MEMORIES OF A SEPTEMBER WEDDING CELEBRATION

 A series of short stories.....

A Feast For Two

.....as seen through my eyes!


By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

I originally posted this story back on June 12, 2014. It was entitled, "FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN IN SABLET." Our marriage began four decades plus two years ago, and we had dated for almost five years prior to this. Our Journey, albeit a long and sometimes arduous one, has been highlighted by amazing children and grandchildren, family and friends, and so many memorable journeys tucked within Our Journey itself! Celebrating our Wedding Anniversary in Sablet, France, was certainly one of the best! And, for this reason, I am re-posting my story of falling in love again in France.

Meeting new people, learning more about their language and customs, delighting in different foods and traditions.....have all played a huge part in why Dan and I love to travel. We truly believe this is so important to becoming an educated and well-rounded individual! To be able to do this with one's Best Friend, well, it's icing on the cake, for sure. From now on I am officially changing my 'travel mantra' with the hope of showing everyone how important travel should be in our lives. Everyone please repeat after me: "Want to be happy? Stop buying things and go travel!"    

My First Captured Cloud to Ground Lightning Strike

Several years ago, in celebration of our Wedding Anniversary, my husband and I decided to return to France.  This time, the play of warmth and light in sunny Provence called to us like a lavender scent carried along by a gentle breeze.

Research of the many beautiful hilltop villages that dot the southern landscape of France began around a year before our September celebration.  Considering it was to mark our initial venture into this particular region, we concentrated on several main criteria which included a central location to the major sites we wished to explore this trip, convenience to and from the Nice Cote d'Azur Airport via rental car, as well as successfully finding the perfect gite (furnished vacation rental home) to comfortably spend a week in.  We wanted our place to be a home away from home!



Grapevines Below Sablet

Personally, researching a trip is my favorite part because I learn  so much about the area long before we even arrive there.  We concentrated on the Vaucluse Region for many reasons, with the wines of the Rhone River valley being of particular interest to us.  I wanted to learn about these cultivated vines that had been initially planted sometime around 600 BC and walk the small alleyways of the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape tasting samples of each variety of this heavenly nectar of the gods passed down through the ages!



Roussillon on a Stormy Day

Avignon....Bedoin....Carpentras, slowly we discovered the towns and villages of the Vaucluse via the Internet.  Roussillon was exceptionally beautiful and noted for its large ochre deposits found in the clay surrounding it.  Alas, we did not choose this magical place for our stay. The day we actually visited Roussillon, the entire village was basked in a red hue everywhere you looked.  A large storm was heading directly toward us creating a brilliant backdrop of deep color and light making picture taking phenomenal that afternoon. 

Hilltop Village of Sablet with the Jagged Dentelles de Montmiraile as Backdrop

We discounted the stunning hilltop village of Gordes because of its strong tourist appeal; Beaumes Du Venise ranked exceptionally high on our list meeting all of our criteria and more but, I just wasn't feeling 'it' yet.  And then I was introduced to a small, walled city located north of Orange by the name of Sablet and the 'warm fuzzies' (as my daughter, Ali, calls them) suddenly enveloped me in a feeling of profound security as though I were wrapped in a favorite blanket on a cold, winter's night.  I felt I had discovered 'home' within the Vaucluse. Our 'gite' had to be located in Sablet because I could feel it in my bones that day.



Front Door of Sablet House

Fast forward to a warm, overcast day in mid-September and two people partake of a simple but delicious feast purchased that morning at the open-market of Bedoin near Mont Ventoux.  Elongated French radishes, the color of delicate red and white flowers, rest on a hand-painted porcelain dish, a still life photograph waiting to be captured.  Similar platters and bowls cradle juicy, red strawberries hand-picked merely hours before.  A variety of French cheeses, ripe Brie headlining the aromatic medley, are displayed on a wooden cutting board and positioned alongside a shallow bowl containing a golden loaf of crusty baguette anticipating being pulled-apart, slathered in rich, homemade butter and eaten with reverence and love!  A slightly chilled bottle of local Northern Rhone red, often identified by its signature aromas of green olives and smoky bacon, regally stands at attention waiting to be uncorked so that it may 'breathe' before being poured into the crystal glasses beside it.




Dan Pressing Our Breakfast Coffee

We were sitting at one of the two terraces that made-up the outdoor living area of Sablet House, owned by Michel and Shirley Augsburger who purchased the beautiful stone village house located in the heart of the medieval village of Sablet.  Michel relates how "...the house was fully renovated by an English lady with all of the comforts of a modern home while retaining its authentic Provençal character and charm."  Located just off of the gourmet kitchen, two sets of French doors led us out to our Anniversary luncheon feast on this large terrace.  We could not believe our good fortune but relished it with gusto!!

A Morning Visit to the Local Boulangerie



Bell Tower of Saint Nazaire

Sablet, along with Sablet House, was our home for a week and we fell in love with each one.  This feeling lingers within us to  this day.  The village of Sablet, 1,200 souls strong, is located at the base of the jagged Dentelles de Montmiraile in the Vaucluse region of Provence.  The narrow streets of the village spiral up to the Romanesque Church of Saint Nazaire built in the 12th century and tops the village with its majestic bell tower that reaches up towards the heavens.  The stone village houses curl along the narrow streets that reveal passageways adorned with flowers of every color, exposed ancient wooden beams and a variety of beautiful stone fountains.  Along the lower terrace of the village we discovered two boulangeries (bakeries), a boucherie (butcher shop), a florist and a tabac shop among several local restaurants and more.  Dan would walk down to his favorite boulangerie each morning for his pain au chocolate (chocolate croissants) and then run back up to our house to press coffee to go with them.




Biking Up To Seguret

Michel had purchased new bicycles prior to our arrival and we enjoyed the privilege of touring the charming village streets, as well as  biking up the D23 towards another hilltop village, Seguret, with its elevation overlooking Sablet and the many vineyards surrounding it.  Riding down from Seguret, I captured my first picture of a 'cloud to land' lightening strike as it crashed far off in the distance to the west of Sablet.  I was as excited as a child with her first camera!

Sablet was the perfect location to begin a day of exploration.  Packing our silver Citroen rental car with essential goodies including a camera and an empty market basket that we planned to fill with fresh produce as we stopped in towns and villages along our way.  Conveniently, Michel posted the 'open market' schedules in our kitchen which made it easier for us to decide which direction to explore each day. 



Small Stone Chapel in Nyons

We drove north and were charmed by the beauty of Nyons and climbed to the very top cloaked in a soft September mist as we navigated its narrow streets by foot.  Our reward for the climb was a beautiful small, stone chapel and a spectacular view of the town and vineyards below.

We drove south as far as the ancient village of Les Baux-De-Provence and discovered for ourselves why it is classified as "one of the most beautiful villages in France."  It is an ancient village, carefully restored and only accessible by foot.  At the summit of the village rests the ruins of the Citadel des Baux (ancient fortress) where the views are absolutely endless.



Below the Pont du Gard

We drove west to the ancient Roman aqueduct bridge, Pont du Gard, that crosses the Gardon River near Nimes.  The bridge has three levels and may date as far back as 20 BC!

Venturing eastward, we went antique shopping in the picturesque village of L'Isle-sur-la Sorgue, enjoyed a delicious lunch at an open terrace just outside The Palace of the Pope in the city of Avignon and, late one rainy, overcast afternoon, we discovered the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.  Walking inside a 'cave' (wine cellar) we joined others who were interested in learning the history behind the Rhone wine region.  We were not disappointed.  The hour-long demonstration was constantly laced by questions and answers and we walked away quite happy with our newfound knowledge of area wines.           

Entering a Cave at Chateauneuf-du-Pape



Learning the History of Rhone River Valley Wines



Our View From the Upper Terrace

As spectacular as each of these daily adventures were, we took great comfort in the knowledge that we would be returning to our 'home' in Sablet in the evenings, kicking off our shoes and relaxing on the smaller upper terrace that adjoined the Master Bedroom.  Here we  observed the stars sparkling above the Dentelles in the distance. 



The Romance and Beauty of Sablet House

Standing side-by-side holding hands and with a glass of local Rosé raised in the air with the other, we gave cheers and praise to this small, hilltop village we called our home for a short time that glorious September in Provence.... 


To see Michel's Sablet House visit:
www.sablethouse.com

To see Marianne Houlahan's House in Sablet go to:
www.sablethome.com

Two Goofy Kids

Copyright © 2015 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

KAREN AND HER EVIL TWIN, SKIPPY!

A series of essays.....

THE COLORS OF SANIBEL ISLAND

.....as seen through my eyes!




By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

In the wake of losing so many 'Beautiful Minds' recently, I reserve a moment to pay tribute to them and thank each for bringing all of us so much joy and laughter, happiness and understanding, talent, and the fresh realization that life really doesn't have to be that complicated.

Oliver Wolf Sacks, "Awakenings" author and famed neurologist;
Emma Didlake, the oldest known WWII veteran;
Julian Bond, a Civil Rights activist and longtime board chairman of  the NAACP;
E. L. Doctorow, American author whose historical novels include
"Ragtime" and "The March";
Nicholas Winton, a humanitarian who almost single-handedly saved more than 650 Jewish children from the Holocaust;
John Nash, famed mathematician;
B.B. King, nicknamed the 'King of the Blues';
Thank you, Dr. Wayne Walter Dyer, for becoming one of the greatest spiritual mentors in my life. The world became a better place because of you. You are a Blessing and I know that many   people, including myself, have lived by your wisdom for years.

These are but a few of the talented individuals who have passed through this world and enriched our lives by us, simply, having known about them. Even though our time here on earth is a virtual brief appearance, if we respect our moment of glory, we will leave here one day knowing that we have left a positive mark on the people we leave behind. 

                     

          *****      You've been provided with a perfect body
                          to house your soul for a few brief moments
                          in eternity. So regardless of its size, shape,
                          color, or any imagined infirmities, you can
                          honor the temple that houses you by eating
                          healthfully, exercising, listening to your
                          body's needs, and treating it with dignity
                          and love.   ....Dr. Wayne Dyer                        *****


I began thinking about some of the brilliant people whom I have crossed paths with recently and have left a lasting impression on me. I reasoned that they could be friends, co-workers, or maybe strong personalities that I fondly recalled after meeting for a mere 'blink-of-an-eye' in real time.

And so the story goes......

SANIBEL ISLAND, FLORIDA---2015

The moment we pulled open and passed through the heavy, glass door, once again evading the summer's intense heat, and the 'fairy bells' ceremoniously jingled our arrival into the little shop, the magic began. 

"GLOWING SALMON SUNSET"

We were surrounded by color! Not just any color. Rather, the intense blues of the Gulf waters and the summer sky, the jungle-rich, deep greens of local grasses and royal palm fronds, and the vividness of a sun-drenched day, a glowing salmon sunset, all blending together in creative shapes, sizes, and textures. Hand painted ceramic tiles sidled next to sleek glass vases that loomed high above jaunty garden gnomes with the crown jewel of this sparkling wonderland being the row upon row of 'pirate's booty' encased in clear glass chests. Each piece one-upping the other while tantalizing the senses with their imaginative configurations and profound beauty.

I heard her husky voice above this rich reveal, "This looks spectacular in your hair! Let me show you another way to pull your hair through it and create a different look for evening." Blinking my eyes, I believed I saw my dear Aunt Helen assisting a customer with a fancy hair clip just a few feet away. No, Helen is in Chicago, I reasoned, and not working at Suncatchers' Dream on Sanibel Island. But, my goodness, this lady could be my aunt's twin that nobody ever knew about!

"You'll take it? Fantastic! You won't be disappointed. I've sold so many of these lately and they're especially practical for longer hair given the summer's heat," she remarked.

The gravelly sound of her voice was, actually, soothing to my ears while her expressive smile displayed genuine approval that contributed to her pleasant and agreeable appearance. And, just as my aunt has worn her thick, dark locks since marrying my uncle so many years ago, her hair was cropped short lending a carefree, pixie-like look that only a handful of women can pull-off successfully.

I admit to being transfixed by this 'larger than life' personality. But, something else lingered on in the back of my mind about her, too. Something I couldn't identify at the time.  "Do you think that Kerrington would like these?" were words that floated across the space between my husband and my immobile self. I was pulled back into reality and whispered my answer across the relatively small room. Maybe fifteen minutes later, Dan and I were taking our cache of birthday goodies, secured from pegs lining the far wall, up to the counter.....with dear, Aunt Helen standing right behind it.

"Hi! Those are so cute. They'll really brighten your day. Are they for you or a gift?," my aunt's twin inquired. "A gift for our granddaughter's birthday, but you can just wrap them in tissue and that will be fine," I replied.

"Oh, your granddaughter! Ah, family. There's so much to be said about one's family, isn't there? Take my family, for example....."

Instantly, Dan and I were the sole audience to this convivial atmosphere fueled by honesty and comedic expression. Sure, there was another clerk standing behind 'Helen' wrapping-up our items and shaking her head up and down as she moved with the rhythm of each rapid-fire word. And, the owner of the shop, by the name of Daniel Moore Thompson, we learned later, was working in his small shop right around the corner from the counter we were standing at. Otherwise, the shop was devoid of additional customers.

"......., I have three siblings whom I love, but they descend in intensity of 'liking' from my oldest brother down to my younger sister. I am the third child and reserve the right to judge! Being stuck somewhere in the middle, what else do I have? Hi! My name is Karen."

Looking over at Dan, his expression implied, "See. This isn't your aunt after all." She still might be her twin named, Karen, I thought to myself. Aunt Helen's sense of humor and personality...... definitely similar.

Courtesy of Zen to Zany

"Would you like to hear a funny story?" Karen asked. "Well, you might not think it's funny considering it's about my dear Mother who passed away several years ago. Despite what I say, we were a very close-knit family and we loved and respected our parents for so many wonderful reasons. Mom was a 'beautiful soul' who worked hard and always did the best she could for us. And, she loved our Father dearly, even though he would often drive her crazy in the process.

We knew our Dad would be lost without Mom. Even my malevolent younger sister tried to be nice to him throughout that long week and displayed as much patience as she could muster by repeating almost everything she said because his hearing had been failing for the past several years. Let's face the truth.....he had taken a healthy bite out of the 'Grumpy Old Man' syndrome and Mom's passing intensified it.

We all noticed the morning of the funeral that Dad was very quiet and appeared to be weeping with his nose running like a leaky spigot. Just saying, she was trying to be helpful when my sister offered to get my Dad a tissue. After several offerings with absolutely no response by Dad at all, he slowly turned his head toward my sister. Looking her straight in the eyes, the conversation went down like this,  'Dad, do you want a tissue? Dad, would you like a tissue?' she repeated. Dad simply asked, 'Cashew! Cashew! Why would I want nuts at a time like this for?' "

We were standing there wiping the tears from our eyes....not from sadness or fits of laughter, at all. But, rather, we had been absolutely mesmerized by the pure passion and exuberance that went into telling the story. Karen's variety of vocal inflections and appropriate pauses rivaled any performance I had ever heard from stand-up comedians anywhere. Her non-stop delivery assured me that she must have kissed the Blarney Stone at some point in her lifetime.

"This sounds like a stand-up comedy act, Karen," my husband expressed. "What time is your next performance because we might just return to catch it!"

"Oh, it's just my 'Evil Twin, Skippy' coming out in me. Skippy hides inside until the appropriate time and then jumps-out given the right prompt." Looking straight into my eyes, she continued, "I think it was when you said to wrap these in tissue that 'Skippy' reared his evil head and I couldn't help but relay this story of my Dad and wicked, younger sister. Every word of it was the truth, I promise! By the way, the next show will begin promptly at two-thirty this afternoon....!" Skippy said, smiling and handing Dan the bright turquoise bag with his receipt tucked neatly inside. 

"My Father has since passed on, as well, and often, especially when I have a cold or sore throat, my inner friend, 'Karl,' pops out to say hello. Karl reminds me of my Father when he was much younger; when cheeky grins adorned his handsome face instead of worry wrinkles and frowns."

Multiple personalities? Maybe. A talented and engaging lady, more than likely. Whatever it was, she had me hooked from the moment I heard her voice and saw her huge eyes and engaging smile. Aunt Helen, Karen, Evil Twin Skippy, and Karl.....entertained us out of the sheer joy of being present in the moment and completely alive. She must have sensed our openness and acceptance of her gift because she was able to raise our spirits to a whole new level and never skip a beat the entire time.

It wasn't until Dan and I were back in the car and I was checking my 'Recently Added' photos for the selfie I had just taken of us in the shop that I discovered the answer to the niggling mystery surrounding Karen. (Also, I recognized how my eyes squint when I smile and the side of my mouth turns up slightly in a weak Elvis impression.) Karen's eyes are wide-open to the world and her smile is as engaging as her personality.

~~~ELVIS AND SKIPPY~~~

Staring at the picture, I quickly realized that we were wearing the same pair of glasses! The same frame including style, color and size! Did this coincidence tie us together in a Sisterhood, a society of women linked with a common purpose or goal? I wondered about this.

Our shopping excursion for birthday gifts that tropical afternoon on Sanibel Island turned out to be an adventure that we will never forget. And, if you hurry, you might be lucky enough to catch a future 'one-woman' show inside the colorful gift shop, Suncatchers' Dream, located across from Bailey's General Store on Tarpon Bay Road. Just listen for Karen's voice. Believe me, you will not be disappointed!


Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved.

INNOCENCE....Another Word For Freedom

A series of essays.....

~~~LYDIA~~~

 














.....as seen through my eyes!



INNOCENCE.....

is simply another word for freedom. Free of guilt, sin, moral wrong, with the lack of knowledge of evil or wrong doing. Generally associated with the very young and the naive, we visualize youth as not having been tainted by the negativity of life itself and walk the earth within a shell of purity and bliss. My aching heart cries for the loss of childhood innocence in so many places around the world: Syria, Africa, India.....the mighty United States of America. 

Tears roll down my face and I ache for this blatant, selfish, unnecessary theft of pure innocence and freedom. I am ashamed of mankind. We have failed to evolve. We have ignored our gift of intelligence and placed greed upon the altar to be idolized, worshipped, and adored. We have put our children's lives at risk. And, the most grievous part is that many of us will not admit to it. A blanket of ignorance will never be good enough to cover-up for the lack of simple common sense.

There is a freshness that surrounds the truly innocent. Like a cool mountain breeze that gently skims across our skin or the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread cooling on the countertop as your Mother hums a simple tune in the kitchen, innocence is captured. With this freshness comes possibilities. With this innocence, dare we dream of hope?

"Those who are incapable of committing great crimes do not readily suspect them in others," wrote La Rochefoucauld, a French writer and moralist, in the late seventeenth century. Most of us continue to conduct our lives believing in the good of mankind, discounting the rumors of guilt-laden souls filled with cunning, guile and senseless hate for other human beings. Most of us are incapable of 'great crimes.' We, too, are the Innocents. We often hear the phrase that 'no one is perfect' and understand it epitomizes the essential characteristics of people we love and admire the most; people with kindness in their hearts, but never claim the essence of perfection within their own lives. They learn and grow because of their mistakes. They love life and fill the lives of others with joy. "If we had no faults of our own, we would not take so much pleasure in noticing those of others." ...Rochefoucauld wrote.

"Is Man kind? Are we good? Look through their windows so that you can understand their views. Set at their tables so you can share their tastes. Sleep in their beds so that you may know their dreams. Find out just how kind the he's and she's of this mankind are." .....Courtesy of airbnb. Let us travel this breathtaking world and introduce ourselves to its he's and she's and share and compare our knowledge with one another to help preserve our Earth and keep Her safe.

BREAKING NEWS:

Even the Innocents are questioning the souls of others today! As I write this essay, I am being alerted about two innocent lives that have been taken from us in Moneta, Virginia this morning. Two victims of senseless violence. BREAKING NEWS: Reporter, Photographer Shot & Killed On Air In Virginia..... What can I write or say right now? What could possibly make any sense from this heinous act of violence against two innocent beings delivered by another? May God bless and keep you, Alison Parker, twenty-four years young, and Adam Ward, twenty-seven years young.

My heart is crying.

It's funny to me that all of the pounding negativism I was feeling thirty minutes ago as I was beginning my story has not been ramped-up by this 'act of hate' against Alison and Adam. Extreme acts of sadness affect each of us differently and I am a bit bewildered by my own emotions at this moment. I am calm, focused and tied to the earth.....as if my body has become one with nature and my soul is at peace with the world. Crazy.....given the circumstances. It's as though my life is honoring the two lives that have been taken from us and for now, I am one with their spirits as they leave this world and go on to the next.

What a truly engaging experience for me.

I am sure there will be time for numbness, contemplation of reality and questioning of motives in this case.  The understanding of it will take so much longer, if ever, I fear.

Thinking back to the young innocents who began my story today, I believe that their freedom from guilt, sin and moral wrong has a timeline that continues to dwindle with each school shooting, theater massacre, and 'attention based' killing that takes place. Circumstances that are certainly not beyond our control are shortening their freedom and elongating their fears at such extremely young, vulnerable ages. As adults, it is our responsibility to protect them and allow them to be carefree longer. I understand that we can't hide them in their rooms until they're thirteen. But, we can assist in regulating the weapons used in these crimes, as well as help educate others as to how and why these weapons must be properly controlled.

I offer you a few excerpts from a book entitled 'Abstract Poetry 4Life' by Deneene A. Collins that stretches the imagination and challenges our protective abilities when it comes to our children; our lives: "If I were a bee I would sting to protect everything important to me including my sweet, thick honey..... Though a sting may hurt you temporarily, it kills the very bee that makes the choice to sting you permanently. So never think that it is something a bee wants to do but realize it is only what they feel they have to do. Humans sting each other all the time with hurtful words, foul actions, and vicious lies. If your sting would take your life wouldn't you think twice before imposing ill actions on another?"

Most importantly, we must teach our children how to love.....  Learning to love one another, in the basic sense of respect and kindness, should be the number one priority of each of us, ranging from birth to the day we finally leave our earthly home. I may sound like a broken record when it comes to this mind-set, however, I ask you, if the repetition of something so basic and simple can help to reinforce and support the freedom we all deserve, would you be tired of hearing about it? Love is the key to opening all doors. Allow it to open your heart.

In Loving Memory of Alison and Adam.



Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

SEPTEMBER THOUGHTS

A series of essays.....

A PERFECT PICNIC SPOT NEAR LAKE
MICHIGAN ALONG MICHIGAN'S WEST COAST

.....as seen through my eyes!





By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


"Dig deep within; everything you need exists within you."

I am a fan of Alex E. Carey! Alex is a YA or 'Young-Adult' author whom I met via social media and her quotes continue to uplift and encourage me each day. Especially, as the month of September looms on the horizon and a fast-paced summer carries on with a bang before slowly winding down with more thought provoking characteristics and qualities heading into fall and winter.

September is, by far, my favorite month of the year!

This time of the year reminds me of one of my best-loved fiction authors from Scotland, Rosamunde Pilcher, who released her novel entitled "September" in nineteen ninety, published by St. Martin's Press. The novel begins in May as invitations are being written for a party in September. "September in Scotland is when a brief but glorious summer is ending and the long, gray winter has yet to begin. It is a time of almost frenzied rounds of parties and houseguests and reels. September is a month when marriage is proposed and marriages break up, when people drink a little too much, dance a little too late into the night, when promises are made, hearts are broken, and long-buried family secrets can come to light." ......St. Martin's Press.

I enjoy a book that temps the reader with layer upon layer of interesting characters and becomes a curl-up-under-the-covers kind of old-fashioned read. Even though her most popular book is "The Shell Seekers," I have always been partial to "September." As for being an author, Ms. Pilcher says her stories are "not so much love stories, but more about human relations..... If the stories do not have a happy ending, then they always have a hopeful ending."

I love the healthy 'crunch' of the fallen leaves beneath my feet when I take a mind and soul-cleansing walk through the neighborhood at dusk in late September. While breathing in the heady scent of the leaves, I think about all things related to the season as in the harvesting of pumpkins and the warm, spicy scent of golden pies cooling on a rack. My vivid imagination allows me to hear the sudden cracking sound of juicy apples snapped right from the tree and inhale the cinnamon scented, mulled apple cider steaming in the pot, soon to be ladled into thick, brown mugs. Definitely hand warmers for the body and soul.

Fall always has me looking forward with sweet anticipation to Halloween, a holiday originally influenced by Samhain, a Celtic autumn festival, and picture happy, little faces disguised by masks, red clown noses, and cascades of Princess sparkles. My own birthday, hiding in the shadows of this spirited holiday and just a few days afterwards, warms my heart!

And, I think about color.....yellow, red, orange, crimson, and gold, as well as the green leaves that are last to change; chlorophyll holdouts. Nature is having one last fling before settling down into winter's sleep and we are being provided with one of the most fantastic photo ops we could ever imagine.

But why, for goodness sakes, does this season between summer and winter have two names? According to Slate Magazine, before it was autumn or fall, it was harvest. Forrest Wickman writes, "While the modern names of winter and summer have been around for more than a thousand years, the names of fall and spring are more recent and less constant. This is partly because the two seasons were long viewed as secondary to summer and winter. As late as the 18th century, English speakers were less likely to think of the year as having four seasons, focusing instead on the coldest and warmest portions of the year.

Harvest as a word to mean not just "a time of reaping" but, also, "the third season of the year" lasted up until the 16th century. But, it was joined by autumn---a word borrowed from the French---at that time. Spring and fall likely gained popularity in conjunction with each other. They initially appeared in the 16th century as 'spring of the leaf and fall of the leaf,' respectively. The two complemented each other nicely and were soon shortened to the more succinct fall and spring with the longer phrases disappearing over the next few hundred years."

Wickman further explains, "Sir Walter Raleigh, one of the first English explorers of North America, uses the word fall to contrast with spring in his writing and poetry. When the British came to implement "The King's English" here, however, they conceded that by the use of 'fall,' North Americans applied the superior term and expressed their envy: Fall is better on the merits than autumn, in every way. It is short, Saxon like the other three season names, picturesque; it reveals its derivation to everyone who uses it, not to the scholar only, like autumn."

While I am on the subject of 'harvest.......,' may I interject a particular fall activity in France that begins, generally, around the first part of September? The French refer to it as la vendange which means grape or wine harvest or vintage; grapes harvested; grape crop. And, for this, many of us shall remain eternally grateful! Vive la France!

Ms. Pilcher may have written that September is a month when marriage is proposed and marriages break up, however, I see it differently. Dan and I planned our marriage in September and on the fifteenth day, coinciding with the college football kickoff season....we dragged all of our family and friends to the church! This included season ticket holders and diehard football fans alike,  as well as my handsome groom. Our MSU Spartans were slated to open the season playing Northwestern. The sports loving contingent sequestered in the church on that sunny, blue-skied afternoon were smiling, wishing us well and even shedding a few tears as Father Adams pronounced us a married couple. I still wonder if missing a Michigan State, Notre Dame, or University of Michigan opening game had anything to do with the tears I saw on those dear, sweet faces as we walked back down the aisle.....

And, who knew that thirty-eight years later, on September 12, 2011, our twins would be born? Kerrington and Brendan, our beautiful grandchildren, born to our youngest daughter, Corinne, and son-in-law, Matthew. Life today is filled with their gusto and exuberance that helps define, deepen and complete the meaning of family.

Autumn, a term used in a most scholarly manner, I might add, often marks the transition of time....the latter part of someone's life or of something's existence. "Autumn of My Life" is a metaphor which likens one's life to the season when the time for planting, growing, and flowering is over and the natural world edges toward dormancy. A time of full maturity, especially the late stages of maturity or the early stages of decline. Oh, no....I did not just go there!

You're right. Aging is never a very popular topic of conversation, especially among the aging themselves. Oh, it is with a soft, muted sensibility that we inform one another about our own aches and pains. Our younger versions always dreaded the thought of growing older. Personally, I am quite delighted to have come this far and be right where I am.

Growing older affords one a certain perspective on life not available from the earlier parts of the journey. Gratitude comes forward as the prevailing consciousness. What could be better than that? Sensing the presence of the 'finish line' is a vivid reminder that every day matters.  

Miracles occur when human beings step up to the life they've got, young and old alike, in good times and bad, and discover they're far more creative and capable than they ever dreamed they were. Miracles occur when we learn to blossom right in the middle of what we told ourselves we could never survive or get beyond. Miracles occur when we have the courage to choose from our deepest and highest self. I know this to be true because I am married to a man who has never lost faith in himself, through very lean and impossible times, and continues to reinvent himself on a daily basis. He represents the true and undeniable meaning of strength and tenacity.

Dr. Judith Rich, aka Dr. For The Soul, once wrote, "Autumn is a time to update the operating system of our life. There are old files and programs to be deleted, hard drives that need cleaning and random access memory to be added. It is time to push the "refresh" button and invent one's self again. Then, choose who you want to be and how you want to live out the remaining years of your life."

I say to all who have pocketed a Medicare Card, approached the age of retirement or, at least, decided to slow down a bit, it's time to become creative in ways never dreamed possible in our younger years. All artists, writers and poets come forth. It is time to push that "refresh" button. It is time to be passionate and fall madly in love with life once again!

September.....

I will leave you with a paragraph or two from the beloved children's book by Charlotte Zolotow entitled, "Say It!" I used to read it to both of my girls and it became one of their favorites, by far:

"It was a golden, windy autumn day. The leaves twirled around the little girl and her mother. 'Say it say it say it!' shouted the little girl. And the mother did say it in all sort of different ways---'It's a wild, wondrous, dazzling day. It's magic. It's a golden, shining, splendiferous day!'---until at last she said it in exactly the way the little girl wanted to hear it!
'Say it,' shrieked the little girl. 'Say it say it say it!'
'I love you,' said her mother. 'I love you I love you I love you!' And she twirled around and around with the little girl in her arms until they were both dizzy."

May this September bring you all of the Joy you require....


Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved                   

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS ON SANIBEL ISLAND

A series of journeys.....

THE SIGN AT THE ENTRANCE TO SANIBEL COTTAGES

.....as seen through my eyes!





By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


Thirty-two years and half a lifetime ago......Dan and I discovered Paradise. We ambitiously secured a small slice of it for ourselves and have never looked back with any kind of sadness or compunction.



SEASHELLS WASHING ASHORE

The innumerable seashells that wash up from the aquamarine depths of the Gulf waters stud the golden sand beaches with their delicate varieties and shapes. Variegated shades of deep mauve and yellow blend with powdery white, stone gray, and copper tones making-up the unlimited ribbon of color that highlights the undulating shoreline.  Sanibel is a barrier island which is part of a large plateau that extends out into the Gulf of Mexico for miles. This plateau acts like a shelf for seashells to gather. Sanibel has an east-west orientation. Most islands along Florida's Gulf Coast run north-south. Consequently, this beautiful island is gifted with great sandy beaches and an abundance of shells.

The decision was made and our tenth wedding anniversary was to be celebrated together for one long, glorious week on Sanibel Island. We had heard from friends that the Casa Ybel Beach Resort located at Knapps Point would be perfect accommodations for our visit. Without the Internet to cross-reference our decision at that time, we trusted their advice and booked our September getaway via telephone.

Off we flew to our little island paradise leaving our two young daughters with Grandma to be spoiled and loved for the week.

CASA YBEL RESORT



A STORM ROLLING IN OVER THE GULF

We enjoyed so many adventures that week! Heading out from Casa Ybel, we hiked down the beach nearly three miles to the Sanibel Lighthouse on the most eastern tip of the island. After taking many pictures and resting our sand and shell scuffed feet, we could see the purplish-gray clouds coming in from the north and knew we had better begin our long trek back to shelter. For the first half an hour we watched the Gulf waters transform into a brilliant green glow as the sun and storm clouds vied for control of the sky! We had heard how the raindrops from a heavy storm could pummel your head like small fists and that prospect quickened each step we took until at about a half of a mile to go.....we had to run for dear life! The fists came down on our heads, arms, and legs so fast that by the time we huddled under the gazebo near our resort's pool, we were hysterical with a mixture of laughter and relief. Two souls finding solace within the joy of adventure; two hearts building a solid foundation while celebrating their love for each other.

More than half of the island is made up of wildlife refuges with the largest being J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Preserve. We had read that the refuge was home to over two hundred and twenty species of birds native to the island. Visitors to the refuge could walk, bike, drive, or kayak through the wildlife drive which took you through five miles of mangrove tree forests and tidal flats, just perfect for watching the island's wildlife and discovering the island's native vegetation. We chose to drive, for the most part, getting out to take pictures and stroll along the man made footpaths that meandered the mangrove forests that were so thick....they would totally block-out the midday sun. The brochure I had picked-up told us that "the refuge worked to ensure that these lands are preserved, restored and maintained as a haven for indigenous and migratory wildlife as part of a nation-wide network of Refuges administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The lands also serve to provide a home for many endangered and threatened species." I just liked saying the name over and over in my head. J.N. "Ding" Darling had such a magical ring to it.




CARTOON COURTESY OF THE
J.N. "DING" DARLING
FOUNDATION



JAY NORWOOD DARLING

In later research, I discovered the man behind this interesting title, Jay Norwood Darling. He was an American cartoonist who had won the Pulitzer Prize for his Editorial Cartooning in 1924 and again in 1943. Wikipedia states that "Darling penned some conservation cartoons and was an important figure in the conservation movement who was recognized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and appointed head of the U.S. Biological Survey, forerunner of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service." To this day I still enjoy saying his name and thinking about his humble contribution towards helping to preserve this amazing island for all generations to enjoy its natural ecosystem and true splendor. Job well done, J.N. "Ding" Darling!

We were a bit fickle when it came to the feast we would partake in on our actual anniversary night and made reservations for dinner at Chadwick's in the South Seas Island Resort on the tip of Captiva Island. Captiva is just north of Sanibel and connected by a bridge located at Blind Pass.

SUNSET OVER SANIBEL

I remember driving our rental car along Tarpon Bay Road, going past Periwinkle Way, the main road that links the two islands to the Sanibel Causeway and the mainland, and turning left onto Sanibel Captiva Road. The sun was softly setting over the islands and its warm glow wrapped us in a blanket of gold as we listened to the radio. Bonnie Tyler was belting out "Total Eclipse of My Heart" from her album entitled "Faster Than the Speed of Night" released earlier that year, 1983.
"And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you only hold me tight
We'll be holding on forever

I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight"

Music has such a wonderful way of capturing precious moments in time and never letting you forget them.....no matter what.

Our greatest adventure on the island was yet to come.

Heading out for a morning beach stroll early in the week, we turned north along the shoreline. Carrying our sandals in hand, we gingerly avoided walking on the sharp shells. It soon became a habit not to crush the delicate shells so that others employing 'The Sanibel Stoop,' the local's lingo for tourists bending down to pick out the best shells, would be able to find them easily and intact.

It became apparent early on that some new construction was taking place not far from Casa Ybel. Especially when my husband's ears, modified by his years of building multi-family structures, had become fine-tuned to these particular sounds.

PERIWINKLE WAY

There they were, right before our eyes, four pod-like structures each in various stages of construction. Where the possibility of three more 'pods' existed stood three pastel houses. Today, we might even call them 'tiny homes' or small cottages. Eventually, we learned that these pink, pale green, and light blue buildings were part of the original set of 'cottages' that had existed at this spot long before the Sanibel Causeway was built to replace the ferry back in May of 1963.

I wished that their walls could talk and relate to me the many stories about the people who had vacationed there in the past. Who had wiggled their toes in the warm sand, chased their siblings into the rolling surf, and collected seashells to bring back home to Ocala, Sebring.....Orlando? What would the people be thinking now watching them being moved from their majestic location along this amazing beach? Where would they be relocated? What sherbet-mix of colors had the first four homes been: pale yellow, lavender, softest orange, periwinkle blue?

So many questions were conjured up from my inquisitive mind only to be nudged aside, at that moment, by the prospect of the future. We saw the signpost anchored in the sand proclaiming "Sanibel Cottages Resort, Sales Office Located Near the Tennis Courts, Please Follow the Path." We followed the stone path like small children mesmerized by the colorful coattails of the Pied Piper.....not to our doom (we hoped) but, rather, to our destiny.

UNCOMPLETED POOL AND GATSBY VS. THE 1980'S

Passing the uncompleted swimming pool, our attention focused in on the basic design, style, and colors of the new buildings and decided that Jay Gatsby himself would happily reside in these condos that were influenced by a potent 1920's charm. In short.....we fell in love! Hook, line and sinker! So much so that, a mere two and a half hours later, we had purchased a time-share unit for one week each year on an upper floor of a building that currently was displaying a skeletal structure comprised of blocks and sticks.

The furnished second floor model unit was bathed in creamy white with shades of blues and burgundy adding splashes of color. Standing within the large screened-in porch, we were offered vistas of sand and sea punctuated by rows of palm trees, their feather-shaped fronds swaying in the mild Gulf breezes. Our heartstrings had been tugged at, pulled on, and sweetly played by the prospect of enjoying with our children, even for one week a year, this solid slice of paradise. Yes, the foundation for so many wonderful memories yet to be made.....!

And....."The rest is history," as they say.

We could hardly wait to return to Michigan, swoop-up our girls and tell them the great news about the 'little' gift that Daddy and Mommy got for all of us while away in Paradise celebrating ten years of marriage. At the tender ages of seven and four, they had no idea just how our yearly family excursions in early June to Sanibel Island would gratefully impact all of our lives......forever!



Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATIONS~~~SCARY! WHEN IS TOO MUCH POWER?

A series of essays.....

.....as seen through my eyes!



By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

They want all the houses to look nearly identical. I guess they like the movies 'The Stepford Wives' and 'Pleasantville' where everything and everyone looks and feels the same. Honestly, is it really that simplistic?

"A local Orlando area family is in a battle with their homeowner's association over a fence for their son who has Asperger's Syndrome. The HOA flatly states that the type of fence the family requires for the safety of their five-year old son does not meet the architectural review board guidelines."  (WESH News, Orlando, FL)

"HOA shuts down boy's  lemonade stand."  (FOX News 13, Tampa Bay, FL)

"A homeowner near Windermere, who happens to work for Orange County's environmental department, has been sued by her neighborhood association for replacing her thirsty grass with a water-conserving landscape."  (WESH News, Orlando, FL) 

Given all of this information accumulated by the local Orlando news media within the past few years, my mind is in overdrive. When it comes down to human beings being allowed to function as human beings rather than robots or puppets, I am very concerned for all of us who live under the glaring eye of anointed home owner committee leaders who are sanctioned by their HOA's to enforce all rules and regulations. 

Several years ago I worked for ISSA Homes, Inc., a high-end building company located in Celebration, Florida. Among other things, I was responsible for securing all pre-construction building permits from the Osceola County Offices in Kissimmee, Florida. I worked closely with the building department making certain that all county codes, rules and regulations were met on single-family and condominium blueprints that were architecturally signed and sealed and ready for the necessary permits required in order to built the product for our clients.

The town of Celebration was born in 1994 and was an original brainchild of Mr. Walt Disney himself! Many say that the plan behind Celebration for Walt was to build an entire town that would reflect our nation's past, the close-knit communities we think of as Small Town USA today. Residents delighted in having large front porches to sit at while discussing the day's activities with their neighbors and friends passing by. Many teens living there may have called it prison like in any other small town community, however, roots were established and Celebration began to thrive and spread.

As time progressed, so did the size of the houses and I had to be careful that our clients desires and selections did not violate or supersede the written laws of the Super Committee set-up originally by Walt Disney World to govern over the community itself. ISSA was responsible for submitting for approval exterior colors or certain building materials chosen by clients that did not match the Committee's codes which had become the 'law of the land' in Celebration.

ISSA Homes was not the only builder in Celebration. And, not just any builder could conduct business there. Each building company turned in an application, was scrutinized, and then had to be voted in by WDW and the governing body of Celebration. I suppose you could say that just to be able to build there was reason enough to accumulate official accolades within the state and its building community. 

Success did not come without paying a price and I can recall Don Hempel, one of the owners of ISSA Homes, Inc., often say, "We must work exceptionally hard to give them what they want. They are buying into a dream here and our clients deserve to have us help them realize that dream, no matter what the cost!" Don fought hard for his homeowners and soon ISSA was building estate homes priced upwards of 2,000,000 dollars.

It was about this time, late 1990's, that Dan and I decided to build our own much more modest home just east of the I-4 corridor and north of the Orlando International Airport. Our small community of seventy-four homes was conveniently snuggled between the major artery of roads leading into and out of the metro Orlando area with a five minute drive on SR-408 that took us into the heart and action of downtown. Initially, our little, gated community, only half completed, was under the jurisdiction of the construction company building our homes. This was soon to change.

With a minimum of ninety percent occupation, our subdivision was turned over to the home owners association. Our modest quarterly dues, for the most part, went to cover street repairs, mowing the lawn and planting flowers within the common areas and, the constant repair of the two gates that controlled traffic in and out of the community.

In the beginning, life was as near to perfection as possible with happy neighbors who gratefully attended homeowner's meetings to learn about the community and have an opportunity to meet one another in closer quarters. Elections were held and soon several of the neighbors occupied official posts while others were to head committees that ranged from creating social events in our small park area to walking around the subdivision making certain that everyone was in compliance with the HOA's rules and regulations. And, that is precisely when politics began to rear its ugly head and work to manipulate the hearts and minds of some of the people we would kindly wave or say hello to each day!

The most uncomfortable part of this realization for me was having to work within this stringent environment eight hours a day in Celebration only to return home to face more of the same. With more than eighty percent of newly built homes belonging to association communities, reports the Associated Press, this scenario is difficult to escape.

Don't misunderstand me.....I enjoy driving through our gates and seeing nicely maintained lawns without any dollarweed poking through the St. Augustine. It's totally understandable to discourage someone painting the exterior of their home 'hot pink' by having them submit potential color schemes to the architectural committee to advise them in a more appropriate direction. What is not enjoyable is to witness some people morph into a 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' personality when given the power to consciously control the thoughts and actions of others.

Most of us can remember these heartbreaking stories:

"On the night of February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida, George Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Martin, a seventeen-year-old African American high school student. Zimmerman, a twenty-eight-year-old mixed-race Hispanic man, was the neighborhood watch coordinator for the gated community where Martin was temporarily living and where the shooting took place."  (WFTV, Orlando, FL)

"In June 2010, Captain Michael Clauer of Frisco, Texas, lost his home when his HOA foreclosed on and sold his house while he was en route to Iraq all because he was $800 behind in his HOA dues payments." (KHOU, Houston, TX)

"In 2008, Joe Woodward tried to rebuild his home after it was destroyed by an airplane that fell from the sky and crashed into it, killing his wife and infant son. Woodward planned out his new home to be on the same property as the original home, but made a few changes; if the new house were exactly the same, it would constantly remind him of his loved ones. Woodward's HOA told him that unless he changed the home's shingles, size, and elevation to conform to their rules, i.e., build the house to be just as it had been before the crash, they would sue him."  (WESH News, Orlando, FL)

In the (GAWKER),written by Lauri Apple, she writes, "Governed by boards of directors....homeowners ostensibly chosen by their peers to represent the interests of their communities....HOA's are organizations that have become somewhat infamous for imposing arbitrary fines and liens on unpopular or "rogue" homeowners, making things up as they go along, treating people unfairly, enforcing strict adherence to their rules, collecting fees, and acting irrationally or even illegally. The people who sit on their boards are often petty, vindictive, utterly incompetent, and/or control-freakish. Regardless, anyone who wants to move into a housing development ruled by an HOA has to agree to follow the HOA's rules....which can prove troublesome for anyone who is even slightly individualistic, or simply laissez-faire about the color of their neighbors' driveways."

Having lived in our home for seventeen years this September and, having experienced a very serious economic depression during this time, we have witnessed the ugly side of human nature more often than we'd like to admit. Please don't even think that our HOA "couldn't possibly" take our house just because we didn't pay our fees or any fines incurred...because they totally could. Apple says, "Today, encouraged by a new industry of lawyers and consultants, boards are increasingly foreclosing on people sixty days past due on association fees." And if you somehow end up on the board's bad side by, let's say, using the wrong colored wood chips in your flowerbed, or you were on vacation and weren't able to pull the few weeds that grew-up in the meantime, it's likely that your HOA will fine you, lien you, and threaten you with foreclosure!

Certainly, Dan and I could have decided against moving into an HOA governed development. Never having had the experience of an HOA while residing in Michigan most of our lives, we truly did not know what to expect. So, you roll with the punches and do the best that you can all the while knowing that you are good people who are neat and clean and expect that those living around you will take pride in their homes by keeping them that way, as well.

Then the kindly looking, older gentleman with his clipboard in hand comes walking around the subdivision on a sunny, Saturday morning and stops, dead still, in front of your picture window to survey the territory. Chicken scratches begin to clutter his once pristine, white sheet of paper and he carries a small camera he uses to document your indiscretions and other petty misdeeds. You question yourself, "Did I forget to coil my water hose in a perfect clockwise configuration? Are the lower branches of our live oak trees hanging below the acceptable level? Have the stains from the fallen oak leaves in the driveway discolored it enough to be an eye-sore to all who pass by our house? Oh, my!"

Scary! We have to ask ourselves, when is too much power? When HOA disputes become personalized making it difficult to resolve them, this can further complicate matters. When board members interpret the rules to suit their own ends, homeowners often must look to the courts to enforce basic standards of accountability, and that can get expensive. Evan McKenzie, a University of Illinois-Chicago political science professor says, "There's no training or actual requirements for board positions." McKenzie adds, "This means that people in charge often don't understand the most basic requirements of the law. Many homeowners don't either."

And, so.....you have chaos!

Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

LIVING VICARIOUSLY IN REAL TIME

A series of journeys.....

CORINNE AND MICHELLE AT THEIR AIRBNB FLAT IN AMSTERDAM

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes        

Occasionally, my thoughts are written down in longhand. I like to feel the slight heft of my pen and observe the swirls of black, gel ink as they are semi-absorbed into the fibers of the yellow pages of my legal pad and continue to accumulate until they exhaust the space of each blue-lined sheet. Writing in cursive script is a beautiful thing. How it lends itself to a creative and artistic inclination warms my heart and brings me pure joy! Why it is being forsaken within our school system infuriates me....but, another story for another time.

This 'old school' writing exercise began this past Friday when my youngest daughter and one of her best friends from college flew to Amsterdam to begin their sixteen-day, European adventure together. Seeing ink on paper, I believe, was my way of feeling a bit closer to them. With Amsterdam, Paris and London in sight, these two beautiful young ladies have so much to look forward to, experience and enjoy.

Oh, to be so young and carefree........but, wait a minute! Let's apply the breaks here and analyze this situation! Corinne is the Mother of three of our five grandchildren. This includes a seven-year-old and a three-year-old set of twins. Wife of Matt, our son-in-law whose love of hunting and fishing is much like an extended career, she is responsible, hard-working and a pillar of her small family nucleus. Corinne is certainly young, however, carefree may not be one of the adjectives most of us would apply to her everyday, hectic lifestyle. So, how is it that she is able to pull this one off?

KERRINGTON, LYDIA AND BRENDAN

So much thought went into their trip and, many obstacles had been thrown along the path leading to its fruition. I know it had been planned over three years ago with last summer being the original departure date. Michelle, friend and travel companion, unknowingly had other matters to contend with last year when she experienced kidney failure and spent a lengthy amount of time on a kidney donor list with surviving this ordeal as her only objective.

Corinne graciously volunteered her kidney but was denied after taking the appropriate tests to determine if she would be compatible. Would I have been so forthcoming given this situation? I wonder to this day.

Miraculously, a young gentleman, husband and father whose appropriate medical criteria matched Michelle's, heard of her 'fight for life' and came forward to volunteer his kidney. Not knowing Michelle or anyone in her family, he said it was something he felt he needed to do as long as he was healthy and capable of helping someone in dire need.


MICHELLE AND VAN GOGH

Michelle received her new kidney and it was accepted by her without major consequences and....today, she is roaming around the beautiful, canal-filled, capital city of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, with my daughter, Corinne. The attainment of something worked for, desired and planned for so strenuously, made real at last, is a major victory for them in my book. The result of which made so much sweeter by having overcome such adversity along the way.

International texting is magnificent! "Canal tour and Ann Frank House today! Freshening up for the evening. These made me think of you." Knowing my love for hydrangeas, Corinne sent a picture she'd taken of them growing within an Amsterdam cityscape. "It's true....Heineken really does taste better here in Amsterdam!" she wrote while dining on Herengracht Street. When I asked if the colorful French macaroons she sent a picture of were as delicious as they looked, she replied, "I took this picture from outside of the shop! I was afraid to go in."


MY HYDRANGEAS

I have always wanted to visit the Van Gogh Museum so, a few minutes ago, I wrote and asked if it was one of their destinations today and just received this response, "Yep, just got home from there....walked through Vondelpark back to our flat. Enjoyed it very much. Earlier we rode the tram to Central Station and walked to the Sex Museum, bought souvenirs (not from the SM), ate a nice breakfast, and walked the canals." No shocker there because the Sex Museum just happens to be on my list of places to see, too!



MACAROONS

Even though their final day in Amsterdam is coming to a close, if I know my child at all, this day will be chock-full of amazing sights, people and conversations that will highlight her memories of this beautiful city for years to come; generate stories to be passed down to her children and grandchildren. "I remember when Auntie Michelle and I rode our bikes down the cobbled streets of Amsterdam. We skirted around the canals and stopped for a breakfast of Pannenkoeken (Dutch pancakes) at a quaint little café overlooking the Amstel Canal." These memories, coupled with the many pictures she's taken and already placed on Facebook for all to enjoy, will keep this journey alive in her heart and soul forever.

Getting back to the question of how was she able to pull this thing off! One word: Determination! What is that old saying.....where there is a will, there is a way? I know it's quite a cliché, however, if you truly want to do something, you will find a way to do it, in spite of any obstacles. In Corinne's case, any obstacles would be the ones she chooses to create herself because Matt, her in-laws, Mary and David, and, of course, her father and I, were all for it! Leaving young children even for a few days can be challenging for a young mother. Leaving for sixteen days can test one's ability to cope. She knows how much knowledge and enthusiasm for travel she will be bringing back home to share with her children. This experience can't be taught in schools. Her adventurous soul will gently inject the love and respect she has for other people, places and cultures directly into the makeup of her own young children and last them a lifetime. I am proud of my daughter for making this happen!

PANNENKOEKEN

Tomorrow, fourteenth of July, is Bastille Day in France, the French national holiday which celebrates the beginning of the French Revolution. It is France's equivalent to our Fourth of July celebration. Bastille Day is a day of celebrations of French culture when many large-scale public events are held, including a military parade in Paris, as well as communal meals, dances, parties and fireworks.

COURTESY OF: My French Neighbor ~ BASTILLE DAY!

Tomorrow Corinne and Michelle arrive via train in Paris for the second chapter of their brilliant adventure. It will be as though the City of Lights will be welcoming them with open arms, and enough pomp and circumstance to rival the coronation of King Louis XVI with Marie Antoinette by his side. True.... This is probably not the best analogy for Bastille Day. But, you can be sure that cake will be eaten and that the booming, colorful fireworks display at the foot of the Eiffel Tower will draw typical huge crowds filling up the elongated and well manicured, green space of the Champ de Mars spreading out from her base to, eventually, tickle the entrance of the École Militaire (military training facility) located along its southeast side.

The ladies could not have chosen a better time to be in Paris. On this adventure I will be living vicariously through them in one of my most beloved cities in the world and, I can enjoy it in real time thanks to the convenience of international texting and social media. I am so excited about walking the boulevards of Paris tomorrow morning! Ding away little iPhone. I will be waiting for you.....!


Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved
Pictures from Amsterdam: Courtesy of Corinne Grimm