THOUGHTS ABOUT ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

 A series of short stories.....

My Fairy Tale Dream Home

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

Although I appreciate the crisp, clean lines of modern design, I remain, at heart, a lover of the classic style with an emphasis towards rich fabrics, natural wood and stone, crystal fixtures and, dare I say it......columns!  Greek and Roman architecture has always influenced my particular design scope in one way or another.

My fascination with certain colors.....blues, greens, shades of terracotta, grays and pinks, cream......all lend themselves to the classical style.  I can remember receiving a beautiful small porcelain doll for my fourth birthday from my Aunt Lou Lou.  She was young and stylish and carefree and I loved her for all of these reasons.  My precious doll, I named Lou Lou, had long, black hair, ice-blue eyes and crimson lips the exact shade of my Mother's lipstick that I loved so much.  Her tiny straw hat sported an even tinier pink rose above its wide brim and her petite porcelain feet slid into the smallest black velvet slippers I'd ever seen.  However, my delight with Lou Lou's appearance  settled around her lace, satin dress.  The use of color blew me away and I was only four!

The elegant deep cream-colored satin material of the main body of her dress was complimented by crisp, white cotton collar and cuffs that were squared-off and trimmed with the tiniest black velvet ribbon and cream lace.  Clean, simple and sophisticated described her attire! Being so young, I'm certain that I could not have told you why I liked this color combination so much; I could only understand that I did.



Our Front Entrance in Florida

Lou Lou's color palette is incorporated into my life to this day. The color scheme of our Floridian stucco-style home consists of a main body of taupe with arches and a square front column framed by white and the front entrance door is as black as Lou Lou's soft slippers.



Disney's Cinderella Castle

Every little girl believes or is told that she is a Princess at least once in her lifetime and she can't help but fantasize about living in the perfect home.....her castle!  Well, perhaps, her father the King's castle but, nevertheless, her imagination runs wild with the assistance of every Disney Princess holding her hand to guide her along the primrose path towards her personal allusions of grandeur and the eventual handsome Prince to fall in love with. And this, my friends, is every little girls' "rite of passage!"  Given all of this (she says with a sigh), European architecture has greatly impacted my design sense with regard to shape, materials and texture.

In 1990 we made our initial adventure into Europe!  Within the freedom of our rental car, we traversed the countryside passing ancient stone farmsteads surrounded by the sweetness of a newly harvested crop.  Makeshift picnic lunches of bread, cheese and fruit were enjoyed from stone outcrops overlooking the red tiled roofs of small French village homes located deep down in the valley or, while nestled within the gravity-defying hillside vineyards in Germany that majestically outlined the stunning Mosel River far below.



Neuschwanstein Castle as seen from Mary's Bridge

Trudging up the narrow path on our way up to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, located to the south-west of Munich near the town of Fussen and close to the Austrian border, I remembered how this particular castle was purported to be the prototype for Disney's Cinderella Castle.  Making it to the top and being amazed by the grand scale of this magnificent structure, I could fully realize the impact it had on Walt Disney, as well.  His fertile imagination incorporated the magic of Neuschwanstein Castle when he created the 'perfect home' for every little Princess lucky enough to visit Disneyland and Disney World.

We entered the vast cities of Munich, Paris, Bonn and London, falling madly in love with the people, the delicious variety of food and the opportunity to immerse ourselves within the 'energy' that only a vibrant, large city can provide.  Both Dan, a builder by trade, and I  expected to be blown-away by the expressive architecture of each of these grand cities and, we were not disappointed!



Brick Tudor Design

Years before, while attending college at Michigan State University, I would often pass-by the interesting homes flanking West Grand River Ave. linking this beautiful college town with the capital city of Lansing.  This is precisely when my love affair with European-style cottage designs began.  I learned that many of these homes fell under the Tudor Revival Architecture category that frequently employed a variety of materials including stone, brick, stucco and half-timbering.  I recall cascades of pink summer roses adorning the front entrances like aromatic shawls and fig ivy rooting into mortar and snaking along its prey until masses of shiny leaves shrouded the brick facade in a dense coat of living green.



Half-Timbered Tudor Design

While studying the history behind these fabulous structures, I have learned that the "cottage craze" began in America shortly after World War I and continued throughout the 1920's and 1930's. According to Stand-Out Cabin Designs, American soldiers returning from Europe at the end of the war were enamored with the French (and, particularly English) cottages they had seen while traveling abroad.  The ideas and images captured in their minds were subsequently conveyed to American architects, designers and builders who then interpreted and incorporated them in their new home designs.

I was hooked then and have remained so ever since.  Captivated early on by these cozy, European home designs, traveling to Europe to see this cottage style for myself was inevitable.


Stephen Fuller (Architect)

Several years ago the Architect Stephen Fuller of Stephen Fuller Designs near Atlanta, Georgia, attracted my attention because many of his elevation designs and floor plans corresponded with the cottage ideas I admire so much.  His use of several combinations of natural materials such as stone and wood display the profound influence of European architecture.  Though generally not precise copies, his "Americanized" versions are, nevertheless, characteristically picturesque and charming in their own right!  And, why yes, I do have a specific Fuller house plan in mind for any possible future reference....

Order, symmetry and balance.......check;
Fireplace, focal point in room........check;
Natural colors and materials.........check;
And, the use of elegant fabrics.......check and double-check!

Our Indoor Use of Pillars and Arches

That little girl at the age of four had been offered a look into the future through the icy-blue eyes of her favorite doll and instinctively connected how the use of color, texture, shape, light and style would become important factors in her life.  Today, I incorporate all of these ideas whether I am finding the perfect fabric for window treatments, repurposing old cabinetry into a new kitchen design or while taking pictures with my trusty Canon or convenient iPhone camera to be added to my various photo collections.

No matter what your particular style of design might be, sage advice for all of us would be to remember to trust your 'eye' and your instincts and together they are certain to take you on the most amazing adventures!

*What design style have you incorporated into your life?
*Do you have a wide color palette or prefer a white theme?
*Is repurposing items something you enjoy doing?
*if so, what is the last thing you've repurposed?


Copyright © 2014 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

THOMAS IN GALWAY CITY

 

A series of short stories.....






Irish Beautiful!!!

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes



Walking down to breakfast from our small hotel room the first full-day in Ireland last September, we were pleasantly greeted by a young man standing behind the counter.  Without a name tag or such, he introduced himself as Thomas and told us we could sit anywhere we liked.  The restaurant was a cute 'hole-in-the-wall' with Thomas greeting and serving while the cook worked alone in the small kitchen just behind him. 

It was his 'good morning' smile that caught our attention.  It wasn't fake or painted-on.....simply genuine as it radiated the kindness he held within him! 

"Good morning to ya! What might I get for you this morning?  A cup of coffee each to start with?" he asked.  "I highly recommend the fresh peach crumble not long from the oven." 

Right then, the smell of freshly baked dough, awash in the delicious aroma of cinnamon, wafted from the kitchen.  Sneaking a peek into his tiny world through a large open window at the back of the café, I watched the man dressed entirely in white extract a large tray of golden brown rolls from his ancient oven and place them aside to cool. Pivoting around 180 degrees, he immediately began kneading fresh dough in preparation for another promising delectable delight!

My Anniversary Claddagh Ring

Salivating, I looked up to watch Thomas position two cups (with saucers) of coffee in front of us.  A gentle curlicue of steam rose from each as Thomas took our food order and promised to return in a flash with more coffee as needed.  All I could think about now was the man in white timing the baking of his pastries and bread between orders of eggs over-light, rashers and toast!

"Are you from Galway, Thomas?" I asked as he deftly removed the remnants of our breakfast from the table.  Bringing us a warm square of peach crumble and two new forks, he replied, "No, I moved here six months ago from Northern Ireland where I was born and raised.  After attending University, I decided I needed a change of scenery and a bit of independence under my belt."  Then he asked us about our visit to Ireland and the motivation behind it.  We told him we were in love with Ireland, especially the West Coast, and decided to celebrate our fortieth Wedding Anniversary here.



Thomas' Notes

"No way," he said, shaking his head from side to side as a cheeky grin spread wildly across his face.  "No way!  My folks are packing in two weeks to leave for America to celebrate their fortieth Wedding Anniversary!"  He just kept staring at us in total disbelief when he eventually explained to us why they had chosen to celebrate their auspicious occasion in the States.  "After they'd been married for almost five years and saved enough money to finally enjoy a honeymoon, they flew to Chicago, rented a convertible car and followed their dreams down Route 66 all the way to California.  They've decided to repeat that memorable trip on their fortieth!"

We were blown away by this crazy revelation right along with him.  I always believed there are good reasons for people connecting and this one was a doozy!  He told us his folks live in Portstewart, a small town nestled right along the North Atlantic coast and a popular spot for golfing and taking long walks on the beach.  He encouraged us to follow the Wild Western Coast all the way up and drop-in at his parent's house to say hello, having provided us with their names and address.  If their son's open-hearted personality matched theirs in the least, we were certain that these passionate Northern Ireland parents would not only welcome us with open-arms......they would probably give us a room to stay in, as well!

Sadly, Portstewart was not on our itinerary this visit.  But, we thought about Thomas often after saying good-bye and leaving Galway for our week's stay in Oughterard near Lough Corrib to the north.

We returned to Galway City five days later to pick-up Claddagh rings we had had made by an artist in a small shop to commemorate our Irish celebration.  Strolling down William Street lined by jewelry stores, various street vendors and sandwich shops, out-of-the-blue we hear, "Mr. And Mrs. Hughes, hello there.  Hold-up!"  Turning around in confusion as to who might know us in Galway City, we see Thomas exiting a stylish sandwich shop and sporting a full apron!  Running his hands down the stiff, black material, he exclaimed, "This is my second job.  I have to pay for my keep somehow!"  We were left to wonder which dining establishment was lucky enough to have hired him for their dinner service?

"Did you make it up to Portstewart already?" he queried.  "I haven't spoken with my folks since meeting you so, I wasn't sure.  And then I saw you both walking by from the window and couldn't believe my eyes!"  Before I had a chance to reply, Thomas was giving me a huge 'bear hug' and then rapidly shaking Dan's hand.  "Not this go-around I'm sorry to say.  But, we will be back.  We never leave Ireland without, at least, sketching-out our next visit in our minds," Dan said. 



Thomas and Me

That 'good morning' smile we were introduced to on our first day in Galway magnificently reappeared across his youthful face.  "I best be getting back inside.  I just had to say 'hello' when I saw you," he explained.  With his six-feet, three-inch height towering over both of us, we were feeling like parents about to lose a child to the vast world beyond.  "Not until I have a picture of you, if that's okay with you?" I implored.  Wrapping his long arms around my shoulders, this lanky young man, genuine in all respects, smiled warmly and Dan snapped our photo together as our three shadows began to spread across the 'cobblestones of William Street' that sunny afternoon in Galway City.

Saying our good-byes now seemed to echo our early morning greetings of only a few mornings before when fate introduced us to this amazing young man.  We promise to look-up his parents one day, if only to let them know how proud we are of them, as well.....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Note: Wanted to update all of you on the current status of our kitchen project.  Yes, it's still ongoing with countertops promised for mid next week......  But, we keep plugging away with the little projects (installing hardware, painting shelf brackets) until voila, we have our countertops!!!  Here's a couple new pictures for you.....




See Empty Corner Where Open Shelving Will Eventually Reside?



Cute Bracket Soldiers All In A Row!!
















Copyright © 2014 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

THE POWER OF COLOR

A series of short stories.....





Proudly Displaying Our Nation's Colors:

"The red stands for the sturdy qualities of hardiness and courage.
The white stands for the honest virtues of purity and innocence.
The blue stands for the durable qualities of vigilance, perseverance and justice."

Judy A. Lee




.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


Someone once asked me if my 'sense of sight' were to be taken away from me today, what would I miss seeing the most?  With little  hesitation, my reply was......color.

I'm being purely selfish here, however, as an observer of life, I've often thought about losing the ability to listen to the sounds of nature, as well as the man-made world around me.  Or, suddenly relinquishing the power to see the beauty of life that encapsulates every fiber of our being inside the complicated act of light receptors within our eyes.  Color: A property depending on the relations of light to the eye, by which individual and specific differences in the hues and tints of objects are apprehended in vision; any hues distinguished from white or black.  Courtesy of Webster's Dictionary.  Okay, that's as technical as I plan on getting.

 

Usually, I apply my observations towards certain characters that reside in my 'other world' of writing to see how they might react to various trauma and unfortunate circumstances.  I definitely  place myself in a precarious situation in the attempt to balance my 'real' world with my 'make believe' one.  Emotionally reaching-out to my characters has provided insight into my personal reaction to loss and failure.  And, without a doubt, this has greatly influenced my life.  How I choose to allow it to affect me is one of the main reasons I decided that abruptly leaving behind a world filled with brilliant color would turn my life upside down.

Once having had or experienced something positive and beautiful  makes the sudden loss of it even more devastating.  The 'designer' in me is shaking her head up and down right now. 

Wherever you happen to be standing or sitting at this very moment, take a long look around you; observe your surroundings.  Run your hand along the curvature of the  wooden desk you might be sitting at.  Take in the pronounced height and breadth of the room you occupy as you study the large framed painting on the wall hanging just to your left.  Step through the doorway to the outside and feel the warmth of the sun kissing your skin as you inhale the delicious sweetness of the flowers flourishing in your corner garden.  Concentrate on the vibrating humming sound of a honey bee in flight deciding which flower to feast on in order to  extract its sweet nectar and pollen before moving on. 



The Humble Honey Bee

Provided you are receptive of this imagery, each picture can elevate you to a much higher awareness of the world immediately around you.  The scenarios have taken our mundane existence and repositioned it in a loftier light through the use of words and colored visual images.  The glossy mahogany desk takes on its own style with a flair of sex appeal as it replicates the female form.  The room grows much larger in stature as you take-in the oversized silver-framed painting on the wall.  The power of the bright white sun is heightened by how warm your arm is becoming as your nostrils broaden to better inhale the amorous overtones of a single, red rose.  And, where would any of us be if it were not for the hard working honey bee, dressed in black and yellow striping, making his daily collections?

The power of color has always served to enhance and intensify the beauty of our world.

The power of color can illustrate the widespread devastation and havoc of natural disasters and wartime imagery.

The power of color illuminates and clarifies our surroundings via light and enlightenment.  The application of color transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary!  The use of color is an adaptation process that changes or modifies something to suit new conditions or needs.

Many artists will tell you, whether they apply paint, crystals, cloth or ancient stones to form their particular creations, that the personal adaption of color marks the individual set of emotions and style that characterizes their particular work.  From the brush strokes of a Monet painting to the many inspiring men and women who have an eye for the design and decorating of interior spaces....their use of color within their own style sets them apart from everyone else.

The power of color can be quite invigorating!

Have you ever seen a certain color and had it evoke a special taste or smell within you?  Perhaps the color orange conjures up the aroma of orange blossoms when you walked through an orchard in Florida.  Or, umber tones might remind you of the heap of cinnamon-sugar sprinkled on toast as a child.  The 'sound of color' can be just as real to us as a familiar song, reintroduced to our conscience mind, can elicit memories from our past. Walt Disney had a mission of bringing the depth and power of music to kids by introducing eight pieces of classical music and setting them to animation over seventy years ago.  The movie Fantasia has become a loving classic to many generations of fans.  From the deep blue, swirling darkness of the night sky a demon conjures up dark angels in "Night On Bald Mountain."  Mickey Mouse himself is the iconic "Sorcerer's Apprentice" who introduces us to marching brooms of golden straw and rising blue water that threatens his world.  This classic movie taught us to see the music and hear the pictures all in amazing color and stereo!!



Western North Carolina Mountains

Yes, losing the ability of enjoying first-hand the colorful, natural beauty of our world would terrify me after having walked among the deep green forests of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, photographed the smoky blues and grays of the Western North Carolina mountains,  observed at least forty shades of green along the Connemara coastline in Ireland and marveled at the azure seas of the Mediterranean off the southern coast of France!  If so, my memory and imagination would surely have to  become my best friends!

I have lived to witness the intense green and startling blues of my grandchildren's eyes!  I will never forget the picture-perfect rainbows arching high above the Caha Mountains along Ireland's Bantry Bay after a warm afternoon shower.  The myriad of colors that fill the burlap bags overflowing with fresh spices, oceans of sweet, cellophane-wrapped cut flowers (lavender, pink, yellow, red) and endless varieties of farm fresh cheeses displayed in colorful rows remind me of days spent at the open-air markets of France.

Life is color.  Color is life.  I will never neglect or take for granted the impressive power of color.  I have so much more yet to see.....

Farmer's Market in Asheville, North Carolina

Copyright © 2014 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

RHYTHM...DETAIL...REPETITION

A series of short stories.....

The Beast Entitled 'Cuisinart'

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


She awakes with the sound of the radio playing softly in her ear, not unlike every other morning.  The local Public Broadcasting Station is highlighting a cut from Michel Beroff and (The Complete Solo Piano Works of Debussy - Preludes Premier Livre).  Apropos.  However, before NPR News signs-on and interrupts the musical rhythm, she taps the 'off' button and slips quietly out of her warm, cozy surroundings trying not to disturb the loving man sharing the space beside her.




Claude Debussy

Lightly closing the bedroom door, she gingerly makes her way to the kitchen weaving through morning shadows of grays and pinks as she passes by the two sets of French doors that open the family room up to the back patio.  The morning sun barely filters through the tall live oak trees that border the east side or front of the property.  Soon its golden light will seep through the mullioned front windows casting out all remnants of the night shadows that lurk in every corner and crevice inside the house. Until then, she clicks on the small kitchen lamp and softly illuminates the counter nearest the coffee maker.

Emitting a small chuckle, she knows she could perform this morning routine in pitch-blackness.....if she wanted to. 

Having already filled the deep well of the machine to the twelve-cup mark with cold tap water, she closes her eyes and gently reaches for a flat paper filter from the blue glazed ceramic bowl to her left.  Deftly she extracts a single filter from the stack and proceeds to apply gentle pressure to each corner until she feels the paper slowly opening like flower petals in the early morning light.  Producing the familiar cone shape, she slips it into the recess at the top of the machine. 

With eyes still closed, her fingers locate the cool metal clasp of the canister holding the lid shut that creates an airtight seal protecting the precious ground contents inside.  Flicking it upwards, the clasp snaps open.....and, the delicious aroma of dark roasted coffee is released and carried along the gentle movements of air that  lightly flow through the kitchen.  Delicious.  Her slender fingers seek the small, wooden handle of the petite measuring scoop that is attached to the lid and she methodically plunges it into the canister's rich contents.

Crunch, one scoop.  Crunch, two scoops.  Crunch, three scoops....and so on, until all twelve tiny mounds of coffee are extracted from the depths of the container.  She feels like a giant playing with children's sand toys at the beach as the twelve passes fill the paper filter to the proper level.  Snapping the lid of the beast entitled 'Cuisinart' shut, she flutters her eyelids open and depresses the start button.

The machine huffs and puffs now as the hot water it has created attempts to filter through the mound of  dry coffee grounds and begins to remind her of the toy train engines that she and her older brother played with as children.  As the water strains through the paper filter and begins to explode into the clear glass carafe she has placed beneath it, her attention drifts towards the cable box nestled snugly beneath the flat screen television in the next room.  Even though the bright blue numbers digitally proclaim the early hour of six-oh-five in the morning, she is happy to see the red light below them vividly shining and casting its glow across the darkened space.  She understands that the DVR is up and running right on schedule and is recording today's Stage of Le Tour de France happening in 'real time' and to be watched later at her convenience.  She continues to be delighted by modern technology!




Morning Concerts

The family of cardinals nesting within the towering Viburnum plants along the north side of the house are waking-up, too.  She can almost pinpoint the height of the rising sun by their melodic notes and the nearly perfect repeat timing of their morning concerts.  Some people find the shrillness of their songs annoying......but, she finds the musical communication complex and exciting and is happy that they return each year to nest.

While the aromatic mahogany-colored liquid continues to fill the carafe, she saunters over to the cabinet that contains her coffee mug collection and chooses her favorite one for this morning's brew.  After all, today is a Special day!  It's really not so much about what the mug is shaped like or even what color it might be.  For her, it's all about the shape of the handle and if it's long enough to accommodate her fingers comfortably.  This insight into mug configurations conjures up childhood memories of her Russian Grandpa who drank his coffee from the same white ceramic mug each setting.  She smiles to herself as she is reminded of her Grandma complaining about how ridiculous this habit was.  Are we really the personification of the spirit of our beloved ancestors, she wondered, taking her own mug over to be filled-up.  Perhaps, we are.

Lifting the carafe off of the hot plate, she carefully pours the hot
liquid into her mug thinking about how it resembles a slightly thinner version of the (java brown) glaze she's been using to stain her kitchen cabinets with.  Their kitchen renovation is now entering a third week and, if truth be told, the initial fun and excitement of transforming an outdated kitchen is desperately waning with each passing day. Even though the successful outcome of this lengthy project is the main objective, the daily process of work needed to be done to complete it has become tedious at times.  She tucks the thought away for now.  There's ample time to think about the kitchen later.....




My Office

Turning off the lamp, she picks-up her steaming mug and turns down the small hallway that leads to her office and the doorway into her 'other world.'  This is what she's been waiting for, really, ever since drifting along with Debussy only a short time ago.  Never the one capable of turning-off the subconscious mind, she learns to live with all the 'chatter' that accompanies her every thought.  There's not much else she can do about that, after all.

The subconscious mind forgets nothing!  She can only see this as being an asset as she settles her coffee mug on the coaster and turns to softly close the door behind her.  It is a beautiful beginning to a Sunday morning, her Special time, and she is aware that all is well within her conscious world, for the moment.  Now it's time to say hello to 'the others' and make note of what is going to happen in their lives today. 

Anticipation is played out in joyous hope and expectations.....  She is a writer and will occupy space in the 'other world' until she decides it's time to return.  When she does, the existing process within her will be played out time and again like the force of the moon and sun on sea levels, incorporating Rhythm....Detail....and, Repetition!!

Rhythm...Detail...Repetition!!!

Copyright © 2014 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

RANDOM THOUGHTS.....

 

 A series of short stories.....

Dorothy And Friends Traveling The Yellow Brick Road

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes



I've often wondered why we have a certain 'pull' towards particular persons, places and things over others.....


Is it simply about how (good/happy) another person makes you feel about yourself?  That's not always true.  Many people are thrown into painful and abusive relationships they find difficult, if not impossible, to break away from.  So, circumstances play a major role in the paths that we walk down and, eventually, connect us with people who will become our teachers, lovers, acquaintances, friends, mentors and, possibly, enemies.  Like Dorothy, the yellow brick road that winds through corn fields and dense, shadowy forests into a sunny field of poppies and beyond......is not always a simple road to navigate.  And, the people we meet along the way, friend or foe, are there to guide and strengthen our character as we move forward on this crazy journey called life!

I understand that individuals are placed along our path to interact with us for very specific reasons.  If we believe in ourselves, it is possible to see that each person we meet teaches us a 'life' lesson and, by filtering and categorizing each one, then we can learn to either approve and work with this lesson or use its negativity to guide us to be stronger and more understanding of the world and those around us.  I believe this is called 'character building'......utilizing the circumstances surrounding our life to make it the best it can be.

Ambitiously, we assume that our family will wrap us within its loving arms, guide and protect us, through thick and thin as we shuffle along our individual path.  However, will a best friend or a lover do the same?  We, as humans, want to believe so but, all too often, this is not the case.  A good friend of mine with three young children was going through a nasty divorce, deteriorating financial circumstances and, eventually, an affair 'rooted in loneliness' with a married man.  The divorce was justified, the finances unfortunate and, the affair, brutal on many levels.  As a friend, I could never justify her affair and initially served only to comfort her guilty feelings about it.  Introducing her lover to her children was a cruel scenario as it gave these beautiful kids false hope regarding a possible future with a man who dealt in untruths on a daily basis.

The charm and comfort of the affair wore-off after one very long year when my friend finally learned to believe in the power of 'self' as the internal force that guides us along the shadowy forest path.  As she began to fully comprehend this and decided to place herself and her children on a higher level of importance, her life changed for the better, the affair ended and infinite possibilities opened-up before her.  I assert that the only way to arrive at a 'happy medium' is to experience both extremes, the highs and the lows, ups and downs of a situation and allow your positive and negative observations to be your guide.  By allowing this man to complicate further her already complicated life, my friend was taken to the depths of despair and from there she buoyantly resurfaced with an opened heart that allowed her to love herself again.  I understand that by experiencing the dark path side-by-side with this man, it guided her to the bright path she is on today.  Things do happen for a reason, even if we often stumble in the dark at the beginning of our journey.



Do certain places keep calling us back, tugging at our heartstrings and having us begging for more, more, more?

Alamanda Resort at St. Martin

Since we had honeymooned in Aruba, vacationed each summer on historic Mackinac Island which lies just to the east of St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and, walked for miles along the Sanibel Island shoreline off the Gulf of Mexico in Florida collecting seashells with our daughters for over twenty-six summers......I can safely say that we are drawn to the rhythm of an island beat.  Like species of birds that migrate south to their particular nesting areas or the illuminating Monarch Butterfly that utilizes an internal magnetic compass to direct its flight toward the equator, this family always returned to the sea.....



Orient Beach on St. Martin

Several years ago I was deciding on which French yogurt to purchase for my evening snack while scanning the cooler of a small grocery store near our hotel, the Alamanda Resort, in St. Martin Island located in the northeast Caribbean.  Our home for the week was Orient Beach.....voted as being one of the world's most beautiful beaches!  As with its French counterpart, the Riviera, clothing on this beach is optional.

Encompassed by the most intense colors I have ever observed, taking photographs, walking the beach or shopping for souvenirs in Marigot (St. Martin's most populated city) at the market place by the port, was a profound experience! 


Marigot Market

 

I digress.....  I selected my yogurt as a lovely lady, close to our age, asked me if we were staying in the area.  At this point both of our husbands moved-in closer to join the conversation.  We replied that we were and discovered that they were staying at the Esmeralda Resort just north of us.  They hailed from Ohio and had been returning to Orient Beach for over ten years every September.  We told them that, sadly, the next day was our last full one on the island and we'd be flying home Saturday morning.  "Do both of you partake in what this beach has to offer?" She asked.  "I mean, do you enjoy sunbathing in the nude?  Because, if that is what you like, the four of us could meet on the beach tomorrow for the day!"

Oh, we tried so hard to not look surprised!  I don't think it worked, though.  They both picked-up on it right away, thank goodness!  I would have thought my distinct tan lines were a dead giveaway?  They were very gracious, however, and told us about several unique (clothing necessary) attractions on the island we'd not seen yet and then said their good-byes after wishing us a safe trip back to the States.  We had just been hit on and, in a weird and unusual way, it was strangely flattering!?  Two outwardly mature adults paid for their strawberry yogurt that balmy Caribbean night and proceeded to giggle, hand-in-hand, all the way back to their room.

A Monarch Butterfly sits on a tree trunk at the Sierra Chincua Sanctuary in the mountains of Mexico.
(Photo: AP/Marco Ugarte)

I leave you with a quote by Jody Marr in an article she had written for Liquid Salt Magazine entitled THE SEA WITHIN US:

"The human body has almost the same proportions of calcium, sodium and potassium as the ocean. It pulses in our veins.

We migrate to the sea with precision and purpose as soon as the cords to our childhood are cut. God has set our internal compass to lead us toward a salty body of water; like birds migrating south via some ancient, ancestral, homing instinct.

It’s a way of life. A need. A yearning. It hums in us everyday. We swim in the water like otters. It cloaks around us like the warm fluid of the womb."

 

"Passion is energy.  Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you."

 

Copyright © 2014 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved