spent a slow, sunny afternoon
in the pretty little town of
st. clair, michigan
right on the river
reading and writing
watching people and ships
come and go.
and in the
friendly coffee shop
right across from the water
run by sue
where i sat near
a retired teacher
meeting her former student
who long ago was
a 3-year old
in her class
for the first time
after many years
with photo albums
and stories
and catching up on life
and finally she got tired
and said it was time to go
and
they hugged
going their separate ways
with a promise to meet once again
before so long.
and the high school girls
gathering around a table
excited and nervous
about the coming school year
chatting and giggling
sharing stories
someone’s little sister
sat on her lap
having her hair braided
looking at her comic book
welcome
as part of the group
and learning from these girls
dreaming about what it will be like one day
to be a high school girl
and giggle and fret with your friends.
and the old man
who held the door
offering to buy a ‘drink’ for two older lady friends
who were awaiting his arrival
regaling them with tales
of his days in europe
reliving them
or perhaps living them for the first time
with his retelling.
and the young boys on the river
determined to enjoy the last days of summer
jumping in without fear and with squeals of laughter.
—–
the nice part about living in a small town
is that when you don’t know what you’re doing,
someone else does
– immanuel kant
Small town life lovin!
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it was pretty sweet –
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Awesome visit Beth.
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it was )
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This was so delightful to read…….I loved your day!
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thanks, jb. and i hope you’re enjoying this next slow chapter of your life )
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‘ or perhaps living them for the first time with his retelling ‘ – very nice Beth.
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thanks, bill –
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Beth–A lovely post with nostalgia-inducing photos and a beautiful narrative. I grew up in a small town and can relate. I stopped by today to THANK YOU for the regular “likes” you leave on my posts, even though I only occasionally visit/leave comments on your posts. I follow so many blogs that I can’t possibly get around to all of them each week, but I have noticed that you are the ONLY long-time blogging friend who regularly leaves likes. Almost all the other likes are from people who have recently followed my blog.
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glad you enjoyed it, john. no worries, we all do what we can. i wish that i had time to comment more, but time plays a role –
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And they’re obviously stable.
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THIS explains why this comment didn’t show up as a reply I made to a comment Al made on my most-recent post–how it got here I can’t explain! But speaking of Al, I have to correct something I said (especially if these people read my comment above). While there are a few non-bloggers who regularly leave likes, I looked back through my recent posts yesterday and realized that good blogging friends Al, Nia, NotaPunkRocker (Sheena), and Rosy faithfully leave likes. You are ALL special to me!
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))
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Sounds like a lovely day
>
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i loved the pace of the town –
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so pretty! Enjoy ☺️
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Thanks !
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This was especially lovely. Really enjoyed it.
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thank you )
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That was lovely, and the atmosphere so well captured. I would have enjoyed being there myself, and could certainly have been relied on to hold the door open for one or two people in between sipping at my coffee 🙂
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i have no doubt that you would, peter –
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Haha. So true.
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isn’t it though ? )
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Sounds like a beautiful event, Beth, very lovely and inspiring 🙂
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it was a really nice day, erika –
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Sounds very good 🙂
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What a perfect place.
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it was pretty sweet –
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Nostalgia sweeps in….
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yes –
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Reminds me of the John Cougar Mellancamp song…:) looks great.
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oh, me too – and thanks )
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I live in a small town 4 days every week and it’s great: you feel welcome, people greet you like a friend, everyone knows what you’re doin; it’s like a big family
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it really felt that way, john –
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What a wonderful day, relaxing time well spent, Beth. I liked the way you really “saw” people, understanding beyond just an observation. The girls and their future dreams were especially meaningful. I rarely get big chunks of time anymore! Enjoy your upcoming Labor Day!
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it was really nice to have the day to just relax and observe, it was a peaceful day well spent, robin –
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And a lovely piece of Americana with just the right amount of sweetness. 🙂
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it was a very sweet place –
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ah, yes…small towns? I am an expert!
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oh yes, i’m sure you are, susie –
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Just gorgeous! I love when you write like this! You are brilliant in how you express observations in the world around you. xoxo
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thank you so much, kelly )
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Looks like such a welcoming place! 🙂
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it really was, lorna )
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I think is one of your best pieces beth, Love it.
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thank you so much, laurie. so kind of you to say –
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You’re welcome beth. I always read your work but don’t comment all the time, this one is excellent.
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Beth … Your day by the river and near a coffee shop sounds ideal. How I miss those lazy, hazy days of summer just before returning to school. Thanks for refreshing my memory. 😉
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yes, it was very refreshing in many ways –
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Simply elegant, Beth. You caught them so well. Thank you for bringing me there.
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thanks so much, mark, it was my pleasure –
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I love your nostalgic piece. Small towns are a great place to grow up!
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thank you )
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