I stand on my new porch and through the leaf-barren trees and down the hill I spy a river. Across the river, I spy the ground where my great-grandfather’s house once stood. I spy my father stopping by his front porch every day when he walked home from school for a snack or a hug from my great-grandmother. I spy her waiting for him wearing her big apron, wiping her hands, telling everyone, “Whatever he did wrong, he didn’t go to do it.”
From my new front porch, I spy the one-room schoolhouse on the river where my grandmother taught. I spy her ringing the old bell, calling her students inside, loading the woodstove to keep them all warm. I spy the house over the next hill she built with her own money after my grandfather died. I spy the little cemetery where he’s buried. I spy my father coming back from the war to see my great-grandfather one last time. I spy my great-aunts and great-uncles and innumerable cousins who lived and loved here once upon a time.
And sometimes I stand on this new porch and I think they spy me. 🙂
Tammy G. says:
I love the one picture, it looks relaxing. The construction looks like too much work, but will be worth it when it’s done.
Yes, please put me in the draw.
On November 9, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Fannie M Wiggins says:
Such great memories :shimmy: No one can ever take them away. I,too have a lot of memories. Now I just have to pray I don’t get Alhiemer’s(spelling?) and lose them. 😆 The home is really coming along nicely. I enjoy the progress reports. Have a great week-end and :hug: to all.
PS please enter me for the drawing.
On November 9, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Kim A. says:
The house is taking shape very quickly!
You do have lovely memories, Suzanne, memories to hold close to your heart and cherish all your days.
Please do enter me in the draw and happy Friday to all.
-Kim
On November 9, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Crystal B. says:
Great post. I love your memories. The house is coming along nicely. 🙂 Please include me in the drawing.
On November 9, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Gina says:
Such great pictures. I’d like to be included in the draw!
On November 9, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Marianne says:
All the pictures were lovely — the ones from the camera AND the ones from your memory…
On November 9, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Eva S says:
Wonderful memories and pictures!
I’d like to be included in the draw too.
On November 9, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Maureen says:
Great pictures and I envy you being surrounded by family history. I would love to win the book.
On November 9, 2007 at 1:52 pm
MARY says:
:flying: I spy a romance novelist sitting on her porch, with her laptop, surrounded by cats, dogs, kids, friends, all munching on homemade bread!!!! I think you’re right about your relatives spying you! I’m sure they are very happy to have the Dyes back in the hills!!!! :treehugger:
On November 9, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Karen B says:
:flying: How lucky you are to be back where your roots are! My immediate family is scattered from coast-to-coast and I envy all the others who are still in PA. I do so enjoy your musings, pics and blog.
On November 9, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Minna says:
Great pictures! Please enter me in the draw. :snoopy:
On November 9, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Susan says:
Wonderful photos! You paint such vivid pictures with your words. :heart:
On November 9, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Alice Audrey says:
It’s wonderful to have such deep roots.
Count me in the draw.
On November 9, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Teresa W. says:
Enjoyed the pictures today and I’m glad that you have such good memories. I’d like to be included for the draw!
On November 9, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Brandy says:
Your words paint a haunting yet lovely visit to the past. And your photos are gorgeous, the house is really coming along!
I hope you have a wonderful day!
On November 9, 2007 at 3:47 pm
catslady says:
That was touching :purr: I just finished reading Seducing the Mercenary and it was a great story so good luck to everyone else in the running!
On November 9, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Estella says:
Memories are such heartwarming treasures.
Please add me to the drawing.
On November 9, 2007 at 4:36 pm
lily says:
Can You add me too 🙂
On November 9, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Nathalie says:
I sometimes think someone is watching me… can I be entered 🙂
On November 9, 2007 at 6:05 pm
JOYE says:
I live in the desert so this looks really inviting to me. Happy Thanksgiving
On November 9, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Carol says:
I love love love the porch!!! It will be so nice to rock in the six rocking chairs! :rotfl: I love sitting out on the porch during a thunderstorm too! :elephant:
On November 9, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Ellen says:
Lovely history.
The house is looking so good – what a legacy YOU are leaving. 🙂
On November 9, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Dena says:
Thanks for all the great pictures Suzanne, I can really see it taking shape it’s almost like I’m there. Have a great weekend.
On November 9, 2007 at 10:08 pm
RobynL says:
What great memories you are spying. Please enter me.
On November 10, 2007 at 12:36 am
Loreth Anne White says:
Oh man, Suzanne … you have a way with the heart strings. I spy a tear in my eye…
On November 10, 2007 at 2:29 am
Loreth Anne White says:
Catslady — thank you!!
On November 10, 2007 at 2:30 am
Tammy G. says:
:purr: Thank-you! Suzanne. I got the Blenko Glass Star yesterday. It was perfect, Thank-you!!! :purr:
On November 10, 2007 at 7:16 am
Cheryl S. says:
You’re making me tear up. I’m sure they do spy you and I’m also sure they’re very, very proud of you. Thanks so much for sharing the pics of your house with all of us as it’s being built.
Please put me in for the draw too.
On November 10, 2007 at 9:12 am
Jill says:
Love the pics!!!
On November 10, 2007 at 11:49 am
Ericka Scott says:
Enter me in the drawing, please.
What lovely pictures — your house and land are so full of memories!
I spy….
On November 11, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Danica/Dream says:
Catching up because life is insane, but couldn’t pass up the chance to say the house is coming along nicely! I love it! I have house envy again!
On November 15, 2007 at 1:37 am
cindy smith says:
that is a beautiful story and there are time you have to take a step back into their world
On November 5, 2008 at 1:11 pm