LIGHTS, LIGHTS AND MORE LIGHTS

A series of essays.....

~~A Bright Red Star~~

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes



"Do you see the magical glow yet?"

"What on earth are you talking about?"

"What happens Thanksgiving Day each and every year since we built this house fifteen years ago?"

"Well, you cook the turkey on the grill.....however, I've yet to see it burst into flames and create a bright light!!



Happy Birthday Lights

I swear this banter between us went on for several agonizing minutes. This is usually 'down time' for us as we sit on the lanai after dinner and talk about our day.  So, a pop-quiz or silly riddle to solve was above and beyond peaceful to me just then.  Considering he had recently  roasted our Rosemary, lemon and clarified butter 'bird' to perfection on his trusty Weber Grill and it had been his birthday the day right  after this.....I decided to give him some slack and play along.

Gazing above the screen enclosure facing a southwesterly direction...hint, hint, hint, he asked me once again, "Do you see the magical glow yet?  You know, the one that lights-up the sky and tends to figuratively 'suck-up' everyone else's energy source until after New Year's Day?"

I'm not remotely suggesting that any form of bright light source graced our softly greying evening sky as I followed his gaze towards the southwest.  As a matter of fact, it wasn't even late enough to catch a fleeting glimpse of the distant firework displays emanating from the various theme parks that thrive several miles away in that direction.  After some careful reasoning on my part, however, the proverbial 'light bulb' suddenly began to shed its light down upon me.  Thank goodness!

"Ahhhh!!  My goodness...how on earth could I have forgotten?" I asked myself.  "I get it...I get it but, I find it difficult to believe there isn't a visible 'glow' over there.  Maybe they moved.  Or, maybe the wonderful HOA (Translation: Crappy Home Owner's Association) put their 'Bah Humbug' stop to it this year!"

"I don't think they can do that...they could try but, I still don't think so," Dan said, with a slight sneer on his face.  Our HOA can be quite a sore subject for us.  But, as I often say....another story, another time.

Sitting there for an additional fifteen minutes or so, watching the detailed  shadows of varying shades of gray slip into a world of deep, impenetrable black, I couldn't take the suspense another second and jumped-out of my chair!  "That's it!  We have to take a walk around the neighborhood!  I have to know!"

I have always referred to our small (by Orlando standards), gated community as 'A Small Slice of Heaven' because our seventy-three stone and stucco homes rest on the old Morgan homestead that featured a working mill that once ground grain into flour and was powered by the small stream that runs right behind our subdivision.  I would enjoy being able to step-back in time and see the waterwheel that worked the machinery of Mr. Morgan's mill and take-in the sight of the many cows and other farm animals that I've been told grazed on the lush grasses growing along the water's bank.  One Floridian family lived and loved, worked and played, flourished and then disappeared long ago...in another era; a different lifestyle.

Grabbing a light jacket to help ward-off the chill of an autumn evening, we proceeded out the front door on our quest for visual affirmation.  Following our street, Morgan's Mill Circle, to the right, we were seven houses back from the bend in the road....and one gentle right turn before the proof we had been looking for would be staring us in the face....or not! 

As we approached house number five, I realized I had forgotten my handy-dandy cell phone which I have come to rely upon as my 'camera-on-the-go' more often than I care to admit. Apologies going out to my trusty Canon EOS.  "Do you want to go back for your phone before we turn the corner?  I suggest we do it now.  It'll only take a few minutes."  Dan was right.  Finally, with i-Phone in hand we backtracked up the street.

Passing house number five, number six, number seven and curving to the right....we stopped dead in our tracks!!  It was like discovering the Holy Grail right in our own backyard or, seeing the Eiffel Tower for the very first time or, watching that lone deer jump out in front of your moving vehicle on a snowy back road in Michigan and your heart stops in mid-beat!!! Yes, just like all of the above......

"Just Around the Corner"

LET THERE BE LIGHT.....or, in this case, so many wonderful, amazing, fascinating and colorful lights in every conceivable and imaginative holiday configuration.  "They've done it again!" was about all I could say because my finger on the phone's camera button was busy snapping away at this amazing sight.  Dan just stood there, mouth open, in absolute awe. 

"Closer....."

I am certain that from a bird's eye view or if looking down from one of the commercial jet liners that pass near us on their landing path into the Orlando International Airport a few miles to the south, a definite glow can be seen radiating up from our neighbor's house. Usually, that many lights on one property could be considered distasteful or gaudy and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation comes to mind here.  However, somehow these folks are able to pull this one off in a joyful, Christmas 'bright' kind of way, with interesting new additions to their 'madness' configured every year.  I only wish I could find some of the original pictures I had taken years ago to be able to contrast and compare today.  I know that the roof had been devoid of lights back then and at least some of the front yard was empty and visible. 

Before our feet could move us further down the street, we reasoned that the bright street lights located near their house must minimize the effect of a  'magical glow' that we hoped to see from our lanai.  And, maybe, just maybe it's all in our heads, anyway.  I will say that by the time we got up close enough to be able to distinguish the unique little compartments making-up the complete picture of this monumental effort, our hearts were once again enlightened by the sheer amount of work put into it. 

"You notice that the people living around it don't even bother to decorate their houses?"  Dan, logically, replied to this, "They don't have to.  All they have to do is keep their curtains opened and they can share in the 'Light' all season long!" 

"Closer still....."

I chuckled to myself thinking that if anyone around that house needed to go to sleep early, black-out curtains on their bedroom windows might be in order.

We finally tore ourselves away from the 'Light' and were able to walk away, even though I found myself turning my head and looking behind me several times.  How could I leave it?  The sight calls and beckons like a moth to a flame. 

Side View

"Where do you think they will go from here?" I asked my husband as he was literally pulling me along....away from the 'Light.'  "I haven't a clue.  Hey, don't we ask ourselves that question every year?  Somehow they always manage to extend themselves."

Successfully making it past several houses down the street, I snapped a picture of another neighbor's decorating efforts and suddenly the words, subtle, calming, clean and tasteful came to mind.  Oh, and did I mention the word....pretty?

Nice Try!!!

Taking into consideration that our 'rambunctious neighbors' happen to live in the center core of the subdivision, with both sides of their house openly exposed from two of the three streets comprising Morgan's Mill, that crazy light bulb flashed-on above me, once again.

"I know the answer," I said, while looking at Dan with a sheepish grin on my face.  And, all I could envision was strings of colorful lights, candy canes, stars, snowmen, presents, trees, wreaths and Saint Nicks slithering over the rooftop like so many bright snakes invading our neighbor's current dark and colorless backyard.....!

Merry Christmas from Morgan's Mill Circle, Orlando, Florida, USA!




Copyright © 2014 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

GRATEFUL.....

A series of essays.....





~~BREAKING THROUGH THE MORNING FOG~~

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


When I swing my legs out of bed each morning, before they remotely make contact with the carpeting, there is a small and concise ritual I go through in order to jump-start my day.  With our mornings remaining dark...cozy even, until well after six-thirty, the atmosphere is conducive to a relaxed mood and a clear mindset. 

This is my time to converse with that which I believe to be the all-connecting power that is greater than myself and unites us, mankind, together as a whole; one entity that defines our existence and qualifies our essential nature.  I have always accepted that we are not set upon this beautiful place we live, Mother Earth, alone and helpless. We will always have and need one another.

So, my ritual is one of Thanksgiving....and here all this time you thought this celebration only lasted one day, the fourth Thursday in the month of November, and called "Turkey Day!!"  Not exactly.  I sit comfortably with my shoulders back, my back straight and eyes closed.  When I am ready, after taking several deep, intoxicating breaths, I repeat out loud, as often as I wish, two simple words...two words we teach our children to say whenever they are grateful for something...a new toy, an unexpected surprise or a simple compliment.  I say, "Thank You...Thank You...Thank You!"  Very straightforward.

After all, it's pretty wonderful to be able to move, sit-up and breathe each morning, isn't it?  We are alive to meet-and-greet yet another day and that, in and of itself, is intrinsically cool! 

Opening my eyes to the new day, it's now time to formulate a simple plan for myself.  It's time to set my intentions for the day.  Yes, making coffee as soon as possible is a good plan.  More of a mandatory requirement for my well-being and sanity rather than a good intention, however.  My thoughts are more in terms of having a purpose or a goal set for the day and to design a strategy with the intent of achieving it with grace and dignity.  My goal may be as uncomplicated as intentionally sharing a smile with everyone I meet or being productive and focussed enough to write two-thousand words by the end of my workday.  Whatever my purpose is, my intent is to see it through to fruition knowing that if I do not..., I will not beat myself up over it.  I will only try harder the following day.

This is now the time that I sit back and smile, smile, smile as big and wide as I possibly can!  You know the kind of smile I'm talking about.  The kind that raises your cheeks up high, fills your body with warmth and makes you feel a bit silly sitting alone in the dark looking like the Cheshire Cat on a good day!  With his distinctive and mischievous grin, you can almost hear this Tabby Cat's quote from Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,' published in 1866, and remains prevalent today: "Most everyone's mad here.  You may notice that I'm not all there myself."

The Cheshire Cat
Illustrated by John Tenniel in the 1866
Publication of 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'

I cannot take myself seriously this early in the morning!  But, I know that my intentions are good and smiling makes me feel good.  So, if  during this long, complicated day, I feel as though my body wishes to disappear from time to time, the last thing visible on my face will be an iconic grin depicting a win for the 'good guys!'

Florida Essentials

Before slipping my waiting feet into the tan, Crocs flip-flops, affectionately known as 'my slippers,' in order to begin my day (by making a fresh pot of coffee), there is one last step to be taken in my morning ritual.  This is the time for me to forgive myself and ease my guilt over  yesterday's mistakes.  I remember the goal of two-thousand words yesterday that only added-up to be five hundred.  Perhaps my smiles were not as lavished upon others as I had originally intended.  Was I a bit too short-tempered with a loved-one who made an innocent mistake? 

This is where you set yesterday's misguided actions aside and actually try to understand Scarlett O'Hara's mantra from the classic movie, 'Gone with the Wind,' based on the novel written by Margaret Mitchell.  "I can't think about that right now.  I'll think about that tomorrow.  After all... tomorrow is another day."  The idea of putting things off for another day always represented inadequacy in the form of  failure or shame.  Placing my stubbornness and strong will aside for a moment in order to see a much broader picture of the world, and having lived, well....., let's just say, a few years now beyond my twenties, the importance of being patient and more tolerant becomes normal and acceptable.  Especially when dealing with myself!

As soon as I realize that there is yet another chance of 'getting it right' and my deep breaths represent twenty-four new hours of hope and determination, it's easy for me to forgive myself for yesterday's mistakes.  It's time to move on....




My Favorite Mug!!

Now, sitting here sipping my coffee and having placed my day, my life, in order, I realize how cherished these few minutes alone each morning really are for me.  Between the tantalizing aroma of the fresh brew and the prospect of a new day, a new beginning.... and with a  smile on my face the Cheshire Cat would certainly be proud of, I remain calm and carry on.

Author's Note:
I am extremely grateful for being able to witness this morning the highly successful launch of the Orion Spacecraft test flight over in Cape Canaveral a few miles away!  Awesome, NASA!  And, continued good luck....



Copyright © 2014 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

LIST OF APPRECIATION

A series of essays.....

Chris and Dan Sharing Thanksgiving and Birthday Celebration 11-28-2013

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


It is always a true marvel to witness how many people seriously commit to the sometimes arduous journey of traveling 'home' for the Thanksgiving Holiday!  

Often life and limb is at risk as we navigate snowy weather and ice-slick roads in our cars.  We press on through airport terminals bloated by the multitudes of fellow travelers expecting to fly and arrive at their particular destinations on time but, often disappointed by bad weather or scheduling.

As humans who harbor deep-set emotions and values implied by family and time-honored traditions...coming home for the Thanksgiving celebration is as important as breathing itself.  It is certain that Papa will carve the 'golden bird' and Grandma will bake the pumpkin pies and Mother will accomplish everything in between...and, we will bless the bounty of nature placed before us and give thanks for everything that means so much to us throughout the year!

Traditions abound when our 'thanks' is offered on this day.  I have seen families individually acknowledge what they are most thankful for as each person speaks, one by one, and the spotlight travels around the table.  Some families have each member write down what they are particularly thankful for and these slips of paper decorate a small tree that is left on display for the day.  Many families join hands around the table, resembling a human daisy-chain, and they pray together offering their thanks in one, united effort!

A Plaque I Have Had And Cherished
Since Childhood....

Even though we see our children and grandchildren at Christmastime every year, Dan and I often celebrate Thanksgiving in Florida with good friends or a dear younger brother, Chris, who resides in Georgia and can make the trip down to Orlando.  However, with Dan's birthday being on the 28th, not having all of the children around us to help celebrate both occasions tends to leave a large, empty spot in our hearts.

Considering our 'daisy chain' is very tiny this year but our hearts are full of love and gratitude....I have decided to write a list of everything that fills my heart and soul with the appreciation of life and how each has carried me along throughout the years.  In light of Global Warming, as well as the sad accounts enacted in Ferguson, Missouri these past few months....we ALL have things to work on and strive for in order to secure a better future for everyone.

With all my Love!

Christmas Dinner at the Farm With Yours Truly 
(Picture: Courtesy Linda McCombs-Williams)

LIST OF APPRECIATION

Years of Experience:
Accumulated knowledge;
Common sense;
Erudition;
Wisdom and
Enlightenment...Without these there would be no future!

The Arts:
Plays;
Painting;
Sculpture;
Stone Balancing;
Poetry and
Literature...just to name a few!  Yes....including all Music Genres!

A Sense of:
Balance;
Humor;
Right from Wrong;
Design and
Several things in between!

So Grateful For:
A Strong, Healthy Environment Which Includes:
Earth, Mind, Body and Soul.
The ability to value all that we've had bestowed upon us such as Clean Water, Fresh Air, Clean Food and the opportunity and right to keep them that way...forever!

The Freedom To:
Travel the Earth;
Explore Our Universe and Beyond;
Broaden Our Horizons and
Reach For the Stars!

The Love and Belief in Family and Friends:
Shelter thy weary spirit within the bosom of our
Loved Ones...

The absence of Hate,
Bigotry,
Racism,
Prejudice and
Discrimination...

Oh, what a wonderful world this would be!!!

The Eviction of the Ego:
To Love,
Respect,
Accept ourselves completely and believe in the Beauty we all have within us.
Then we might look at others and see our Beautiful Selves within Them!

The Appreciation of and.....
The Willingness to Accept Change,
Live Without Fear Or Favor!
Soar Like An Eagle and
Rise Above Negativity and Hate.

On A Lighter Note....

The Evolution and Invention of the Camera....
Ancient Greeks, Zahn, Schultz, Daguerre and Niepce;
To Wolcott, Talbot, Eastmann and beyond!
I Will always be grateful,
Eternally so,
For the application of Light..Reflection..Dark Spaces.

The Simplistic Ability To:
Smile,
Laugh,
Enjoy,
Appreciate and....  Drum roll Please!

LOVE.

Taken from "1 Corinthians 13:13"
Gracing our wedding invitations and married life...
"And now these three remain:
Faith, Hope and Love.  But,
The greatest of these is.....LOVE!"

"The greatest of these is.....Love!"

Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to Everyone!  Shelter your weary spirit within the bosom of your Loved Ones and Be Happy!  2014

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!!!





Copyright © 2014 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

DEAR READER......

Captured on my iPhone.....

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

                                                                                                                                  Number 1 in a series


Dear Reader,

Every now and then I like to go back through some of the pictures I have taken throughout the year with the idea of understanding why they were taken in the first place.  The above picture is a prime example.  However, Dear Reader, I request your help with this new endeavor, enterprise, undertaking of mine....and, I'll get to this a bit later on.

Now, I suggest you enlarge the above photo and zoom in as close as possible on these four individuals.  That's right.....close.  We are looking at a daughter and mother sitting side-by-side and a middle-aged, married couple, allowing a bit more space between one another, sitting and waiting for something to happen and, hopefully, something more exciting than all four of them combined!!

The above scene, taken on June 6, 2014, was captured in the foyer of the chain restaurant TGI Fridays, located at Waterford Lakes on the east side of Orlando, Florida.  As we all know, this scene is becoming more typical everywhere you look as technology becomes notably embraced by everyone!

My husband and I had recently started the demolition required in our outdated kitchen and, with life in turmoil, hunger calling, we went out for a burger on a Saturday afternoon.  Orlando Saturdays can be jammed and packed with wall-to-wall people.  This day was no exception.  We needed a respite from rehab and our tummies filled and waiting a short time for this to happen was no problem at all.

Considering that talking with and watching people are two of my favorite hobbies, we utilized this downtime to unwind, exchange stories about 'the kids' up in Michigan and strategize about using our time productively the rest of the weekend.  Dan and I had experienced the 'weekend warrior' routine two years before when remodeling our master bathroom and knew how important following a plan would be.

The foyer of the restaurant was comparatively small, just big enough to allow several people to escape a summer shower, if need be.  The six of us occupying this enclosed, hollowed space created an unusual feeling of quietness after a few minutes.  As we sat comparing notes in whispered tones on our side of the space, it was apparent that silence prevailed on the opposite side. 

# Texting a Friend
# Checking Messages
# Checking Game Scores
# Deleting Unnecessary Emails

Absolute quiet.  With silent keyboards, there wasn't even the sound of 'clicking' to stir-up the atmosphere.  Were we witnessing a complete disregard for the unique enjoyment of interacting with those physically nearby?  Exchanging human contact with cyber interfacing instead?  With minds compartmentalized by their own devices, literally, mother and daughter, husband and wife, sat silently, deep within their private worlds.....for quite some time.

Slowly lifting my iPhone in order to capture this shot, I was fearful of disturbing one of them or, embarrassing myself by being so blatant and obvious about taking their picture.  I was only kidding myself because my precautionary intent towards their privacy was totally lost on all four of them!  Not an eye was blinked nor an eyebrow raised in the making of this photo!

Then I began picking-up on the specific body language among my subjects.  All four faces were without expression with lips straight, eyes downcast and seemingly closed.  The old adage of if you cross your arms over your torso it's as though you are silently protecting yourself from negative vibes or words tossed at you by others definitely applied here.  Something was 'crossed' on each one of them....with mother and daughter sporting the more painful 'leg-over-leg' position and my 'Billy Joel lookalike' and avid sports enthusiast and his wife a bit less cautious with their ankles only modestly crossed.

Suddenly, sharp, little red lights began to pierce the moment sending silent waves of color up the back of the cool, black Naugahyde bench.  Billy Joel and his quiet better-half were being summoned...not by a human voice, but by a small, square device equipped with red running lights, no sounds attached.  Like robots preprogrammed to respond (Pavlov would have enjoyed this conditioned reflex), the couple silently entered the restaurant to be seated, slipping side-by-side between the oversized, double glass doors.  I could only hope that their Internet reception proved even better once inside or, with any luck, an actual conversation would engage between them while eating lunch!!

Not surprisingly, my mother/daughter team failed to even look up when 'married couple' exited the foyer.  I don't know what happened next with them because Dan and I were being summoned to be seated by the flashing red lights right on the heels of 'married couple.'

Progress is always a good thing as its definition suggests....moving forward; development or growth.  When progress impedes the eye-to-eye, personal relationship and communication between human beings then, at least in my opinion, it's moving us in the wrong direction.....backwards!


This is where you come in, Dear Reader.....

*I need you to help me caption my photo above.  The caption does not have to reflect my opinions from this story.  It's all about YOU!  Please leave your captions in the comments below on this Facebook post.  The caption with the most "Likes" will caption my photo!
**My Google+ and Twitter Followers are urged to participate, as well, at each of these sites.....! 

*Do you believe that people are losing the ability to speak comfortably face-to-face?

*Physicians are finding a new syndrome characterized by our constant use of technological devices that can harm our spinal chords and cause chronic pain.  Do you agree or disagree with this finding?  Please state your reasons why or why not.

*Would you consider giving-up all of your 'tech devices' for a 24 hour period?  (This includes ALL video game consoles, my friend!)


Thank you for all your help and feedback because I really do appreciate it! 



Copyright © 2014 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

LE PETIT-DÉJEUNER AT LE VERGER

 A series of essays....

The Olive Orchards of Le Verger

....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


It's deeply interesting what the mind is capable of conjuring up!  The scent of sun screen evokes images of a childhood summer on the beach at Lake Michigan.  Enjoying specific foods might remind us of far-off places we've traveled to and wish to revisit one day.  Musical influences every so often trick our memories by summoning vignettes of pleasures or awkward situations we've experienced in our past life: a first kiss, a lullaby whispered to gently ease your child into Dreamland or, the moment he asked you to become his wife....

The sharp and delicious smell of cinnamon places me in Grandma's huge country kitchen while she's baking sweet apple pie and blueberry cobbler for our summertime dessert.  The family gathers around the long kitchen table anticipating the homemade buttermilk biscuits fresh from the oven soon to be slathered with butter and drenched in country gravy, the kind only Grandma could make to such perfection. 

Add to this scene a platter or two of country-fried chicken, golden brown and recently extracted from two enormous black iron skillets she uses exclusively on top of the stove.  A dish of hand-mashed potatoes, speckled with fresh ground black pepper and topped with a pat of butter that oozes its golden goodness erratically down the mound like a snow-glazed mountain peak, is placed right in front of me.  Grandma's favorite white porcelain bowl edged with hand-painted blue flowers contains this 'starchy' perfection, a product of her arduous labor.

It was our second night in the Luberon valley in the south of France and our first visit to Provence when I asked Dan which French foods represented this beautiful place for him and would always evoke strong culinary memories in the future.  "Homemade croissants and fresh fig jam, pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant), wild strawberries, freshly brewed French coffee and Danièle," was his dreamy response.  "You're blushing," I chided.  "Besides, that was our breakfast this morning with Jean-Philippe and Danièle!!"  In all seriousness, he looked straight into my eyes and said, "Exactement!"

Jean-Philippe and Daniele Rossi

Prior to embarking on a week long stay at our rental property in Sablet, we spent a magnificent night at Le Verger, a charming Bed and Breakfast (Provençal Mas) located at the foot of the beautiful hilltop village of Gordes in northern Luberon.  This quintessential Provençal stone structure is the home of Jean-Philippe and Danièle Rossi and where they rent-out three of the most comfortable rooms within the heart of an olive orchard, amidst the garrigue (Mediterranean aromatic plants) and overlooking the mountains of the Luberon!

View From Our Private Terrace of the Luberon



Dan Walking Out On Our Terrace

Our sophisticated bedroom, "Le Pigeonnier," on the upper floor of the house, included its own separate entrance, private terrace, air-conditioning and incredible valley and mountain views!  As the title suggests, we were the luckiest pigeons ever and were soon to learn that, not only were we living a perfect Provençal lifestyle but, we were building an incredible friendship with two of the kindest, most adorable people we had ever met!

Translated into English, Le Verger means 'Orchard.'  Having been drawn to the olive trees upon entering the main gate earlier, we decided to explore the grounds after unpacking.  The glorious Provençal sun was shining down upon us, illuminating the silvery tones of the elongated olive leaves and making them sparkle in the afternoon glow resembling millions of diamonds hovering over the lush valley below.

Discovering the Beautiful Olive Orchard

We discovered that Le Verger had a borie at the edge of the back orchard.  Later, at dinner on the veranda, we learned that Jean-Philippe used this dry-stone, one-room cabin to house his tools and garden paraphernalia.  More typically, a borie was a single low room where a shepherd could weather-out a storm or a cold night.  It is big enough to stand upright in, often with space for a fire and a shelf or two built into the thick, stone walls.

Checking-Out the Borie

Crusty Baguette

Knowing that Dan and I would only be sharing one evening with them and wishing to get to know us better, Danièle had prepared a light meal for the four of us and served it al fresco on the veranda overlooking the swimming pool.  "Do you like the melon?" She asked.  "Although it is a bit too late in the season to find our famous Cavaillon melons (The finest melons in France!), I hope you enjoy the sweetness of these.  They do compliment the flavor of the Pissaladiere (anchovy and onion tart) quite nicely!"  The melon and tart were accompanied by a Salade De Pois Chiches (chick-pea salad), a variety of fresh fruit with an abundance of crème fraîche for dipping, a colorful porcelain plate laden with a stunning variety of soft local cheeses, and several bottles of wine chilled to perfection.  Yes.....the obligatory basket of crusty baguettes waiting to be hand-pulled apart into serving pieces lingered in our peripheral vision.  Pure heaven!!! 

The four of us sat and chatted (mainly in English, I am sad to admit), drank and ate to our heart's content.....and then drank even more until we eventually said our 'good nights' around one in the morning.  Fortunately, all of us were just a short walk from our beds and the promise of a good night's sleep.  Having been so caught-up in the moment, we had yet to be hit by the rigors of jet lag and intentionally dismissed the thought all evening long.

Terrace Views

Unbelievably, I awoke bright and early the following morning and in time to catch the Provençal sun peeking around the left-hand side of our private terrace.  Looking back at my husband's face resting gently on the creme colored linen pillows, little did I know that he was dreaming of what was in store for us this glorious morning!

A house breakfast, le petit-dejeuner, was to be served within the shade of the massive oak trees around the pool or on the veranda or by the fireplace, according to the season.   

The Pool And Terrace At Le Verger

 

"Bon matin," proclaimed Jean-Philippe, patting us both on the shoulder as he welcomed us, once again, to the charming table on the veranda.  "Daniele will be out soon.  I trust you enjoyed your rest?  Fresh coffee is coming right out!" Ahh, coffee....much needed, strong coffee!  This was to be the lifeline that would propel me into the long, exciting day ahead.  For Dan...it would be Daniele's homemade pastries with a side of fig jam. 

"The man ate as though possessed by demons!!!"

The man ate as though possessed by demons!!!  Where on earth was he putting all of it?  Mounds of flaky croissants and pain au chocolat adorned colorful plates on the table and, initially, I thought that others might be joining the four of us for breakfast.  I wanted to tap his leg under the table in order to send him a silent message, "Stop!  Slow down!  You will eat them out of house and home at this rate!"  As the flaky pastries began to disappear, adorable Daniele, enabler extraordinaire, spoke these words, "Excuse me while I replenish the plates with more croissants."  Noooooooo, I wanted to scream!!  But, instead, all I could hear were the words 'merci beaucoup' drifting from Dan's side of the table.

I'm thinking this was Dan's form of a jet lag cure....and that Daniele's entire week's allotment of homemade croissants were sacrificed for the cause. 

I was happy to see that Jean-Philippe had to excuse himself and say his 'good-byes' in order to make it on time to his meeting in Cavaillon later that morning, before breakfast turned into a feeding frenzy.  Daniele smiled and conversed with us throughout breakfast.  Dan ate and politely handed-out numerous compliments to our sweet hostess the entire time.  Eventually, both she and I teased him about his voracious appetite.  My teasing was born from a sense of pure astonishment where as Daniele beamed with a total feeling of pride and enjoyment!  The man was hungry and she proved instrumental in satiating that hunger.  I seriously doubt that she had ever seen a fellow Frenchman quite as famished as my American husband had been!

Kidding with her later, Dan suggested that she would probably never want to feed him her delicious croissants again for fear of running out of a seemingly ample supply.  It was several weeks later after many e-mails had been written back-and-forth between us that Daniele delivered her perfect reply: "To have you both return to Le Verger and stay for a much longer time, I would make Dan as many croissants as humanly possible.  We miss you so much and cannot wait to see you again.  The pastries and jam will be waiting for you!"




On The Veranda With Daniele!

Right before leaving that September morning, Jean-Philippe had taken a picture of Dan, Daniele and me on the veranda.  Daniele was proud to e-mail us several weeks after our return home and let us know that she had incorporated this picture into the Le Verger photo tab on their Website.  "You both will always remain a part of our lives and that of Le Verger because you will always be found among the pictures of Le Verger and in our hearts, as well.  See you soon.  Breakfast will be on the veranda, Dan...weather permitting!"

Daniele et Jean-Philippe.....we hope to see you in 2015!


Please check-out Le Verger at this Website: levergerenluberon.com

Learn more about the village of Gordes, Abbaye of Senanque, antique shopping in L'Isle on the Sorgue, the Luberon villages of Menerbes, Roussillon Bonnieux and Lacoste.  Enjoy walking tours and discover the open-air markets of this region!! 


Copyright © 2014 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

WHO ARE YOU CARL SANDBURG?

 A series of essays.....

A TRUE LOVE STORY: CARL AND LILIAN SANDBURG 
Photographed by Edward Steichen, Brother of Lilian 

.....From a letter to his wife in 1908:

" I would rather be a poem like you than write poems.  I would rather embody the big things as you do than carve or paint or write them.  You inspire art....and that's living!"





.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes



Recently, a thirty-something and I were discussing my travels up to North Carolina a few weeks back when she asked me, "Now, exactly who is Carl Sandburg?  I know I've heard of him in school but, I can't place who he is or what he's done?!?"

Did I bristle at this lack of recall?  Well, maybe just a little.  The truth is.....the question had been posed and I was more than willing to fill-in the blanks!

It all began when we saw, yet again, along Highway 26, just south of Hendersonville, North Carolina, the sign reading, 'Carl Sandburg Home, National Historic Site.'  "Please tell me why we see this sign going up to Maggie Valley but never take the time to stop?" I seriously asked my husband.  "I truthfully don't know," Dan replied.  "Maybe we will on the way back home this Sunday if we leave right after breakfast."  Sounded good to me!

Carl Sandburg

Robert Frost

Growing-up learning to love literature and poetry as much as I do, two tousled, gray-haired gentlemen, authors by trade, have always guided me down a path of awakening and simple joy via their passion and love of the written word.  Thinking back now, I believe that Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg epitomized the quintessential 'Grandfather' figure for me as I was voraciously reading, reading, reading everything written by them in order to satiate my lust for poetry and prose. 

Both men were still alive in my early lifetime and each worked hard as a teacher and a journalist, a farmer and a factory worker, as they struggled to make ends meet, and continued to write and contribute their works to the world for all to enjoy.  Physically, I believe, these distinguished men resembled one another as the years progressed giving them an uncanny feeling of 'brothers' in a literal and symbolical sense. 

Seven Pulitzer Prize awards are shared by these 'Literary Brothers' with Robert Lee Frost earning four within the years 1924 to 1943 for his poetry collections.  Carl August Sandburg achieved three awards from 1919 to 1951.  Two Pulitzers were awarded for his collections of poetry, The Complete Poems of Carl Sandburg and Corn Huskers.  In 1940 he won the Pulitzer Prize for History for his biography of Abraham Lincoln entitled (Abraham Lincoln: The War Years).

A strong Michigan connection can be attributed to both men, as well. In 1921 Frost accepted a fellowship teaching post at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he resided until 1927 when he returned to teach at Amherst. While teaching at the University of Michigan, he was awarded a lifetime appointment at the University as a Fellow in Letters.  The Robert Frost Ann Arbor home was purchased by The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan and relocated to the museum's Greenfield Village site for public tours. 

Stollaway Cottage in Harbert, Michigan

Carl Sandburg and his wife, Lilian Steichen, purchased a home in Harbert, Michigan, located in Berrien County, where they lived with their three daughters, Margaret, Helga and Janet along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline.  Carl Sandburg Library first opened in Livonia, Michigan, on December 10, 1961. The name was recommended by the Library Commission as an example of an American author representing the best of literature of the Midwest. Carl Sandburg had taught at the University of Michigan for a time.




Sandburg Family

Eventually, the Sandburg family claimed that the Midwest's cold winter temps and the lack of owning enough property for Lilian to raise her prize-winning milk goats for the making and selling of domestic goat cheese brought them to a small slice of heaven in the North Carolina town of Flat Rock. 

Connemara With Family Home Off In The Distance

Having just parked the car and now luxuriating in the early October sunshine of this beautiful late Sunday morning, we walked down the small, stone path leading to the Sandburg home.  Affectionately called 'Connemara' due to the rolling green hills surrounding the main structures, there were ponds, trails and wide-open spaces scattered among the over two-hundred acre estate.  After crossing a bridge spanning a large pond, we enjoyed a short, tree-lined walk up to the main house.  "Shall we take the half-an-hour tour of the house?" I asked, knowing that our time was limited.  "I think we can do it," my husband graciously replied.  He knew this meant so much to me.




Our Docent, James

Our docent, James, was a treasure, making us laugh, answering our questions and enabling us to immerse ourselves in the amazing history behind the four walls, as well as intimately discovering the colorful people who lived, loved and thrived within them.  He allowed our little group to see and understand that real people had celebrated birthdays and holidays here; read the newspaper while sipping their coffee; laughed and cried in good times and bad.  When you are asked to 'Support America's National Parks,' people like James make it easy to do so!






Mishmash Room

Looking into one of the upstairs rooms, I discovered a mishmash of stacked boxes, filled bookshelves living on the floor and furniture pieces in disarray.  James told us that even though the family slept in the remaining four bedrooms upstairs, this room still housed most of the Michigan items brought here from their home in Harbert that Lilian failed to unpack.  "You wouldn't find a room like this at Biltmore," he said, grinning at me.  "This place, for now, is the 'real deal.'  You are among the final few to see this place as it exactly was when the Sandburg family resided here.  Next month it will be completely packed-up and everything stored in order to allow workmen to repair and restore the structure.  We are looking at reopening mid-2015, if we're lucky."

I knew it.....I knew it!  This visit was meant to be! 






This is where he wrote....!!!!!

Enjoying the luxury of taking pictures in every room of the house, I was able to capture its ageless spirit!  We stood one thin, swagging rope line away from everything!  I heard the giddy girl I felt like that day saying things like, "He sat on that chair and typed on those keys!" and, "This is the guitar and piano he composed his music on!" or, running my hand gently along the multitude of books on shelves in any given room in the house, "These are the volumes he collected and read!"  The essence of his being infused within the hardwoods of each floorboard he walked on seeped up and into my soul and enlightened me with each step I took.  I was truly a writer in a 'candy store' of endless possibilities, hopes and dreams.



Sandburg Formal Living Room



Our small group crowded into one of the last rooms we were to learn about on our tour that day.  Located on the ground floor and incorporating a beautiful bay window seating area and a lavender area rug sprinkled with a Spring flower motif, was the room Carl Sandburg had passed away in.  The year was 1967, July 22 to be exact.  He had lived 89 years among us and 'represented the best of literature of the Midwest,'......of the world, in my lifetime.  It was the summer between my junior and senior year of high school.  I stood in this room a few extra minutes letting everything sink in.

Lilian's Handbag

Books Everywhere!

"Thank you for finally stopping in Flat Rock," I told Dan as we climbed back into our car for the seven hour drive to Orlando.  "Wouldn't have missed it for the world, Kiddo!" he said smiling at me. 

Doing a bit of research on the Sandburg cottage located in Harbert, Michigan, I discovered that the family lived there from 1928 until 1945.  During their time in this beautiful home overlooking Lake Michigan, Sandburg wrote many of his poems, as well as his two-volume biography of Abraham Lincoln. 

Today the Sandburg Cottage is a rental resort called The Stollaway and the listing companies, HomeAway and VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner), decidedly omit any mention of the cottage's historical import within the description of the property.  I am sure they have their reasons.  I wonder how many of the world-wide travelers enjoying the property each glorious Michigan summer are aware of its historical and literary importance?! 

Kitchen At Connemara Home

Thank goodness Lilian Sandburg was determined to preserve her husband's legacy and home in Flat Rock, North Carolina!  Following his death in 1967, she gave her support to North Carolina Congressman Roy Taylor and Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall in authorizing the Carl Sandburg Home as a National Park. The park was officially authorized on October 17, 1968 and the property was sold with its contents and cultural resources donated to the park service. The site officially opened in 1974.

Who are you, Carl Sandburg?  This is how I would answer this question:

You are the echo of the typewriter keys clicking away morning, noon and night.....The shadow behind the birch tree high up in the mountains just waiting for the right moment to emerge.....The spirit of my beautiful Chicago, the crystal blue Lake Michigan shoreline and the majestic, purple mist shrouding the Smoky Mountain ridge lines off in the distance.  You are my past, present and future and the Grandfather I wish I had known.  You are my mentor...my guide into the world I find so fascinating and most compelling.

Many thanks to both yourself and Mr. Frost for always being here for me.....





Connemara Mountainside Home

View From Front Porch

Copyright © 2014 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

FIFTY SHADES OF BLUE

A series of essays.....

Fireball Sinking Into The Horizon

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


"Gwandma, Grandma, Gamma......I love you!" floated across the cavernous space of the airport as the sound of small, sneaker-clad feet bounded rhythmically across the cold, cement floor. 

Funny how time has a way of seamlessly slipping away, dispersing its holy 'granules of life' throughout the autumn landscape.

For ten days of my life I mingled with family and long, lost friends in a place that existed long, long ago and far, far away.  My mind recalls teenage dates, walking hand-in-hand in Bronson Park, eating post-movie meals at fast food places along South Westnedge Avenue before heading home to Three Rivers.  Now, my children inhabit this place of my youth and I visit Kalamazoo, Michigan for very different reasons.

Last Glimpse

The precious endearments floating up to my ears at this moment emanate from Brenna and Gavin.  They have accompanied me and their parents to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids to see me off on my flight back to Orlando where their Papa will be waiting to drive me home.  It's been an interesting week for me....chock-full of revelations!  But, another time and story for you....a bit later.

"Ma'am, please collect all of your belongings and follow me over to this table, please."  I knew I shouldn't have brought that can of Healthy Valley organic lentil soup back in my carry-on!!  Sure enough, 'the can' was his targeted item.  After shaking it, swabbing it for negative residues, shaking it again and, finally excusing himself to have a petite chat with his supervisor....I was given possession of the soup once more.  Yeah, a lunch for the following week had not been confiscated!

I have often sat at Gate A3 awaiting my Allegiant flight to the Sanford Airport.  And, I am positive there will be many more times for me sitting at this Gate in the future.  We've flown Allegiant, a direct two hour plus flight from Michigan back to Florida, so often that I affectionately call it my 'bus ride' home.  When it is a smooth ride and I have a good book in hand, I can almost blink and the wheels are touching down onto the Sanford tarmac. 



Blue So Bright.....!

Like a small child, I always prefer the scenic luxury of a window seat.  Judging by the clear, blue sky and the promise of beautiful weather, my particular window would be facing an autumn sunset soon to appear across the vast horizon.  I was delighted by this prospect. 

Navigating the corrugated bumps and turns of the jet bridge leading out to our plane, I stopped for just a moment, placed my flattened right hand on the outside of the plane just to the right of the door, silently recited a 'little prayer' to my angels and proceeded to push my meager belongings up into the craft to take my seat. 

"You have your own little ritual when it comes to flying, don't you?" she asked, looking straight into my eyes.  Surrounded by anywhere from four crew members, including the pilot, and boarding passengers ahead of and behind me, I looked-up into her startling green eyes as she stood planted between cockpit and galley.  Looking back over my shoulder at her, the 'moment' resembled a movie scene where the camera pulls back from above the action creating a 'fish bowl' effect and the main character is highlighted by an aura of bright light.

Seldom one to stammer or stumble over my words.....there I was, a bumbling fool attempting a response. 

"You..you..saw me..touch..touch the plane?" 

"Oh, yes," she replied.  "And, I understood immediately what you were doing.  I watch and listen...."

(I kid you not....people, and this all confused me because I began doing this little ritual my very first commercial airline flight as a young teenager! This was the first time ANYONE has ever said anything to me about it!)

"But..but..you are the only one who has ever...ever seen me do it!" I squeaked with my neck still turned at an odd angle looking at her enlightened face. 

Never missing a beat or taking her gaze away from mine she said, "Not necessarily, however, I might be the only one who has ever mentioned it to you before." 

As the camera lens zoomed back in and her aura dissipated, her smile spread wide across her pretty face.  She raised two fingers of her right hand in an apparent 'peace symbol V' formation and then slowly turned her wrist bringing her fingers in line with her own eyes.  With a quick turn of her wrist, she aimed her fingertips in my direction saying, "I am watching and I see everything....that is what I do.  That is my job....!"

As the momentum of my fellow boarding passengers carried me further down the aisle, I looked back one last time to see the flight attendant happily into her 'meet and greet' with those behind me.

Hoisting my little, purple suitcase above Row 15 and taking my seat by the window, I wasn't sure if I'd just experienced a highly spiritual encounter with supernatural forces affecting my spirit...my soul.  Or, if this was the work of a tiny prankster who was either getting into her Halloween mode or practicing for future employment with Southwest Airlines!!  What I did realize was that this petite employee of Allegiant Airlines called me out on a private ceremony I'd been performing for years.  She was not malicious or cruel...rather, honest and forthright about it.  Whatever the explanation, this occurrence really blew me away!

Stowing my purse below the seat in front of me and buckling-up for the flight, my seat mate and I greeted each other, acknowledged one another's reading material with a mutual nod as she kindly inquired if I would like my overhead light turned-on, as well.  Nestling back in a feeble attempt to find comfort in an airline seat, I couldn't help but notice the aged gentleman seated in the center seat in front of us, 14E.  Due to our close proximity and the open angled line of view afforded me, I could see that he was old, cantankerous and, after listening to the conversation with his wife/companion seated directly in front of me....I concluded that he might be suffering with dementia. 

"Where are we now?" he wailed like a young child.  Patting his hand, she responded, "Grand Rapids." 

"What??  When will this thing take-off?  I'm tired of sitting here doing nothing!"

With the patience of a saint, the woman continued to pat his hand until she gave it a gentle squeeze while resting it comfortably on top if his.  He calmed down immediately and settled back, eyes closed.

Picture Courtesy of Greg Spurgeon

Within a few minutes our plane was airborne and we were surrounded by a clear blue sky the shade of peace, serenity, infinity and spirituality itself!  This vision of calmness personified soon took on an ethereal quality, as well when the setting sun, ablaze with shades of gold, bright tangerine and red, pierced the horizon and set the world outside of the small, square window on fire!  As the 'fireball' swiftly sank out of sight, the intensity of color deepened affording all of us fortunate enough to be seated on the right side of the plane a panoramic view of brightening stars along with a crescent-shaped moon dangling within a blanket of deep, deep blue...!  The shade of blue that evokes a deep-seeded feeling of trust, dignity and super intelligence.

The entire world around me was changing, ebbing and flowing like a crystal blue river dancing in the moonlight.  It was enchanting and we sat totally mesmerized by God's ultimate light show in the heavens.  Yes, thirty-three thousand feet above everything else near and dear to me, I had been capturing moments of this spectacle with my smart phone, hoping to be able to relive it all again but knowing that this was an event only the naked eye and an open heart could truly retain.

Certainly my green-eyed flight attendant must have been keeping her attentive watch on all of us in that plane....after all, that was her job!  If so, I never thought much about it and subconsciously relied upon her diligence and work ethics the whole flight.  Looking for her later as we debarked from the plane, she was nowhere to be found.  Curious...

An Ethereal Quality

Isn't that what Love is all about?  It's not that we take it for granted or fail to work hard in order to achieve it but, when we finally feel comfortable with it, green eyes watching closely or a blanket of blue studded with sparkling stars and a crescent moon above....we allow the Love to wash over us with little to no resistance.

My friend in 14E had closed his eyes early on and slept as his loving companion continued to shelter him with the touch of her hand on his.  Was this the Love we all hope for and seek out within our lifetime?  Someone to be there and appreciate us no matter what travails we both face along the way?

Beauty Framed By The Plane's Window

My two hour 'bus ride' could not have been more interesting or enlightening.  There was so much to think about, ponder and question as our plane began its decent towards the miniature, man-made, twinkling lights and our final destination.  I had been surrounded by so much Love displayed in so many ways all day long beginning with my grandchildren's hugs and kisses, to the dedicated flight attendant, God's spectacular light show, and the loving couple in Row 14.  I enjoyed the solace in knowing that soon I would be welcomed, after a seven day separation, back into my husband's loving arms!

Mr. 14E had finally awoken from his temporary 'escape' into the world of dreams.  Slowly turning towards his companion, he gently placed his large hand upon hers for a change and, with a calm smile on his face, he asked, "Are we home now?"

 

 

Courage and Best of Luck to Everyone in November!!!

Copyright © 2014 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved