Yes, I know. Better to stop the car and take pictures. The problem lies with the narrow shoulder on the side of the road. Impossible to stop. This is what I see as I drive back and forth from my condo to the theater.
Lots of dairy farms and dairy cows. There are actually more picturesque views of the cows scattered on the hillsides. I’ll try to get one in the next week.
Pretty Wisconsin farmland.
My friend, Jim, just opened a bookstore in town. We’ve known each other since my Boston University days and he directs a production here each season. Based in Chicago, he grew to like it so much here that he bought a house nearby. It has been a dream of his to own a bookstore and it finally came true about a month ago.
He’s completely renovated the building and the bookstore is simply wonderful. He has impeccable taste and is very well read and it really shows in the books he has chosen for the store. There are old wooden tables and a sofa and the incredibly well-equipped kitchen in the back is run by a stage manager at the theater who also has a catering business. I could spend hours in this place.
This little town is so lucky to have this bookstore. And by the amount of people I see there on any given visit, they know it.
Can I say how nice it is to see an independently owned bookstore?
What’s happening at the theater? Well, last night, in 90 degree weather, I watched a tech/dress rehearsal where I was eaten alive by mosquitos despite having put on bug spray, had several thousand gnats hovering around my face, saw a cloud of pollen float across the stage (and I wonder why my allergies are so bad) and tried to hear the actors, which is my job, when there was a gale-force wind blowing. This is the second run-through where there has been a major wind blowing and I have ended up having no idea as to the audibility of the actors. I only have one more before we start to preview. Tonight. It’s still in the nineties, it’s still humid and we are supposed to have storms.
Not good.
cows in the fields is one of my favorite sights :) Our home is off a field and I love when the neighbor puts the cows in that field- although they are not dairy cows :( It is weird weather we have been having- isn’t it? I hope that tonight’s run through goes better. We have had a cooler day here in Minnesota- I will try to send some of the cool air over your way :) One less day until you can be on your way home Claudia ♥
What vivid colors in that one farm photo. Beautiful!
There are few things better than a good book store. I hope the community will support it for years to come.
What a delight to have a friend that owns a bookstore. Yup! It’s good to see an independent book AND kitchen up and running.
As for the scenery….I’ll show my daughter this…she’ll just die it’s so gorgeous as she has a interested in milking farms and cattle and goats and sheep and pigs and horses….
tootles,
bunny
I know exactly where you are. Charming isn’t it. I also, know all about those gnats, they were swarming up our noses at the wedding all weekend. I also, know all about this heat. Gotta love the humidity too. Hang in there, the word on the weather is these storms will bring some cool air tomorrow. Now, just don’t end up sideways tonight.
I wish I could be around a bookstore like that! I’m sick and tired of the chains. Better hurry up and get those cow pics, cause you’re ‘almost outta there!’ I want to tell you something funny. Sometimes when I read your blog posts, your voice and your way of putting things reminds me of Maude, from The Golden Girls. She had that irreverent, sarcastic way. So I hear Maude when I read Claudia! Go back and read a bit of this post in a “Maude” voice.
Brenda
Beautiful countryside! I love a little book store and indeed this one looks like the place to sit, relax, sip coffee and read. Hope the weather and bugs improve for you Claudia and thanks for sharing your experiences. Ann
I love those stores.. and a big congrats and many years of good business to your friend! ….
I can spend hours and hours in a book store. the one I absolutely loved here closed :O( Great pictures. What a wonderful view. Blessings, Joanne
So sorry about all the weather and bug issues. Lovely scenery for your drive. Your friends book store just invites us in. How wonderful to be in a small town and be able to realize your dream. Your play will turn out wonderful…
wah.
sounds like a good time to camp-out at the fab book store!
beautiful scenery. drive safely.
xo
elyse
I just love the scenery, how wonderful….all those rolling hills of green…..beautiful! So is your friends bookstore, love it!!! Reminds me of the shop around the corner, how great it must be to love what you do and do what you love.
Hugs,
Margaret B
Beautiful scenery. I know you are anxious to get home, though!!! Glad your friend has a book store there. It looks great. I meant to get a book today to read while I’m sitting and waiting on both my father-in-law and husband at dr’s app. tomorrow! Darn! Thanks for your comment on my blog today. I respect your opinion greatly.
hi my sweet friend! oh JOY being able to have the sweet countryside to look at on your way to work…but sorry that it is horribly miserable there for you, despite all of the lovely landscape along the way. i have never seen pollen float in the air…but can only imagine the affects it would have.
i love the story of the baby birds. you and kim, daisy cottage, have quite the stories of your loving birds….so sweet….
xxoo
becky
ps; thought of you and don today as i listened to my cd in the car. i have memorized the lyrics, too. xo
I love your wonderful photoes Claudia-but please take care—-I am afraid only to read you are taking them while driwing….uhhh
all the green land looks so much like Jylland- a place in Denmark–
Hugs,Dorthe
Beautiful scenery! I love to see cows grazing. Hope the weather and bugs don’t bother you tonight.
What a nice bookstore! Yes, it is nice to see independently owned bookstores. There was a beautiful one in the town of Plymouth, MI (near my house) that closed. Such a shame. The decor was beautiful and they carried interesting books. There was a little cafe (with great food)and coffee! It was so nice in the winter to sit by the fire, have a latte, and enjoy previewing a book before I purchased it. They closed because the community and area couldn’t support it. The owner said everyone is looking for a deal and most people buy their books online at amazon.com and they couldn’t compete with that. Such a shame.
Although I love online shopping…I still believe in supporting the independent booksellers and local shops. I don’t want to live in a “cookie cutter” chain store community.
Cheers to your friend. I hope the community will support it for years to come.
Have a beautiful day everyone!
~Sandy
This post made me smile because I take pics out of my car window all the time. Only on deserted country roads, of course. :-) Your pics make me want to become a plein air painter. Beautiful!
And congrats to your friend on his bookstore — wishing him much success — his building is incredible.
HOW WONDERFUL, OWNING YOUR OWN BOOK STORE. WITH ALL HIS DREAMING AND PLANNING ABOUT THE BOOK STORE, HIS DREAM CAME TRUE,. WE ARE HAVING HOT WEATHER, HIT 100 ALREADY, THANK GOD FOR AC. LOVE YOUR PICTURES….HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND….RIZZI
Hi Claudia, I love the idea of an independently owned anything and am desperately trying to shop first in the local independent shops. It’s not always easy and it’s usually always more money – but I think it’s important to support those entrepreneurs who are brave enough to buck the big store thinking. I was LOL when I saw you take photos from your car – I’ve been known to do that too – once when I saw a double rainbow. It’s hot here today but the heat should begin breaking later tonight. Take care my friend, ciao, bella!
If Minnesota is
any gauge, a cool
wind is blowing
your way, Claudia!
Good luck with
your show! Love
those Midwest green
and rolling farm
hills….mosquitoes
and all : )
xx Suzanne
I love your photos taken out the car window. What a lovely area. Looks like a fabulous book stores. I love independently owned and operated book stores.
Have a nice evening.
Hugs…Cory
Wow, its just beautiful there. I told Rita that you were missing the marketplace and her face lit up when she heard your name. She is just lovely and such a true blue friend.Hugs to you Claudia.
XO~
Wisconsin does have beautiful farmland! Your friend’s book store sounds wonderful!