7C Herb Garden B&B

During our trip to Litchfield Hills, we stayed in a Bed & Breakfast (B&B) at New Preston. 7C Herb Garden, which has two rooms, is run by an elderly couple, Hansel and Alicia Collins, who were very hospitable. http://www.3c.com/7cherbgarden/index.html .

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The house, built in the 1730s, is located on four hillside acres with half an acre of organic herb and vegetable gardens, gift shop and greenhouse.

Although we reserved the smaller room, Alicia generously upgraded us to the suite, which would have cost US $120 (instead of the US $100 we paid for the smaller room). There is no t.v. in the room but it doesn't matter as we used the time to read and plan our itinerary for the next day. Wireless internet was available in the room.

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After a restful night, a hearty breakfast lovingly prepared by Alicia, who is in her 70s, awaits us in the morning. A typical American breakfast include fruit juice, cereal, fruits, French toast, bacon and coffee.

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Hansel, who lost his sight more than two decades ago and is now is his 80s, then proudly showed us his workshop. It was amazing for us to behold such lovely woodcrafts, carefully and skilfully crafted from the woods of cherry and maple trees, by the hands of a man who cannot see with his eyes. We purchased a huge salad bowl and a savings box (in the shape of a book) from Hansel, which we intended to use as gifts.

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They say "it is possible to have eyes that work and still be 'blind'." Meeting Hansel reminds me that the reverse is also true, "it is possible to have eyes that don't work and still 'see'."

Inspiration:

1. There is always more to see than is obvious at first glance. If you look close enough, you can see things that at first glance we might miss.
2. We can become blinded by our own self-righteousness that we don't see our own sin and need for God's presence.
3. Spiritual sight is more precious than physical sight.
   

Source: Conversing With a Blind Man
http://www.redlandbaptist.org/sermons/sermon19990411.htm