My wife and I love daytrips. But when the 2020 lockdown went into effect, our daytrips dried-up. And, oh, how we missed them.
So, one weekend, we grabbed our masks and headed for a pleasant little community called, fittingly, Pleasant Ridge. It had just the right amount of charm and quirkiness (“Like you,” said my wife.)
We saw everything from craftsman bungalows to Adams Family-style victorians. And we saw people!–“socially-distanced” people, to be sure–watching the world go by from their front porches. Nearly all of whom gave us wistful waves that said, Oh, normal, how we miss you!
We snapped pictures of a white squirrel, one of only two we’ve ever seen, and no doubt a major celebrity in his neighborhood. Plus an even bigger celebrity: Elvis! Who, it turns out, has been in quarantine all these years, disguised as a lamp in a window, longingly looking out at the world he used to own.
And finally, we met a young dad and daughter doing sidewalk chalk-art. The dad was executing a perfect reproduction of Westminster Palace, complete with Big Ben. And his little girl was… Well, we weren’t sure what this budding Picasso’s non-concentric squares represented. So my wife asked.
Trudy: “What’s that?”
Girl: “A restaurant!”
Trudy: “Oh. Well, it’s very nice.”
Girl: “I know!”
Trudy: “What do they serve?”
Girl: “Nothing.”
Trudy: “I see. Is that because of the lockdown?”
Girl: “No, it’s because they’re made out of chalk.”
Trudy: “Ohhhh.”
Girl: “And because I can’t draw food.”
Oh, normal…
Wow! Those are some gorgeous Victorian homes! I absolutely love old Victorian houses. I would give anything to own one. Great snapshots! Glad you and your wife had the opportunity to visit that place. It sounds like you both had a great time together.
We did!
Children are so straightforward with their reasoning, …and sharing their thoughts as if it should’ve been quite obvious,…love the photos, …buildings with age and character are a passion, ….💫🌿💫
I feel that way too, Penny.
Daytrips are wonderful. So glad we can all take them now. Great chalk story about the little girl.
;>) She was adorably blunt.
A village with old time character!
Nice photos. I had never heard of or seen a white squirrel until now. Thank you for sharing the photos. I enjoyed them.
My pleasure, Mags.
Beautiful architecture that reminds me of so many of the Victorian era homes in our area of Virginia that have been restored & speak to us of very different times.
We live surrounded on 3 sides by woods. I’ve never seen an Albino squirrel but we have seen an Albino deer, which is also one of nature’s most beautiful creatures.
While this blog about missing normal specifically deals with COVID, it reminded me of just how much my husband & I truly miss “normal” in this time of major political upheaval. So much of what this country has always represented has been destroyed in just under 100 days & more destruction is surely yet to come. I don’t recognize this country anymore & my heart weeps at our losses. I haven’t been this frightened since becoming an adult. Recently I have found some little bit of “normal” putting together an anniversary party for our non-profit club & doing our church newsletter.
You are so right … NORMAL is a beautiful thing. Thanks for the lovely post.
My privilege, Linda. And, yes, I thought this sort of resonated in the present.
Did you change your site? Everything looks different.
What theme are you using?
? No, I haven’t changed it. Can you describe what you’re seeing? Is it messed up, or just different?
Just different, or so I thought. I guess I just wasn’t paying attention on previous posts.
Very pleasing photos, Mitch. I have never seen a white squirrel. Thanks for letting me know they exist.
My pleasure, San.
Love the photographs.
Thank you, Susanne.
I’m missing normal very badly.
“It’s because they’re made of chalk” LOL! Mr. NOA and I love day trips too. Sadly, we’ve done one in a long while.
Well, what are you waiting for, Rhonda? It’s spring!
Good point, Mitch! Our 35th wedding anniversary is next month, so we’ll see 🙂
Great shots, Mitch. I have never seen a white squirrel, though in a small community a few miles north of where I live they are quite common. I used to do day trips with friends, but I don’t seem to have any desire to drive outside the city any more. Though I don’t intend to give up driving at 80 like my mother did, I doubt if I will be travelling much more. I’ll be 80 in less than 3 months. Where do the years go?
80 mph is pretty fast, Diane. ;>)
So true, great pics
What a lovely town. Have you returned since things reopened? I love that white squirrel. I was unaware they even existed.
They’re more common in some places. A town in Indiana prides itself in being the white squirrel capital of the world.
cora
Thanks for reminding us to appreciate what we’ve already started to take for granted again.
My pleasure, Annie.
Ooh I love the honesty of children. LOL!
Beautiful homes! My husband and I love day trips as well. We were just thinking of some today that we could take. 🙂
Wishing you many wonderful outings, Carolyn!
Thanks! Same to you!
Lovely
Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, Loku!
What is normal?
To KNOW the answer to that question (Linda)… we look AT history; and through it. That’s what I do. What these pros present is true and normal. And then there is ALSO history for the bigger view.
“Normal” is completely subjective – and cultural (even in America Where I was born, too) – it is racial…it is spiritual…and even RELIGIOUS if I can bare that while considering The NORMAL HUMAN Politics of GOD (religion) Played-out through the minds of Monkeys, I wonder – is a MONKEY PUZZLE (tree) normal? It is, for IT IS!!
Have you ever seen a monkey puzzle tree? They have killed people that sit BENEATH THEM.
I AM AFRAID (too). History defines “Human” normal. “NORMAL” is a word – Like…”In the Beginning was the Word.” And, words are normal for humans – and only humans that speak with “I AM!” The very power of GOD – To speak words THAT ARE REAL.
Real Normal – for sure.
Would the Earth Be “Normal” without HUMANS? I dare say…and I bet, too, that the Earth would be “Natural” without us here. Natural is “Normal.” What is natural for humans that history shows?
But that said, I would rather know kindness…than greed. That’s normal.
I’d rather be “Good” than Evil. And…THAT’S normal.
I’d rather see a smile than the empty eyes I’m met with very often…IN THE WORLD. Now…THAT’S RARE! IT WAS normal at one time.
And I’d rather a child never knew more than GOD ASKED FOR…which was to simply be a child. Jesus told us that, and he spoke for GOD. HE was NATURAL.
COVID is NOW normal. It will never go away…EVER! Like the flu is normal. Death is normal. My husband died of COVID. I know death. It’s normal. DEATH IS UGLY!!! And that’s normal. If you say “Death is Beautiful” then I WOULD KNOW YOU…TO BE EVIL. And that’s NORMAL.
But I’d rather know kindness, so I wait for my prayer to be answered: “FATHER! Heaven On Earth!” THAT IS NOT NORMAL…I think. History proves it.
I AM Natural.
So, Now…I’d rather “Normalize” that…until it comes for real: Heaven On Earth – Like Jesus Prayed for.
Rather than see The “Normal” intended by these pros – I’d rather see kindness, and so I did, and I do. And I’m grateful.
AND THAT’S NORMAL. I dare say it.
That was GOOD Mitch. In Heaven, GOOD is normal.
Day trips…love them too Mitch. They are almost magical time because you can’t believe how much you can see and do in a day. My favourite place for a day trip is Stratford upon Avon. I love its history, the Tudor buildings, the river, the theatre, Shakespeare and my favourite pub, the White Swan ( aka the mucky duck) by the river. Good days 😊
A marvellous daytrip indeed, Nicola! I still treasure my trip to Stratford upon Avon.
Day trips are such great adventures xx
Beautiful homes and amusing banter! Those first moments of rediscovering the world after the pandemic lockdown were truly special. 🙏
They truly were, Ab.
gorgeous
Thank you.
My husband and I recently started making day trips all over where we live, who knew there was so much to do in your own neighborhood (though we live in a big city). So much to discover even tho we’ve lived here for 8 years. It’s so nice to be able to get out and explore things once again.
It is indeed, Rikki.
Out of the mouths of babes.
What a delight the answers of a little girl. Such a perfect perspective and honesty 😍
That’s a fabulous image of the white squirrel framed by the large tree limbs. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy.
Very nice. Simple is always good.
I got into the habit of not going anywhere, except to visit my parents or help an elderly friend, because of the lockdowns. I joined a local day tour group just to get me in the habit of going out again. Great photos. Nice you made yourselves get out and about.
Thank you, and good for you too.
What a delightful little vignette of a day, you “charming, quirky” wonderfully talented human being, you! 🙂
Why, thank you, my Anonymous friend!
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Wow… this hit hard.
As a girl dad, I’ve felt that exact weight — that quiet connection, the sacred kind of love that shows up in the everyday.
It’s actually what inspired me to write Emma & Layla Save the Zoo — a book rooted in the bond I share with my daughters and the way they see the world.
If you’re ever looking for a children’s book that celebrates that kind of love and gentle courage, I’d be honored to share it. 💜
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FFHRJSY2
I’ll check it out, E.L.
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