This little town I live in is in the middle of nowhere. It is exactly the type of village I always thought I would never find myself living in. I grew up in a city and loved it. Here there is only the elevator and a scattering of houses existing side by side with the railroad track. Years ago those tracks carried passenger trains and evenings at dusk we could see the brightly lit cars with people going somewhere. Now those trains are a thing of the past and only grain and work trains fly past.
I find myself feeling lonesome at times for the hustle and bustle of a city but mostly for the people going about their busy lives. My husband is somewhat of a workaholic, being years past the normal age of retirement, but still walking across the street to work every day. This is good for him, as he wants it, but for me it brings aloneness too often. In nice weather I seldom see him until almost dark. My sons are all grown and busy and even the grandchildren, now grown, have busy lives of their own...and this is as it should be.
I have friends and often drive to town to visit and sit and sew with them but a person can't do that every day. I remember ny mother in law telling me years ago how her garden made her happy. Now I certainly do not have a green thumb and know little about gardening but in my front yard is a small spot of ground that I have claimed for a flower garden. Last year I planted bulbs and enjoyed the tulips, daffodils and early crocus this spring. Now as I walk along the side walk I see the two red plants Dennis and Michele gave me for Mother's Day and the beautiful hanging basket of lavender petunias that came from Mike. I have added flowers of yellows, purples, and whites. On the porch are barrels filled with dark purple flowers and greenery.
This afternoon, feeling somewhat alone, I spent a couple of hours sitting on the ground pulling weeds. Oh, the violets and weeds will return and they have almost sprouted up at the end where I started but I had a lovely afternoon. My little spot of ground will never be worthy of a picture or praise but my mother in law was right....it is a joy!
