The Memory behind the Smile...

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          Wow....What a Year we've all had to Face and at the same time try and be strong and carry on as usual with a smile!  Needless to say my blog went on a back burner and now I'm picking up where I left off to share conversations and my fun experiences with you. 
         My escape when I'm nervous is to think back to my childhood memories which always bring a smile to my face. I grew up in a lovely village East Williston on Long Island and loved walking to my favorite store called Smiles.  Yes...Just the name expresses the delight that I had when shopping there. It was a Five and Ten Cent Store (giving away my age LOL) that had all the great trinkets that kids loved to buy with their allowance. From a yoyo to a puzzle to little gadgets that by todays standards would be outdated, vintage, classic you get the picture. We were always happy to be there , happy when we left and looked forward to coming back.  Wow package that feeling and market it today and you'd be set for life!
        While in England last October we spent several days in a village called Cirencester. A place that at every glance reminded me of my childhood. Directly across the street from where we stayed was a store called Surprises!  Immediately upon seeing the sign I felt this warm feeling in my heart and I was back in time shopping at Smiles. 
This lovely store with all of its Surprises as the name implies had something for everyone that walks in. As I met the shopkeeper I shared my enthusiasm and he was very kind and spent time telling us about its beginnings and other stores in the area.  Truly a  lovely town that was considered a Market town and quite big back in the day. Both in England and Italy you see stores that just sell one item. In England its the Oxford Brush store only selling brushes, Walkers Stoves, and in Italy I love the Coffee pot stores only pots.  Reminiscent of years ago the Butcher, the Baker, the candlestick maker.... ok I'll stop LOL.
            

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                On our way to Cirencester we stopped at Windsor and enjoyed seeing the Castle and shot some footage of Guard Band. It was really quite funny as they almost knocked me over as I was standing too close. I will upload  the video below for you to see. It really was funny!  We then moved on to Cirencester and spent a few days and took day trips to the neighboring villages Bibury, Burford, Stow on the Wold and of course back to the Venice of England Bourton on the Water.  We spent our last two nights in Bourton on the Water and felt at home as we had stayed here five years ago. It is a relaxing town that is compared to Venice, Italy with its many waterways. They also have lovely walking paths where each scene is a picture I would love to paint. 
               These memories are always what brings a smile to my face.  From the beauty of the landscape, to a taste from a favorite food, sharing conversations with lovely people along the way, and my favorite happily petting one of the many dogs out strolling with their owners.
                Although not as active as we like to be these last few months, we feel  Blessed to have these wonderful memories to recall and look forward to many more happy travels.