Dreaming of the Future and Living in the Present
Bringing parts of a dream into my daily life.
We all have our time machines, don’t we? Those that take us back are memories…And those that take us forward are dreams. —H.G. Wells, The Time Machine
There is a farmhouse I visit often, because I am welcome to drop by anytime I feel the longing to be surrounded and restored by its beauty and peaceful atmosphere. At one time, it was a bit rundown; having served its original purpose of housing farming families, it took a bit of a rest. The much needed repairs of the roof and expansive wrap around porch were the first noticeable signs of wear upon driving up a lengthy ditch filled gravel driveway and parking in front of a long ago added detached three bay garage that looked like it had not been able to safely house a car nor tractor in many years. In the distance, an old barn crumbled to one knee while the rest of its weight pushed it farther into the ground. Even in its brokenness I saw the hope for a new beginning.
Now, it stands welcoming visitors at first sight with its freshly painted wrap around porch dripping with hanging baskets of flowers and dotted with matching white rocking chairs interposed between porch swings and small tables for holding the offerings of the remolded kitchen. Colorful flower beds accent the white facade and the emerald carpet that flows to the tree line. On the other side of the now paved driveway, there is a footpath that leads to a bright red barn with its doors wide open and the sound of music faintly overheard above the sound of a table saw. Peaking between the garage and the barn is a bountiful garden protected by some fencing to keep the wildlife neighbors from overstaying their welcome on the property. There is a fire pit in the corner of the yard with a plentiful stack of wood and chairs at the ready for the overflow of guests from both spontaneous and planned festivities.
While some guests sit with plates on their laps and beverages at their feet around the fire pit, others remain on the porch or in the open living area of the farmhouse. Those filling their plates from a buffet of shared crock-pots and casserole dishes inside will choose their favorite chair from the variety of mismatched ones that surround a large farmhouse table repurposed from wood from the old barn. Above them hangs a light fixture made from that gallant old barn, and the beauty of the its old wood shines on one side of the wall next to the large window overlooking the front yard with an apothecary shelving system holding an eclectic collection of mugs. Like the chairs, each guest has a favorite that they use each time they come to visit.
For a few years I have been carrying this farmhouse dream around with me. The hope of one day stepping into that dream brought me comfort and peace. However, this past year I started asking myself what I could be doing now to prepare for that future day. Did I have to wait for actually having that remolded old farmhouse to experience some of the pleasures that I associate with it? I cannot buy the farmhouse at this point in my life, but I can do little things that bring that dream into my here and now and allow me to enjoy that dream while I continue dreaming it.
Those white rocking chairs? I bought some now to enjoy on my current front porch. Instead of collapsing our dining room table down to its smallest size, I have decided to leave it extended and it now has three different styles of chairs surrounding it. Because of my love of local pottery, I already have the start to my eclectic mug collection to fill that lovely apothecary shelf. If there is going to be a garden on my future property, I decided I had better start learning about gardening. Not only do I have a little raised garden in my in-town backyard now, but I recently signed up to volunteer in our local community garden.
I was not always a dreamer. It seemed like a waste of time, and a way to set myself up for feeling disappointed with life. I prided myself on having a more present-minded way of living, and dreams existed in the future. Yet, I envied those who spoke excitedly about their dreams and still enjoyed their life as it was. How could they have so much fun dreaming? Because they were actively dreaming. Taking steps to make their dreams come true. When I made that connection, it was easier for me to step into the land of make-believe. Just like Mr. Rodger’s trolley connected the imagined with the real, my actions now can connect me with whatever I choose to dream.
What’s been nourishing me….
Symon's Dinners Cooking Out is my favorite show to watch for upping my summer grilling game. I also love his Facebook page for extra recipes and videos.
The Chocolate Guy, Amaury Guichon, on Instagram. What he can do with chocolate is amazing and so is his smile.
I love Kate Quinn’s novels because of the strong female characters, learning about women in history, and the action and suspense as the plot unfolds. Right now I am 50 pages away from finishing The Rose Code .
I love this!!!!
I cannot wait to visit!