elkhart lake

In Appreciation of the Journey and the Fact My Eyes Weren’t Deceiving Me Afterall

Posted by Barbara Techel

At first, I thought my eyes were deceiving me. Almost every morning, I walk by this white house located on the corner across from the police station and the library.

The yard is spacious with many areas of flowers and a darling potting shed. Each holiday season the home is decked out with various decorations.

When I walked by this particular morning I was puzzled. Hadn’t I just seen Mary and Joseph two days ago in a different spot in the yard?

On the other side of the home is a wooden stable, but it’s empty. I found that curious also as in the past I’ve seen it lit up with the scene when Mary and Joseph are settled in at the inn along with the three wise men, the angel, and the shepherd.

I then realized my eyes weren’t deceiving me. The woman who lives in this sweet home is honoring the journey that Mary and Joseph made to Bethlehem all those many years. She is intentionally moving them ever closer to the stable every day. Honoring the journey that we sometimes may think was easy, but is said was long, grueling, and dangerous.

I was so touched by this. I thought about how often we see the stable already set up for the duration of the Christmas season and we lose sight of the journey it took to get there. While it’s beautiful to reflect on the miracle that occurred in that manger, it’s the journey that made it even more special.

And I thought about our own lives, how we sometimes fear the journey to something that is unseen. But more often than not, we look back in deep appreciation for what we learned and how far we came. 

So thank you, dear sweet lady, in the cozy white home who touched my heart in such a special way. I’m looking forward to watching the journey continue…

xo,

Barbara

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When a Snail Follows You Home

Posted by Barbara Techel

So I bet I know what you are thinking. You’d have to be walking a-w-f-u-l-l-y s-l-o-w for a snail to follow you home, right?

Well, not if you are a snail that got to ride in the front basket on my bike.

But you see, I had no intentions what-so-ever of having a snail join me for a ride through Elkhart Lake.

After a stop at the post office and then to drop a loaned book in the library book depository, it was riding past a new little shop in town that I saw the door was open.

I’d been walking past this shop every morning the last few weeks wondering what it was all about with the name, Elkhart Lake Trading Post.

And my bike just happened to stop outside the building today so I could take a peek inside. I’m so glad I did.

A couple, Tim and Sara, who moved here from Vermont have set up shop to support local artists and vendors, along with the back part of their shop being home to their photography business also.

I just love and appreciate their shop with it supporting small business and the talents of the locals. It’s a win-win! 

After chatting with Tim I perused the shelves and just around the corner I spotted this snail…that I just had to have…to add to my growing critter collection that resides inside the walls of my writing cottage. And anytime I can support a local business and an artist my heart lights up with joy!

This sweet snail is made by a young artist. Her name is Sarah and her studio is called Hidden Roots Studio. I just love that name! She features other critters too and fondly calls them “maminals.”

Under her profile on her website, she states that she makes things for the home that are mostly nature-inspired because her passions are science and interior design. She says, “Every piece I make is unique and whimsical, perfect for the adventurous spirit.”

I could definitely feel the energy of the adventurous spirit in this snail because after all, it’s not every day that a snail follows you home by riding in the basket on your bike.

What I appreciate about the snail is the symbolism of taking life slowly. Let’s enjoy the ride and keep our eyes wide open to what we will see along the way by moving at a slower pace.

xo,

Barbara

 

The Official Mayor of Elkhart Lake? Boone Dog.

Posted by Barbara Techel
Photo: Patrick and Connie Mertens

Personally, I think the best part of the Elkhart Lake Farmer’s Market is seeing Boone. He lives across the street from the post office and one block from the market.

Patrick and Connie Mertens belong to this handsome fellow. I hopped off my bike for a few moments to pet Boone’s sweet face and head this morning on my way to the market. He is super friendly. Patrick told me today that this is one of Boone’s favorite things to do and greet all the people who walk past on their way to the market.

I think you can tell by the photo that he takes his job very seriously and enjoys it immensely.

After this photo was posted on Facebook someone said that Boone should be the mayor of Elkhart Lake. We’ve never had a mayor. We are a small village of 950 people, but dare I say, he’d be the kind of mayor I’d want!

It was a bittersweet day as it was a first riding my bike to the market without Gidget in my basket. I also realized how often it was that people I didn’t know would stop me to comment about Gidget and we’d get to talking. Now that I was alone that didn’t happen. It made me a bit sad.

But I realized I was also looking for people with dogs too because well, I just love seeing the dogs. Though I didn’t stop and talk to anyone with a dog. It’s so interesting how animals connect us and seem to make it easier to start a conversation with a total stranger. I kind of missed that today. But I was happy for the opportunity to pet Boone and chat with Patrick.

You’ve got my vote Boone should you decide to run for Mayor of Elkhart Lake! 

XO,

Barbara

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