May 9, 2007 4:44 PM
Mailing my books in Waterford today
Hi Barbara:I love thinking of you going out to your garage to a pile of books and mailing them to me. It's so personal! Could you please insribe them to me and "all the other friends she may lend this to? :) Thanks!
Melissa's note inspired me. You like personal? Here's more:
This is me (reminded by this picture I still need to lose 25 more pounds :/) - with my trusty mail lady Karen, who helped me bring in my clothes baskets of the books I mailed today. We're handing them to Vernetta, who usually works inside. I asked them to come out and get their picture with me.
Yes, that's really my post office - about a mile and a half from my house. Isn't it cute? It's in the village of Waterford, which was founded in 1733.
This is our local store:
No kidding. The coke machine outside costs 50 cents.
Many old houses are here - still in carefully preserved original condition. They are so tiny that I wonder how people moved around in them with all their big clothes back then. People actually live in them today and open them to the public sometimes when there are tours.
I live in a small development down a dirt road a mile and a half from the village. There are only two ways I can go on the dirt road when I leave my house and one goes through Waterford down this street, so I drive through several times a week:
On the narrow road, you have to pull to the side to let oncoming traffic pass. I find that a lovely relaxing way to drive - dosey-doing to see who will go first, smiling and waving as one car passes another.
Time seems to stand still in Waterford. I love that feeling!
Posted in Books, Family, Loudoun County | Permalink
Comments
What a sweet little town!
Posted by: Valerie | May 9, 2007 8:47 PM
I love this! I live in the country, but I know this "small town life" that you speak of. Charming. Thank you for sharing it with us.
~Jody
Posted by: Jody | May 9, 2007 11:56 PM
I loved these pictures!! so very homey! reminded me alot of my little neighborhood in my village here in England. it is more uncommon to not have to slow down and allow other cars to pass, than to keep driving "uninterrupted". the English are very dedicated to preserving thier heritage...my oldest daughters attend a Montessorie school twice a week in a 400 year old cottage! anyway..the small narrow streets and houses with character just reminded me of my current "home" and i had to smile!! i can very much relate to the "slowing down, waving and smiling as they pass by"...sometimes in our very narrow roads, where it is down to one lane entirely, as i wait for the cars to pass by me i can easily imagine horse drawn carriages and the clip clop of their hooves down the cobblestone...*sigh*, i will surely miss my village when it is time to move again....
kristy in England
Posted by: kristy | May 10, 2007 5:26 AM
Barbara,
Lovely town. I wish I could live somewhere where time would stand still. If you go out on our streets (Austin) you better be in the right hand lane if you want to drive the speed limit. (as with any other town). Why do we have to be in such a hurry? I sure am not. Im not a lollygagger, just cautious :) Our house is 1100sq ft so I could def do the small cottage style house. Yes it gets cramped at times, but that cuts down on buying more stuff that we dont need, lets me keep an eye on the kids from nearly every room and its a small place to keep clean. Not to mention cheaper to heat and cool :)
PS: I sent the blog about Johnny the Bagger to my District Manager (I'm an AVON rep)....she sent it to all the reps and is going to mention it at the regional mtg. It made her day!
Posted by: Shannon best | May 10, 2007 9:46 AM
Great pictures! I can't wait to get my books!
Posted by: Rachel | May 10, 2007 9:55 AM
What a walk down memeory lane. I grew up in that area and have gone down those very same streets many times myself. Makes me long to take a trip home to ole' Virginia. I have always loved the history of Virginia. I remember as a kid walking down the streets of Leesburg (when the population was 15,000) and wondering who stood where I was. What did they say...how were they dressed. If the streets could talk!
Posted by: Sandi | May 10, 2007 11:12 AM
Thanks for the pictures! It makes me remember to embrace our little house and to remind myself that if we don't fit, we have too much stuff!
Posted by: Melissa | May 10, 2007 1:58 PM
I love Waterford. We used to go to Waterford Days when I was a teenager, back when Ashburn was still the middle of nowhere. It's nice to know that Waterford hasn't changed.
My books arrived TODAY! Isn't the Post Office wonderful? I only wish I could sit down and devour them now, but I have to study.
Posted by: Danielle | May 10, 2007 5:36 PM
I have been meaning to take a drive through your town (since you're less than 8 miles from me) for a while now. Isn't there a craft fair or something that happens once a year in your town?
After seeing your pictures, I must go soon. : - )
Posted by: Valerie | May 11, 2007 9:19 PM
What lovely photos! I grew up in a town a lot like yours many years ago. My heart still longs for that type of life -- slower, calmer, more simple...
Anyway, thank you for sharing! :-)
Posted by: Kim | May 14, 2007 1:44 PM
