windy October drive
On Monday, I went on a drive to Cambridge Narrows, to visit an antique store and a roadside market. My goal: to buy some Nancy Drew mystery books for my collection and some pumpkins for Halloween.
It was a blustery day, windy enough to put some whitecaps on the St. John River…
The wind was especially evident along the former Trans-Canada Highway, where dry leaves have gathered in all the ditches. Since only a few vehicles use this older highway, the leaves blow into the roadway…
The day had a luminous quality, in spite of the wind. Most of the reds are gone from the trees, leaving the yellows of the poplars, the rusty-orange of the oaks and the gold of the tamaracks…
I had a successful day. I bought some small pumpkins at a roadside stand…
three little pumpkins from the roadside vegetable stand (the faint eyes in the background are the amber eyes of our owl-andirons)
I also added five books to my collection of Nancy Drew mysteries…
five new mysteries for my collection… enough ghosts and glowing eyes for a spooky Halloween
~
~
andiron
~
wrought owl with amber eyes
perches on the hearth
hears a call in the forest
six syllables and silence
~
Great-horned Owl, light gathered
at the back of his eyes,
and the oscillating branch
after wings expand and beat
~
iron owl longs for a glimpse
of the sickle moon
the shadow of a mouse
sorting through dry leaves
~
in this cramped space
night woods are brought to their essence
fibre and bark, sparks and fire
luminous eyes
~
~
Copyright Jane Tims 2012
nichepoetryandprose 
Last weekend, I was headed to Woodstock and decided to get off the four-lane at the Jemseg exit and cruise up the old highway to Fredericton. I stopped at a pull-off to take pictures. Looks like the same spot as your photo. Remember that low open market along there that used to sell used books? The one with the concrete teepee? We used to stop there on occasion, when I was little, so I could look for Nancy Drew books for my own collection. I still watch for that place, even though it has been derelict for years. Just part of the old highway memory.
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Deborah Carr
October 28, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Hi. I remember the place too. They also sold post cards. I find the highway has changed over the years, especially, of course, since the new Trans-Canada took most of the traffic. Jane
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jane tims
October 29, 2012 at 9:03 pm
Nancy Drew mysteries, now that takes me back! Early love of reading, flashlight under the covers …
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Jane Fritz
October 24, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Hi. I used to try the flashlight under the covers method of reading late at night, but my Mom was wise and always made me put the book away and get to sleep! Jane
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jane tims
October 26, 2012 at 10:04 am
The photos are wonderful. Where is the antique shop in Cambridge Narrows? I don’t know it. I am fascinated by the poem, so clear and real are the images. I especially like
“the night woods are brought to their essence
fibre and sparks, bark and fire
luminous eyes.”
This makes me long for a real wood fire and the hooting owls of my childhood.
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Carol Steel
October 24, 2012 at 11:56 am
Hi Carol. The antique store is at the corner in Cambridge Narrows where the three main roads meet, right on the corner, across from Nan’s Country Store. It is a great antique shop, with lots of items and some furniture. We bought our dining room chairs there and were very happy with them. I’m glad you like the poem! jane
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jane tims
October 24, 2012 at 7:21 pm
Thanks Jane. We’ll stop by the store next time we drive through Cambridge Narrows.
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Carol Steel
October 25, 2012 at 8:06 am
Hi Jane, I just want to tell you that your blog and posts simply make me happy, bring me memories of things old and dear from my past and childhood, and sometimes give me such a sense of nostalgia, like this one with the pic of Nancy Drews…. I so enjoy your blog! Thank you for taking the time and care to share these beautiful things with all of us. Happy Autumn!! SB ps: any recipes you would love to share for the season?? pies, turkeys, casseroles, anything along those lines would be very appreciated!!
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singingbones
October 24, 2012 at 10:31 am
hi. I am glad you enjoy the blog. I am not much of a cook, but next time I make something interesting, I’ll keep you in mind! Jane
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jane tims
October 24, 2012 at 7:17 pm