Yesterday was my husband's birthday, so I took him on a little trip in a time machine. After a long lunch (which included his favorite cocktail as a special treat) we spent the afternoon meandering around Greenfield Village. The streets were nearly empty, and we walked at our leisure across the green, through the covered bridge, past the Suwanee River boathouse, and around the chapel where we were married over 35 years ago. Jim had a long talk with one of the glassblowers in the craft area, and I learned that my husband has always been fascinated with that art form - who knew?
The streets were nearly empty so it was pleasant and even a bit surreal. The sky was
alternately overcast and sunny, so we felt either a cool shiver down our spines or a warm glow on our face. Occasionally a Model T would rumble past us or the train engine would belch and snort as it went around the bend.
Sitting on the patio at the Taste of History cafe, sipping hot coffee and sharing a chocolate chip cookie, it felt as if we'd stepped back in time, away from the stresses of work (his) and the pile of paperwork on the piano (mine). We'd wandered into a place where life seemed simpler and easier, where you might work an eight hour day, share dinner around the table with your family, spend the evening reading, taking a walk, visiting with friends, listening to the radio.
You all know how I fantasize about the Mitford way of life, the kind of slow paced lifestyle epitomized in Jan Karon's series novels set in that small town nestled in the foothills of North Carolina.
I had a taste of it yesterday afternoon, and it felt wonderful.
So I made a vow to return as often as I can before the snow flies, to soak up the serenity of a more peaceful time gone by.
How about you? Do you have a favorite place to go back in time?