Parchment Paths

2018 was a wonderful that saw adventures with friends and family. I returned to the seashore after many years away. I saw my friend’s Nicole and Tim’s new home on the same trip and tasted one of the best doughnuts I have ever tried from of  The Fractured Prune. My dad and I explored the site of a local mine disaster where there is a memorial, walking trail and the remnants of some old buildings.   2018 saw several trips to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire .   Opening weekend, Mel and I met up with a group of our college friends, one had never been to a renaissance faire before so it was amazing seeing her experience it for the first time.  My dad and I went for Heroes of the Realm, aka Labor Day. It’s not often that he goes and get to pick what to see and do, since we usually take my niece and nephew and let them pick,   The kids and I went on a separate occasion and while we missed Dad, we still   had a great day.   I ended

Hillside Farms is not only a working dairy farm, it’s also a great ice cream parlor, dairy store, mercantile, antiques market, and petting zoo all combined. I love going there to visit the goats, eat ice cream, and pick up some homemade soap or a candle. Christmastime at the farm is still a great time, despite the cold weather.   I wasn’t able to go last Christmas, so when a friend and I were deciding where to hang out, I suggested Hillside.   My friend and her kids had a great time. We visited the animals in their festively decorated barn, and got Christmas themed ice cream and hot cocoa. Aside from being at one of my favorite places, it was great visiting with a friend I don’t get to see often. We talked about Christmas and what was going in our lives and tried to keep a friendly cow from chewing on our coats. As I’ve said before, Christmas is a very busy time, so I was very grateful for the time we had  to enjoy each other’s company and the holiday. 

While the movies and songs make it seem as though Christmas is a magical time during which we all get along, the reality is that the holidays can be overwhelming and stressful.   We feel so much pressure to find the perfect gifts for friends and family, to attend community events, and to send Christmas cards that the sparkle of the season is often dulled. To add to the holiday pressure, we still have our regular jobs and obligations to attend to. If, like me, you’re regular job is retail than the holidays can seem not only overwhelming but oppressive as well.   Stores are crowded with costumers, merchandise, and seasonal hires. Materialism mounts as people fill their carts and grow testy with employees. Employees, overworked and tired, grow testy with co -workers and customers alike. If I sound a bit jaded, it’s because I have worked retail since I was old enough to work.   Retail can be downright brutal during the holidays. People can stress over buying gifts that they wrack up