I got thinking of a memory... Pauline Wood- A Celebration of Life January 8, 1940 - August 5, 2021 All memories depicted through Pauline’s Art, Poetry and Letters.
House on the Hill The road might be long, and there are hills and valleys on the way. We keep going and soon will be at the little house on the hill. Where daytime never ends, and days are long with stars out at night where daylight never ends. The cows and sheep are waiting and all will be there on a farm where the hillside never ends. The door is always open. Everyone is welcome here where daylight never ends. First edition 2021 Copyright 2021 by Bonnie Wood, Editor. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the editor.
There is homemade biscuit bread, butter and jelly for all. There is rest for all. Tomorrow comes yet we remember the place where the sun always rises at the house on the hill. 5-2-15
Violets on Hill Farm 5-14-16 Violets on the Hill As we walk past the barn And up the hill to the pasture, we see violets covering the hilltop. Wild flowers throughout the pasture.
Looking down below hill is the farm yard and ducklings swimming in the brook. In evening beyond the farm we can see sunset above mts
And near pasture fence on the hill is woodland. Today sun is out as we look over the hill to farm and brook, as water flows. 5-22-16
Sunlight on the Lake To watch the boat go by so swiftly across shoreline around the bend and down the channel. The birds fly by. Sunshine over the water. Across bay, a line of shadows as clouds roll by over blue sky. Today sun is out after the clouds as March wind blows over trees and flowers of spring. There is a path of sunlight on the lake. 3-22-06
Candlewood Lake 5-9-15
A Horse in the Field At riding stable, there Waits a horse by the fence. Looking across the road. There are fence posts In the field And grass by the roadway. The sky is blue over The mts. Soon the other horses Will walk by. 4-4-17
“I saw a postcard with horses yesterday and it impressed me. It brought back such memories. “Nellie” the old horse had another horse on the team. Later we had Bessie (11 years old) and Kit (huge and about 6 years old). I rode Bessie all the time with Dan riding or leading from the garden, in front of the house down the hill to the horse barn after she finished plowing in the garden. She was gentle. I never rode Kit. Everyday I would go to the horse barn before breakfast or after and help in the horse barn.”
Lighthouse on the Sea Lighthouse in sea where waves surround rocks a rocky coast, a storm at sea. The lighthouse’s bright light shines on. The sky at sunset is yellow, orange, red and reflects in water. And now the ships in harbour can be seen. 11-4-16
York Lighthouse with Seagulls July 4th 2016
Pheasants in Hayfield On the Farm at Trail’s End On the farm at Trail’s End are many changing leaves on huge trees. -A canopy of colors over roads. We look through the fields as trees over stone wall. The grass is now brown and wild animals are by the woods.
Farming in Autumn Let’s go to the apple orchard and start picking apples into pails and baskets and crates. From apple orchard, enjoy view of mountains beyond. The corn has been cut and silo is full. There are pheasants and birds in hayfield. We pick cabbage, onions, potatoes for market. And there are more fruit and vegetables at local fruit stands. 8-28-15
Pumpkin gourds are by the house and barn and autumn flowers. We pick apples, pears, and pick up black walnuts. The woodshed is full of split wood.
The hay has been cut as days have been warm. The high hayfield near the apple orchard is baled. This morning, just as they are coming back to hayfield, We see pheasants walking downhill toward the road. and searching for anything on the gravel. They are walking from orchard and to top of hill. Soon they will be approaching down into another field and near the old brook. 11-14-15
Soon a few snowflakes will fall under a gray sky. 8-28-15
Pheasant- Trail’s End 7-1-15
Geese in Brook 12-30-15
Swans in Connecticut 2015
Candlewood - Lilacs are Blooming Lilacs are blooming on a bush nearby purple, pink, white and deep purple From the hill looking down toward the lake
There are many lilac bushes, daffodils, wildflowers, hemlock and spruce trees. Across the lake, there are islands where trees and flowers grow
A motor boat goes by and now a red sailboat near the island. Today the butterfly is on lilac bush and birds fly by. 11-5-14
Mountains - Japan Today it is time to climb the tallest mts. We view the mt. chain across the sky and walk toward path that leads to the mts. Slowly along ropes and chains we start climbing. It is a long journey which everyone enjoys. There is grass and trees and some water on our way. If we continue the journey we may some day reach the peak. 12-2-16
Sheep by the Barn
Sheep by the Barn
The sheep are walking Towards the brook As sun shines over farm.
Today the sheep are out And walking toward brook On their way to pasture The sun is out and flowers Are blooming.
Today they are walking To the gate and hillside that Leads to far pasture. Flowers are out and grass In meadow is growing. They follow old path around Hillside to another field. The sun shines over Mts. and hillside. 8-17-17
As we walk across bright And open gate, sun shines ...hill where Path leads to far pasture. The sun rises on hillside. 8-17-17
The Other Side of the River Going to the other side of the river to the hillside to view the Hudson. climbing up a steep and narrow road to the level land above rocks,
They see boats, apartments, as boats are passing under the bridge up the river. From hillside looking back seeing the bridge we crossed and majestic view of the ever running Hudson. 8-29-17
Summer Approaches Springtime with flowers growing and new flowers planted. The rain comes down on a cloudy day. The sun shines brightly over the field of wildflowers. By the brook, the irises bloomed. The lilacs and daffodils were out. Now the birds fly on bushes and flowers as the glowing sun shines over meadow and brook. 6-19-12
Snowflakes Snowflakes coming down Over hill, over yard. The trees now brown From Autumn.
“My favorite season is Winter. ‘Is that because your birthday is in January, Mom?’ Yes and Christmas and New Year’s too!”
A gust of wind Blows snow and Snow continues to fall Over hill and thru Field, the snow piles Up and drifts by side of the road Thru the woodland the Birds fly as Snow falls thru trees. 8-11-17
The Hemlocks 7-5-17
Snowing Today The snow is falling tonight by the lights -A slight breeze blows the snowflakes. Now as we look out -the ground is already covered with snow on the grass and on the flower bushes. The roads are wet as cars hurry by. Across the street, the hil is covered and the light shines over the glistening snow. as snow continues to fall. 11-7-17
Autumn on the Farm The pumpkins are growing by the fence The cattle are out in the farmyard. On the hill a pheasant Is walking toward the barn.
“After a lady at Bible Study encouraged me, I wanted to draw Al’s pheasant pen to add to sheep drawings. Al had a pen of pheasants at the top of the hill. The 4-H Club liked my painting of a pheasant.”
The hay wagon is full of hay and corn stalks are ripe with corn. Today the sun is shining as pumpkins glow. 9-18-17
Snow in Winter In the dusk before evening shadows creep across the land which surrounds a small house sitting back by the woodlands. The sunset over the woodland shines in the sky as clouds roll by. As the sun goes down-shadows over snow in the yard. As birds fly by towards the trees. 1-2-18
Home To go up the winding roads past barns and farms and villages to follow the sun past the fields of trees. Up the hill to a farmhouse on the hill. It still stands through time. Through the looking glass we see the stairs that lead to bedrooms still furnished. There are Angels now along the staircase guarding its precious ascent. Nothing has changed. Once again we visit the old house standing on a hill. 11-16-08
Pauline Wood Poetry: “[Pauline’s] Mother taught [her] to read and write poetry before school.” The granddaughter of Burton Coon, unofficial Milan, NY historian, farmer and poet, Pauline showed her passion for poetry from an early age. “I got thinking of a memory…”
Art: A widow since the age of 61, Pauline had Stage IV sinus cancer in her early 70s. After many surgeons refused to operate, a surgeon from Yale-New Haven saved her life. Despite losing an eye, she chose to become more independent. Her sheer determination and strength within inspired her to overcome these challenges, and she began to sketch, paint with watercolors, and then with oils. Although she attended several classes at the nursing home, she preferred to experiment on her own. Most of Pauline’s art is based on memories of farm life from her childhood in Poughquag, NY and visits to her Milan grandparents at Trail’s End. Although she never went on a plane or travelled beyond the Northeast or Mid Atlantic states, she sometimes painted what her family described from their travels. Through vibrant colors and country themes, Pauline shared her joy for a simple life.