Small Town Magic

I realize that cities and towns the world over usher in the last weeks before Christmas with a ceremony that often includes the lighting of a tree. 

And it’s no different in Lunenburg. 

Or maybe it is. 

As the self-proclaimed “Balsam Fir Capital of the World”, Lunenburg County takes Christmas trees very seriously. It follows that the town would sport a real beauty. And everyone wants in on the action. So a lovely “festival of trees” cluster around the official tree – individuals, families, and organizations sponsor the trees.  There must be a hundred trees there this year (I didn’t count them). 

Several hundred people gathered last night to witness the lighting of these trees. There was such a lovely feeling in the group. 

People reunited with old friends, made new ones, enjoyed treats from the outdoor market and sang carols. I was lucky enough to stand next to a friend and former music teacher who has the most beautiful soprano voice.  (Naturally, I lip-synced). 

Children laughed and ran round with their friends – dogs barked. It was a joyful scene.

Then. The moment came for the countdown to flicking the switch and light trees.  A hush. 10, 9, 8 … 3, 2, 1!! A communal gasp!  And the perfect finish as the Kinderchoir sang a German Carol. 

And that, my friends, is a little bit of Lunenburg magic. 

(Apologies for the poor photo quality – caught up in the moment) 

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Take a Breath, And Make a Wish …

“And about this grass now. I didn’t finish telling.

It grows so close it’s guaranteed to kill off clover and dandelions – 

Great God in Heaven! That means no dandelion wine next year!  That means no bees crossing our lot!  

You’re out of your mind, son.”              – Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine (Green Town, #1)

Because our “lawn” started as a cow pasture, I don’t worry much about the plants that grow in it.  Consequently, I enjoy wild strawberries, Queen Anne’s Lace, vetch, clover and dandelions (to name a few) throughout out the year.  

Like school children, I welcome the cheerful yellow of the dandelion in spring.  And later I marvel at the tiny perfection of their seed heads.  And just when those ungainly stems threaten to spoil the look, a chickadee will land on one to feast on the seeds.  How light must a chickadee be, to stay perched on a dandelion stem?  Or, perhaps the dandelion is stronger than it looks.

Doors of Shelburne Farms

Even though it was technically closed for the season (no admission charged 😀), we managed a good walk on the grounds of Shelburne Farms yesterday.

This is a charitable education organization, with a campus that is a 1400 acre working farm, forest and National Historic Landmark on the shores of Lake Champlain, Vermont. 

 
This magnificent farm barn houses, among other things, the cheesemaking facility, offices  … 

And a bakery, which was open! (Yes, we bought one of those warm from the oven loaves) … and … through these doors…

A school!! A kindergarten to Grade 8 school!  

Imagine being a kid who gets to go to school IN A BARN!!  Or his teacher! I think that would be my dream teaching job. 

This farm barn is just magnificent!

Just past the barn, the trail took us through the woods. We went past a sugar shack – the doors shut – all ready and waiting for the late winter maple sugaring season. 

A little further along, we came across the Coach House.

Here, the door was open, inviting us in to view an interesting art exhibition. 

Then it was on to the Inn. It appears that the main house of the original estate is now the Inn and Restsurant. It was closed for the season, but tempting for another time. 

I might have to come back again sometime. In season. 

Linked with Norm’s Thursday Doors 

Transmogrify

A gentle group of tourists on a walking tour of Downtown Halifax gather infront of a spotlight. 

The effect is spooky!  

Conjures up thoughts of all the souls who have passed through the doors of this, the oldest building in Halifax and the oldest Protestant church in Canada. St Paul’s Anglican Church held its first service on September 2, 1750 – just one year after Halifax’s founding.  The plans were based on St. Peter’s Church, Vere Street, London which was designed in 1722 by James Gibbs, a pupil of Sir Christopher Wren.  Over two and a half centuries later, the original wooden structure remains as sound as the day it was built.

WPC – transmogrify