Basically, we just had lots of fun over vacation in PA. The first day that we were back from Lake Erie, Joy took us to Wendell August Forge. The company is America’s oldest and largest forge, producing hand-wrought ornamental metalware and elegant giftware in aluminum and other metals since 1923. The furnace in this photo dates back to the 1930’s when the founder Wendell McMinn August. who was in the coal industry asked, Ottone “Tony” Pisoni, a blacksmith in his coal mine, to hand-forge door latches for his home.

“Admiring the low cost and high quality of Pisoni’s work, August was inspired to start a decorative ironware business. Pisoni was joined by three more blacksmiths who handcrafted the first product line, including one-of- a-kind fireplace andirons, candlesticks, lighting standards, doorknockers, latches, railings, and grilles for windows and doors.”

Two designers currently work on all the designs created at the forge. This is one of their offices.

A really cool clock from the past.

The last morning we were in western PA, we woke to freshly fallen snow, and as I drank a cup of coffee and gazed out the windows at the sight before me, I couldn’t help but wish that I could stay. The week had been relaxing, fun, and energizing. I even said (out loud), “I could stay another day or two. After all, I don’t need to be back in the office for another three days.” Reluctantly, I got up and finished packing my suitcase. We drove to the airport in near silence. Everyone was rethinking all we had seen—the meals we had shared and the photos that we had taken with our hearts.

Later, at the Pittsburg airport, I watched a parade of snow plows race down a nearby runway and listened to the person next to me talk about the “major snow storm” that was bearing down on the part of the state where I had vacationed. “Maybe, it is best that I’m leaving,” I mused.

Then yesterday, I received an email from the friends that had journeyed with me around Lake Erie saying they had not been able to venture out of their home since I left due to the amount of snow that had fallen. “It is a good thing you came when you did and left, ” they said. “Otherwise, we would have been stuck.

“Stuck,”  I wondered . . . “Stuck in Vermilion or Fairport, or maybe some place overlooking the Allegheny River?” . . . .  No, I really don’t think we would have been stuck at all.

If you have read even one of Jan Karon’s novels about life in the small town of Mitford, you will understand that when I spotted this church, I expected the door to open and Father Tim to step out beckoning me inside for a cup of hot tea and an Irish biscuit.

By the time we reached the Conneaut lighthouse, which is located on the shore of Lake Erie in northeast Ohio, we were braving very cold weather and some light sleet. Still, I made a dumb comment: “The weather up here is wimpy,” I said, “And I really don’t think it is going to snow at all.” The only sound I heard in reply was sort of a “uhh” with a smile added. It is the kind of reply that makes you feel very foolish. The next morning we woke to several inches of snow, icy temperatures, and a forecast that promised more of the same. I was really grateful we were not still trekking around Lake Erie. Instead we were in a warm and cozy home (thanks to newly unwrapped plush cover-ups). And we didn’t venture outside until it was time to meet friends for lunch at 1 o’ clock.

I traveled back to Atlanta at the end of last week but as far as I can tell from watching the Weather Channel, it is still snowing where my friends live! Later this week, the forecast for northeast Georgia includes a light dusting of snow . . . now that is pretty wimpy, don’t you agree?

I made this simple little movie with my flip camera, which I absolutely love. It is not much. In fact, I took it from the back seat of a fast moving car on the way to meet friends for lunch. Guess I was taken with how a little snow does nothing to slow people from western PA down.