Remains of the Day

Staying at Betsy and John’s in Centralia for a couple of days. Part of the fun, distraction from tomorrow’s root canal, is driving around town and country roads to learn more about the community and rural life.

After Betsy ran a few errands, we drove downtown (I use the term loosely). The town was formed around farming, rail commerce, and brick making in 1859. Also ended up on a farm, long since abandoned, with fields rented out for others to plant and harvest. Houses are left to decay, too expensive to tear down. Sad really. The ground may well be abandoned soon as corn and soybeans are no longer sold or sold below the cost to plant. The way of life is indeed becoming unlivable.

All that remains in the yard are rotting bones of the chairs where Ma and Pa sat enjoying the shade of a summer evening amongst the trees. I remember when the chairs were painted stark white, milk can red and the fence post held up a clothesline. Almost 70 years ago. A lifetime ago.

So tomorrow I’ll look for more life-filled blips.