ANTICIPATION

A series of stories.....

On the Road to Sedona, Arizona.....With Much Anticipation!!

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes



Anticipation

.....is the hope that spreads throughout our body and sends silent tremors from the brain down our arms and legs to our fingertips and lowly toes until the power that surges through us reaches its pinnacle and climaxes into a brilliant crescendo of sound...colors...and textures!  Like a frosty morn waiting for the warmth of sunrise, we, humans, shiver in the non-light of dawn's chilling embrace while crouching in a near fetal position, naked to the world, exposed to the elements and completely vulnerable...unprotected...and waiting, waiting for the morning sun to penetrate our mortal souls.  With the light, our hope becomes real.  With the bird's song, our hearts sing.  With the morning breeze kissing our lips, we clothe our nakedness in expectations, great or ordinary, looking forward to what this bright, new day has to offer.

Being human...we can, in turn, make our way through the discordant notes of imagined or real foreboding, presentment, until the feeling of discontent looms right above our heads like a menacing, black cartoon cloud surely capable of precluding brighter prospects.  Some days are better than others.  Other days, we are confronted by certain scenarios that may negatively 'set-us-off' allowing our inner demons to take charge of our physical and mental functions until we no longer have a voice...and, our options have diminished.  Sadness.  Despondency.  Yet, a dull ache openly anticipated by many without full comprehension of reason or why.  Can the prospect of personal dysfunction lull the mind into a state of adverse comfort with its cold, inimical voice singing acidic words deep within melodies composed of beating drums leading funeral marches to the grave?  Some of us sit by, uncomfortably, on the sidelines without knowledge or reasoning behind such personal conflict and continue to fail to assist or understand...shame, denial.

Remember the written words of Mr. Alexander Pope in his Essay on Man, "Hope springs eternal in the human breast," and extract from these words what you will...what brings for you "the soul's calm sunshine" and the idea that each one of us can achieve true human happiness while on this earth.  Oh, to remain open minded and receptive of this concept every day of our lives would truly be a goal worth its weight in gold and as priceless as the newborn infant entering naked into a world of the unknown....a clean palette of hope and possibility!  May this child grow strong and healthy, hear and feel the firework's gut-wrenching 'Boom' and witness the majestic spray of glittering and colorful glory high above as new ideas sparkle and swirl slowly down around him.  Humans are adaptable and the blinding rains that cover us in doubt one day turn into rays of sunshine that calm our fears and self-doubts tomorrow.

Carly Simon's second album, Anticipation, released in November of 1971, is an explosive reminder that innocence of mind, purity of heart and the promise of new love can become a 'tour de force,' a breath of fresh air to those of us who might have forgotten that passion is the true ruler of man, not, necessarily, reason...

Author's Note: Anticipation is waiting to hug and kiss your beautiful daughter and two adorable grandchildren at the airport in just a few more hours time.  Wow, I am so excited to have them here....even if for only one week!!!


Copyright © 2014 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

PLENITUDE

A series of short stories.....

 

 

 

 

Plenitude....A 'Super Moon' Kind of Story

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


It's difficult for us to imagine how someone who could give us so much infectious joy throughout a lifetime and career can become so lost within themselves that the same joy is not able to save them from the sadness and helplessness swirling around within their own mind and soul. Like the fatal black mist that it is.....despair and the complete absence of hope has claimed yet another victim, Robin Williams.

Yes, Rest In Peace, Sweet Man!  As God and all of His Angels welcome you into their 'Heavenly Comedy Club' please know that your joyful spirit and generous nature lives on within every earthbound creature you have left behind.

We do not see you as a victim......rather, as an example so that we may become more informed and aware of others around us who suffer from feelings of extreme sadness and hopelessness, as you have.  Your private struggle should become our public format as we consciously educate ourselves to help others find relief from their own personal despair.

Comic Relief ~ Help For The Nation's Homeless
Whoopi Goldberg...Billy Crystal...Robin Williams

We must never take lightly this serious disease labeled depression.  Not one single person should have to suffer its consequences alone.  Unfortunately, it is a 'silent disease' that often evokes a sinister form of embarrassment by those who do recognize its symptoms.  This stigma has always been a grave societal 'faux pas' in the United States and has seriously weakened healthy social development for many decades.  Mental illness in this country can be filed under the heading of Major Taboos right alongside the medicinal value of marijuana (cannabis), nudity, same sex relationships, Civil Rights (after all this time and suffering), sex education and contraception, masturbation and, most regrettably.....rape.  Don't get me started!!

Sorry, too late.  How can such an advanced society such as ours,  comprised of intelligent individuals, still 'giggle' because they feel uncomfortable about their own bodies?  Why, in 2014, do we still hide behind invisible masks when the above topics are brought up within a civil conversation?  Has our own naïveté and unsophistication blinded our radar so badly that we've become oblivious to the presence of understanding and common sense?  Yes.  Quite simply, yes, because we continue to refuse to acknowledge the positive lessons learned by example and apply them to our daily lives.  "It's his problem or her problem, not mine," I hear this all of the time.  No, my friends, it is OUR problem!  I have said this before and will say it again and again.....we are all in this game of life together.  Let's make a valiant effort towards getting it right this time around!  Our children and grandchildren depend on our generation making a positive difference.

I further acknowledge the sinking notion that if a particular scenario does not make quick and copious amounts of revenue for certain individuals or institutions, then it's not worth pursuing.  Our resources are great and we live in a land of abundance with a plenitude of food and natural resources.  And yet.....yet, we squander the opportunity to properly feed and house our own people.  We continue to ignore the fact that our forefathers failed to appropriately apply checks-and-balances with regards to industrial development throughout the years.  Our world is suffering, in part, due to their neglect.  Couple this with our neglect, as well because some of us are still choosing to pretend, either for political reasons or by employing the 'ignorance is bliss' syndrome, that we are not destroying the natural beauty and sustenance that was given to us as our greatest gift of all, Mother Earth!

Perhaps, Robin understood all of this.....  The rich do get richer and the poor, well, the poor are too often forgotten about.  The color of your skin should never determine the value of your intelligence.  Love for your fellow man holds more value than a bulging bank account.  And, laughter can only temporarily hide or distract us from our underlying problems.  Sadly, Robin knew this.



Scene From The Movie Good Morning, Vietnam

Growing up in the same generation as Robin Williams, I often think back on the many reasons why I am who I am today.  I am a product of a strict, Catholic upbringing in the '50's; the '60's and '70's unveiled their complete package consisting of the brutality of war (Good Morning, Vietnam!), the unreasonable death of good people (Kennedy, King and Kennedy), while peace, free love and rock n'roll wound their trailing tentacles of import and significance throughout every fiber of our existence; the '80's and '90's were years spent attempting to cope with everything we'd lived through our first three decades of life.

Despite of or, more than likely, because of all the above, I have learned to be open-minded, verbal and passionate, vulnerable and always choose to believe my cup is half full rather than half empty.  Being an eternal optimist, I trust that mankind will do the right thing, make the best choices for a healthy sustainable earth and provide subsequent generations with a positive footprint for their future growth and development. 
 

Courtesy of: The Global Citizen

  
I Do Not believe in the justification of war because of religious ideals, beliefs or doctrine.  War becomes a hypocritical smoke-screen for the general lust for power and the control over others.  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a hypocrite as, "A person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion and acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings."  Our history books are filled with such hypocrites (The Crusaders, for example) who hid behind their particular 'cross' while seeking power and greed in the name of the Church!  Innocent people died, as they are dying today in Syria, Israel, Iraq and the Ukraine, to name only several places, due to the inability of men and women to see one another as equals along this dusty road called Life.  Who gets to decide that his/her lifestyle and religious beliefs should reign over another human being?

No one.

I don't care what banner you wave or if your 'good intentions' heighten your feeling of superiority over those you feel are less fortunate or living in darkness and must see the light....communication, learning and understanding our differences with the eventuality of accepting them and seeing yourself within others will even out the playing field. Toss out the fear of the unknown and accept the fact that the earth never really was flat after all!

Fear exists when the lack of knowledge prevails.  Understanding, awareness and the appreciation of other cultures, their lifestyles and customs are some of the main reasons why we enjoy traveling.  Walking unfamiliar terrain and witnessing sights you've only imagined while reading a favorite book or enjoyed in a particular movie......what a personal thrill! 

There is nothing quite as invigorating as a misty afternoon hike along a craggy mountain trail or walking hand-in-hand with someone you love on a moon-lit, Caribbean beach as a cool ocean breeze caresses your face.  And, like a refreshing breath of fresh air, Robin Williams inundated our mundane world with an abundance of pure joy, a plenitude of laughter and helped us to understand that life is a series of extemporaneous 
adventures.....totally unscripted and capable of taking us anywhere we want to go.  This is his legacy; this is his gift to all of us. 

Koko and Robin 'Hamming It Up'

"Tickle me, tickle me," signed Koko, the gorilla friend whom Robin had forged a bond with when he visited the Gorilla Foundation in California back in 2001.  Whenever I saw Robin Williams, either on the big screen or television, secretly I was asking the very same thing.  "Tickle me, tickle me and make me laugh......"  He never failed to do so.  I will always remember this brilliant, generous and kind man!  Love.

Courtesy of The 'Love Infinitely Project'
Give...Love...Create...Change

Copyright © 2014 Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved


 

THE APPLICATION OF LIFE

Classic Thursday.......





~~Lydia Kaprice With Her Great Grandma, Marceline Robertson~~

......as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


I may call this an 'author's repost' or fundamentally, "Gone fishing in the archives for this special one!"  Maybe this comes under the heading of 'Classic Thursday.'  Whatever it is to be called, I always feel it's important to go back a little in time and allow work from a few years ago to resurface, come up for air and take a deep, deep breath once again.  As a writer, it's important to see where you've been in order to realize which direction you are heading in.  

This post was originally written in celebration of a friend's birthday.  Rereading it, after giving it a slight dusting-off, the original intent,  celebrating our life from infancy through adulthood by weaving one component, Love, constantly within the fabric of our existence, encourages us to be stronger, responsible and creative humans.  The message stays as relevant today as back then, as it will tomorrow or a thousand years from now.

Enjoy....





Originally Posted 08/20/2010

Ode To Those Of Us Turning Sixty

Like mist rolling into a dream that gently wraps all thoughts, all perspectives within its opaque wisdom....life proceeds on a daily basis as we take baby steps along this abstract journey.  We struggle to stand and to walk and to speak and to communicate with others around us…..as we observe their personal creation of the dance of life through every second, minute, hour, day, month, year and decade of breath that escapes between their ruby red lips.

We are infants morphing into adults with so much exotic pain and exquisite joy accompanying our movements that we’ve been known to cry to the heavens either in shock or  ecstasy during any given day.  On quiet days we curl into ourselves and specifically fail to ask the question, “Why?” deeply afraid of the answer and genuinely appreciative of the minute respite, knowing our emotions will attack us, once again, tomorrow…….

All too swiftly we become the adult form of the beautiful infant of our past carrying the trappings of adulthood upon our shoulders like our Father once carried us, high above the snakes that slithered around his shoes…..making us tall and momentarily secure.  Unfortunately, he let us down from that lofty place in so many ways.  On our own , survival is imperative as we hopscotch our way between the serpents and manage  incredible bites of sustenance in the form of hard work,  hard play and profound moments of sweet, enduring love…….lovers, spouse, children, grandchildren line-up to create this undeniable bond of such magnitude and strength….we are blown away by its power.

We become survivors.  Like a flash of lightning in the evening sky, the electricity flows through our earthly bodies with such creative power that we in turn charge the world around us and continue the ebb and flow of eternal life.  Such power and responsibility within us is, simply put, enormous!  Love….   



Have a Beautiful Day!

Copyright © 2014 Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

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