do so love the view!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sep 07, 2022 @ 20:14:12
Cool! I have a hard time picturing you as “Granny”, simply because it brings to mind images of Granny from Beverly Hillbillys… and you are far and away not ancient looking like she was! Being a grandma myself now for 20 years, I think of you as a young grandma (even though you have 10 years on me)!Can’t wait to see the next update!!!! Sherri Faye Artist/Writer/Graphic Designer/Humorist 612-250-1804 sherri.faye@yahoo.com sherrifaye.genius@gmail.com http://www.facebook.com/imagineartbysherri/www.imagineartstudio.org
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sep 07, 2022 @ 21:14:22
I see myself more like Granny Clampitt every day! I LOVE being Granny Sherry to my 4 grandchildren.
LikeLike
Sep 08, 2022 @ 00:02:55
Your writing is absolutely beautiful. I hung on to every word. Have you figured out what Grene is supposed to do?!;)
LikeLike
Sep 09, 2022 @ 15:28:10
You are so sweet! Thank you! No, comma Gene has been MIA since the 1st day
LikeLike
Sep 09, 2022 @ 15:29:41
Thank you! That’s so sweet of you to say. Regarding Gene, no. He hasn’t reappeared. I’m glad!
LikeLike
Sep 08, 2022 @ 02:43:08
It is coming along. I had to laugh as the request for windows seems to involve rebuilding part of the structure.
LikeLike
Sep 09, 2022 @ 15:32:05
Lot’s of wall needed to be removed and revised to accommodate my nine new windows but we’re making progress!
LikeLike
Sep 13, 2022 @ 19:30:23
Dear Sherry, Welcome home to Minnesota, land of Fortitude, Grit, and sometimes the surprise of realizing our potential takes time…lots of time. As we have left the years of youth and beauty, moving to the Crest of Age and Wisdom, our duties to stubbornly refuse to let our values, the decency, truth, friendships, laughter, cozy things that comfort, courtesy,
homemade things, and loyalty disappear or become laughingly obsolete.
We are not hardwired, we are soft now but we are resistant to the fallacies we see promoted around us. The line between our Wisdom Days and youth seem blurry at times. We however know we are being
nudged to care for the sacred in our lives. kath
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sep 15, 2022 @ 08:12:59
Brilliantly stated as always, Kath. Thank you for the welcome home. It’s been a fabulous, inspiring, heart-healing eleven years. Now I’m ready for the cozy things that comfort and homemade things – like my house – and the great meals shared with my sister and brother-in-law!
LikeLike