My New Love

Midwesterners are used to flat lands, field after tillable field flattened by a legendary glacier that pushed its way down from the Great White North. The flat corn fields were annoying to me when I was young and stupid. Not being able to see for miles resulted in me feeling smothered and contained. I wanted to see and travel beyond that tall corn.

Now that I have travelled, when I am back home, that tall corn feels like quilts surrounding me. I get the fact that this is gold to the farmers. It keeps their bills paid, their homes heated, and food on the table. The fields in bloom are lovely!

Funny how perspective changes!

And along those lines, if someone had told me that at the age of 46, I would fall head over heels in love with a river, I might have thought he was crazy!

Living in this company condo is temporary, until we buy a home, but I sure wish this view was forever. One lovely aspect is that on a sunny day, the water ripples and shines like a beautifully cut diamond.

 If I look out the window early in the morning, I have the satisfying privilege of watching a geese family come floating down the river.  Have you ever watched this?  One adult goose in the front, one adult goose in the back, and a gaggle of fuzzy babies between them. They hold their long necks up regally, and seem to float effortlessly with the current.  IT IS SO VERY SOOTHING to watch. I really think it makes my normal blood pressure plummet to all-time lows.

There is also a local mama duck who walks on the river-side sidewalk out my window. She has at least 12 babies, and there might be more. It is difficult to distinguish how many from a distance. She looks very proud as she takes them to the quiet water under the bridge for swim lessons. They swim in an oval, then get out to rest on the ledge by the water.  They are adorable!

My neighbor promises that soon we'll be able to see bald eagles over the river. Oh, JOY!

The Allegheny is a lovely green color as it meanders through this town. It looks very clean.

Life is a blessing and I am thankful for this newfound love in my life. New love is refreshing and invigorating.  I wish a new love in your life, also, but if you appreciate the old steady-Eddie, like a cornfield, sometimes that feels good, too.