Harvest festival at the Shaker Village

Dear Diary,

Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village had their fall harvest festival and, although the day began grey and dreary, it turned out to be a beautiful day. The sky was an amazing array of shape shifting clouds and the late afternoon light was glorious.

Walking around the village the light on the pristine and beautifully simple building facades was a joy to photograph. The trees etched lovely shadows on the white walls.

It was so hard to find one icon of the day. It had to say "fall" and "Shaker" and indicate the subtle light and shadows I love. I remember visiting the Pleasant Hill Shaker Village in Kentucky last year, which is an amazing place, but here in Maine live the last three Shakers. Sister Francis, Sister June and Brother Arnold. Wonderful people. I will return to the village in two weeks to join the other Friends of the Shakers in fall chores around the village.

New England is so rich in history and there are many places like Sabbathday where one can catch a glimpse of a past way of life. Time seems to stand still in this place and I love visiting. The Shakers still run a thriving herb business and I got some mulled cider spices and my favorite rose water at the store. Wonderful day.

You can see my folio of black and white images from Pleasant Hill Shaker Village here. The staircase there is worth the trip and was the main reason a went.

Live simply, so that others may simply live.

Shaker saying