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Taking time to ponder There's a window in my kitchen that looks out over the back of the farm. From that vantage point, I can see the boundaries of the farm, right to the line fence between me and my neighbours. It's my favourite window, because it not only offers a commanding view of the back of the farm, but also acts as a window on the world. Once in a while, when I suddenly find a need to `take time to smell the coffee,' I look out that kitchen window. I can see what the weather is doing, if those dark clouds are coming my way, or if the sun is setting as a giant red fireball. When the leaves are off the trees, I can see the sideroad and the traffic on it, as well as the farm buildings behind me, and when the neighbours' lights are turned off at night. It's a place that makes me think back to when I was a little boy, watching the cattle grazing in the pasture field. But one of the best parts about that window is the nature I see around me. Earlier this week, I had one of those reflective moments. The Sidekick had left for work an hour before, I'd fed the sheep and the chickens, and was showered, dressed and ready to make some breakfast. Running a bit late, I hurriedly plunked two slices of bread into the toaster, poured a tea and cracked an egg into the microwave poacher. I turned around, and, as I often do, glanced out the kitchen window. It was rainy, dull and overcast, the grass on the back hill was like a green velvet tablecloth and the field beyond it looked somewhat like a monochromatic study of a golf course, where the golden brown soybeans had stood until last week. In the middle of the field, a number of `dots', stood out in contrast to the bare ground. It was a flock of wild turkeys, picking through the stubble, in search of any beans that had been missed by the combine. They made their way toward me, si- "Spaces live. Let me help you live well in yours." Catherine Brazeau, Interior style consultant 905.877.0296 www.haughtonbrazeau.com Complete renovation management, colour harmonizing, furniture & accessories selection, lighting advice... and much more! Let's start creating your dream! 7 Independent & Free Press, Thursday, October 7, 2010 Ted Brown lently picking away at the ground, until they reached the grassy knoll next to the house. One, two, three... I counted them, as they came closer. One huge tom turkey was in the lead-- in total 32 wild turkeys stood on the grass outside the window. At precisely the same moment, on the far side of the same field, along the bush, a movement caught my eye. It was a female deer and her yearling fawn, as they quietly wandered along the edge of the bush, picking away at the grass. Once in a while, the mother's head would go up, as she scanned the field for danger, then returned to her breakfast. Through the small openings in the tree line behind the farm, I could see the movement of trucks on the road. I was witnessing a fascinating world all around me, that I have so often ignored, as nature and man briefly melded together. The toast popped, the microwave dinged. I was suddenly snapped back in the kitchen-- my breakfast was ready to be buttered. As I drove my familiar route to work, I thought about all the things I'd seen. And contemplating it all, I realized we, as a species, are often in too big a hurry. We don't take that moment to look around us, and appreciate what's out there-- take time to ponder once in a while; look around you, take a deep breath, and relax. And on this Thanksgiving weekend, be thankful for that serene beauty-- both physical and spiritual, that surrounds us. Your inner self will thank you. 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Offers are based on availability and may be modified, withdrawn or travel dates may be substituted without prior notice. Some restrictions apply. COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER OCTOBER 11, 2010 AT 1:00 PM Georgetown Christian Reformed Church 11611 Trafalgar Road (Across from Halton Hills Work Yards) Come share the abundance! No one in Halton Hills needs to go without a festive dinner this holiday! "` Home for a Rest` one of the greatest Canadian songs of all time!" - CBC Radio One Available at: Please call Dan Roffel 289-891-9009 No Charge. OCTOBER 14 AT 8PM experience it live! 905.874.2800 | www.rosetheatre.ca 72 Main St. South Georgetown 905-877-3201 feetinmotion.ca RUN SMOOTHER Supernova Sequence adidasRunning.com