Life at the Crossroad

Life at the Crossroad / Lost Garden 3 © Sue Schlabach

Back in 2010 I subtitled my new blog 129 Twig and Vine ‘At the Intersection Between Art and Life’. All these years later, I am living—literally—at an intersection. We moved into the little brick house in late April and the year of work is slowly ebbing from our achy backs and knees. The house is mostly finished, so our sights and energies  have moved to finding and rehabilitating the former owners lost gardens (They lived here since 1941).

Life at the Crossroad / 1900s village © Sue Schlabach
This is our village in the early 1900s. Our house is hidden behind the cluster of white barns in the right foreground. The barns are gone and the previous owners planted their garden in the foundations (the location of the foxgloves).

In these last days of July, I’m still learning the daily routines of tiny village living. Road crews have been busy, and my nephew comes through weekly to mow the neighborhood lawns. Tractors and hay wagons have been going by for a few weeks and the occasional log truck slows down and manages to make the turn. On Sunday the churchbells (it is just past the bridge) ring at 9:30.

Life at the Crossroad / Lost Garden Foxgloves © Sue Schlabach

My studio faces the village intersection, so past the plaster wall by my desk, I can gaze out my east window to the old village store (now a residence), or from the south windows see across to the Community Hall. Past the store is a bridge above a little swimming hole, and it’s not unusual to see people go by in bathing suits with towels draped over their shoulders. There is a signboard at the intersection, and quite often a cluster of neighbors—who are out with dogs or kids—gather there to chat. We ourselves don’t get too far when we go out with the dog.

Life at the Crossroad / Lost Garden 2 © Sue Schlabach

After years of end-of-the-road living, this social interaction is refreshing. Everyone is quick to tell me that there will be times I want to hide in the backyard. Sure. No doubt. We have a little hidden patio behind the barn for when we want some solitude. For now, the stimulation is energizing, and creative works in the studio are the natural result of this inner contentment after a few years of upheaval, letting go, hard work and transition.

Intersection Between Art and Life — I guess that’s my new address. Back to the easel.

Life at the Crossroad / Plein Air Painting © Sue Schlabach

11 Comments

Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.

Squatorclamorreply
July 25, 2018 at 9:21 pm

SO HAPPY you are posting on your blog again! I love the beautiful pictures and can’t wait to read more from you about life at the crossroad. ❤️

sueschlabachreply
July 26, 2018 at 7:59 am
– In reply to: Squatorclamor

I’m so happy that you were able to visit me here. I look forward to seeing you in Wyoming one of these years. It is my goal to get there! Thanks for the blog encouragement. I feel rusty. Gotta get started again, which is slightly overwhelming. Love to you.

eringundyreply
July 25, 2018 at 10:50 pm

Lovely painting. Beautiful garden. Enjoy village life.

sueschlabachreply
July 26, 2018 at 7:57 am
– In reply to: eringundy

Thanks, Erin. Beauty in relation to the garden is in the eyes of the beholder. Glad your eyes can see the potential (as I can). But the weeding is going to take years. It took years to get this weedy, so…. xox

Kate Georgereply
July 26, 2018 at 1:24 pm

I keep thinking I will go back to my blog. I have at least one post in my head! But it’s hard to get started.

I was just thinking I would love to trade lives with you for a few days, I miss art and often regret not taking that spot at the San Franciso Art institute. (Long, long story). But then I remember, as hard as I find writing sometimes, the other creative processes are difficult too – and I’m not as practiced at them as I am writing so it probably wouldn’t be as painless as in my imagination! I’m glad you are loving your beautiful home, and all the social opportunities it brings.

Sue Schlabachreply
July 26, 2018 at 3:13 pm
– In reply to: Kate George

I miss your blog, Kate! It is hard to start again. But I encourage you to do it. Start small 🙂 Hugs.

modflowersreply
July 26, 2018 at 2:11 pm

Lovely to read your blog again – and the place you are living looks like heaven on earth!

Sue Schlabachreply
July 26, 2018 at 3:15 pm
– In reply to: modflowers

Ah thanks, Sweet Ms. Modflowers.

Dave Eastmanreply
July 27, 2018 at 9:46 pm

You are so innately talented. I just love your art, your photography, your thoughtful and entertaining writing… your eye on our world. What a beautiful village you have come to. And form the talk of the neighbors – they are pleased to welcome you. Keep up the blog. I know I will be reading!

sueschlabachreply
July 28, 2018 at 12:50 pm
– In reply to: Dave Eastman

Thanks for your ongoing encouragement, Dave. So lucky to work on projects with you.

David J. Baumanreply
July 30, 2018 at 9:53 am

Lovely to see how all that hard work has paid off in some pleasant living. May there be so much more of that!

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