BEN....BREAKFAST....AND, BOYISH CHARM

A series of essays....

DRUID COTTAGE, A TRADITIONAL IRISH COTTAGE LOCATED
ON THE RING OF KERRY AND OUR HOME FOR THREE DAYS!

....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

Every journey tells a story and if we look inside each one of those stories, we can find a hundred more. Each story comes with a different narrator and each story contains the personal charm that each narrator provides, “....as seen through my eyes!”

How I perceive our stay at Druid Cottage in Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland, for three nights may be similar to my fellow travelers, but with just enough of a personal twist as to change how the light plays off of the whitewashed, sunroom walls or, favor my own version of how the voices, layered in happy tones and seasoned with the spirited sounds of laughter, were summoned like magical echos of instant camaraderie flowing smoothly between the guests! 

This particular story is prompted by that voice....those deep, throaty tones and a laugh, bright, deep, and resonant between sips of coffee and snippets of his own stories, that initially attracted my attention....

We’d arrived shortly after dark to meet Phil, our delightful host, at the front doorway of his quaint Bed and Breakfast, Druid Cottage, located on the Ring of Kerry itself, right outside the village of Kenmare. Dan and I fell in love with this small town located on the Wild Atlantic Way over twelve years ago when we discovered that it meant ‘little nest’ in the  traditional Gaelic language of Ireland. We tend to return to it with each visit to Ireland. Its kindness and charm, smiling faces, stone circle, whitewashed buildings, and energetic soul live within us....drawing us back into the fold each time.

WE PARKED OUR RENTAL CAR
IN THIS COZY SPOT

After Phil had shown us to our rooms at the top of the steep, winding staircase, we were exhausted. Even so, hunger won out in the end, along with our continuous quest for a pint of Guinness, and we found warmth and solace in Davitt's Bar and Restaurant, right in the heart of the town. 

If one can truly find deep, soul quenching sleep in a strange bed...we did! In the morning, after the hustle and bustle of showering and dressing for breakfast, I began to slowly descend the narrow staircase amid the inaudible conversations that preceded the booming laughter emanating from the sunroom to the right of the petite foyer. 

DRIVING INTO KENMARE CITY
WITH DAVITT'S BAR ON THE LEFT

Being quite interested in placing a face with the laughter, I tried to imagine it before turning the corner and entering the breakfast room. 

I pictured an older, white-haired man in need of a shave (with a mad scientist’s profile) who hails from Dublin City. I saw a slightly pudgy American from Miami wearing an Hawaiian shirt with bluejeans and heartily laughing at his own jokes. And, I visualized a mild, timid looking gentleman in khakis and a Polo shirt whose voice far outweighed his physical stature. My imagination failed to discern his particular  nationality.

Finally, I entered the bright sunroom and discovered....Ben!

BEN SORENSEN AND OUR FIRST
MORNING AT DRUID COTTAGE

Well, I quickly learned that his name was Ben, Ben Sorensen (with an ‘e’), because he instinctively stood up as I turned into the sunlit annex and thrust forward his hand to shake my own and to let me know that his name was Ben. If we hadn’t met Phil, owner of our comfortable accommodations, last evening, I would surly believe our host would be this tall, bearded, bubbly, young man standing opposite of me on the other side of the breakfast table!

Ben had been seated near a couple hailing from Alabama and celebrating their wedding anniversary. Apparently, their conversations with Ben had been quite jovial and produced the cheerful and friendly atmosphere that enveloped this small, glass-walled room.

By the time Dan, Michael, and Marsha joined the breakfast revelry, shortly behind me, it was clear to all of us that Ben’s engaging personality had infiltrated our lives, bringing with it a certain civility within an Australian accent and a lumberjack persona. Who could resist a full salt-n-pepper mustache and beard engulfing a charming smile and eyes that sparkled when his smile conjured ‘wisdom creases’ surrounding their dark, penetrating gaze? Not to mention his captivating accent that invoked images of a sweet joey snuggled in his mother’s pouch and a fuzzy, adorable koala bear munching on eucalyptus leaves.

DAN, BEN, MICHAEL, AND MARSHA....
WE WERE A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE!

Ben became our own guru of sorts that sunny morning in Kenmare. An influential teacher and popular expert, he turned out to be a life management guru with an answer or, at least, a story and opinion on almost everything we talked about, questioned, and attempted to make sense out of. Certainly, we offered our own ideas and blended in with the conversation as we ate Bernadette’s (Phil’s better half) delicious rashers, eggs, and toast with homemade jam. And, after several cups of robust French-pressed coffee under our belts, it was becoming increasingly difficult to even think about leaving this comfortable cocoon of newfound friendship we’d willingly established ourselves in.

It turned out that Ben had just arrived in Kenmare from his hometown, Melbourne, Australia, to host the wedding of two good friends who would be getting married the next day. As information was shared (this is when social media is at its very best!), Instagram accounts connected to, and promises made to ‘keep in touch,’ we learned so much more about Ben Sorensen.

Ben is a well known public figure Down Under who travels world-wide seeking business ventures and opportunities for himself and others. He emcees large social occasions including music concerts, conventions, and exhibitions, and has his own popular Ben’s Trivia Question of the Week  program in Australia where he promotes local businesses and encourages your participation with the incentive of prizes to be won if answered correctly.

Yes, that charming face does get around! Ben describes himself as, “Quirky, eccentric, bearded, media personality, voiceover guy, writer, music lover, presenter of stuff, and unable to leap tall buildings....” He came to Ireland at the request of his friends on their ‘Special Day’ and was leaving for Dublin and then off to Germany for several weeks before returning to Melbourne.

We ended up spending three breakfasts together with Ben. Although, Michael and Marsha had run into him at the local library in town as he was ‘discovering’ what made Kenmare tick and successfully enamoring the population of the town by enchanting them with his appealing personality.

PHIL, OUR GRACIOUS HOST, GIVING
DAN DIRECTIONS TO LOCAL SITES.

Saturday, the final morning of our stay with Phil and Bernadette (much more about them in another story), we met two amazing ladies from Germany, Christiane and Juliane, who were spending one night at the cottage before continuing their travels throughout Ireland. Ben was more subdued around them. However, his boyish charm was evident and certainly not lost on them as witnessed by their side glances and coquettish smiles. Ironically, we met up with Christiane and Juliane four days later while touring Kylemore Abbey located just north of Connemara National Park and a little over an hours drive from Galway City. Once again, information exchanged and new friends tucked into our hearts forever!

Seeing Ben on Instagram and following his generous activities on his Facebook Page (including videos) helps to keep his legacy alive for me. At least I get to hear his voice, accent and all, and see his magnetic smile whenever I wish. Thank you, social media. 

VIEW OF THE BACK COURTYARD

This story is all about the benefits of travel; the new friendships, happenstance encounters, sharing of ideas and beliefs, and the better understanding of people from all corners of this magnificent world we share with so many others. Years ago you may have become (pen pals) in order to continue a relationship with someone beyond your travels. Today we have social media to thank. Yes, life has become less complicated in this regard and much more open to instant responses from those we meet along the long, winding road of discovery!

Aussie accent and charm, a plethora of knowledge and advice, a propensity for laughter...these will always remind me of Ben. Nevertheless, it will be his kindness and deep love of coffee that will set him apart from everyone else for me. Ben, I sincerely hope we really do get to meet in person again....one day!

Copyright © 2018 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved 

Photo Copyright © 2018 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved

FROM CARDBOARD FORTS TO LOCKED DOORS AND FEAR....THE NEW GENERATION!

A series of essays....

THE AGE OF INNOCENCE,  A CHARACTER STUDY BY THE ENGLISHMAN,
JOSHUA REYNOLDS, WAS COMPLETED AROUND 1786

 Courtesy of: en.m.wikipedia.org

....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

The Age of Innocence, as my generation perceived it growing up in the 1950’s, is rapidly changing! The simplicity of being a child, free to roam and discover the small world around them, is being exchanged for real fears that stifle the purity of their daily lives.  I believe that The Age of Innocence is the struggle to reconcile the old with the new.... But, at what cost to all of the innocent children?

Can we any longer.....

Leave the doors to our house and automobile unlocked just because we live in a small town or community?

Knock on a stranger’s door to ask for directions or help and not expect to have someone accost us with a firearm?

Pack school lunches for our children without wondering if something bad could happen to them during the day at school; when they come home from school?

Watch our teenage daughter go out for a run with earbuds on, innocently listening to her favorite tunes, and not be concerned about her safety....even in broad daylight?

Not worry about our elementary school child walking home a block or two alone after being let off from the bus?

Be a child of African American decent and not require to learn specific rules and regulations in order to coexist among White children and adults?

Leave for our place of employment and not have to wonder if a disgruntled employee (current or past) will be stalking the premises with the intent to cause harm to those who work there?

I am old enough to know that many to all of the above examples could have and, most likely, did occur years ago, as well. The consistency by which they occur today is what concerns most of us.....especially regarding the mass school shootings that have taken so many young, innocent lives! They have robbed us of so much intelligence and potential towards making our world a better, more productive place to live and have inflicted incredible, lasting pain among the families and friends that survive after such an egregious event.

And, yes, having the broad spectrum of the media today reach out to us in so many different ways has a lot to do with allowing us to instantly feel the impact of such horrific acts of hatred and disregard for human life itself. What glory such a deranged mind seeks and is gifted with when they know that their ‘dirty’ deed reaches such notoriety so quickly and in real time. Lives touting such obscene ‘legends’ have become prolific in this time of instant media coverage.

Am I kidding myself here? Was there ever such a thing as living in jubilant innocence in the first place? Or, did we convince ourselves that living in a small town guaranteed that you knew all of your neighbors well enough and offered a comfort that stemmed from your parents and grandparents who lived there before you? Generations ago it was more likely that you remained in the same town that you grew-up in rather than fly-off into the great unknown following your dreams. We would be safer if we just stayed put. Or, so we believed.

With changing times, we have become travelers of the entire world and often decide to visit and live in places that our grandparents had never even heard of or read about. The earth has become a smaller place in this regard, however, our knowledge of different people, their culture and traditions, has grown immensely and we are learning how to comfortably commingle with all the people of the world. 

Sadly, continuing to follow along our current path, the legacy we pass down to our children and grandchildren will be of students crouching down beneath their desks as they are drilled to react to a shooter within their school. Or, to fear the color of someone’s skin for they may want to cause you physical harm. Understanding that if you speak-up and say what you feel deep inside, you could be taken away and locked-up. And, to love freely the person of your choice could be against the law of the land. 

Unfortunately, the legacy we pass down to the children would be their lack of freedom; the same freedoms we knew and cherished as a child growing-up in America! The innocence we luxuriated in and may have taken for granted, has disintegrated into the dust particles of fear, hatred, and isolation which has contributed to anxiety about future uncertainties or how we stack-up among the different levels of society as we know it.

Can we turn the tables? I will always believe that we can. Eliminating the source of such fear and hatred by those who exasperate us by promoting negativity and friction between various groups would be a huge start! If you are eighteen or older, making your vote count this November would be a giant step towards turning our topsy-turvy world in a slightly more upright position. 

Ultimately, we need the United States government to be on our side again, we the people, and fighting for the ‘little person’ who happens to make-up the vast majority of this great nation; the people who work hard for a living and strive every day to make this country stronger and better from the bottom....up. Not the other way around! Our neighbors whom we trusted with our unlocked homes and vehicles are, once again, those we would do anything for as we assume they would do for us.

All children deserve the right to feel free of guilt through lack of knowledge of evil. He or she should be protected from cunning or deceit for as long as humanly possible. Childhood is living in a fairytale world without structure or worldliness and where the imagination can run rampant. Our children are entitled to enjoy this inherent freedom, this privilege of living, even for a little while, within a world that is charmed and innocent....

Every child deserves the right to have time to explore and time to waste. These are the little things that help to make this country the best it can be right now; the best it can be in the future! 

Please exercise your right to vote on November 6! Allow the innocent children of America to enjoy the freedom and joy of living a childhood that enriches their imaginations instead of harboring their fears. I thank all of you in advance. Vote!

Copyright © 2018 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved

A TALE OF LIFE, GUINNESS, AND DIRTY LAUNDRY

A series of essays....

WHETHER IT'S A PINT OR A HALF PINT OF GUINNESS,
IT ALWAYS TASTES SO MUCH BETTER IN IRELAND!!!

....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

Stealing a few moments down in my daughter’s comfy basement, I am sitting on their bright red sectional, resting my bone-weary legs and listening to the soothing sounds of both washer and dryer creating their magic as our traveling clothes tumble and roll inside. Hopefully, our machines will be hooked-up and operable by the end of this week. The plumber is at our little yellow cottage working on that right now. In the meantime, this basement solitude suits me just fine!

MICHAEL, MARSHA, DAN, AND ME!

Dan and I returned from our trip to Scotland, Wales, and Ireland on Monday having shared amazing experiences with our traveling companions and good friends, Marsha and Michael. Unlocking the front door at eleven o’clock at night prompted us to forget about everything else but sleep after a long day of travel. It always amazes me that you can wake-up in, let’s say, Quin, Ireland, and be in your own bed later that same day (night)! 

Within life’s consistent identification of ‘first times’ and ‘last times,’ spanning the few, short years between birth and old age, we spend precious little time reconnecting with what makes us happy, comfortable, and rich with emotion and memories. I find that returning to a place where all of the elements involved make you feel hopeful and alive works wonders for my weary soul and peace of mind. Returning to Ireland is a prime example.

Some world travelers add-up on their ‘travel size’ abacus how many places they’ve visited; how many countries they’ve stepped foot upon. And, I see nothing wrong with this from an aesthetic point of view. I have chosen to be less concerned with compiling numbers and more excited about remembering meaningful experiences. Returning to a place I enjoyed so much the first time brings me back home to the land, places, memories, and (most importantly) the people I’ve come to call my friends! With each return visit, new friends are made, as well, and are neatly tucked into our hearts as we promise to keep in touch via the Internet in one way or another; assuring each other that our door would always be open for possible future visits.

I began my Blogging experience five years ago and entitled it ‘Moving On: 2013’ for many good reasons. I was moving on with my life’s journey and I wanted to share my adventures with others. I called myself ‘The Traveling Keyboard’ because my i-Pad was (is) my friend and faithful companion. Having solidified the fifth year of publishing my stories this past September, I am celebrating the occasion by reminiscing about the gentleman and his lady who were the subjects of my maiden essay. I am proud of the 235 posted stories I’ve composed since then!

Dan and I met Adrian and Bev in Doolin, County Clare, in September of 2006. And then, dropped by to speak with Adrian again in the autumn of 2013 before flying home from Shannon Airport.

CRAGGY ISLAND B&B

Well, my story goes something like this....

“Hello there. I’m Adrian. My wife, Bev, should be around shortly,” said the man with the engaging smile and an Irish lilt that bespoke of his rich Irish ancestry. “Come in. Come in and I’ll show you around the house before taking you up to your room to settle in.”

It was the final two nights of this particular Ireland visit as we followed along the Wild Atlantic Way in constant pursuit of lively pubs and Traditional Irish Music. We soon discovered that both were to be found in this colorful, little village that hugged the Atlantic Ocean. Doolin is embraced by the popular Cliffs of Moher to the south and the quaint Aran Islands further out to the west that dreamily drift near the horizon and stand guard to the entrance of Galway Bay.

THE CLIFFS OF MOHER RESIDE IN
THE BACKGROUND

After being warmly introduced to Bev and told that she would be making us a traditional Irish breakfast in the morning, Adrian preceded us up to the second floor to our comfortable room. Adrian and Bev were the proud owners of Craggy Island Bed & Breakfast, a peaceful place in a  scenic location with sea views and close to Ballyvaughan, Lisdoonvarna  (Matchmaker Festival), The Burren, and home to Traditional Irish Music. My research showed that Adrian held deep roots within the Trad Music scene and often played his guitar in local jam sessions at Gus O’Connors Pub in the village. Gus O’Connors is a Traditional tavern that originally opened in 1832 and offers delicious Irish food and nightly live music. Definitely a place after my own heart!

I’d read that Adrian O’Connor, our host, had released one CD, Often I Think About Doolin, and soon learned that he had arranged each song himself and was considered a local hero of sorts because of his talent and major contribution to the Doolin Trad Music lifestyle. Both he and Bev were certainly enthusiastic enough and very generous with their time and we were offered a private guitar session in their parlor at Craggy Island by Adrian himself. Explaining each song with his generous heart, we were overwhelmed by his personal sharing of history and music and candid talks about his family’s involvement concerning the Irish War Of Independence. 

Saying good-bye was very difficult for me. It was as though we’d been taken in by an Irish family who had allowed us into their inner circle with open arms and I found that relinquishing that new found joy, even after only two days, required much effort on my part.

THE CHEERFUL PARLOR AT
CRAGGY ISLAND B&B

“You’ll be back once again,” their kind voices chimed in agreement. Their words floated around us like the myriad of local musical instruments that collected and vibrated our very beings for the last two evenings: the bodhran (drum), fiddle, flutes, tin whistle, banjo, spoons, uilleann pipes, mandolin, guitar, and button accordion, to name a few. Our lower thighs were sore from the constant tapping on them in order to keep up with the exotic rhythms surrounding us for hours on end. “Yes, we will be back...soon,” was all we could reply. I waited to be seated in the car before the tears welled up in my eyes  obscuring my vision for miles.

BEV, ADRIAN, AND MYSELF IN
GUS O'CONNORS PUB

We tried to make reservations at Craggy Island seven years later. I was informed that it was no longer a Bed & Breakfast and that the owners had given up the business of welcoming strangers and long lost friends into their home due to family illness. 

Exactly how I found out eludes me at the moment. However, where there is a will...there is a way and I discovered that Adrian had been diagnosed with cancer not too long after we had left seven years earlier and had spent quite some time in treatment. With all of this going on in their lives, they decided to close up shop and concentrate on Adrian’s health.

Falling in love with Doolin, County Clare, and Adrian and Bev was the easiest thing we would ever do. Craggy Island drew us back again after seven, long years and we found ourselves navigating the hillsides of Doolin searching for the past we missed and desired so much. Memory led us back to the labyrinth of small, country lanes where the beautiful white, two-story house stood guard at the top of a hill.

ADRIAN PLAYING THE
PIPES EXPRESSLY FOR US...

Slowly driving by in order to soak in the feeling of coming home, we noticed a slight looking figure sitting on the wall at the side of the house and decided to pull in and inquire, just on the off chance, if either Adrian or Bev were at home. 

Suddenly, we found ourselves face to face with Adrian himself looking frail and quite surprised by our presence. Reintroducing ourselves while apologizing profusely for interrupting him, we could see in his eyes that he remembered our faces and gradually felt more comfortable with us. Being Adrian and the lovely man that once told us we’d be back to Doolin once again, he offered us a cuppa, which we kindly refused. Forever the gracious host! 

HAPPINESS!

As if looking directly into my soul, he told me to stand there and don’t move and that he’d be right back. Moments later Adrian returned with his small bagpipes in hand and gingerly reseated himself on the stone wall and asked, “I told you last time that I’d play the bagpipes for you, didn’t I?” “Yes, yes you did,” I, briskly, replied. 

Even the sharp, autumn wind could not wipe the smile off of our faces as Dan and I were treated to three Irish songs accompanied by bagpipes, pure enthusiasm, and the keen musical talent of Adrian O’Connor!

STANDING ALONG DOOLIN PIER,
THE SPUME BLOWING INTO OUR FACES

It is now early evening as I stand, reflectively, at Doolin Pier braving the sturdy wind and admiring the sun peeking through the steely clouds. The spume (foam) created by the agitation of the mighty Atlantic seawater slaps at my face reminding me of silly games played as a child. Holding my smartphone as tightly as possible, I attempt to capture the beauty and power that I am privileged to witness at this exact moment. I understand how fortunate I am to be alive!

We just left Gus O’Connors Pub not far up the narrow road to Doolin. Seeking the beauty of the mighty Cliffs of Moher and the distant formations of the protective Aran Islands out at sea, one last time, Doolin Pier is the place to be. My shots look good and I’m happy to be taking them back home with me.

LOCAL MUSICIANS HONORING JOHN JOE

DANCING A TRADITIONAL
SOLO IRISH DANCE WITH
JOHN JOE IN THE BACKGROUND

A few moments ago, the four of us helped to celebrate the birthday of John Joe, a local gentleman, at O’Connors Pub along with his friends, fellow Doolin residents, and musicians who honored him with music and song. A young lady danced a traditional solo Irish dance in his honor while another older gentleman told us humorous stories (craic) about John Joe’s  interesting personal experiences. We all raised our pints of Guinness and laughed and cheered for several hours.

RELATING HUMOROUS STORIES ABOUT
THEIR MUTUAL FRIEND, JOHN JOE

MY FACE SAYS IT ALL.....

CATCHING UP ON THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS

Oh, did I happen to mention that two very special birthday guests, and our friends, Adrian and Bev O’Connor, met us at the Pub early in the afternoon? Yes, seated at two of the small, round pub tables and tucked-in a corner opposite the long bar, we all cheered on John Joe, caught up with the last five years of our lives in the short amount of time we had, and raised a glass (or two!) to one another in celebration of simply being together once again. Life is very, very good!

WHO COULD RESIST
THIS BEAUTIFUL SMILE?

Now, back to my laundry. It’s nice to know that no matter what life throws your way, you will always have dirty laundry to ground you and keep it all real.

Slainte....! Good health to all!

Copyright © 2018 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved

Copyright © 2018 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All photo rights reserved