WHAT IS BEAUTY?

 

A series of essays….

TAKEN NEAR STIRLING CASTLE IN SCOTLAND.
I FIND TRUE BEAUTY IN HONORING THE LIVES THAT 
PRECEDED ME AND CONSIDER CEMETERIES 
VERY ENDEARING AND BEAUTIFUL.

….as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E Hughes

When I began my Blogging career over ten years ago, I was a bastion for all ideas past, current, and future that related to anything regarding the travel life. I was out of the league of a Samantha Brown, but I held the travel bug deep inside me and called on the beauty of travel to guide me through its inner landscape and feel comfortable sharing my personal experiences with readers like you.

This particular trip to The Wild Atlantic Way of Ireland was our fourth as we continued to work our way north along the coast and the outstanding beauty of Western Ireland. Four years before, traveling with friends, I’d booked a two night stay at Craggy Island B&B in Doolin and Dan and I became friends with the owners, Adrian O’Connor and his extremely kind wife, Bev.

Irish traditional music has been a central part of life in this area of County Clare for many years and Doolin has become known as the traditional music capital of Ireland. Our host was an essential component of this vibrant music scene throughout the year and played various instruments with other local musicians in all three pubs in Doolin. Adrian created and produced his own music and contributed a haunting CD which we gladly purchased to bring back home.

ADRIAN’S LOVE FOR DOOLIN SHINES THROUGH

The enlightening music that he composed and for which he was loved and known for suddenly became a part of us and was instantly embedded in our hearts. We realized that we were being called to his music and willingly traveled the path it had taken us on. As in his music and the poetry within his music, I have always likened this enlightenment to literature and ask, why do we read books? And the most simple and direct answer is always, because that is where the wisdom is. Wisdom and pure emotion is in Adrian’s music.

Since meeting Adrian and Bev and sharing the fullness of their lives, we knew that life itself would never be the same. Life was richer now; so full and complete it was almost exotic, in a sense. 

The Burren, the villages of Lisdoonvarna (home of the Matchmaking Festival each year) and Ballyvaughan, Cliffs of Moher, and Doolin itself, one of the last stops before sailing out to the amazing Aran Islands, County Clare and its people have so much to give and we were the willing recipients of all this area had to offer. By the time we came back to Ireland in 2010 to rent a small cottage north of Galway City, we’d heard that Adrian’s health had been severely compromised. We took a chance and stopped by Craggy Island on our way back to Shannon Airport with the hope of talking with him, once again.

This beautiful man, pounds lighter, more frail, but without having lost any of his innate vibrancy, greeted us with grace and charm and invited us in for coffee. Many of us had asked him to create another CD, more beautiful music, but his illness was too strong to have him comply. He did, however, claim his Irish Uilleann pipes and played us several songs while we sat out soaking up the warm, Irish sunshine.

ADRIAN GETTING READY
TO PLAY HIS UILLEANN PIPES

ADRIAN AND ME AT CRAGGY ISLAND B&B

Bev, a nurse, was at work and Adrian promised to give her hugs from us upon her return home knowing that she would be disappointed having missed us. 

In September of 2018 we had set-up a visit with Adrian and Bev in Doolin. We were traveling with good friends and were delighted to share our Irish friends, the trad music, and the warmth of Gus O’Connor’s Pub with Michael and Marsha. Surreal might be the best way to describe this beautiful evening; the perfect mix of fact and fantasy! The inner landscape of beauty that pulled us in and surrounded all of us with its deep, lasting love can be conjured up each time I think about that night. It will, gladly, stay with me throughout my lifetime.

So, if you should ask me the question, what is beauty?, I would reply, that magical night in Doolin, for certain. I would be quick to add the images of our daughters and grandchildren, new buds on the trees, a rolling Yorkshire landscape, poetry read aloud for all to absorb, our dog named Bree, any and all music that stirs the soul and puts a swing in your step. Beauty is everything you want it to be and even…nothing at all; the blank slate of pure emptiness when we close our eyes and all is silent, all is still.

BEV AND ME CATCHING UP WITH LIFE

 BEV, ADRIAN AND ME AT GUS O’CONNOR’S 
PUB IN DOOLIN IN 2018

MINE WERE TEARS OF JOY WHILE TALKING
WITH MY FRIEND AND HERO, ADRIAN O’CONNOR

The late Irish philosopher, poet, and author, John O’Donohue, writes about beauty from every aspect in his book of the same name and asserts that beauty is a gentle but urgent call to awaken and celebrates it as a homecoming of the human spirit. Beauty is the hope we should never relinquish. O’Donohue opens our eyes, hearts, and minds to the wonder of our own relationship with beauty by exposing the infinity and mystery of its breadth. He reveals how beauty’s invisible embrace invites us toward new heights of passion and creativity even in these uncertain times of global conflict and crisis.

The word glamour does not apply here. Its superficial and exciting attractiveness is usually associated with striking physical beauty, luxury, or celebrity. Love, kindness, hopefulness, joy, and contentment define much deeper forms of beauty and personal satisfaction.

In early September of last year, we met a couple while having a drink in a hotel bar in Burford, a beautiful village in The Cotswolds Hills of England. They popped over from Chipping Camden, just up the road, to enjoy dinner and a night out.

We talked about travel, life experiences, and everything that made us truly happy. I told of our friendship with Adrian O’Connor in Ireland. Dan, phone at the ready, looked Adrian up to show them who he was and relay his ties to trad music considering our new acquaintances were in the music business, as well.

Sadly, we discovered that Adrian had recently passed away from the cancer that ultimately consumed him. Had beauty failed us, lost forever by the absence of this man, our friend? Tears arrived later that evening as Dan and I reminisced about the many years we shared Adrian with the world. Instinctively, we knew that the beauty he represented within our lives had actually expanded, released into the entire world for all to cling to, rejoice in, and immortalize for all of eternity.

Adrian’s death was a call to be awakened. We knew we must celebrate his passing as a homecoming of the human spirit. His life, his story, would offer all who knew him the comfort and hope required to carry on and pass the beauty we knew in this world on to everyone else. Your kindness, Adrian, will be remembered and passed down through your spirit to all who knew you and all who find solace in good people who care about others and set positive examples for us to follow.

Copyright © 2024 by Jacqueline E Hughes

All rights reserved

Photos Copyright © 2024 by Jacqueline E Hughes 

All rights reserved

A DECADE OF REALITIES

 

A series of essays….

A GOOD REASON TO CELEBRATE 

       Courtesy of Red Earth

….as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E Hughes

Comprised of ten years, or one-hundred and twenty months, which equals five-hundred and twenty-one point seventy-eight weeks — I’ll stop right there! Leap years happen every four years and are important so that our calendar year matches the solar year — the amount of time it takes for Earth to make a trip around the Sun. Leave it to our Earth — always in a hurry!

A decade can be a lengthy, short, or moderate amount of time depending upon our personal perspective. As a baby-boomer, adding ten healthy years to my life expectancy can be a toss-up between good and bad: yeah, I’m happy to have lived another ten years or, no, unfortunately, I am ten years closer to…well, you know, the end of my personal rodeo. Whereas, an eight-year old might be thinking more about independence or going off to college in ten years time. 

A ten year time span can be gauged positive or negative depending upon various factors such as health, economic means, quality of life, support from family and friends, or our own futuristic prospects, goals, and dreams. I read somewhere that if and when we stop dreaming, this is when a productive life begins to wane, decrease in its momentousness. Holding on to our hopes and aspirations will always give us something to look forward to, as well as a raison d’être, a reason for being, no matter what our age might be!

Even through the most difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic, my dream of travel was never completely undermined; just delayed. I believe my writing and Blog essays kept me going most of the time and still do, today. 

It all began a decade ago, due to our Irish friend and traditional Irish music artist whom we reunited with back in 2013, Adrian O’Connor. Adrian lives in the colorful village of Doolin, located in County Clare, with his amazing wife, Bev. Doolin is considered a trad music hotspot, as well as a gateway to the ancient sites on the Aran Islands, which are just offshore. The towering Cliffs of Moher lie southwest of town. Farther north and east, the Burren is a stark area of limestone beds and extreme beauty, not to be missed.

CRAGGY ISLAND BED & BREAKFAST

Dan and I met Bev and Adrian on a previous trip to the Wild Atlantic Way along the west coast of Ireland when they hosted our stay at Craggy Island B&B in Doolin. Adrian sat with us back then in his parlor and gave a history lesson in Irish traditional music (folk music) and how he has played a part in it over the years. That visit solidified our love for the west coast of Ireland. Adrian and Bev made us want to return. And, we did! We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary there in September of 2013. 

Unfortunately, due to health reasons, they had to give up running their two-story, white stucco home as a Bed & Breakfast so that Adrian could recoup his health and become stronger. Unfortunately, Bev was out that afternoon we stopped by Craggy Island. Even though it had been seven years between visits, when Adrian came to the front door I saw the ‘twinkle of recognition’ in his dark blue eyes. We sat outside in the gracious Irish sunshine and talked about everything. Eventually, I asked him about a promise he once made to me seven years before.

ADRIAN O’CONNOR PLAYING
THE SMALL SET OF PIPES

He silently sauntered back into the house as if remembering the kettle was on, and I knew what he was after as tears already began to flow from my eyes. Adrian returned within moments carrying a small set of pipes that appeared as old and craggy as our dear friend, himself. He promised to play the pipes for us seven years ago, but we’d all been too busy for this private concert to take place. Now, through his illness and recovery, as sure as the salty Atlantic winds continue to lash relentlessly across this amazing coastline, Adrian’s music washed over us like a Mother’s sweet breath as we stood swaying back and forth…promise fulfilled.

I could barely make out his face through my tears. As sure as the Irish sun was shining down upon us, I knew we were in the midst of a power so mysterious and strong, it was bigger than all of us, yet was all of us combined. Love isn't complicated. You just have to be aware of it with every breath you take. My 'tears of happiness' equaled nothing short of pure peace and much needed solace. I can’t thank you enough, my friend.......!

Many things crossed my mind as we were pulling out of Adrian's gravel driveway and waving good-bye to our friend and soulmate. He was a survivor and possessed talent beyond compare. He made you believe in yourself. And, his unselfishness spread warmth and kindness to the four corners of County Clare and beyond. 

Adrian made me do it! His will to carry-on within the uncertain world we live in coupled with his desire to continue to cherish everything he loved, told me I needed to share this story with others. On Friday, October 18, 2013, I published my first Blog post that was simply entitled, Adrian. MOVING ON…..2013 was officially born! 

I will always see Ireland as a rich, artistic performance, alive with nuance, as in forty shades of green! With nearly five-hundred stories/essays behind me, basically, one essay per week of Blogging, I know many of them reference my beloved Ireland and how this magical place piqued my interest as I gathered friends there and so many memories; so many stories to write about.

Accordingly, Dan and I will continue traveling this September (our favorite time of the year) collecting more stories to be shared with all of you. We plan to celebrate our 50th anniversary in Wales with side trips in Devon and the Cotswolds. There will be so many rich stories to relay to you upon returning home, once again. I can hardly wait…!

Copyright © 2023 by Jacqueline E Hughes

All rights reserved

REFLECTIONS OF THE TIMES

 

A series of essays....

REFLECTIONS OF JOYFULNESS AS THE WHITE HOUSE 
IS ILLUMINATED WITH FIREWORKS AND COLOR
ON THE EVENING OF INAUGURATION DAY!

Photo Courtesy of The Wall Street Journal

....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E Hughes

“The music didn’t help. It was upbeat and cheerful, but it had a way of getting into your blood and making you want to feel as alive as humanly possible.”

— The Irish Cottage: Finding Elizabeth by Juliet Gauvin

Music...

This particular quote epitomizes how many of us feel this Inauguration Week. Even while we’re still reeling from the past four years of non-leadership and constant frustration and so many lies—the filtering of Irish music into our souls in the form of a good man by the name of Joe Biden cannot be helped. His music is upbeat, cheerful, and strong and makes us feel as alive and hopeful as humanly possible; as delighted and visceral as an Irish Step Dance performed on a Saturday night.

So, this is not the time for any of us to wallow in sadness any longer. Certainly there are a multitude of duties to be performed by the ‘powers that be’ in Congress which includes an impending trial within the Senate. President Biden (I can’t tell you just how good this title sounds!) and his new staff of intelligent, hard working, and forthright human beings have hit the ground running in order to expedite the changes needed to reverse a legacy never wanted in the first place.

I sit here, alone, as the sun rises over the pristine facade of our Capitol Building reflecting the shimmer of hope that resides in our hearts this golden morning. I am at peace. I am at peace with myself. I am feeling the peace of Irish music flowing around and through me, upbeat and cheerful—enticing me to feel more alive than I’ve felt in over four years.

“To heal we must remember.” — From the Inauguration Speech of President Joe Biden

Change...

His physical body might be in a different place, but his damaged mind and corrupt heart will remain with him wherever he goes. Because he is such a hateful man and perpetrator of horrific crimes against the wellbeing of others, no matter where he resides, this will never change; he will never be able to see or enjoy the positive light that illuminates those of sound mind and character.

It is entirely up to us to make good change happen. We must believe in ourselves and the power of acceptance and unity in order to wake-up with joy in our hearts. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are only the competent hors-d'œuvres! There is a long road ahead of us. We must not become complacent knowing that good people are, once again, placed by we the people, in pivotal positions designed to create laws of responsible protection, leadership, and future advancements for ALL of the citizens of this great nation.

Before the full blast of unity can be achieved, our immediate agenda needs to pinpoint equality as its main goal. I don’t believe unity can be fully met until we understand how important it is to see all people equal in one another’s eyes. I’ve written often before about how the elimination of white supremacy in this country is the premier ticket to the unification of our people. Once we eliminate separation by color and class and fully embrace diversity, with means of education and advancement—unification will always be left drifting in the rear view mirror.

“Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished.” — Amanda Gorman, American Poet

Hope...

Shortly after January 6, 2021, a friend was feeling down and out and floundering in the muddy existence of disgust and fear. I proceeded to write her back with these words of encouragement: “Hope is a commodity, as useful and valuable as water is precious...never lose it.” Never, never lose hope. Lose some weight, lose a bad attitude, or lose the feeling that the world revolves solely around you—but, never allow yourself to lose the feeling that what we want or expect can be had if we truly desire it badly enough. 

It is time to fall in love with life again. We must find areas of our life that are working well and capitalize on them.  It’s time to be totally aware of how someone has emotionally affected us in such a way that they have opened up our mind to feeling happy and absolutely appreciative of the world around us. We must be able to wake up in the morning and instantly tap into that blissful feeling of appreciation and carry it with us throughout the day! Dare we hope that this feeling will awaken our spirits and allow us to love life again?

Walls of apprehension shall be torn down in order to make way for positive deeds and thoughts; new chapters of our life. I deeply hope that through the guidance and leadership of our new administration brand new attitudes and avenues are explored, widened, and fortified with the spirit of our Founding Fathers, the characteristics of a new Renaissance period, and the wisdom and love of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Congressman John Lewis, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg! Indeed, our cup would runneth over if we only dared to hope.

“American Aspiration is what drove the women in this nation, throughout history, to demand equal rights.” — From the Inauguration Speech of Vice President Kamala Harris

I hope you stay safe, happy, and healthy. Always take good care of yourselves and those you love.

Copyright © 2021 by Jacqueline E Hughes

All rights reserved