People and Places!

One would think that the last two days there would have been numerous opportunities to sit at the computer and write.  Just as the skies over central Florida have been gray, with ominous clouds that have released almost ten inches of rain in two days, my brain felt as though the fog had settled in, so thick it seemed endless.  Although it isn't abnormal, this brain fog was truly maddening. Having so much rolling around upstairs sometimes can be detrimental to my creative side. As the sun again made its way through the clouds only to have everyone saying "bring on the rain, it is too damn hot!", the brain fog hasn't really burned off.  Maybe it's all those '"you know your from Baltic" postings that has my mind swirling.  One in particular, the flatiron building, caught my attention.  Also known as the Jodoin Building, by the large letter on the top of the building!   Although only three stories high, it was impressive.  Postcards from earlier more prosperous times  showed a building that was at the hub of activity in the village. Many of the Victorian buildings have long since been renovated into apartments or worse yet, demolished.  Hard for new residents to understand just what a thriving town Sprague once was. Thankfully its history, painstakingly preserved by it's dedicated citizens and members of the Sprague Historical Society.  Their recent one hundred fiftieth anniversary celebration a great tribute to a diverse and colorful past of former citizens, architecture and businesses that once called this area home.

Ironic how certain moments or events will begin a series of "oh I remember that" to be jogged loose from the catacombs of the mind.  Sitting in Paris, soaking up all the new sights, the tremendous amount of flatiron buildings perched side by side with other forms of architecture, that have survived centuries of weather, wars, fire and many other humankind disasters, I think "now that's a flatiron building!" but in all actuality, its all relative. Paris an enormous city, with a tremendous history, Sprague, a little town......with a great history! Understand, it truly is all about its people. 

As these thought roamed through the vacationing brain, my journey brings me in front of a place in Disneyland Paris called a barbecue.  Its location is Frontier Land, but what has garnered my undivided attention are three performers, singing "She'll be coming 'round the mountain when she comes," with an ever so small hint of a french accent.  Laughing, I think...dear God it's a reincarnation of the Baltic Country Bumpkins, but then I remember, it is all about people, perception and relevance.  The country western shows courtesy of the dedicated citizens of Sprague were no different than the entertainment provided in Frontier Land on the outskirts of Paris.  Well maybe the voices are stronger and more professional, but the end result very much the same... they both make us smile.

Perhaps what people forget, yes whether you live in Florida, France or some other exotic place.....it is still home for the inhabitants of the area.  They may thrive off the tourist industry, but they have homes, families and roots.  A conversation between myself and someone visiting this tourist mecca made me truly understand what people's perception of an unknown area might be.  The question, innocent enough "why do you want to live at Disney?"  Caught slightly off guard, I answer, "I don't."  Again, with the edge of a seasoned interrogator, "you don't, what else is there?"  Admittedly I was surprised, but soon realized many people feel that way about the many places they visit.  For the record, I saw so much in Paris, all of which left me wanting more and cherishing the memories that I have. Yet it was truly the people that I watched and listened to; the little boy on the train, so animated, driving his older sister crazy, making his parents laugh and surely noticing my enjoyment as well; the young mother playing her songs, hoping for a handout to support her baby, wrapped closely to her tiny figure. I watched and listened, enjoying every moment, but the intriguing people that inhabitant these lands, that are the heart and soul of their cities, these are most fascinating to me.