The Window Every day, I sit at the old, scarred, wooden table when I get time. I look out the tiny window with the little panes of glass. Right outside the window is a maple tree.
In spring, I watch as new buds appear and, in no time, it changes into a beautiful lush green color. In fall, I watch as it changes from green to gold, orange, then red. I smile at the squirrels that run up the tree all the time, grabbing whatever they can for their winter storage. I look around the room. It's not very big, matter of fact, it's only 20 feet by 20 feet. One door, on the opposite wall from the window, allows fresh air to enter the room when someone enters or exits the building. I see the stone fireplace, sitting all alone on one wall, and I wonder how many meals were prepared in that workmanship of stone. I wonder about many things as I sit by the window. I know that, originally, the cabin had a dirt floor. I know four children were raised in the cabin. I know the fireplace was the only means of heating the place on cold winter nights and that all meals were cooked in it. I look around the room and wonder where the bed originally used to sit. There is no bathroom. There was no running water, originally. There were no stairs to climb into the loft area. These are facts that I have rehearsed over and over in case anyone asks me any questions. I work in a historic log cabin. It was built in 1856, and I must say, the workmanship in those days was mighty fine. Sometimes I run my hands over the rough wood inside and outside of the cabin, realizing how much labor was put into building the house. I like to try to imagine what life was like for the family, who lived there in those days. I can feel the lady in the house, looking out that same window that I do, whenever she had the chance to. I even try to imagine what she would be cooking for supper for her family on some days. No washing machine or dryer, no running water to take baths or wash dishes with, no television, no computers, game boys for the kids, nor any of the things that we have in our lifetime. I know the woman who lived in the house raised three children while her husband served in the war between the states. He died while she was pregnant with the fourth child. I can only imagine raising that many children in such a small space. I know she gave birth to all four of her children in that cabin. I know her husband built the cabin for her for her wedding present. Life was simple in those days. The cabin often reminds me of how Amish people still live today. Children were taught to give a hand and help where help was needed. Someone had to bring wood into the house for the fireplace. Someone had to help with the laundry outside, which took all day to do. The children played outside all the time and even with a dirt floor, they were healthy. I try to imagine living in a house with a dirt floor. I can only imagine the bugs and critters that came up through the dirt. Yet, the family lived healthy lives, and all lived to be in their 90s except the youngest child, who died in her 50s. Sometimes I feel like I'm Carolyn Ingalls on "Little House on the Prairie." The cabin reminds me of the one in that television series. I always liked that show, and the day I was asked if I thought I could do anything with the old cabin, that is who I thought of when I first opened the door. I even said, "Wow, I've got a little house on the prairie." I turned the cabin into a candy shop. Luckily I have a solid floor today with tile. Yet, everything else is original. I have green and white gingham curtains to cover the window. I made wooden shelves on the walls to display my jams, jellies and woodcrafts I make. I made wooden signs that hang on the old log walls, with silly sayings. I gave the cabin a touch of personality. But, when I get a chance to sit at the old wooden table and look out the window, I can't help but think of the woman, who lived in the cabin. I wonder what her thoughts were when she had time to rest and to look out that window. I'm sure she was exhausted every day, knowing what life was like in that era, the days when life was lived to work from dawn to dusk. I think about the children and how their evenings were spent in the loft without the conveniences of today. I know the school they attended was a mile from their cabin. Perhaps they read books at night. I'm sure they shared secrets and giggled amongst themselves. I love the old cabin. I marvel at the workmanship that was put into building it. Knowing there were no modern tools used to cut each log. I see the marks where an ax was used to split the logs. I have a lot of respect for the family that spent many years in such small quarters. I'm glad I read the history of the family and can answer questions when folks ask them. Most women are shocked that a mother could raise four children in such a small place. I always think, "Where there is a will, there is a way." I come home from work daily to spacious rooms, television, computer, running water, washer and dryer and all the conveniences we all take for granted today. Although our forefathers did not have what we have today, I know they had patience, strong family ties, hard working togetherness, and strong wills. I know the original family, from what I've read about them in a history book. They would never have dreamed that their house would, one day, sit in a historic state park and have thousands of visitors enter through their door. When I get a chance to sit by the window, I smile at the beauty outside those tiny panes of glass. I watch the seasons change each year. And though my life in the cabin began 145 years later than the woman who once lived there, I believe we share something in common. I believe she loved her house the same as I do. I believe she looked out that window and smiled at the beauty outside as I do. Time can change many things through the decades of life, but Mother Nature gives us beauty, year after year. A single candle can illuminate an entire room. A true friend lights up an entire lifetime. Thanks for the bright lights of your friendship. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Access the Recipes And More list archives at: http://www.mail-archive.com/recipesandmore%40googlegroups.com/ Visit the group home page at: http://groups.google.com/group/RecipesAndMore -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
