Summer is almost over. We transition from staying up late and a late night sky of infinite stars, to a cool breeze and falling leaves. I'm always a bit saddened by the end of summer. While I long for cozy blankets and hot chocolate, I cant help but think that one more year is about to fast forward to the Holidays. One more year older, one more year of memories, one more step in the direction we cant turn around from. So while I can, I'm holding tight to the last few days of Summer. Taking in every starry night, every beach trip, every memory I can while we say goodbye to sweet summertime.

Sometimes things just come to you when you least expect it. My business name was one of those times. Gravel Road Whimsy was born from a love of writing from childhood. I long abandoned writing when "real life" decided to take over. Gravel Road Whimsy takes me back to a time when things were simple and easy. Whimsy was easy to come by and that gravel road always led me home. 

I grew up on a farm in rural southeast Alabama in the 90's and early 2000's. As a child, I spent many years walking down a gravel road. There is something special about walking barefoot down a well beaten path. You might be thinking, "I've walked barefoot on a gravel road before...not fun!" But back then, on a poorly maintained county road in rural Alabama, the gravel was scarce. I walked in the ruts. The places that the trucks, tractors and four wheelers traveled. The trails that cows trampled on their way to the field of grass on the other side. The road that led my dad home after a long day in the fields. 

I would spend hours exploring the land. One of my fondest memories was lying in a wheat field on a blanket reading a book. There was nothing but the wheat surrounding me and blue sky above. I would spend hours reading, usually finishing a book in a day. I craved the isolation and being able to completely immerse myself in the book. The simplicity of nothing to do but enjoy the day, the nature, and the book in my hands was all I needed back then. As an adult, that is something I need more now than ever.  

Gravel Road Whimsy is a creative outlet to bring whimsy, creativity and wonder back to the forefront. With my blank journals and notebooks, I encourage others to write, to draw, to CREATE again. Put down the phone, push off the chores until tomorrow. Think about what you loved as a kid. If I can help you do that, even for just a tiny bit, my mission will be accomplished. 

Xoxo,
​Kim


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