Connecticut has become an expensive state to live in, and it’s also suffering financial woes. The current government is trying to fix those woes but unfortunately is applying tactics like tolls on highways and tax on foods that will only hurt the people who have already been leaving the state in droves – Young people, families, blue collar workers, businesses big and small, all important members for the health of an economy and communities. So, there are a lot of complaints about the state by residents. Those added taxes and tolls are getting pushback, and rightfully so in my opinion, so we can hope the men and women in office will find solutions and make this state affordable again. This isn’t a Democrat or Republican issue alone, because the problems have been roiling for many years under both parties.
That being said, we do live in a truly beautiful area of the Country. Steeped in history, the beautiful old homes, the quaint New England towns, the shoreline and rolling hills, the woods, the lakes and streams and stone walls are not something I take for granted. I love the seasons and the “flavors” each brings to our lives. The weather is finicky, this is true… saw this recently on FB and it’s SO true of our region…
This past weekend we were in the Second summer faze, as it was actually warm and humid! Beautiful weather though – and so the Mr. and I took a drive to browse antiques – found a wonderful antique shop whose owner is going out of business, retiring to his original home town (bummer!). The following photos were taken from his actual FB page because I neglected to pull out my phone, that almost never happens. Black Whale Antiques at Rattleberry Farm, owned by reknown painter and muralist Thomas Rose, is indeed for sale. A link to an article and photos of the property HERE.
We did come home with a few books – Normal Rockwell’s autobiography of which I’ve just started reading, and an old Bread Baking book, of which I plan to bake from this afternoon. The Mr. bought a small end table for the mancave and I found a charming, if not at all antique, chicken picture to hang in our country kitchen. We had a lovely discussion with Mr. Rose, sad to have met him as he exits stage left. We wish him a very happy retirement.
Across the street is an old and beloved deli that makes gourmet sandwiches – we grabbed a few and drove up the road to Devil’s Hopyard and Chapman falls to take in the beautiful day –
Someone’s Prince perhaps?…..
The Civil Conservation Corps worked here and the stone walls, roads and bridges stand strong… The story of the CCC is very interesting, click the link for more info. The parks in our state benefited greatly from this program and I’m often reminded of their impact when out walking the trails.
We headed home after lunch with a stop at a roadside farm market, where I grabbed some fall treasures…
…..and the Mr. promptly jumped on his Big Green Tractor (Henry) to mow the last of the hay fields already harvested.
That sounds like a wonderful day!
Wonderful photos and I absolutely love the “hell’s front porch.”
Re taxes: it’s a tough nut to crack. We are in the five-digits–not rich–and pay about 50% for all the assorted taxes, not counting sales taxes (but there’s income tax, URSSAF, CIPAV and many other acronyms), but we get a lot for it: great schools, great universal health care, free university, good roads, competent public service. Different things have been carved out over the years, like early retirement (also via taxes; private retirement plans are rare or just small supplements) for various special groups. I can get miners, but notaries? I know a notary’s secretary who retired in her 40s because of the special treatment for notaries. That’s insane. Yet every time there’s a reform, people go nuts and fight against it. Meanwhile, we have the Gilets Jaunes (yellow jackets), whose last straw was a surtax on gas to reduce pollution. They have a lot of valid complaints, but I am all for carbon taxes.
Anyway, it’s to say that if you want good services, you have to pay. We have seen that privatization of public services puts money into the pockets of executives of the contractors, while diminishing the quality of service.
the antiques are beautiful and I would like to wander there, the painted chickens are really cute, love the RED really red leaves and most of all the waterfall. there I could spend hours, taking photos, sitting on stone with feet in water.. just staring and listening and feeling the peace.
I don’t know anyone in any state that is not complaining of the same thing as you are. we are a tourist town, and most of the year round residents make absolutely nothing per hour, our rent is sky high. in the area we live in, most homes are sharing with others to afford house payment or rent. the house behind us has 7 people, not related sharing. no one can afford a home of their own.
Same here, sad to say. New expressway being built; we’ll be back to tolls again. ugh
However, the daughter and I had talked about moving closer to Britt (St Aug ya know). The prices for houses has tripled in the past couple of years. So, now she’s having a survey done on the back lot of her home to hopefully sell it. The good news is with the new roadways being built this little cove is starting to rock and roll. Already I’ve seen new businesses crop up. We actually now have four pizza parlors. lol
The town we live in back in the day had a Naval base, but when that closed many years ago nothing much left except the older homes. I just want her to be happy with whatever it takes. If she wants to eventually move to a small condo in St. Augustine, that would be fine with me. I’d be happy in an independent living place. True words.
We are still hotter than heck here; looking so forward to cooler weather and smaller electric bills. 🙂
xoxo
Beautiful pictures! I’ve never been to Connecticut, so I enjoyed seeing them.
I think most places have something similar about the seasons. I think they’re all funny! We’re currently still in the “Hell’s Front Porch” phase here in NC.
I love seeing things built by the CCC. We got married in a lodge in a park in SC that was built by the CCC.
What glorious photos of fall and I really do love everything in that shop (especially the dog portrait!). Ah, I’d be in big trouble there, I think.
Your seasons cracked me up. We always say we have two — winter and under construction. But I think you nail it more closely and more specifically. I can resonate with every single one!
Hello, love the antique furniture. I would love the dining chairs. Beautiful photos of the falls, stoned bridge and the colorful leaves. Love the cute frog and the pumpkins. Peach salsa is my favorite, yum! I could rant on there should fair taxes for all. Wishing you a great day! PS, thanks for visiting my blog.
Beautiful day! Love your photos as always.
Taxes! We own two tax and accounting firms (sounds fancy, but they are very small) and we live in Minnesota. I hear everything your part of the country is saying! I believe there are tradeoffs for the area you live in. I love Minnesota and we are staying no matter. It’s good livin’ and beautiful. In spite of the winters! ha
xxoo and thank you for the sweet comment on my blog