If Not For June,
My memories of Winter in December…
With a wish to witness,
The freshness of Spring March would bring…
Would not still remain so vivid.
As if only yesterday visited.
If not for June.
If not for June,
My eyesight would not be teased…
By the freedom felt in Summer,
With hopes that linger of those things I could do,
Under clear skies showing bright Sun.
And seeing the fun shared by nearly everyone,
If not for June.
And if not for June I would not be able to reminisce,
From so many experiences I could pick.
June seems to be the month I can do this.
With a thankfulness I am still in the midst,
Of a year that appears to have just begun.
With so much left to offer before it is done.
And for me this happens only when June comes.
Lawrence S. Pertillar
Lilac, Lilac, thy sweet odour fills the room!
I look back at my last post and notice how drab our world was on April 21st when I posted Spring is Springing. Suddenly the leaves appeared and the Lilacs gave their grandest display in years! We have over 40 different lilacs, along with the old fashion purples that line Route 5 and the enormous old fashion white that was behind the house when we purchased this property. For over two weeks now the yard has been perfumed. The memories of the harsh winter are starting to fade. One feels alive again and excited about the months ahead. We still have the Canadian Lilacs to bloom and extend the season.
We have been busy. Shops At Fayrehale did not make our hoped for Memorial Day opening. Illness both with us and our carpenter slowed us down as did wet cold weather that interfered with painting. We are okay with that and rolled with life’s events. Currently on schedule for July 4th opening and this looks doable.
A small amount of touching up and second coating will have the Antiques At Fayrehale shop area (shown above) ready to fill with inventory. I can work away at this as I continue to finish painting the back area and right side where Christmas and Gift areas will be. Things are moving quickly now. It is exciting to see it coming together. We have been doing more regular updates at our Shops At Fayrehale facebook page. Later when time permits, I will update the transformation of the barn to shop on this site.
I am just back from a three day visit to Star Island where I volunteer for the Shops on Star and continue to work with the New Hampshire Artist who paints porcelain in the style of Celia Thaxter. Tom held down the home front and took care of all the poultry.
Gardens are about to be planted. Have been waiting for the soil to warm. Some new raised beds created with old Borders Books and Music shelving units will be the first planted.
These will be in the area near the shop entrance and customers will be welcome to help themselves to some fresh beans or salad greens. We plan an umbrella table and chairs with WiFi available for members of a party not interested in the Shop. We want them to be comfortable and occupied while others shop.
The chicks continue to hatch and we ship around the country. We have stopped taking orders for Icelandics this year while we concentrate on building our own flock. We continue to hatch Chanteclers.
I am fortunate to have this special place we call home! It has a peaceful beauty that embraces nature and a powerfully positive energy that connects to the Universe.
Some keep the Sabbath going to Church –
I keep it, staying at Home –
With a Bobolink for a Chorister –
And an Orchard, for a Dome-
Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice
I just wear my Wings –
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton-sings.
God preaches, a noted Clergyman –
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to heaven, at last –
I’m going, all along.
Emily Dickinson