The Rural Voice, 2004-10, Page 41Home Decorating
Good neighbours are a reason to give thanks
Patti
Robertson
operates
Classic
Interiors in
Wingham.
By Patti Robertson
Ahhh fall once again, with all its
bounty and colourful splendour and
its premier celebration Thanksgiving,
on its way! It's a time for giving
thanks for what has been provided
through our co-operation with the
Divine, Mother Nature, technology,
creativity and one another.
Many years ago our family started
a tradition of "Thanksgiving table
conversation", in which each soul at
our table takes a turn during the meal
to express their gratitude towards all
the blessings that have been bestowed
upon them or a loved one, or a
moving experience, etc. Over the
years this chat has provided food for
thought, lively and engaging
conversation and often includes
world current events, trends,
techniques, flattery and then more
often than not the comedienne at the
table pipes up and says "She's
thankful for toilet paper" Ya, well ha,
ha, ha "so am I".
So, here 1 am on a bright Saturday
afternoon in my garden, trimming,
pruning and getting the flowerbeds
ready for their inevitable winter nap.
There's a distinct chill in the air and I
detect the faint smell of a woodstove,
the sky is a startling blue and there is
a hustle and bustle about the
neighbourhood. Pammy and her dog
Allie from across the street drop in
for a cheery chat as they head out for
a stroll. Later, even bent over in the
garden I hear the familiar sound of
Connie's front door open and I look
up to her friendly wave, a greeting of
"nice day for gardening" and she's
off down the street in her truck.
Another door opens and closes and
the chatter of little voices fills the air
as Kim and Grant's daughter and
grandkids arrive for a visit. All the
while I'm trimming and snipping.
The sound of two motorcycles
approaching grabs my attention and I
look up as Glen, Corey and their
daughters Em and Lexie round the
corner, everyone smiling, waving,
-no doubt headed out on a fall
excursion.
Within a very short time our
newest neighbour James is home
waving "hello", and moments later
our other neighbour Jason arrives in
his truck followed by his buddies in
their trucks. All of them nod and
smile their greetings as I straighten
up to ease my back. A few moments
later all the fellows are busy
hammering away inside Jason's place
— he's remodelling the whole ground
floor. Now up the street, running
comes three little ladies with Dad
walking about a block behind. They
are racing each other to get to my
pond to check out the goldfish.
Stopping, I help the kids count the
fish and exchange pleasantries with
their dad.
Wow! What a really busy day in
the "hood". A great day. with
everyone coming and going, doing
his or her own thing. I totally stop
working and do a full -360, looking at
all the comfortable homes on our
street, a street with its share of
colourful maples and the leaves on
lawns to prove it. It's a street full of
creativity and individual expressions
in our gardens, the variety of choices
of fall decor and colouration of front
doors. My mind's eye visualizes each
and every neighbour in their
respective homes and I realize how
truly blessed I am. There is not one
home I could not go to in need of
assistance and be turned away. We do
not sit on each other's doorsteps. we
respect each other's privacy but there
is a strong silent caring energy force
that you can actually feel.
I am so overwhelmed by the
complex simplicity of the working of
the "hood" that I now sit down and
let it sweep over me. It's an
incredible, humbling experience.
Ward and I have now lived on the
street longer than anyone. To either
side of us are two young men
working on their own first homes.
They are starting the growth cycle all
over again. adding to the pride in
ownership, charm and welcoming
friendship. Neighbours are
continually coming, going. working,
caring. sharing, surviving. And the
simplistic beauty and sense and logic
overcomes me as I realize this year
the basis of my Thanksgiving will be
that of being a part of my normal.
quaint neighbourhood and its people
and pets and business.
Well, Ward's waiting inside our
warm house for me. We've planned
a nice dinner, a bottle of wine and
a movie and all is truly alright in
my corner of the world, thank
goodness.
To you and yours I wish the same
simple, pleasant blessings and
feelings of beauty and abundance in
your own unique corner of the world
... Happy Thanksgiving.0
PATTI ROBERTSON'S
Unique Residential and
Commercial Interiors
135 Victoria St., WINGHAM
357-2872
• Custom-made Window
Fashions, Bedspreads
& Accessories
• Fine Domestic &
Imported Fabrics
• Select Wallcoverings
• Furnishings, Lighting
& Artwork to suit
any interior...
OCTOBER 2004 37