Can I Tell You –There’s No Better Place to Be Than Home?

Home. Can I tell you that there’s no better place for me? I realize that home for some is not always the best or a good memory. So many times, I observed that in my classroom; and, if I could have, there would have been kids tucked under my arm and into my car and a room made for them in my home.

I realize that we have all spent the better part of a year nestled into areas of our homes that have become offices and schools and lab settings and project demo areas. That’s all happened here, too. The unfinished projects are still a bit daunting.

But, can I tell you?

There’s simply no better place for me to have met challenges than home. I have many memories of what “home” means. And often that memory might not be in your description of “home”. You see, home was so very important to me that I have three home economics degrees. I spent 30 years of my life teaching from knowledge and experience from those degrees. It’s important. So very vital.

Can I tell you it’s grounding?

It’s where you learn not only about others, but yourself. Your boundaries, habits, routine, compassion, temperament, conversation, self worth, faith, standards, integrity, right from wrong all stem from what is learned within those walls.

My husband traveled around the country photographing first responders from fire fighters, sheriff and police departments for a number of years. After retiring, I joined him.

What a joy to eat lobster in Maine? tour the homes in Newport?

take a boat ride under the Niagara Falls? or stay in a wonderful house in the Keys? or create a new friend with a tour of Ground Zero in New York?

Not all was glorious.

It was work. Tiring, long and stressful hours were put in. But, friendships for a life time began there.

And then, it happened along the way.

That trip to Kansas where the road was endless, wind storms brutal, and all I could think about was Dorothy saying, “There’s No Place Like Home”. That became the theme for our trips. Because you see, friends, no matter where we roamed,

We were always ready to return home.

Where the parking was less crazy than NYC; or the noise level was much less than Miami; or the cost of living was less than Massachusetts or San Diego or Los Angeles; where our beds awaited us; and comfort and routine and familiarity and friends reigned supreme.

Traveling will ALWAYS be a joy for us…

but, home is important.

You see…our little town is amazing.

Paducah has been named one of Southern Living’s “The South’s Best Small Towns”.

It has earned so many awards that we stand in amazement with each new reveal. Like one of my absolute FAVORITE antique stores and the mercantile next door that you HAVE to visit when in Paducah… Frenchtown Station and Slim’s Frenchtown Mercantile have both been recognized by Southern Living Magazine as two of the South’s Best boutiques in “The South’s Best issue of the April 2021 edition of Southern Living magazine.

Isn’t that the BEST?

Can I tell you those sweet shops are my favorite for inspiration?! I can walk in and view the world through another time and each vignette is perfectly laid and appointed. Each visit brings such joy! Again, some of their images found their way into the March article for the VUE magazine.

Paducah attracts people from across the globe for the National Quilt Museum.

It attracts visitors for the AQS Quilt Show sponsored by the American Quilter’s Society that will return I am hopeful in the future….

It plays host to the BBQ on the River.

Where over 50,000 people gather to raise money for charity, compete for prizes, eat amazing food, listen to great entertainment all along the river.

There are great plays, dance and educational opportunities to be found at the Market House Theatre.

Amazing concerts, entertainment, events and fundraisers occur here, too, at the Carson Center.

Where there are wall to wall historical murals and Farmers’ markets and festivals and fun.

A welcome center created inside an antebellum home is found here at the Whitehaven Welcome Center. I included a watercolor from this in one of my posts that I shared with you.

Can you understand why home is such a wonderful place to be?

You may find me here at home now. By choice. Drinking in all of the beauty and history.

Now, I choose to finish those projects in my home. Repairs that are required for an aging home.

Redecorating areas that need it desperately.

Tuck spring into rooms that need a bit of refresh.

Clean out garden beds, and freshen the outdoors preparing for new growth and planters and gardens and lawn. You’ve seen my gardening before.

Plan menus and gatherings for upcoming celebrations!

Prepare for others to join me with their feet under my table. Because you see, friends, that’s what’s important. Creating a place that is home to you often creates an atmosphere and environment that is welcoming, inviting and provides peace to others.

No matter where you live. Small town or large. Embrace it all.

I’m looking forward to having littles and big ones gathered.

Comfort food and familiar fare gathered with feet under my dining table. Isn’t that an important part of being home?

Creating safe spaces and joyful places among the vignettes. Readying the back porch for serving meals. Redoing the front porch for a welcoming entrance. That’s all in my plans.

But, if I focus on what’s truly important, it’s the conversation and sharing of life with family and friends is why there’s no better place to be than home.

May your home be one of peace, conversation, grounding and love for you and all who enter and those who join you at your table.

That’s my goal. I’m thinking that’s what all of us need.