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Last night the kids and I made a spur of the moment plan to drive up to Doane's Falls for a hike and picnic today. It's one of my favorite places. ♥ The falls are a series of fast cascades rushing through a steep rock gorge. The woods are deep and fragrant from tall, native white pines and cool from the mist of the falls. (To see a picture up close, just click on it.)
We ate our picnic at Tully Lake, a spot as pretty as a postcard.
The unusual inscription on one of the grave markers captured my imagination. It read:
This stone informs
That the mortal part of Mrs.
Lucy Lee, Consort of the
Rev. Joseph Lee,
and Daughter of the
Rev. Thomas Jones
late of Woburn,
Is deposited here.
She died Sept. 17th 1791
AE. 39
Across from the village green, I found my dream house--for sale! I learned that this 1800 house has six bedrooms, seven fireplaces, nine rooms (including a library!), a large "sleeping" porch, English gardens, inground pool, and detached two car garage. Oh, if only we were in a position to move to such a remote country house!
It made me think of these words by Leo Tolstoy:
"I have lived through much, and now I think I have found what is needed for happiness. A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbor—such is my idea of happiness. And then, on top of all that, you for a mate, and children perhaps—what can more the heart of man desire?" (from the novella, Family Happiness)
We arrived back at our own lovely home in the Boston suburbs, tired and happy, just before the rush-hour traffic set in. It was a wonderful day.♥
What a beautiful place, I can see why you love it. How much I wish that you were able to buy that house and live your dreams. But I'm certain God has you exactly where he wants you right now. And what a blessing that you can travel to this lovely village with your children and dear dogs. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe village of Royalston ... the very name conjures up such stories!
Just now, I have a ghost story about this town brewing in my brain. : )
DeleteI'd buy that house too! We like flipping through the for sale homes in our general area, fun to think what if! When we lived in MI we used to walk through the most beautiful cemetery ever! Lily pond with turtles!! Thanks for the tour and the outing looks like something we would do.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I get the chance, I like going on tours of old houses. It stirs my imagination to walk through the rooms where others spent their days and think of what their lives might have been like.
DeleteWhat a great picnic spot! And your hike looks so cool and refreshing. Perfect! A sleeping porch... what amazing things they are. A house down our street has one and I am perfectly jealous. But I wouldn't leave my little house right now, so I'll just add that to the someday list. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful day--and that house was dreamy, but I am very happy here in my own little house, too. : )
DeleteSounds and looks wonderful - the gravestone is in very good condition for its age, I think. A sleeping porch sounds so dreamy....
ReplyDeleteIt was a great day. Some of the younger grave markers were in bad condition and hard to read, but you're right, this very old one (221 years!) was in good shape. And that house--the whole thing was just perfect to me. : )
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