GIVING THANKS FOR THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE AND MEMORIES.....

A series of essays.....

PILGRIM SALT & PEPPER SHAKERS ~  CIRCA 1956  (REPRODUCTION)

.....as seen through my eyes!



By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

When I think of skills, I recall the many hours Mom spent chopping cup upon cup of celery, onions, and carrots. She would peel mountains of potatoes before cutting and boiling them in a large, heavy pot of salted water. Skill, yes, but endurance, as well. This all began around four o'clock in the morning, when the hour was dark and the rest of us were all snuggled deep into our bedsheets and blankets dreaming of the feast to follow.

Interestingly, I still use the same potato peeler that Mom used way back when. It continues to work better than any peeler I've purchased on my own. 

We would have already named the huge bird the day or so before via popular consensus, being careful to recall his name from last season to avoid repetition. But, somehow, I remember him being called Tom more often than not.

Secretly, I think Mom rather enjoyed this time alone; those special hours before the songbird's initial twitter outside the kitchen window, or the first rays of sunlight rose above the horizon, while the household quietly breathed above her head. She was alone with her thoughts. There wasn't another soul near her to distract the steady rhythm of her work. Mom could do most everything that needed to be done, during those wee hours of Thanksgiving Morning, in the dark.....if need be. She had been doing it for so many years. 

I would like to think that Mom chopped and sliced while dreaming of walking a sandy, sun-dappled Hawaiian beach. The sound of the crashing waves giving her the power and strength she needed, while the crisp snap of swaying palm fronds moved like exotic hula dancers above, casting unique shadows along her path. Mom loved the thought of being in Hawaii. I don't know to this day if she would have ever taken the chance and flown there. Dreaming about it might have been as good as being there for her. 

I did ask her about Hawaii once. She only smiled at me as if to say that it would, in all likelihood, never happen. It never did....

I picture my Mom, under the bright kitchen lights, stuffing 'Tom' with marked vigor and taking out her aggressions with each cramming spoonful of her made-from-scratch dressing going into the cavity before pinning back the legs in preparation for baking. Women give vent to their frustration in various ways. I know that I would have utilized this opportunity to vent, if needed.

Back in those days, my youth, her young womanhood, girls were instructed not to 'make waves,' especially in public, and not often even in the privacy of their own home. They were to be happy to have a roof over their heads, children in which to take care of, and a husband who (hopefully) brought home his paycheck each week in order to pay the bills and keep that roof right where it belonged. The mid-1950's lost any charm it might have had....quickly, in my book.

I noticed, even as a young girl, how little 'alone time' my Mom had. If she wasn't wrestling with one of us four kids, she was cooking every evening meal, cleaning, washing tons of laundry, and falling into bed each night exhausted and thinking about doing it all over again the next day! Was the smile she graced us with while preparing breakfast before school genuine? I'd like to think so. It, certainly, meshed nicely with the kiss on the cheek we received before sitting down at the table. 

Having made the cranberry sauce the day before, and making sure the cut potatoes were fully covered with water in the pot so as not to air-purple before cooking, she may have had a moment to brew herself a cup of Lipton Tea in her favorite mug and sit down at the kitchen table. 

I wish I had had the wherewithal to pinpoint these special moments back then and ask her what she had been thinking about as she meticulously squeezed the used teabag into her teaspoon and placed it on the napkin beside her mug. Sipping her Half-n-Half laced brew, a habit I never adopted, I wonder now if any regrets were besieging her thoughts as morning shadows began to swirl around her kitchen? And, if so, with whom did she talk about them? Or, was the vast silence she contained within her only ally, her personal source of comfort?

Was a Mother's young daughter equipped to encapsulate such adult emotions and be able to decipher them with the reasoning that each one righteously deserved? Most likely not. But, I did experience these emotions in so many other ways. The silent tear that skimmed down a cheek, the far away look in her beautiful gaze, or a soft hand placed on mine as if telling me it would be all right. Even the very young can be touched by these signs.

The mouthwatering aroma of the baking bird would, eventually, slither up the staircase calling each one of our names. I am reminded of the black and white cartoons on a Saturday morning as I followed the visual of the curlicued scent downstairs where my Mom sat sipping from her favorite mug. The sheer act of hugging and kissing her was a simple yet marvelous gift to me. Inhaling the freshness of the cut vegetables and various spices that mingled with a touch of perspiration on her brow.....will linger with me forever.

It made me so happy to share a little bit of time alone with her, pajama clad as we both were, seeking the warmth of the kitchen. We discussed how many people would be sitting around our maple table in the dining room for dinner that afternoon. It was my job to find the autumn-themed tablecloth and matching napkins in the cupboard to be placed on the table after the two maple 'leaves' were put in to extend its size and, hopefully, accommodate all of us. 

Mom always cooked way too much food for Thanksgiving. I believe it was her way of giving a large part of herself to everyone she loved so much. She would tell me it was easier to cook a grand variety of dishes rather than try to second guess what everyone liked. So, we had several options for vegetables, sweet potato casserole and mashed potatoes with gravy (made from turkey drippings), cranberry sauce and frozen fruit salad (my favorite dish), and, occasionally, a good sized ham to accompany 'Tom' on the table. Our hearts and stomachs were filled by her gracious love. 

Cleaning up after the meal was a lethargic process that demanded concentration and lots of willpower. Admittedly, it remains my most loathsome part of cooking a large meal today. In those days, being the only daughter in a world of three brothers placed me beside Mom back in the kitchen once again. By this time the males were all gathered near the television watching the traditional Lions and Bears football confrontation and Grandma sat at the kitchen table offering conversation while nursing her after-dinner coffee and a cigarette. For the most part, Mom and I worked like clockwork. After all, we were a team.

Times have changed a bit and, having raised two daughters of my own, I reflect upon our time together naming the turkey without becoming too attached to it, mashing the potatoes, and placing the warm rolls into a napkin-lined basket for serving. Waking up at four in the morning was outdated no matter how many guests I fed. And, my husband was as big of a help in preparing the huge meal as he was in cleaning up afterwards. Still is to this day! God bless him.

Now our daughters have families of their own with five little ones between them. I know they are creating their own traditions every holiday that will be merged with those from both sides of their family that have been handed down throughout the years. The turkey may be deep fried instead of baked and vegetables such as kale substituted for creamed corn, but life goes on and sharing the simple things together as a family will always remain the backbone of our existence.

If I could share this precious time with my own Mother once again, I don't think I would change a single thing. What's more important is that I don't think she would, either.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE! Enjoy the company of those who have and will continue to touch your life whether they be family, friends, or people in need this Holiday Season. Remember to make beautiful memories together! 

A HUGE BIRTHDAY shout-out to my granddaughter, Lydia. You will always amaze and delight me! Happy 9th, with all of my Love.   

Copyright © 2016 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved

TRANSITION.....

A series of essays.....

AS CERTAIN AS THE SUN SETS IN THE EVENING.....

.....MAY THE FEELING OF 'HOPE' RISE UP WITH THE SUN IN THE MORNING!!!

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

TRANSITION.....

.....is a form of adjustment between two independent states or time periods. A serious attempt to blend as seamlessly as possible from one perspective into another while causing minimal harm, confusion, or disruption of the normal state of affairs. 

Most of us strive to make a smooth transition into a neighborhood we've recently moved into, the act of changing from a high school routine to the rigors of a college curriculum in a matter of a few months, or conquering the adjustments to be made while exchanging one job and entering another one. Without having to make extraordinary life sacrifices or changes, most of us expect to have to make a few concessions while accomplishing these human tasks. So, with an open mind we charge forward into a world of the unknown and openly adjust to its social and business acumen in order to humanly mix our train of thought and beliefs with those we have recently placed around us. We have willingly transitioned from one particular world into another producing minor shock waves along the way.

Certain transition periods are not of our own making and the change or cause to change from one state (stage) to another can occur, not in a blink of an eye, but in a matter of time that is pleasing to the system and comforting for the soul. 

Mother Nature caresses us with soft summer breezes and conditions us to the crisp smells and sounds of summer's gentle decay come autumn. We may even enjoy the thrill of skiing down snow powered slopes on a bright winter's day and sipping hot cocoa later by a warming fireside. The genuine anticipation of the profusion of color poking through the remnants of melting ice and snow in the form of hearty flora seeks to delight our senses like nothing else imaginable in the springtime of our seasonal changes. The transition from one season into another eases us from one miraculous stage to another. Human nature accepts these changes as markers denoting our personal life cycles ranging from childhood to the final breath we take here on Mother Earth. 

Creatively, we embrace our own 'rite of passage' as we celebrate or mark our change of status on a significant occasion. This may be the onset of puberty, the entry into a select group or service, or any other act or event marking a passage from one stage of life to another. Most cultures, religions, and societies embrace some form of these rituals as standard practice and appeal. It is customary to assist the individual involved by offering a smooth transition from one point of their life into the next. 

So, it might be buying a friend a mug of beer with a cigarette chaser on his birthday. It might be painting your body in bright colors and walking down the paths of your village parading before Elders and fellow villagers. If you celebrate the Catholic Faith, you may feel you are a living part of a significant religious rite of passage by asking yourself to remember your First Communion. Obtaining your first driver's license, a first kiss, new boyfriend/girlfriend and, who can forget the ancient transition into adulthood by being asked to attend your first (and only) snipe hunt.....these are all traditions that segue or transition us into a whole new world, often with the help of family, friends, and members of the clergy.

One week after the highly disputed election for President of the United States, insiders within his transition team are agreeing that Donald Trump is already botching the transition of power associated with the exit of one administration and the establishment of an incoming administration.

Somehow, this hardly comes as a huge shock.

Despite his rabid Twitter campaign where he states that "I am the only one who knows who the 'finalists' are in my Cabinet decisions," the confidence many Americans have in this man, and all of the people who surround him at this moment, should be shaken and distorted. Reality television at its finest! It is most worrisome to experience such lack of true leadership and common sense when it comes to engaging in a very important transition that will, ultimately, affect all of us.....in this country and around the world!

"In another sign that Trump was caught flat-footed by winning the election, his transition team has been slow to engage with the outgoing administration," writes POLITICO. Even though the Obama administration is offering all of the help they can to Trump's team in order to create a smooth transition of power, it does not seem to be enough to iron-out the massive 'kinks' that plague a group of people who favor infighting over cooperation.

And, you can be certain that whatever Mr. Trump throws at us off of his Twitter feed in the form of explanation can and should be given a one-hundred and eighty degree twist every time. Much like throughout his entire campaign, while smearing each of his opponents, the lies about them could be seen instead as the truths about himself and his own lifestyle and beliefs. 

Let us be totally and unequivocally honest with ourselves here as we discuss the transition of power in the case of the Trump family and related businesses. To do this we must think more along the lines of incorporating and harnessing the powers of this great office for the enhancement of personal gains for the family who will be selling their shiny bracelets and bobbles, their resorts and golf courses, and their towers made of gold to the world. Pure Profit and Greed at the expense of the betterment and safety of all of the people of this nation, whether they voted for him or not.

#Stephen Bannon, #White Supremacy, #KKK, #American Nazi Party, #Total Fear, #How Much Is Too Much Power?......

And, the list could continue on and on and on until the American people attempt to understand what this new administration stands for and how little we, as citizens, stand to gain in the next four years of a Trump administration.

It is my belief that most of us will understand this dilemma much sooner rather than later, if not already. Especially when we see that government spending will quickly reach unimaginable heights with his five-hundred and fifty billion dollar (recently reduced from one-trillion dollars - has no clue) infrastructure spending package, 'magic' wall, and the realization that those new/old factory job opportunities that our fore bearers coveted upon high school graduation will not be forthcoming as promised. Via the application of robotics and economic restructuring, they are yesterday's news and   incapable of being resurrected again because......the times they-are always a-changin.' 

Okay....

This story is about transition. This story is about making transitions from one point, tradition, and time to another as smoothly and seamlessly as possible. It is about adjusting well throughout these transitions and becoming a stronger, more knowledgeable human being (country) on the other side. 

In order to get critical points across in terms of explaining ourselves, we often must present opposing examples with the hope of comparison in mind. Unfortunately, looking at the folks on the Trump transition team this past week, it's easy to see that the words 'smooth' and 'transition' do not blend well together. 

Now comes the difficulty with any transfer of power: knowing how to govern the people well. Especially those who have thrown one hundred percent of their life's blood and trust into a president-elect who isn't a traditional Republican in any sense of the term but the new leader of a populist movement that broadly disagrees with party leaders on a multitude of important policy issues.

Thus far, so much for stanching the flow of blood pouring from this wounded nation and her people. So much for eliminating confusion and mayhem while you seek sanctuary from your public responsibilities and enjoy a steak dinner with 'the family' at the 21 Club two blocks from your golden tower as the New York elite sing your praises and you promise to lower their taxes for them even more. 

Lastly, so much for eliminating the disruption of the government's state of affairs as you and your team continue to blunder, argue, and stumble through what should be lots of hard work at the most and basic cooperation among one another at the least in order to make this transition as smooth and cohesive as it can be.

Copyright © 2016 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved

HERSTORY (HISTORY) WILL BE MADE TODAY

A series of essays.....

A NEW DAY DAWNS.......GO OUT AND VOTE!!!!

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

The sun is shining here in Orlando, Florida this morning. I don't know....maybe it's just me....but, I know that something BIG is happening today; something so BIG that 'herstory' books will be updated with woman saying "it's about time" and little girls being provided the opportunity to, finally, look-up to another female face for strength and guidance among those crusty, old book pages we must endure in school. 

Today I am proud to be a woman. I am proud to say that I've voted for a woman to be President of this fragile nation I call home. I will be proud to have a woman guide and protect me and everyone I love, not only on the outside, but, emotionally, on the inside. This woman will wrap her arms around all of us, whether we voted for her or not, and make us feel welcome no matter who we are or where our ancestors came from.

She is not just 'any woman.' She has put in her time within the ranks of political challenges. She has learned to live with her head held high while under a cloud of spousal scandals only to move on and take control of her own political destiny she had set aside so long ago to become a nurturing wife and mother. She moved out of the shadows to run for the United States Senate, won, worked hard, and earned the respect of both the Democrats and the Republicans alike!

This woman will create 'Herstory' each day she is in office by processing the fundamental right of every person who lives in this country who dares to dream, hope, and believe. She will not pretend that basic fear tactics will serve to accomplish her goals. That's a petty way of securing trust, better left to bullies and fear-mongers to employ.  No, her ideas incorporate the belief that we are all, fundamentally, good with many opportunities to better our lives and challenge our minds to explore ALL options that open-up before us. Closed minds create anarchy. Closed hearts create mistrust and hatred. For her.....all doors will be opened for everyone!

I know....I have said this before and I will say this over and over again: It is, precisely, because I am the proud mother of two daughters, three granddaughters and two grandsons that I have voted for Her! Having just spent ten days with these adorable people up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, I will be the first to tell you that the future of our nation looks shiny and bright! There is hope for all of us as long as we allow it into our lives via the youth of this country. It cannot and shall not be squelched or silenced by those who seek to suppress progress through hatred and divisiveness. She will not allow negativity or stagnation to rule this great nation of ours!

Ultimately, you want to be able to have her write her name in the 'Herstory' books with a message of unity where even those who may not have supported her will be able to say that they had a President who always spoke for them, protected their rights, opened up new employment possibilities while equalizing pay rates between men and woman. 

It does not matter this gorgeous morning, November 8, 2016, if the golden sun is shining off of the stiff, glossy fronds of a palm tree or the crisp, crimson leaves of a Michigan maple tree.....  Herstory, as we know it, will become a brand new chapter taught to our youth via the 'books of time' in classrooms throughout America and the entire world in the years to come! 

We are living in a special time. A time where good, positive things will happen if we open up our minds and let them transpire. She, Hillary Clinton, will work hard to ease this fragile country out of the realm of confusion and back into a working, cohesive, and joyful state. A place where we will be proud to raise our children and grandchildren.  A time when the herstory books will reflect a viable change in all of us and the gap of division will ultimately close.

Please remember, this country is a gift to all of us! So, go out and VOTE!

Today, I am proud to be an American!

Copyright © 2016 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved