Chasing Lightning Bugs Studio Blog

 we live where the city wraps around us, a little village (or what was once one) sitting on the edge of the lake.  we have a harbor full of boats and a 180 year old stone barricaded penitentiary.  we can walk to any city amenity and yet, at times i feel as if we're nestled comfortably in our little village where time has stopped.  a collection of contradictions. and when ezra and i walk through the night streets before bed, the windows and even the doors of our neighbors homes are often wide open to the street.  many of the older houses have their front doors sitting directly on the sidewalk, back just a foot or two.  so as we wander down the streets, we hear television shows and radio.  we hear the tinkling of dishes and kitchen conversation.  there are dogs barking and frustrated yells.  children whining or giggling.  guitars strumming.  bathwater running. the whir of a fan or even at times a vacuum. 
   
so maybe i shouldn't be surprised at what happened last night......

we went to the cottage early yesterday afternoon.  i worked in the studio all morning and came home around noon to get our things ready to go to the cottage for the rest of the day.  it was a lovely afternoon and evening with tom's family......and we were back home in bed by 10ish.  but this morning as i walked across the yard, and up to the back door of the studio house, i found the door wide open.  i walked in (a little gingerly, i admit) and found the front door thrown wide open onto the street, as well.  and the studio house is one of those old houses with it's front door just a couple of feet off the sidewalk.  i was shocked and confused.  and a little nervous.  but only a little nervous.  nothing had been touched.  all my quilts in place and my sewing machines accounted for.  although i was sure i had closed up, i must have left thinking i was going to come back for something else and would lock up then.  but our little village in the city kept the studio safe and sound, although the doors sat open onto the street with no one home for almost 24 hours. 
it is a magical little village!!!