Whiteley Creek Homestead

LIFE AT THE END OF A DIRT ROAD IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA

organically grown triticale in our field
canoeing in our wetlands
raspberries growing wild on our property
our back porch fieldstone fireplace

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castle in the air

My daughter, Jessie, clicked this photo of an adjacent condominium complex as she stood on her balcony while Dick and I stayed with her this past weekend. The early morning fog rolled in and virtually obliterated the waterfront and bridges outside her window creating this image of a castle in the air.    

Fog castle

The image caused me to remember a quote that propelled Dick and I as we labored to build our bed and breakfast business. "If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; Now put the foundations under them." ~Henry David Thoreau

Sometimes we are cautioned, "Don't build castles in the sky." This well-intentioned advice is meant to temper our dreams to fit a more realistic view of what our circumstances may allow. However, to accomplish big things, we must dream big, plan wisely, set goals to accomplish one at a time, then be prepared to work very hard to make it happen. Although Dick and I continue to build our business that began as a dream seventeen years ago, the foundation is in place. Now, our three daughters are prime examples of what this photo's image portrays. As they toil in their separate business ventures, often only the tip of the castle has been visible. But as the fog begins to clear, the entire castle will be in view.

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4 responses to “castle in the air”

  1. wordplayhouse® Avatar
    wordplayhouse®

    I saw her image here, dreamy and inspiring.
    And, your quote.
    And, your thoughts. And, I thought how you have always been encouraging our dreams—always letting us wander into the clouds to build our castles. Thanks for giving us the foundation and the encouragement to follow our blueprints to build them. -heather

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  2. Adrienne Cahoon Avatar
    Adrienne Cahoon

    Doesn’t the photo look like a painting? Because, really, how could a scene look so magical and yet be real? Jessie snapped it at just the right moment. I know because the very next a.m. I purposely awoke to catch a replay, but just as the fog swiftly began rolling in to envelope the lower half of the neighboring condo complex, a dark cloud heavily-laden with rain swooped in and filled the sky completely blocking all buildings and bridges outside the window. When the rain and clouds cleared, there was no more fog… no more “castle in the air.” The previous day’s image, however, left a lasting impression. Your sweet, appreciative words made my heart happy. You are a model example of a mother who allows her kids to “wander into the clouds to build their castles.” I am so proud of the mother that you have become.

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  3. Jack Holbrook Avatar
    Jack Holbrook

    Great photo. And your words are wise and inspirational. It is also evident that you not only believe your words; you live them.

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  4. Adrienne Cahoon Avatar
    Adrienne Cahoon

    You know, Jack, I have no regrets. My life has not been perfect in every way, but I am content. “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” –Epicurus In this autumn season of Dick’s and my journey, I am blessed with life’s simple things. For it is the simple things that make me most happy.

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