Do you like to slyly peek in windows as you drive past houses at night? I love to see colors, chandeliers. and any other visible decor. Plus it gives me a feeling of coziness. Someone is home; life is happening in that house. What might their stories be?We had our book club recently on Elizabeth Goudge's Pilgrim Inn, which I've mentioned several times on this blog. I don't win many blog give aways, but did win a beloved old copy of Pilgrim's Inn five years ago from a blog friend (who doesn't blog much any more.) Our late summer book club was well attended and we met on a porch on a morning with a gentle breeze so we could get a teeny sense that "fall is in the air." There is rich character development in this book, not the least being Pilgrim Inn itself, and it was those characters that we spent our morning discussing, while sipping coffee or tea, and munching on fruit, crumpets, scones, and chocolate chip banana muffins. It's the second time I've read the book and I'd read it again.
The book was written about post-war England in the late 1940s and Goudge described well the continuing effects of war. With my love of window views, this quote below is a new favorite of mine from the book. Daughter Caroline was on her way home for Christmas from boarding school.
"It was wonderful driving home with the last glow of the sunset lingering in the west and
the hedges black and mysterious on either side. There were lights in the cottage windows,
and sometimes they had forgotten to draw the curtains and one saw the flicker of firelight,
and the bright heads of children sitting round a table munching their 'cooked tea,' a man
reading a paper with a pipe in his mouth, or a woman with head bent over her darning. This,
too, was new to Caroline, used to the years of blackout. It was lovely and most magical,
like turning the pages of a storybook, each fresh window a fresh story."
I can see why that passage spoke to you!! I, too, enjoy window views for all of the reasons that you mention.
ReplyDeleteYour book club sounds delightful.
I love the glimpse of life inside homes as one passes by homes at night. The quote is enticing. It makes me want to read this book and escape to the past.
ReplyDeleteI do love walking and peeking, but around here, folks keep their windows pretty well covered so can't see much. Sounds like a lovely book. And a wonderful bookclub gathering.
ReplyDeleteLovely Elizabeth Goudge. the Dean's Watch is one of my favourites from way back.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me that it's time for my book club to get back together...it's September! Loved your story of window peeking.
ReplyDeleteOh, I know what you mean! I enjoy looking at people's homes, gardens and peeking inside too! I am going to get this book asap!
ReplyDeleteI love this post, Dotsie. I so enjoy window views--from the inside and the outside. I must read Elizabeth Goudge's books. You and other friends have mentioned her books. ♥
ReplyDeleteI love that passage. Haven't read the book but looks like I may have to!
ReplyDeleteDelightful! I also was given my copy of Pilgrim's Inn by a blogging friend whom I don't see much anymore. Time to read it again I think.
ReplyDeleteYou know I do wonder what goes on behind some windows. I especially enjoy looking seeing how they are decorated, inside and out. This is a grand post and I, too, will have to read Pilgrims Inn. Have a grand day!
ReplyDeleteYou found me out, Dotsie! Of course, I do it discreetly from a distance. I have read Pilgrim's Inn and loved it. I've started writing down quotes from books in a separate journal now because of the quotes you put on your web journal from time to time. Unfortunately, I didn't start until after I'd read Pilgrim's Inn. I guess I'll have to read it again.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful book to read and the quote you shared gives one a very cozy feeling. The blackouts during the war years must have been dreadful. And Yes, I do look into windows at night while driving by. I'm curious too, you know, but I like to have our blinds drawn when it gets dark. Our living room blind is a woven affair that allows light through so it doesn't offer much privacy.
ReplyDeleteOkay, now for sure I'm going to check out that book! And I do like walking past old homes, especially those of the old Wisconsin lumber barons' mansions at night. I don't exactly window peek, but I don't avert my eyes either. Lol. Lacrosse and Menomonie and Duluth are good places for those walks. :-). Lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteLove reading books by Goudge. I'm reading the Dean's Watch right now...
ReplyDeleteI can identify with you, Dot. I used to take my dog for a walk after dinner and in the fall and winter I could peek into a lot of windows. It was comforting to see families going about their evening activities which were different yet so similar to ours.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds fantastic...I'll look it up.
Jane x
Delightful post. Pilgrim's Inn is new to me, but it sounds wonderful. I love reading about homes in paragraphs such as you've included. I always feel a bit voyeuristic if I watch people for more than a glance. I can imagine the contrast between the blackouts of the war years and the ability to leave lights glowing through the windows.
ReplyDeleteI am big on peeking in windows. But, as I read this, I thought about our lane. Probably half of the houses on our lane are vacation homes. Several of the homes are only visited by their owners once or twice a year. So, there isn't a lot of wondering about what's going on.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds delightful! I like to see bits lighted windows while driving home in the evening....and I love the HGTV shows....that really get you inside the homes, do you?
ReplyDeletePodso,
ReplyDeleteOne of my v e r y favorite posts from your archives,
is the one with photos you had taken from the outside viewing inward to your home!!!
The quote from this book made me think of the First Christmas after I lost my beloved Grandmother.
Her home was sold during the Estate holdings.
I thought I would be filled with tears,
but instead, their was light coming from the house and a decorated Tree was placed in the window!!!
It gave me such a feeling of "comfort" that another family might possibly find all the "joy"
that I had experienced as a child within those warm walls!!!
Thank you for this post, dear friend!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Oh yes, I'm a "window peeker"! As you said, it's not just being curious about how others live but it feels cozy. When I've been with John in Oxford, the houses are so close to the sidewalk and people don't seem to close their curtains as much as Americans do, so it was fun to walk and peek.
ReplyDeleteA heart warming passage and a treat as written for someone who endured so much time in darkness. I am a window gazer too, more so when walking the dog in the morning or early evening. My favourite time is when he and I head out Christmas morning and I can see the festivities happening in the homes that have young ones. Haha, I usually wear my Santa hat then too. :-)
ReplyDeleteFunny you mention this: I *always* peek in windows when driving by. I have made the mistake one too many times observing to hubs what I have seen. He told me I am a "Peeping Betty" and voyeur and shouldn't be doing it. I was offended, but of course sticks and stones.....I still do it, will continue doing it, but have learned to keep my Big Mouth Shut. : - )
ReplyDeletePS - love that photo, neat idea, may have to do it one day - maybe at Christmastime when EVERYONE peeps! Hugs.