A COUNTRY DRIVE ON A SUNDAY MORNING

Taking a little country drive today watching the scenery go by revealed some thoughts. The Spring is optimistic with the fields ready for planting. Yes there will be crops. Will many of the evergreen or coniferous trees seen with lower branches of dead needles survive? And here we thought the Ice Storm did not affect them. Thousands of trilliums - the Ontario floral emblem-growing under deciduous trees! Why don't they grow under coniferous? The needles are too acidic? Not enough sun? Will have to look up the reason as it was wonderful to see so many growing wildly. Roadside stands closed but knowing in a few weeks the pick your own farms will be blossoming and ready for business- strawberries and asparagus are the first off the mark. There were some places with fresh baked pies. Cows and horses grazing in their respective pastures were a welcome sight. Wondered if there were any new babies! Just nice to do a simple drive that Adolph and I have done many times. It starts off the summer season of little road trips/ A quick stop to use the washroom facilities at the Blue Heron Casino on Scugog Island and 5 minutes at the penny slots was eventful. Broke even so had some fun without any loss! Going through the little town of Goodwood where family roots are found always pleases me. John Shaver and his wife Emeline raised 12 daughters there in the 1800s. Ward Ellis married one of them thus the Ellis line in our family is found in another little town Claremont not far from the highway we were using. There is something about connecting with the country for me. Perhaps like so many other families, there are country roots in our blood before the big move to urban life. Food, sport, recreation and just pleasure can be found in country settings. People who live there have a good life. Oh yes I will take some treks into the city too but today was the feel and smell of country. Especially going by some farms with heaps of manure! Are you planning any country trips? To favourite towns or spots?