Cherry Hill Farm

It’s 1809, and Shannon and Daniel Healy are about to embark on their new life in the New World with their many friends and family after a turbulent voyage across the Atlantic Ocean from their Irish homeland. Their adventure begins as their ship docks in Quebec, Lower Canada. From there, they begin the long bateau trip up the St. Lawrence to Upper Canada.

When the bateau finally reaches its destination, they continue on foot to her parents’ homestead near New Dublin, Upper Canada, all the while experiencing sights, sounds, and terrors never before faced. Then Shannon rejoices when she is reunited with her parents and siblings after years of separation. But their journey doesn’t end there. After finding and claiming their own land, they travel by foot even farther inland through miles of dense, wild forest with carts of cargo, animals. and Shannon’s wee baby in tow. Once at their chosen destination, they begin the arduous work of building a cabin, a barn and a life.

Will Shannon and Daniel make a success of their new lives? How will they endure the hardships they’ll inevitably encounter along the way? How will they overcome the obstacles thrown in their path? And will all the joy and blessings they receive along the way be enough to counter the heartbreak?

About the author M.E. Hembroff

M.E. Hembroff created many games and activities during her childhood. In later years after moving from Manitoba to Alberta she joined the Crescent View Artists Association. During that time, she learned new techniques using different mediums. M. E, Hembroff was still a member of the art group when the idea for two children’s books came to the surface. She did the illustrations for a picture book, Gramma Mouse Tells a Story at art meetings she attended. Her books are Gramma Mouse Tells a Story, Bess’s Magical Garden and sequel The Mystery of the Hidden Cabin and Voices of yesterday. A third Bess book The Island Mystery will be coming soon. Another picture book The Pen Inspector will also be published soon. She is presently working on another chapter book The Flight of Fantasy and illustration for a picture book about a little mouse who crosses the garden to see his Grandma. The picture book The Giant and The Lens will be published soon.

M.E. Hembroff books can be purchased on Amazon.

BJ

There you were poking your head out from the crawl space,

while your mother ate on a straw bale near the crawl space.

You stood beside your brothers and squinted in the light,

You pounced on some loose pieces of straw with your entire mite.

A stranger scooped you up in her arms,

you quivered nervously and peeked up in alarm.

She gave you a gentle kiss and set you down,

you scampered away until you were a long ways down,

under the crawl space,

where you felt safe.

You sighed in relief when she left and you ventured out,

you ventured further and found many adventuresome routes.

You saw the stranger several times from a safe distance,

you maintained a safe distance.

One day she picked you up and tucked you into her jacket,

you made an awful racket,

then you found yourself a long ways away,

you were transported straight away,

to a small room.

You scurried under the bed to cuddle with a teddy bear,

you were as cross as a bear.

You crept out from under the bed to play with a wiggling string,

and attacked it with zing.

You had a feisty spirit underneath that sweet face,

you were more than a pretty face.

You began to explore,

all over the floor.

Then one day one of your brothers joined you,

you ran and hid behind a shoe.

You hissed angrily,

as he fled.

You met an old cat, who, reminded you of mother,

she became your foster mother.

You ruled the roost until the very end.

The End

A Cold Day

Gloria and Rose snuggled under the heavy rug behind their father in the open sleigh on the way to school. The only sounds were the clip clop of horses hooves on the snowy road. Occasionally there was the sound of the reins hitting the front of the sleigh and Father saying Getty up.

“Look at the fox,” Rose pointed to the little animal burrowing its nose in the fluffy snow.

“How cute.” Gloria’s voice was muffled. She tightened the frosty scarf around her nose. At least my hideous red hair is hidden.

“Look there is another one,” Rose pointed towards the snow covered bluff.

“Wish I had a camera,” Gloria responded. “IT’s so pretty. I’ll draw a picture.”

The red brick school house came into view when they rounded the corner. Wisps of smoke went up into the pale blue sky. In a few minutes Father brought the team of black Clydesdales to a stop. “Whoa. See you girls after school. It’s to cold to walk home.”

“Bye father.” The girls pushed the heavy rug aside.

They hoped out of the sleigh just as their friends Matilda and Audrey Heinze approached in their father’s sleigh.

Gloria and Rose opened the heavy wooden door as a gust of wind tried to pull it out of their hands. Gloria rubbed Rose’s hands and stumped her feet after she succeeded to close the door behind her. Her scarf was white with frost and stiff. She loosened her scarf and undid her parka. Gloria paused to help her little sister loosen her outer wraps and pull off her snow boots. Together they trudged to the back of the room and the girls cloakroom.

Gloria paused to see what the commotion was. Grade six boys Joe and John were wrestling near the pot bellied stove. An unusual, shaped log was the object of their dispute. From a distance it looked like an owl. She looked over her shoulder at the rows of wooden desks. She noticed someone standing in front of the large black board that covered the entire front wall. There were two chairs in front of the large wooden desk instead of the usual one. Who was that stranger?

Rose paused at the large wooden stove where a couple of older boys were putting in wood. The wood crackled and flames erupted creating much welcome heat. She held her hands near the stove to warm them before turning towards the cloakroom and started to take off her outer garments. “Gosh, sure is cold.”

“Thank goodness Father drove us to school today.” Gloria replied. “We would have been frozen if we’d walked.”

“I don’t think I will ever warm up,” Rose hung her ski pants on a hook.

“You will. Mrs. White will get us doing exercises first thing.”: Gloria answered. “We’d better hurry. Classes will start soon.”

Gloria paused to look at the long rows of desks. The younger kids sat close to the front while the older students sat close to the back. This was her last year before she went into town for high school. The long row of windows were frosted making it difficult to see outside. The black pot bellied stove was now throwing out heat making the room warm and cozy. She set her book bag on the floor beside her desk and sat down. There was another girl and two boys in her class.

Gloria turned around when Audrey pulled one of her red pigtails.

“Pst. Have something to show you.” Audrey took an envelope out of her book bag. “Father finished the film and got the pictures developed. The ones from our picnic are among them.”

“Oh look. There’s one of your birthday party.” Gloria looked through the stack of photos. My freckles are horrid and my red hair looks even redder in these photos.

Mrs. White rang the bell to call the students to attention. ” I would like to introduce everyone to Miss Gerard who will be working with me for two weeks. She’s a student teacher. You will like her.”

“Good morning Miss Gerard.” the students all sang out together.” There was the sound of drawers opening and closing as the students got out their text books, notebooks and pencils. Youthful voices could be heard as they talked amongst themselves.

“I would like everyone to stand to sing O’Canada and recite the Lords Prayer,” Mrs. White said. “Then we will gather in small groups to do exercises.”

The air was filled with the sounds of youthful voices as Mrs. White played the piano. When the students were seated again Mrs. White took the attendance. The students gathered in small groups to exercise. Within half an hour the room was silent other than the sound of scrapping pencils as the children started working on their arithmetic. Mrs. White came around to instruct the older children while Miss Gerard worked with the younger children.

The day progressed and soon it was time to bundle up and head for home. The room erupted with excited voices as everyone dressed warmly for the long journey home.

After a sleigh ride in the brisk air they entered the cozy kitchen. The girls stomped their feet and removed their snow boots. A fire crackled in the white wood burning stove.

“Do you girls have homework?” Mother opened the oven to check on the roast chicken.

“A bit. I got most of my work done in school,” Gloria answered. “It was too cold at recess so Audrey and I did our extra work then. I also painted a winter landscape at lunch time. I captured the scene I’d seen on the way to school with a fox burrowing into the snow.”

“I still have a little bit of arithmetic to do.” Rose sat on the wooden stool beside the stove.

“Finish up your work before supper.” Mather smiled at her daughters as she checked on the potatoes and vegetables. She continued to stir the gravy that simmered on the back of the stove.

An hour later Gloria, Rose, their older brother Jack, Mother and Father were just finishing supper when Rose asked. “Will you play the violin tonight Father?”

Father rubbed his bushy beard. “Well now. Let me see. You girls need to help Mother with the dishes.” He hooked his thumbs in his suspenders.

“I helped last night.” Rose stuck her tongue out at her sister.”

“Did not.” Gloria scowled at her sister her brown eyes becoming as dark as chocolate. She always gets out of doing chores.

“Did too.”

“You had your nose stuck in a book.”

“I had to finish Anne of Green Gables.”

Father crossed his arms across his chest and frowned before speaking in a deep gravely voice. “You will both help. No arguments. No excuses.”

Mother started to stack the plates. She scraped leftovers into a large metal bowl for the family dog Laddie who laid behind the stove. She pulled the heavy kettle of hot water off the wood burning stove to fill the metal basin before adding more wood to the fire.

A couple of hours later the family gathered around the pot bellied stove in the living room. Mother sat in her rocker with her knitting while Father read his newspaper. Jack stretched out on the narrow cot in the the corner beside the stove. He pulled the patchwork quilt up partially covering his face. His curly coal black hair was tousled.

Rose looked up from her coloring, “Father will you play for us?”

“Love to ,” Father folded his newspaper and stood up. He took his violin off the wall and tuned it. In a few minutes the bow glided over the strings as he played tune after tune.

Gloria sat with her chin in her hands as the music transported her into another time and place. Her feet started to tap keeping time with the lively tunes.

When Mother gave Father a stern look he started to play a quiet tune that lulled everyone into a quieter mood. “Girls bedtime.” Mother set her knitting to one side and started to unwind her braids that were wound around the top of her head. She started to brush her white waist length hair.

Rose looked at the wedding portrait of their parents that hung on the far wall. Father looked so handsome in his navy suit. His beard and mustache were neatly trimmed. Mother was beautiful with her wavy fashionable hair style and pale blue dress. Mothers’ hair had been as red as Gloria’s. With a sigh she followed her sister up the stairs into the warmest bedroom over the kitchen.

The End

Cherry Hill Farm

Here is an except from Cherry Hill Farm a historical novel taking place in Upper Canada during the 18th century.

The sun was sinking low in the sky when they stopped in a small clearing, “How much further?” Daniel asked, looking around. “This is a pretty spot.”

“Not far,” Jack answered. “Just over the rise. Shannon, maybe you should ride for a while.”

“Aye,” Shannon answered. Her hair stuck to the back of her neck and felt damp under her straw hat. The roads were worse than anything she had ever seen, and the climate was so different than Ireland, where it was cool and rainy much of the times. They moved on after Shannon had mounted the donkey.

Cherry Hill Farm

It’s 1809, and Shannon and Daniel Healy are about to embark on their new life in the New World with their many friends and family after a turbulent voyage across the Atlantic Ocean from their Irish homeland. Their adventure begins as their ship docks in Quebec, Lower Canada. From there, they begin the long bateau trip up the St, Lawrence to Upper Canada.

When the bateau finally reaches its destination, they continue on foot to her parents’ homestead near New Dublin, Upper Canada, all the while experiencing sights, sounds and terrors never before faced. Then Shannon rejoices when she is reunited with her parents and siblings after years of separation. But their journey doesn’t end there. After finding and claiming their own land, they travel by foot even farther inland through miles of dense, wild forest with carts of cargo, animals, and Shannon’s wee baby in tow. Once at their chosen destination, they begin the arduous work of building a cabin, a barn and a life.

Will Shannon and Daniel make a success of their new lives? How will they endure the hardships they’ll inevitably encounter along the way? How will they overcome the obstacles thrown in their path? And will all the joy and blessings they receive along the way be enough to counter the heartbreak?

Enchanted Cottage, continued

The sun was streaming in the window when Anna woke the next morning with the journal leaning against her chest. Anna wondered why it was so quiet this morning. Usually, the courtyard was buzzing with children wanting a story. Then there was the sound of the door opening and closing and voices below. Wondering what was happening Anna dressed and scurried down the ladder into the kitchen.

Laddie wagged his tail when he greeted her at the door. Great Uncle Henry was visiting with a middle-aged man dressed in a pinstriped suit. Anna’s brow wrinkled as she approached.

“Good morning.” Great Uncle Henry said. “I want you to meet our family lawyer, Mr. Travis. There was a section in your Mama’s will that you wouldn’t have known about,” Great Uncle Henry motioned to a wooden chair. “Come join us.”

“Mama’s will was easy to understand,” Ann answered as her brow wrinkled.

“She kept a separate will with the family lawyer,” Great Uncle Henry reached down and patted Laddie’s head with his gnarled fingers.

“Your grandparents purchased a cottage before their last trip,” Mr. Travis opened his brown briefcase.

“Mama never mentioned it,” Anna answered as she stood in the doorway.

“The cottage has been rented all these years with the money going into the estate. You inherit the cottage and the money.” Mr. Travis took out a legal document from his briefcase. “There is a substantial amount of money, over a million dollars.”

Anna realized she had been standing with her mouth open while they talked. “Fell asleep reading the old journals but hadn’t seen any mention of a cottage. At least not yet.”

“Your grandparents bought the cottage with the intention of one last trip and then settling down to raise your mother, but that wasn’t meant to happen. They left their young daughter in your great uncle’s care making him legal guardian just in case.” Mr. Travis said.

Anna sat with a thump on the vacant chair not knowing what to think. It would appear that she was an heiress. Now, what was she going to do? Anna thought about the emerald ring in the blue velvet case. Johnny, one of the teachers, had proposed to her before Mama passed away but she hadn’t given him an answer. Anna still didn’t know if she wanted to marry him. They wanted separate things. He wanted to see the world while Anna wanted to teach and eventually have a family. He tried to convince Anna that he would be all the family she needed. The sound of her great uncle and Mr. Travis talking brought her mind back to the present.

“You will be given a substantial allowance and will inherit the bulk of the money when you turn twenty-five.” Mr. Travis looked through his notes. “Young Patrick Fitzgerald lives there with his parents and grandparents.”

“That is a lot to take in,” Great Uncle Henry said. “I have made sure the cottage was kept in good shape and so have the Fitzgerald’s. It is a large upgraded lot on the edge of the village. There are now two cottages, one for the elder Fitzgerald’s and one for Patrick and his parents. There is also a small stable.”

“Well, don’t know what to think,” Anna glanced from one to the other. Anna’s mind drifted back to her other problem. She always felt at home here. They came every summer until five years ago when Mama began the biggest fight of her life and one she lost. Anna would have to tell Johnny that she didn’t want to marry him. Anna was tired of the same old routine. Her life had revolved around Mama and her students who she loved. Without Mama, it all seemed pointless. They were a family of teachers. Anna’s Grandparents, Great Uncle Henry and her parents. Anna’s dad had died too young and she didn’t have much of a memory of him. The sound of Great Uncle Henry’s voice brought her mind back to the present.

“Well, I have to go. I will let you think about what I just told you,” Mr. Travis said, as he stood up. “I will come in a few days to sort out the rest of the details.”

“What do you want to do?” Great Uncle Henry asked after their guest left.

“Don’t know,” Anna answered. “One thing is for certain; Patrick’s family can’t be evicted. That would be too mean.”

“Oh, they will move if you want to live there. Mr. Fitzgerald has leased property on the edge of the mountain that includes a pasture for the goats,” Great Uncle Henry leaned on his ornate cane and stood up. “Shall we go for a walk?”

Later that day Anna had reached a decision. She knew what she wanted, and it was right here on this mountain. Great Uncle Henry and Anna were sitting in the living room that contained a sofa, rocking chair and a few side tables scattered around the room. Anna sat cross-legged in front of the fireplace staring into the crackling fire.

“So serious my dear,” Grat Uncle Henry glanced up from his newspaper. “You have been quiet all evening.”

“Have been thinking things over all day and have reached a decision. Will go back to the city for awhile to settle things there. Then came back and live here. Maybe even get a job in the local school.”

“I was hoping you would,” Great Uncle Henry folded his newspaper. “When will you go?”

“In a couple of days. Have to sell our little house and resign from the school Then drive back.” Anna answered.

“Good, good. The next bus leaves in two days and goes early, ” Great Uncle Henry said with a smile. “You could teach art like your father.”

“Yes,” Anna said.

A couple of days later Anna was once again on a rickety old bus going away on the narrow winding road. The next month went by swiftly and she soon had everything in order. Anna had no difficulty selling the house she had shared with Mama. Anna left most of the furniture for the new owner. There was a stack of boxes in the back of the blue station wagon. Anna had a few special pieces of furniture shipped to Paradise. She tried to let Johnny down as gently as possible. When packing up the last few things Anna heard he had been seeing another girl who looked at him with googly eyes. Well, he sure recovered quickly. Anna took one last walk around the house and yard before setting the house keys on the grey counter. The sun was just rising in the sky when she climbed into the driver’s seat and turned the key in the ignition. From Anna’s grandmother’s journal she had learned that it was best to follow your heart and your dreams. That was what she was doing. Anna looked at the route she marked on the road map before she waved to her neighbor and drove out of the driveway for the last time.

The sun was just setting leaving the sky a rosy color when Anna turned in her Great Uncle Henry’s driveway two days later. Anna’ whole future lay ahead, and no matter what happened she wouldn’t have to worry about making ends meet. Anna had gone from being a schoolteacher to being an heiress. Anna had never told Johnny that for some reason or other. As far as anyone in the city knew, she was going to look after her great uncle.

The End

Enchanted Cottage, continued

A dimple appeared in Anna’s cheeks when she smiled at the children. She listened to Great Uncle Henry’s story and wished she had brought her tape recorder. Mother and Anna recorded his stories each time they visited and transcribed them later. Anna and her mother made a book for Great Uncle Henry that included Anna’s sketches for each story. Anna had copies for the local library as well. As he talked, Anna took down the story in shorthand after she sketched and took pictures of the foxes.

An hour later they headed down the hill towards the cottage with the children scampering ahead as surefooted as goats. They would all disperse towards home for lunch and to do chores.

After lunch, Anna went up to the loft to put her things away and make the room tidy once more. Anna looked at the clothes scattered on the bed and wooden rocking chair. Anna hummed as she opened drawers and the wardrobe to put everything away. Then she spied her Grandmother’s small trunk beside the bed with an old-fashioned key pocking out. Great Henry always kept the trunk locked. Whenever Anna asked her mother she simply smiled and told her all would be revealed when the time was right. Anna would gain access to its contents and everything inside was hers to keep someday. Anna took the colorful afghan off to reveal a hand-carved lid. Who had carved all the animals? A memory came crowding back. Her mother said that she had gone to Africa with her parents a few times. The last time she stayed behind with her Uncle Henry. Her parents, Anna’s grandparents had died in a flood ravaged land. Anna knew Mother had grown up on this mountain and loved it dearly. It was the mountain and Great Uncle Henry that she remembered.

The lid creaked when Anna opened it. Laying on top were scrapbooks and notebooks with the name Angelina, who was her mother, written on the covers. The scrapbooks contained dried flowers, scraps of fabric and newspaper clippings with dainty handwritten notes. A couple of scrapbooks were marked Africa and were full of colorful drawings, fabrics, photos, and dried flowers. The name Maryanne was on the cover of both. That would have been her grandmother’s work. On the first page, there was a collage of photos centered around wedding photos. Anna found names written in gold ink. Two of the names that caught her attention were Maryanne and Samuel. Her grandmother was Great Uncle Henri’s twin sister. They had grown up in the village. What a treasure. Anna sat cross legged on the braided rug in the middle of the floor looking through the scrapbooks. The afternoon went quickly and before she knew it Great Uncle Henry was calling her for supper. Anna put the scrapbooks back into the trunk and set the journals aside to read later.

Before going down the ladder Anna picked up the books, with Great Uncle Henry’s storied to take down with her.

“You should have called sooner. Would have helped make supper,” Anna said as she entered the kitchen. “Have something to show you. It is a surprise Mother prepared. She taped all your stories. Each story has a sketch. The books have been published, and there are copies for the library and you.” Anna set the books on the corner of the table. “Think you’ll enjoy them and the children in the future will still have your delightful stories.”

“What a surprise. Did you open your Mother’s little trunk?” Great Uncle Henry ut the pitcher of cold goat’s milk on the table.”

“Yes. Who carved all the animals?” Anna buttered a crusty roll and filled her bowl with homemade soup.

“Your grandfather carved those before he married Maryanne. It was his wedding present to her. She always left it here when they were off on their trips. She gradually filled it over the years. She kept accurate records of their travels. They had several trips to Africa, India and other countries in the middle east. Maryanne had always been interested in faraway lands. After your mother was born, Maryanne stayed home for a couple of years but after that Maryanne left her baby here with Mrs. Sullivan and me. They died young, but they were happy. Your mother never wanted to travel that much but did see a few places before she became a mom. Then she said that you would come first, and she would do a bit more traveling later.”

“She never got the chance,” Anna ushed her bowl away.

“No, she didn’t but those were her choices, and she never regretted her decision. Your mother was always happy,” Great Uncle Hernry lit his pipe.

“Yes. She was always happy right up to the end,” Anna cleared the table. “Will do the dishes.”

“I want to take a look at those books you brought down. It will be nice to see my stories printed for everyone to read. Thank you for doing it,” Grat Uncle Henry opened a book. The room was silent other than the clink of dishes and rustling of paper as Great Uncle Henry read his printed stories. A grin crossed his face as he looked at the numerous illustrations.

Later that evening , they sat in the living room in front of the crackling fire. Even though it was summer, the cottage became chilly in the evening. The sun never reached the living room built in the hollowed out hillside, but in the middle of an extremely hot day, it was cool. The fire started to die down and was just the embers of red coals when Great Uncle Henry excused himself to go to bed. Anna stared at the fire until the last sparks disappeared leaving the room in total darkness. Anna’s mind wandered over the things her great uncle had said about her grandparents and their life in the village as they were growing up. It sounded like they had a happy childhood, but her grandmother and grandfather always wanted to see other parts of the world. Now with modern technology it was possible to learn about other cultures without traveling. Anna shivered when the air became chilly. She tiptoed across the hallway towards the ladder. When Anna reached the loft, she opened the shutters and gazed at the dark star filled sky. Anna curled up on the bed and took out her grandmother’s journals and began to read.

My dearest Baby,

I don’t know yet if you are a boy or a girl, but I am writing this for you to read someday. I have been staying at Henry’s quaint little cottage on the mountain. He was clever when he built this little place. He tunneled into the side of the hill and made use of hay bales to shore up the hillside. The walls are thick and covered with many layers of clay and plaster. It is warm and cozy in the winter and cool on those hot summer days. On these pages, I will try to tell you the reasons your father and I do what we do. We so long to see all those far away places we read about as children. Your grandfather also grew up on this mountain but finds it too confining. There is a whole lot more to the world. We intend to see as much of it as possible.

I am growing to love you more and more with each passing day. You are growing rapidly and kicking me every time I lay down for a nap. Your Great Uncle Henry loves you a great deal already., but for some reason or other, he has never married. He almost did. She left him standing at the alter. He never recovered form the shock and heartbreak she caused him. She met a traveling sales man and eloped with him hoping to see the world, but she didn’t. Unfortunately, she died in childbirth.

To be continued

Enchanted Cottage

Anna gazed out the window and listened to the whirl of the wheels while the bus speed down the highway. She tucked the mauve afghan around her legs when she stretched across the empty seat beside her. Her brown eyes became misty when she thought about her mother’s last few days. Her mother had smiled at her daughter and held her hand while they talked about happier times. Anna kept her feelings bottled up inside during the day when she concentrated on her kindergarten class. Anna smiled when she thought about the cheerful card the children made for her near the end of the school term. Another teacher helped the children keep it a secret. Anna sighed and brushed her auburn curly hair off her face. An extended holiday was what she needed. Anna smiled thinking about her Great Uncle Henry Hunter’s letter. There was the rustling of paper as she took it out one more time. She read it so many times that she almost memorized the contents. There were regular letters before and during her mother’s illness and something about the last letter disturbed her.

Dear Miss Anna Sage,

I have treasured the photo’s you and your Mama sent over the years. I was grieved by the news of your mama’s passing and know how you must miss her.

I am well considering my age but do have bouts of rheumatism but always walk up the mountain every day. I am relying on my cane more and more with each passing day. You possibly remember that I hired Patrick, a young lad from the village, to look after the sheep and goats. He has proven to be a valuable helper who I rely on more and more with each passing year.

I would like to see you one more time before my maker calls me home. Can you take time out of your busy life to see a cranky old man?

Yours truly,

Great Uncle Henry

P.S.

It has been a long time since you have been here so the enclosed information might be useful. No excuses because there is a bus ticket for you. I will send young Master Patrick to the bus station to meet you. He will guide you up the mountain to my humble home. It gets dark early at night and most buses come in the evening. Please let me know when you are coming. I will also let Mrs. Sullivan know when you will arrive so she can arrange with Mr. Smyth to bring your luggage up the mountain in his pony cart. He clings to the old ways as do I. I am looking forward to seeing you once more and hope you can stay for a while.

Anna folded the letter and put it in her purse and listened to the buzz of voices coming from the back of the bus. She kept the picture of Great Uncle Henry’s charming little cottage on her bedside table and had never considered him cranky. The times he visited with her Mother he told interesting stories of his youth and made her teddy bear bounce on his hand. Anna never figured out how he did it and he wouldn’t disclose the secret.

Anna gazed out the window at the rolling hills as the bus rumbled along the narrow winding road that twisted and turned through the green hills. People paused in their work and waved when the bus passed. It was scenic with little white cottages with neat flower beds and vegetable gardens. The thatched roofs glowed in the afternoon sunlight. The green hillsides were covered with scrubby trees. Sheep and goats grazed peacefully almost disappearing behind the trees at times. Little children ran and played on the many paths that wound around the trees.

The sun was low in the sky when the driver announced Paradise was the next stop. It was a suitable name because it was a scenic place with all the trees and little white cottages. The sky was a mixture of blue and pink. The little white cottages glowed in the late afternoon sunlight. The creek’s water sparkled as it snaked its way through the village. It was the main water source and villagers caught fresh fish daily. It was quiet now, but doing the day it was bustling with activity. The sun set early in the evening when it disappeared behind the mountains. Would there be time to make it to her great uncles before sunset? As they pulled into the station, Anna gathered up her things brushed her unruly shoulder length hair into a a ponytail. She pulled out the photo of Patrick who was supposed to meet her. The face of an impish young man grinned at her. Well, at least she would be able to recognize him because it was a recent photo.

The bus depot looked deserted when Anna got off the bus. Anna swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat when she looked around. Where was Patrick? Had he forgotten? Anna was the only one getting off the bus at this isolated little hamlet, and within seconds the bus pulled out again. She strolled across the empty wooden platform towards the brown depot and went inside the homey little place. The heels on Anna’s boots clicked on the wide planks as she crossed the room towards the ticket wicket that appeared to be deserted.

An elderly man came out of the backroom. “Are you Anna Sage?”

“Yes,” Anna’s eyes widened as she looked at the short subby man standing in the doorway looking her way. Who was that?

“Patrick has been delayed, but my pony cart is outside. Can give you a ride to your uncles.” He took his corncob pipe out of his mouth and tapped it in an ashtray. “My name is Mr. Smyth.”

“Thank you. I would appreciate the lift,” Anna shifted her heavy suitcase to the other hand before she followed Mr. Smyth towards the front door.

“Mrs. Sullivan sent baking, so she doesn’t have to go up in the morning. So come along.”

The front door creaked behind Anna as she followed him out. A stalky black pony stood patiently waiting with the reins loose on the cart. There were a few old trucks and cars parked along the narrow empty street. They passed white cottages with window boxes containing Geraniums, Ivy and Baby’s breath that trailed over the sides. There were white picket fences in front of each cottage with neat veggie gardens close to the front doors. A few faces peered out windows as they drove past. They rode along in silence listening to the creaking wheels and the tap-tap of the pony’s hoofs on the cobbled road. In a few minutes, they started to climb the narrow winding road past velvety green pastures dotted with goats and sheep. The sky was a mixture of blue, mauve and pink as they climbed higher. Even though Anna had been a child the last time, she came here nothing had change. Everything was as Anna remembered.

Anna’s thoughts were interruppted by Mr. Smyth’s voice. “There is a sharp turn in the road so best hang on.”

Anna griped the side of the cart as the pony abruptly pranced around a sharp turn past a thick row of willows. There in front of them was her great uncle’s cottage half-submerged in the hillside. The thatched roof almost disappeared into the green hillside. Mr. Smyth guided the pony through the archway covered in red roses, filling the air with fragrance. The sturdy little cottage built out of hay bales covered with thick layers of plaster blended into the hillside. Anna’s thoughts wandered back to the last time she had been here helping prune the roses which were Great Uncle Henry’s pride and joy. They formed a dense hedge covered with pink and white blossoms filling the air with a sweet fragrance. The sound of a dog barking brought Anna out of her daydream. Great Uncle Henry sat on the step with a black and white border collie by his side. It hadn’t changed since she last saw it and was almost like time stood still. What a contrast between the modern bustling city Anna left two days ago, and this quaint little cottage tucked into the side of the hillside. It was what a lot of people called living off the grid. As they turned the corner, Anna noticed the solar panels on the roof surrounded by wildflowers and grass. So, he had gone modern after all.

“Well, lass here you are at long last.” Great Uncle Henry stood up leaning on his cane. “You must be hungry. I made a mutton stew.”

“There is a large basket of bread and pastries from Mrs. Sullivan,” Anna leapt down from the cart and retrieved her luggage and basket.

“Good, good. Bring your things inside,” Great Uncle Henry motioned towards the open doorway. “Set everything inside and sort it later. I was waiting for your arrival and haven’t eaten yet.”

Anna stacked her suitcases and overnight bag in the small entryway that lead into the kitchen and a small sitting room. She followed Great Uncle Henry into the cozy sparsely furnished kitchen.

The white wood-burning stove stood against one wall with open shelves above for dishes, and a variety of pots and pans hung from the exposed wooden beams above the stove within arms reach. Clusters of herbs, garlic, and onion hung nearby. Anna hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she smelled the stew that made her mouth water. The small oak table in the middle of the room was set for two. The white bowls were placed on green plates with wooden salad bowls in front. A pitcher of lemonade was in the middle of the table alongside a cream pitcher, sugar bowl, salt and pepper shakers and cutlery in a glass jar. A bowl of salad was in the middle of the table beside a basket of sliced homemade bread. Anna’s mind drifted as she glanced around the room for a few minutes. Anna glanced at the loft ladder in the little alcove. Floor to ceiling bookcases were crammed with books. She loved cuddling in the overstuffed burgundy chair, on rainy days, in front of the bookcases. The sound of Great Uncle Henry’s voice disrupted Anna’s daydream.

“What happened to Patrick?” Great Uncle Henry asked.

“He had to help his father. By the looks of that pile of luggage, it was my cart that was needed after all. The lad didn’t forget. He fetched me, though,” Mr. Smyth turned towards the door as he prepared to leave. “The Mrs. will have supper on the table, so best be going. See you all later.”

“Come, come, my dear. Supper will get cold,” Great Uncle Henry took the white soup taurine, full of stew, off the warming shelf above the stove.

“It smells delicious,” Anna pulled off her blue jean jacket before sliding onto the bench behind the table.

“So, young girls wear pants these days, do they?” Great Uncle Henry ladled stew into the white bowls.

“Not at work but for traveling and every day,” Anna buttered a piece of bread.

They ate in silence the only sound was the clicking of silverware on bowls. Great Uncle Henry’s dog wagged his tail creating a slight breeze.

They were nearly finished their meal when Great Uncle Henry commented. “Well, guess I can agree to that,” He mopped up the gravy with a piece of bread before he lit his pipe. “Hope you don’t mind. It’s one of my few pleasures. Doc. doesn’t agree though and thinks I should quit. At my age, I figure I might as well enjoy what I can.”

He puffed on his pipe for a few minutes while they visited. He knocked his pipe on the ashtray as the conversation continued while they cleared the table. They did dishes in silence the only noise was the clattering of dishes and cutlery. When they were finished it was impossible to see anything outside because it was as black as tar out there. When the dishes were put away Great Uncle Henry settled down in the living room with his paper. Anna started to take her luggage into the loft. After several trips, Anna stacked everything near the built in dresser under the eaves. She looked around the cozy room that had a window looking out over the yard and mountain beyond. The back of the cottage was like a cave with thick plaster covering hay bales. The room was cool in summer and warm in winter.

Anna looked at the double bed tucked against the back wall and realized she was tired. It had been a long week and the two day bus trip had been tiring because her sleep had been interrupted with all the stops and starts at little towns and villages. The fluffy feather tick looked inviting and after Anna got her last suitcase and said goodnight she undressed and climbed into bed.

It was late when Anna woke with the sun streaming in the side window that looked like a porthole. She had fallen asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow and slept soundly. The sounds of a barking dog, baaing sheep and clip clop of many hoofs on the cobbled courtyard blended into her daydream Why were the animals in the yard? Then Anna remembered that this was when Patrick would be taking the sheep and goats up to the high pasture and would only leave a few goats and babies behind to graze the grass on the nearby hillside. Great Uncle Patrick always kept a few females’ nearby. He put the milk in the freezer so he could make soap. Anna lay there listening to the commotion until the bantam rooster crowed lustily. She slipped out of bed when she heard voices. Anna realized that Great Uncle must have company. Anna dressed and looked out the window before closing the shutters she had thrown open last night. Then Anna saw Great Uncle Patrick surrounded by a group of children. He leaned on a girl’s shoulder and was heading towards the mountain. Of course, he was going for his walk. The village school was out now, and the children always flocked around Great Uncle Henry to hear his stories. If she hurried, Anna would catch up because he wouldn’t’ walk that fast.

Anna opened one of her suitcases and took out her camera before heading down into the kitchen. Anna decided to explore and put her things away later. There were still biscuits, rolls, and fruit in the basket. When Anna opened the small green fridge, she took out the pitcher of cold goats’ milk and poured a glass. She hadn’t had any for a long time and missed it. As soon as Anna ate an apple and a biscuit with jam, she set out to join the others on the mountain. Anna knew the trails like the back of her hand.

It wasn’t long before Anna caught up to her uncle and his companions. “Oh, look who’s up,” Great Uncle Henry said with a grin that made his white walrus mustache bob up and down. “Did you find something to eat?”

“Yes.” Anna took a picture of the distant hills that looked like a sea of blue with the wildflowers growing in the meadow.

“Do you remember Gloria Peterson?” Great Uncle Henry asked as he paused and leaned on his cane.

“Little Gloria?” Anna looked at the girl with golden pigtails hanging down her back.

“Not so little now,” Gloria answered. “I come up to help your uncle every day now that the babies are bigger and can help Mother.”

“How is your mother?” Anna asked as they continued up the rocky hill.

Cherry Hill Farm

It’s 1809, and Shannon and Daniel Healy are about to embark on their new life in the New World with their many friends and family after a turbulent voyage across the Atlantic Ocean form their Irish homeland. Their adventure begins as their ship docks in Quebec, Lower Canada. From there, they begin the long bateau trip up the St. Lawrence to Upper Canada.

When the bateau finally reaches its destination, they continue on foot to her parents’ homestead near New Dublin, Upper Canada, all the while experiencing sights, sounds, and terrors never before faced. Then Shannon rejoices when she is reunited with her parents and siblings after years of separation. But their journey doesn’t end there. After fining and claiming their own land, they travel by foot even farther inland through miles of dense, wild forest with carts of cargo, animals, and Shannon’s wee baby in tow. Once at their chosen destination, they begin the arduous work of building a cabin, a barn and a life.

.

Enchanted Cottage, continued

An elderly man came out of the backroom. “Are you Anna Sage?”

“Yes,” Ann’s eyes widened as she looked at the short stubby man standing in the doorway looking her way. Who was that?

“Patrick has been delayed, but my pony cart is outside. Can give you a ride to your uncles.” He took his corncob pipe out of his mouth and tapped it in an ashtray. “My name is Mr. Smyth.”

“Thank you. Would appreciate the lift,” Anna shifted her heavy suitcase to the other hand before she followed Mr. Smyth towards the front door.

“Mrs. Sullivan sent baking, so she doesn’t have to up in the morning. So come along.”

The front door creaked behind Anna as she followed him out. A stalky black pony stood patiently waiting with reins loose on the cart. There were a few old trucks and cars parked along the narrow empty street. They passed white cottages with window boxes containing Geraniums, Ivy and Baby’s breath that trailed over the sides. There were white picked fences in front of each cottage with neat veggie gardens close to the front doors. A few faces peered out windows as they drive past. They rode along in silence listening to the creaking wheels and the  tap-tap of the pony’s hoofs on the cobbled road. In a few minutes, they started to climb the narrow winding road past velvety green pastures dotted with goats and sheep. The sky was a mixture of blue , mauve and pink as they climbed higher. Even though Anna had been a child the last time, she came her nothing had changed. Everything was as Anna remembered.

Anna’s thoughts were interrupted by Mr. Smyth’s voice. “There is a sharp turn in the road so best hang on.”

Anna gripped the side of the cart as the pony abruptly pranced around a sharp turn past a thick row of willows. There in front of them was her great uncles’s cottage half submerged int the hillside. The thatched roof almost disappeared into the green hillside. Mr. Smyth guided the pony through the archway covered in red roses, filling the air with fragrance. The sturdy little cottage built out of hay bales covered with thick layers of plaster blended into the hillside. Anna’s thoughts wandered back to the last time she had been here helping prune the roses which were Great Uncle Henry’s pride and joy. They formed a dense hedge covered with pink and white blossoms filling the air with a sweet fragrance. The sound of a dog barking brought Anna out of her daydream. Great Uncle Henry sat on the step with a black and white border collie by his side. It hadn’t changed since she last saw it and was almost like time stood still. What a contrast between the modern bustling city Anna left two days ago and this quaint little cottage tucked into the side of the hillside. It was what a lot of people called living off the grid. As they turned the corner, Anna noticed the solar panels on the roof surrounded by wildflowers and grass. So he had gone modern after all.

“Well lass here you are at long last.” Great Uncle Henry stood up leaning heavily on his cane. “You must be hungry. I made a mutton stew.”

“There is a large basket of bread and pastries from Mrs. Sullivan,” Anna leaped down from the cart and retrieved her luggage and basket.

“Good, good. Bring your things inside.” Great Uncle Henry motioned towards the open doorway. “Set everything inside and sort it later. I was waiting for your arrival and haven’t eaten yet.”

Anna stacked her suitcase and overnight bag in the small entryway that lead into the kitchen and small sitting room. She followed Great Uncle Henry into the cozy sparsely furnished kitchen.

The white wood burning stove stood against one wall with open shelves above for dishes, and a variety of pots and pans hung from the exposed wooden beams above the stove within arms reach. Clusters of herbs, garlic, and onion hung nearby. Anna hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she smelled the stew that made her mouth water. The small oak table in the middle of the room was set for two. The white bowls were placed on green plates with wooden salad bowls in front. A pitcher of lemonade was in the middle of the table alongside a cream pitcher, sugar bowl, salt and peppers shakers and cutlery in a glass jar. A bowl of salad was in the middle of the table beside a basket of sliced homemade bread. Anna’s mind drifted as she glanced around the room for a few minutes. Anna glanced at the loft ladder in the little alcove. Floor to ceiling bookcases were crammed with books. She loved cuddling in the overstuffed burgundy chair on rainy days in front of the bookcases. The sound of Great Uncle Henry’s voice disrupted Anna’s daydream.