Calm Photos

The image below may cause this blog to lose its “family-friendly” rating, but it’s appropriate given the onset of cold and snowy weather.Part of the experience of staying at the Inn at Cedar Falls - whether it be in a room, cottage and cabin - is the opportunity to browse through the guest books and read the various words of wisdom and reflections left behind by those who’ve had the pleasure of visiting this “sacred place” on the edge of Appalachia in Southeastern Ohio.

My particular favorites are those with drawings and cartoons. Sometimes these simple sketches can say much more than words. During my most recent visit, while staying in room #4 up in what I call the “barn,” I came across this entry that included a visitors’ (it was a younger couple from Circleville, Ohio) artistic rendition of what was once the Inn’s cat-in-residence, “Monday.” I can’t help but laugh every time I see this image I took of that journal entry. This is true cartoon art with the artist rendering through his own brand of humor what his mind’s eye caught during his stay at the Inn - the typical cat with the typical cat-look on his face when confronted with the prospect of leaving the warmth and comfort of inside for the frigid air and cold, wet paws that would result from a venture forth to the outside elements.

I’m sad to report that Monday met his untimely end when a park ranger came racing down the road in front of the Inn at a time when Monday decided to venture out (during fair weather, of course). But Monday’s memory endures, amongst the spirit of the Inn and on the pages of the guest journals.