DAYDREAMING

A series of essays.....

My Photographic Interpretation of an Impressionistic Painting Entitled:
"Poolside" and Taken During the Summer of 2007

.....as seen through my eyes!




By: Jacqueline E. Hughes



The perfectly angled autumn sun pours its golden light down upon the swirling water and the reflection of a thousand dancing fairies shimmers above me on the high-glossed, paneled ceiling. I am sitting on my lanai and daydreaming. Staring up at the tongue and groove boards, I observe brilliant white light, texture, and fluid movement as the nymphs play their afternoon games of hide and seek. My heart is filled with joy!

I have always been a daydreamer. Sister John-Marie understood and encouraged me. As long as I was able to answer her questions when called upon in class, my fantasy worlds were windows of opportunity for me, as far as she was concerned. Yes, she always understood. A fellow dreamer, perhaps?

Not every Sister or lay teacher I had in Catholic school was able to perceive the importance of my mini-travels to the stars and back. Avid reading, however, was acceptable, and I always did my fair share of that. After exhausting Carolyn Keene's adventures with the help of Nancy Drew, I set my sights on F. W. Dixon and checked-out as many Hardy Boys Mystery Stories as they would allow me to each week from our small school library. The bus ride home each day was extensive and permitted me ample time to consume multiple chapters before hearing the 'whoosh' of the bus door closing behind me.

The addition of writing coupled with the joy of reading came early on in life. Begging my Mother to purchase extra notebooks for school, I would turn them into spiral bound journals filled with line after line of cursive script intended for my eyes only. Carefully hiding them in stacks beneath my bed, it was never my intent, at that time, to share my past, present, or future with another living soul.

The nomadic lifestyle imposed upon my family due to my Father's employment made it difficult to hide much beneath my bed for very long considering the floor it rested upon changed from one year to another. The dust bunnies barely had ample time to accumulate. Not only was I a wanderer within my own head, but with each move and having to adjust to each new school, new house, and new set of friends, our small 'restless mobile society' contributed to my need for movement and travel later on in life.

When my Dad decided to finally settle down, he brought us to Michigan where I was enrolled in our public high school that included an eighth-grade level program. Growing-up required bidding adieu to the ladies donning black habits and beaded rosary accessories one year and hello to walking the halls alongside a student body that was eighty percent older than myself. I was now changing classrooms each hour and having to consciously recall my locker combination or be left standing alone in the hall like a fish out of water. I survived and matured because of the experience.

It was around this time that two amazing realizations occurred that have served to mold and change my life forever. I fell in love with France, all things to do with France and knew that I could consciously submerge myself in her culture, language, people, and history and be happy the rest of my life. Secondly, it was time to share my thoughts with anyone who would be willing to read about them. I became a writer at fourteen years old. My first poem entitled "Time" was published in our local newspaper and after that, I never looked back.

There is a fine line between the conscious and the subconscious mind. Traveling between them can be an interesting adventure, especially when the journey itself is used as a coping mechanism allowing you to exist despite teenage challenges. The observation of 'visible energy' surrounding me was developed, encouraged and always felt natural. After all....I had had several years of practice by then. I often relied upon my vivid imagination to transform a negative situation into a positive experience.

To this day, daydreaming, triggered by visible energy, attracts me like a Super Magnet. Pulled into a vortex of encircling emotions and ideas, my interpretations can be transformed from the ordinary to the extraordinary in moments. Unlike most of our stage five dreams at night during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep that may be forgotten upon awakening, daydreaming affords us the luxury of sustained recall. In case you were wondering, yes, I do sleep with a pad of paper and a pencil on the night stand.....just in case.

The motion that triggers a reaction in me and stimulates my desire to daydream can be as complicated and exquisite as being transfixed by the languid shadow of the backyard live oak tree as it spills its brilliant summer colors onto the swimming pool's aquamarine ripples. Or, as simple as the sunlight reflecting off of my watch creating 'Tinker Bell' choreography on the family room walls. Light. Motion. A  combination capable of bridging the gap between conscious and subconscious thoughts and my personal recipe for a creative concoction certain to be utilized, expanded upon and served-up with imaginative flair in the near future.

Looking up at my dancing fairies this afternoon as I daydream the moments away, I am reminded of a quote by Sir Richard Branson, the highly successful English businessman and investor who said, "Don't ever let anyone prevent you from dreaming. Imagination is one of our greatest gifts. Don't just dream it. Go out and grab it with both hands."

Daydreaming is as close to reality as I sometimes want to be and it is much more important than the simple involvement of idle reverie or indulging in pipe dreams. Daydreaming has been and will always be my way of witnessing and then describing the softened edges of a granite hard world.....through the eyes and soul of a writer.


Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

Photograph copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

A series of essays.....

.....as seen through my eyes!



By: Jacqueline E. Hughes



BIRTHDAYS........

are intimate reminders of the progression of life; a sweet, generous time to reflect upon the past and look forward with joy to what awaits us in the future. Birthdays are the exception to the rule when it comes to living in the moment. A twenty-four hour sabbatical from the ordinary by which we deviate from daily routine, celebrate each amazing breath we take, and challenge our efforts to advance as a soldier making a push toward the incomprehensible sea.....limitless, boundless, infinite, vast.

Markers....like small road signs clicking off each mile of the super highway, the years pass by with the sun's glare bouncing off reflective aluminum surfaces, teardrops of rain sliding down a cool, smooth veneer, and numerical significance masked behind Winter's accumulation of sleet and snow. Tick...tick....tick. We carry-on with each revolution, rubber meeting the road, as our mind advances the count and our heart begins to understand the inequitableness of this journey. There is no reverse on this stick shift. Best to allow our hair to fly freely in the wind and truly enjoy the freedom of the open road......every day.

As the single, tiny flame simulates the frenzied dance of a whirling dervish, the addition of each flame accumulates to resemble a 'bonfire of life,' a talisman of experience that sits proudly atop confectionary bliss to be shared by everyone participating in this magnificent celebration. The yearling son or daughter is given his own small cake to devour as he sees fit with the gusto and creativity displayed by this ritual, perhaps, foreshadowing his life's potential and style. The candle's golden glow highlights each wrinkle of the centenarian who basks in the satisfaction and rewards of a job well done, surrounded by friends and generations of family that carry on his legacy in the guise of an upturned nose or a feisty temper......!

Alone. Many of us glide through this world within a solitary bubble, our purpose for living never surfacing to the top level of comprehension, we free fall like an autumn leaf newly released from the Tree of Life. The breeze shifts and blows us about while sets of various circumstances attract us like metal shards to a magnet, certain conditions or events control our actions as we float down to gather among the other silent souls on the ground. Even surrounded by the multitudes, we can be alone, ticking off the years in a silent quest for closure, bringing an end to the crushing pain inside. My birthday wish for you would be the accumulation of an abundance of hope in your life and love in your heart. Only then would you be able to understand your purpose for living. Only then would you not be fearful, sad, and alone as you grow older.

Birthdays can be more about giving to others than about receiving from them. There is a similar reasoning behind many of us who find it difficult to accept praise or high recognition for things we've accomplished. Let's face it.....it is easier to give than to receive. Some may not agree with this. However, we have been known to blush at the prospect of praise yet, forthrightly seek it out by making the effort of being the best person we can be.

This ritual of 'giving and receiving' extends to many traditions and life changing events. We gather at weddings to honor the bride and groom and 'gift' them in order to make their future life together more abundant and enjoyable. The bride and groom give us 'tokens' of their appreciation, feed us, and let us eat cake in celebration. Marie Antoinette would have understood!

Age. Another word for experience, a badge of courage and the continuance of comfort and pride worn like a familiar hat for years and shaped to the contours of our head. Age reminds us that we have something wonderful to show for time well spent with our tiny scars worn proudly. We should not allow the exterior to overshadow the marvelous beauty of our mind and soul. Wrinkles are inevitable; acting old is not.

Often, the body ages as the mind remains vibrant and young, open to new ideas, and still eager to learn about many of the old ones. This may be the most appropriate meaning and application of The Fountain of Youth, highly coveted and sought after. Thankfully, the external signs of aging can be a long, slow process especially when one consciously leads a healthy lifestyle including exercise and eating well. After all, good health holds the key to happiness and may be the freshwater source that restores (in this case, maintains) the youthful qualities of anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters.

No two individuals feel the same way about or celebrate their birthdays in an identical manner. Being surrounded by several close friends may be the ticket. Renting a large hall and dancing the night away with hundreds of others may be your thing. Naturally, we know that conditions may be enhanced or restrained by certain economic and social positions.     
 
As for myself, knowing that I am loved allows me to enjoy the day of my birth to the fullest! My family and many friends may live miles away, but I always feel the warmth of their love each year. They all serve as intimate reminders of my life's progression and I am eternally grateful to them for this. And, the sweet joy of grandchildren is like the proverbial 'cherry on top.' I am very blessed.

By the way, no cupcakes for me! A generous portion of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, please. Oh, and you can hold the candles for now. We all know that the smoke from just one candle will carry my prayers to the heavens and represent the Light of Life. Besides, reaching centenarian status is a long way off.....for now. I will celebrate with a big bonfire then.


Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

THE IRISH CAME TO AMERIKAY

A series of essays.....

GREAT FAMINE NATIONAL MONUMENT IN MURRISK, IRELAND

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

Who knew that having coffee with a good friend last week and spending nearly three hours reflecting upon our various travels throughout Europe would lead me to Orchard Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York, New York. But, it did. I am most grateful. And, here is my story.....

I have always been fascinated by other cultures, history, Romance languages, and, most recently, the unique preservation of time via time and space itself. Egyptian pharaohs mummified in magnificent pyramidal tombs. The deterioration of artifacts being hindered or slowed within the wet, spongy ground of a peat bog. A dust laden Parisian apartment locked-up and untouched since the World War Two era. A beautiful stone church abandoned by its human parishioners only to be embraced by surrounding nature, one tendril at a time.

Wondering what the spirits inhabiting these special places would say to me, I have admittedly taken it upon myself to supply words to their personal stories....upon occasion, through my writing. They have become as real as old and dear friends watching over me long into the night. I am reminded of several black and white movies I cherished as a child which included Constance Bennett and Cary Grant in "Topper" and "The Canterville Ghost" starring Charles Laughton. They were movies with friendly spirits who have long held my attention and encouraged me to watch them over and over again.

My story leads me to a 'spirit filled' and wonderfully preserved spot located in Manhattan entitled 'The Lower East Side Tenement Museum' which is a National Historic Site managed by the National Park Service.

However, before I take you into the museum, let me tell you how I got there in the first place.

Our conversation over coffee in Kalamazoo last week brought Michael and me to the conclusion that our travels in France and Ireland have greatly influenced who we are today. As self-professed Francophiles, we reasoned that the pull of France and French culture influenced both of us at an early age. The irresistible attraction of its culture, beauty, history, and refinement builds to an even greater crescendo with each subsequent visit to France.

THE SUN BEGINNING TO SHIMMER OFF OF
THE ATLANTIC~~TAKEN FROM THE SUMMIT
OF BENBAUN AND LOOKING WEST

Considering we both have ancestors deeply rooted in Ireland, it did not surprise me that much of our verbal exchange encapsulated this amazing island. From driving on the left side of its narrow roads to embracing the sheer rugged beauty of its Western Coastline, we determined that Ireland afforded the most natural 'photo opportunity' for amateur and professional photographers alike. The light shimmering off of the Atlantic can be more than amazing and there is a fresh and steady stream of smiling Irish faces to always lighten-up even an overcast day! 

Visiting there today, it is difficult to imagine that approximately one million people died and another million or more emigrated from Ireland in the mid-1800's. The Great Famine or the Great Hunger, due to a potato blight, was a 

CLOSER DETAIL OF
FAMINE MONUMENT

period of mass starvation, disease, and emigration in Ireland between 1845 and 1852 when about two-fifths of the population, for a number of historical reasons, was dependent on this cheap crop for sustenance. According to Wikipedia, "The famine was a watershed in the history of Ireland. Its effects permanently changed the island's demographic, political, and cultural landscape. The massive famine soured the already strained relations between many of the Irish people and the British Crown, eventually leading to Irish Home Rule and United Ireland movements."

However, the Great Hunger devastated the 'backbone' of this country affecting its strength and character, its past, and most assuredly, its future.  How could it not? It caused the island's population to fall by between twenty and twenty-five per cent at the time. Unimaginable  statistics!

IRISH FAMILY BEING EVICTED
FROM THEIR HOME BY THE BRITISH

Over a million Irishmen, including complete families and lost, defeated youth, caught the glint in their eye from the sun's bright shimmer off of the hypnotic Atlantic waves and set sail upon rickety boats to far-off places such as Canada, Australia and Amerikay (America).

Many Irish Traditional songs were written due to this mass exodus to America to find a better life, brighter future, all at the expense of solid, Irish family traditions. Many feared that the Irish culture would be greatly diminished by its youth leaving and forsaking their heritage. Songs such as "The Shores of Amerikay" have captured the emotions of a generation that sought a better life for themselves and for those they loved so dearly......even at the expense of bidding farewell to their home and loved ones left behind. To many, it was the ultimate sacrifice.

"The Shores of Amerikay"
(Author Unknown)

I'm bidding farewell to the land of my youth,
And the home I love so well,
And the mountains so grand 'round my own native land,
I'm bidding them all farewell.
With an aching heart I'll bid them adieu,
For tomorrow I'll sail far away,
O'er the raging foam for to seek a home,
On the shores of Amerikay.

It's not for the want of employment I'm going,
It's not for the love of fame,
That fortune bright may shine over me,
And give me a glorious name.
It's not for the want of employment I'm going,
O'er the weary and stormy sea,
But to seek a home for my own true love,
On the shores of Amerikay.

And when I am bidding my last farewell,
The tears like rain will blind,
To think of my friends in my own native land,
And the home I'm leaving behind.
But if I'm to die in a foreign land,
And be buried so far far away,
No fond mother's tears will be shed o'er my grave,
On the shores of Amerikay.

Immigrants entered America from various places. They trickled down from Canada into Michigan's Upper Peninsula with many entering Detroit, as well, to stay and create a new life, or spread out into Ohio and Pennsylvania. Eventually, they entered American ports to settle in Boston, New York and Philadelphia. A story in The History Place states that "New York was better able to absorb its incoming Irish. Throughout the Famine years, 75 percent of the Irish coming to America landed in New York. In 1847, about 52,000 Irish arrived in the city which had a total population of 372,000."

"They arrived in great numbers, most were able to speak English, and their Western European culture was similar to American culture," accounts Brendan A. Rapple, author of an article entitled, 'Irish Americans.'

So, you know what it's like to be able to suddenly spot every Buick Encore on the road right after you've decided you'd like to purchase one yourself? Well, that's a little bit like how my story progresses. After returning home to Orlando, it seemed as though all of my energy was focused upon Ireland and the spirit of her people who remained there, as well as those who fled across the sea so many years before. Everything I saw or thought about revolved around Ireland and the many memories I had formulated of Ireland throughout our years of traveling there and writing about this beautiful place.

Taped on our DVR was a program we watch each week called 'Out of Ireland' featuring news, public affairs and cultural information of interest to Irish-Americans. Its host, Patricia O'Reilly, featured an unforgettable place located in Manhattan called 'The Lower East Side Tenement Museum' that has since jumped high in position of importance on my list of 'Must Sees.' And, for very good reasons!

Unlike most history museums whose curators display collections of artifacts they have compiled from a particular era via multiple contributors.....The Tenement Museum in Manhattan has opened up the doors to that lost 'Parisian apartment' after all of these years. The dust has been gently brushed aside and now the history of 97 Orchard Street, built in 1863, is like a little time capsule enticing us back into the past....

THE DUST BEING BRUSHED "ASIDE" AT
AN APARTMENT AT 97 ORCHARD STREET
  

A historian and social activist, Ruth Abram wanted to build a museum that honored America's immigrants. New York's tenements were the perfect place for her museum: these humble, multiple family buildings were the first American home for thousands of immigrants. It was a frustrating search until she stumbled upon the tenement at 97 Orchard Street which was called 'home' to nearly seven thousand working class immigrants.

Co-founder, Anita Jacobson, said, "97 Orchard's initial appeal was an available storefront which we considered renting this space to run tours of the Lower East Side." While inspecting the storefront, Jacobson went to the hallway to look for a bathroom. She saw sheet-metal ceilings, turn-of-the-century toilets and an aging wood banister. "It was as though people had just picked up and left. It was a little time capsule...I called Ruth and said 'We have got to have this building.' It was perfect."

The search was over and for the past twenty years, the Tenement Museum has blossomed from an idea into a thriving institution. Shuttered for over fifty years, 97 Orchard's apartments were in ruin. It would take time to transform the tenement into a museum. Undaunted, researchers scavenged through 97 Orchard and combed through archives, compiling evidence about tenants and tenement life.They have carefully restored six apartments, including the home of the Moores, Irish immigrants who lived at 97 Orchard in 1869.

 GUIDED TOUR AT 'THE TENEMENT MUSEUM' 

They continue to grow each year by expanding the Visitors Center, exhibitions and classrooms. The museum can only be seen by guided tour suggesting that they wish to preserve the integrity of 97 Orchard, as well as carefully educate the visitor about every detail this time capsule has to offer. In recognizing the importance of this seemingly ordinary building, the Tenement Museum has reimagined the role that museums can play in our lives.

The 'Power of Suggestion' can lead us down so many new and exciting roads. I certainly enjoyed following this one.....! As their 'Mission' states, "The Tenement Museum enhances appreciation for the profound role immigration has played and continues to play in shaping America's evolving national identity."  Let us never loose sight of how important immigration has been in creating the rich melting pot of cultures we enjoy today.


Road trip to New York City.....anyone?

LANDING IN NEW YORK CITY

COMMITMENT

A series of essays.....

.....as seen through my eyes!


By: Jacqueline E. Hughes



COMMITMENT

is tantamount to both success and failure. Whether we make this pledge to ourselves or to others, a course of action is demanded of us, as by position, custom, law, or religion. Upon making it, we may choose to see our commitment in many different ways and even perceive it as a burden, destined to drag us down into its dark, spiraling depths as we attempt to fulfill our obligations and duties. And, even though our initial intentions may have been fueled by passion and love, the job at hand could transpire into a wearisome and troubled journey, if we allow it..... However, we are not made to live strictly within our 'comfort zone.' Mankind is much more resilient to negative thoughts and, for the most part, resolves its own inadequacies and fears in order to extract a sense of accomplishment based on the commitments he or she has made.

"Commitment is doing the thing you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in has left you."  ~Unknown~   

To say that we love is a commitment to our choice of giving ourselves to another and, once we have made it, we devote all of our physical and mental activities towards owning the experience because our commitment empowers us to do so. We should never feel enslaved by this choice. Love should never place restraints on the heart and soul in order to prove our intentions are real. If we truly commit to the  choice to love, our reward is bliss and great joy that is shared with those we are committed to. We should not have to beg for these things from those we love, but be given these things in return because we are equally loved. Taking responsibility for the welfare of an elderly person or a child with special needs requires a devotion so unselfish, honest, and true that the commitment made is worthy of all the respect and love needed to make it in the first place.

Athletes should respect and honor themselves while brandishing the results of a strong, powerful body, a healthy mind, and a positive outlook on life. True athletes commit to both physical and spiritual strength and have served us well as protector and warrior. Our soldiers marching off to war are athletes whose commitment to defend lives by possibly sacrificing their own, inspire all of us; they should be met with gracious approval.

If we do not commit to something within our lifetime then we have failed, for our first commitment should be to ourselves. We will reach an entire new level of experience in life when we achieve this. Lessons of kindness, responsibility, and the need to be the best we can be guide our lives on a course to success. If we do not have this control over our own lives, we may be destined for failure.

Life is short. It should not be wasted. Making a personal commitment to achieve a goal, no matter how big or small, is equal to making a commitment to someone else. It involves dedicating yourself to this agreement with yourself and knowing that there is nobody to let down but you. Excuses are not allowed if you wish to succeed. Always keep your goals in sight and commit to them and to yourself with an open heart, even in the face of adversity. Remember there is a sense of obligation whenever we make a commitment to another person. We should have that same sense of obligation to ourselves.

Think carefully and ask yourself, what are you committed to?


Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

SAYING "I LOVE YOU" FOR THE ONE HUNDREDTH TIME

A series of journeys.....

THE ROAD WELL TRAVELED

.....as seen through my eyes!



By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

We can all agree by now that life is an amazing journey filled with wanderlust, new beginnings, healthy lifestyle alternatives, brilliant stories, and interesting people lining the entire path. And, if we are fortunate enough, some will join us walking hand-in-hand every step of the way.

Today I am celebrating my one hundredth post on Moving On.....2015.  I am thinking how I'd like to gather each story in my arms and go with a huge 'Group Hug' right now, briefly pat myself on the back, and then tell myself to regroup and go create, at least, one hundred more!

Each time I post a story, I am sharing a part of me with all of you. It may be about a fleeting moment in time well spent chasing a dream or, in many cases, fulfilling a lifelong goal. I am opinionated and informative at the same time and serve to seek out your own thought-provoking ideas while encouraging stimulating discussions. No matter what the particular topic may be each week, every essay, collection, book review, conversation, and story is my way of telling the world just how much I love being a part of this process called LIFE....




In celebration of this particular milestone, I choose to thank several entities that have directed me along my own journey and honor each with a few short paragraphs of appreciation. If you have been following 'the ride' with me, you will recognize them. If you've recently joined my personal excursion into life's abundance and joy....you will delight in the emotions that have fueled my work and exposed my passions. The greatest of these is Love.

SANTA HAS VISITED IN THE NIGHT

Portage, Michigan: December 25, 2013

This morning, Christmas morning, has been blessed with feather-like snowflakes dancing around just beyond the mullioned window and resembling tiny ballerinas drifting down from the clouds. I have made my way downstairs a bit early so that I can prepare and place my breakfast quiche into the hot oven to bake. I am hoping the delicate aroma will tempt everyone downstairs soon...as if the prospect of opening Santa's goodies from beneath the tree isn't enticement enough.

ADRIAN O'CONNOR

Doolin, County Clare, Ireland: Adrian O'Connor, October, 2013

Adrian stood and told us he would be right back, as if, suddenly, remembering the kettle was on. He returned within moments carrying a small set of pipes that appeared as old and craggy as our dear friend. Okay, so I could barely make out his face four songs later due to the tears freely flowing from my eyes. I knew, as sure as the Irish sun was shining down upon us, as precious as the memory of a grandchild's kiss, as blissful as an invigorating walk through a green-splashed forest on a Sunday morning.....we were in the midst of a power so great and strong, it was bigger than all of us. Yet, it was all of us combined. Love isn't complicated. You just have to be aware of it with every breath you take. My 'tears of happiness' equaled nothing short of pure peace and solace in my life. Thank you my friend.....

MY FAVORITE PICTURE I
HAVE TAKEN OF LA TOUR EIFFEL

Paris, France: Any day of the year!!

So many remarkable stories fill my mind when I look at the amazing buildings of Paris! The flavors and tastes of Paris all enriched by her sumptuous beauty…just waiting to be unwrapped over and over again by ‘fresh eyes’ and open hearts! To stand on the balcony overlooking the quintessential icon of Paris, La Tour Eiffel, as I kiss the one I love so deeply, excites me beyond belief! It would be a privilege to call this place ‘our home,’ even for a moment in time, and immerse ourselves within the power and beauty of the most delicious city in the world! My heart has already arrived….

SAILING SHIPS OF WHITE LIGHT

Orlando, Florida: Joe Bonamassa Concert, December 19, 2014

Color creates moods; color changes moods. Color evokes memories and, in turn, produces responses from those memories. Yet, color is timeless. Color is ageless. It can be yesterday, today, or tomorrow and ebb and flow offering irregular outlines that shift like the seas with the tide.

Soft, powdery blues mixed with powerful beams of bright, white light spotlighted Joe and turned the stage into an extraterrestrial-like encounter as this eclectic mixture of talented musicians delivered an intricately textured, unplugged experience. At one point, the white illumination resembled sailing ships carrying the music across an imaginary sea and back to Europe, the place which lent its vintage flair to this acoustic blues set.

Nostalgia: February 5, 2015

Nostalgia, my old friend....  Why must I always find you lurking in the vast recesses of my mind, waiting, waiting for my vulnerability to emerge? Wrap me in your rose-tinted veil so that I may see all that I long for once more. Seduce me with your false promises and drown this present feeling of 'hope lost' so that I may smile and feel whole once again, if only for a short while.

EVA IBBOTSON

"I want to live like music sounds.": About author Eva Ibbotson, January 22, 2015

My journey into the life of this interesting female author began because of a quote online that struck me as one of the best 'writing prompts' I'd seen in a long while. Spoken by her character, Ruth, in the novel, The Morning Gift, Eva Ibbotson wrote, "I want to live like music sounds." There's something quite magical in this statement. How does this interesting quote affect you? Are you conjuring up all sorts of pictures in your head right now as I am? From the four most recognized notes (Big Bang Introduction) of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 to the haunting dirge called A Prayer sung by Madeleine Peyroux from her album Dreamland.....and all of that 'life' filling in the huge area in between, our lives are surrounded by the sounds, noise, and notes that swirl and collect around us every moment of our existence!

Patriotism: July 2, 2015

PATRIOTISM conjures up the image of tri-corner hats and the courageous warnings of an American silversmith and engraver. The vivid impression of a loved one marching off to protect and defend with the pending separation beating life's blood rhythmically between kindred hearts. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.....!" The school day begins with white stars in a backdrop of deepest blue and broad red and white stripes etched against the industrial green walls of the classroom. Who doesn't recall, at some point in time, the irregular rhythm of halyard and snap hooks clanging against a metal flagpole just outside of an office building or in the schoolyard on a breezy day?

THE LOST ART OF COMMUNICATION ~~ SPEECH

Waterford Lakes, Florida: June 6, 2014

The foyer of the restaurant was comparatively small, just enough room to allow several people respite from 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 her messages? Deleting unnecessary emails? Checking game scores? 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 close to us? Exchanging human contact with cyber interfacing instead? With minds compartmentalized by their own devices, mother and daughter, husband and wife, sat silently, deep within their private worlds.....for a very long time.

LEA LISTENING TO SOUND INFORMATION
FROM SHOP CLERK

Cocoa Village, Florida: September 25, 2015

Timeline: September 15, 1997
Google.com is registered as a domain. The name....a play on the word "googol," a mathematical term for the number represented by the numeral 1 followed by 100 zeroes, reflects Google's mission to organize and seemingly infinite amount of information on the web.

Timeline: September 25, 2015
Today I am being formally introduced to the quaint and beautiful little area known as Cocoa Village. Hidden in the midst of hundred-year-old oak trees along the banks of the Indian River, this community dates back to the 1860's. Having lived a mere thirty minutes away for nearly twenty years, why am only discovering this Historic Village now?

Because of my new, dear friends, Lea and Dave, whole new vistas have opened up for me. After enjoying coffee and conversation at Ossorio Bakery & Cafe on Brevard Avenue, Lea took me on a tour of the village, introducing me to shop owners, spoiling me with small, 'unusual' gifts, and making me feel like her beloved sister come to visit from around the world! I not only enjoyed the enchanting Southern experience, but my unselfish host made me feel like a 'Queen for a Day!'

Later we met up with Dave to experience a 'Diner' extravaganza for lunch. Good food and excellent company.....near perfection! Dave, a Mathematician, Engineer, and thirty-five year military veteran, enlightened me as to the interrelationship between Google.com and the mathematical term, 'googol,' for which I am exceedingly grateful.

Lea is trying to convince me to broaden my horizons and dabble in becoming a playwright. The funny part is that I am seriously thinking about it.

Our day together sadly came to an end and I found myself driving back up the 520 to connect with the Beachline Expressway and back home to Orlando. Conveniently, perhaps subconsciously, I left my umbrella in their car. Not that this act was needed to pull me back to this lovely area or into the company of these amazing friends. That will happen again soon. When one finds treasures such as this, you keep 'them' nearby for the rest of your life....

LOOKING UP AT  'BENBAUN'
THE PEAK OF DIAMOND HILL
IN CONNEMARA

Next week I will begin posting my second hundred stories. I can't help but wonder what intimate and surprising roads they will lead me down.



Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

THE CONFESSIONS OF A BOOK ADDICT

A series of essays.....

 LIBRARY AND MUSIC ROOM

.....as seen through my eyes!



By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

This morning I discovered a simple truth about myself. I have more books in my 'To Be Read' pile than food in my refrigerator. Plain and simple, it's just a fact, Jack.

It's the absolute truth but, I don't understand it. You know me, always preaching about taking time out for yourself through meditation, long walks in the woods, and curling up in a comfy spot and reading a good book. So, is it just that I don't practice what I preach or, is there something even deeper and more sinister happening here?

THE TOPSY-TURVY 'TO BE READ' STASH

While observing my TBR stash grow and grow in a very short time, I'm alarmed by the 'top-heavy' appearance of books and fear for the structural integrity of my small wooden desk. The scene imitates a linear brick wall artistically spray painted with the names of books and their authors. Squinting, my collection resembles a colorful cascade made of paper instead of vertically flowing liquid. My beautiful books appear to be melting onto the floor in true Salvador Dali fashion. Yet.....I can do nothing about it. Instead, more books are piled on and my fear is that I will eventually lose this giant Jenga game and the tumbling towers will decide to fall to my office floor around three o'clock in the morning! 

Why is the supply growing and the demand faltering so acutely?

Some people feel the need to add to their shoe collection on a regular basis while others are obsessed with trading in their car for a new one every two years. I can spend one hour in a book store and exit carrying four to five books, easily! Trust me when I say that the longevity of the 'paper' book will never be in jeopardy as long as I am around!

THE NEWEST ACQUISITIONS

As I sit and take a few moments to analyze the situation, I can derive several logical explanations for my predicament. I am insatiable, for one, when it comes to dynamic writing! Whether it be current or classic, fiction or nonfiction, based in history or jetted out into the far-flung corners of a futuristic world, I am there to absorb its contents with gusto and fervor.

Today's market offers us a wide variety of writing styles by awe inspiring authors that truly stand-out within their fields. Some of them, such as J.K. Rowling and Judy Blume, have successfully crossed over from one genre to another with expertise and ease. 

FOR MORE BOOKS........
JUST CLIMB INSIDE THE MIRROR!

Based on their own merits, so many new names have reached public attention and have made quite an impact within the past decade. They include, "The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt; Young Adult writers, Suzanne Collins and John Green for the "Hungers Games" and "The Fault In Our Stars," respectively; "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah; "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson; the humorous 2004 release by 'funny man,' Christopher Moore, "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal," that chronicles the 'missing years' of the Messiah's life as told by Biff, His best bud. His work is reminiscent of that of Kurt Vonnegut and Douglas Adams.

Avid readers adore trilogies. The most obvious reason, I believe, is to be able to keep the story going on for as long as possible if you enjoy what the author is writing about. As a writer, peaking the interest of your readers for an extended period of time is a strong tactic to embrace. This keeps your work, as well as your name, in the 'bright lights' for as long as possible. And, the revenue for three books is most appealing.

Also, authors often have so much to say with regards to their subject matter, that their thoughts tend to stretch-out much further than only one book might allow.

E-book authors, those who choose to self-publish their books, often use the idea of a three book series. This is a fantastic marketing strategy for these authors for several reasons. As I mentioned before, elongating your story into three parts helps to sell yourself and your stories for a longer period of time. Considering one of the strongest forums for an e-book author is the use of Social Media, this strategy assists in building interest and promoting sales among your fans, especially while you are working on the second, and, eventually, the third book of your series.

Essentially, many self-published authors will give their first novel away as a promotional ploy. I have seen contests where if you are the first to contact the author on Social Media within a particular time period, he or she will upload their book to your computer. Or, they can offer a 'free' Kindle version on a specific day with the hope of having readers like what they read for free and share that knowledge with others. Thus, building future sales and readers for their next two books in the series.

In answer to your looming question about e-books.....Yes, I do have them stockpiled on my computer's iBooks program, too. Insatiable. Would you expect anything less by now?

LIBRARY TABLE

BEDROOM

FOYER

I have enjoyed their bodies of work and have become friends with several e-book authors. Because I had fallen in love with their stories first, I asked permission to write a book review for them on my Blog so that I could share their talent with others. In doing so, I have gotten to know the strong personalities behind the novels, as well. Two examples would be Eric Vance Walton, author of "Alarm Clock Dawn," a chilling futuristic thriller that captures Corporate greed and corruption as it whittles away at our middle-class society. "Echoes of the Oasis" by A.R. Tirant, evokes the life of a young woman growing-up on the beautiful Creole islands of the Seychelles located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, east of mainland Southeast Africa. Both authors are currently working on the second book of their trilogy series. 

My point is this.....there is so much writing talent offered and so little time to enjoy all of it! In the past, I would cling to the works of several great authors and concentrate on their books alone. They included the bone chilling, 'scare me out of my mind' works of Stephen King; the life of identifiable and homespun Irish characters lovingly written about by the late Maeve Binchy; the monumental writings of the great James A. Michener whose stories would brilliantly thread generations of family members through time and turn learning about history into a cohesive and understandable experience; the intrigue and romance surrounding the Cold War was always intensified by the hand of the seamless author, Robert Ludlum. As you may surmise, my worldly adventures began long before securing my first Passport

I have diversified since the early Stephen King era....and, today, the quote "So many books, so little time!" by Frank Zappa, renowned musician and author of twenty-five distinct works of his own, haunt me every day. Yes, I am a 'Confessed Book Addict.' The signs are everywhere you look. From overflowing bookshelves to bloodshot eyes in the morning after a late night romp between the pages. 

 PARTIAL COOKBOOK COLLECTION
 

From hundreds of pastel sticky-notes stuck between the glossy pages of my favorite cookbook, "Flavors of France," part of The Beautiful Cookbook series, to sinking deeper and deeper into the political genius of Abraham Lincoln by way of the brilliant biographical writings of Doris Kearns Goodwin and her number one Bestseller, "Team of Rivals," reading can become an awesome complexity; a true value towards soothing the body and soul, exercising the imagination, and enlightening the mind.

With much persistence, I have been guided down the many paths of life via imagination and words. Each plot twist, new character, and creative storyline takes me back home. I continue to find 'stunning beauty' in every turn. I would not have it any other way.

LIBRARY CHAIR ALONG WITH
MY LATEST READ, "OF IRISH BLOOD"
BY MARY PAT KELLY

Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

MEDIOCRITY

A series of essays.....

.....as seen through my eyes!



By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

Mediocrity....

isn't, necessarily, the level of achievement we hope to attain when we set out to accomplish something. If our work is deemed mediocre by others, it is possible that we have failed to do our best at the task at hand and, room for improvement is definitely in order. We might agree that 'all things are relative' and understand that comparing one's own work to that of others can be applied to the idea that everything is quantifiable in terms of individual perception or opinion. After all, each of us has a different opinion or viewpoint with regard to everything we see and do, including all topics and subjects.

As writers, we challenge everything we formulate, via words, into stories that we share with all of you. Our method, or system, is to excogitate everyday life as we perceive it to be and secure it with a modicum of truth, the mortar that coherently holds all of the other bits together. To invent an interesting storyline through the written form of improvisation is the ultimate goal of a fiction writer. If we lace our work with personal experiences or historical facts, like a golden shot of 'Jameson' swirled into a mug of strong, black coffee, we connect with our stories on an individual level and hold the reader's hand through time and space. The intent, of course, is to never fall below the line and into the realm of mediocrity.

This intent, with all of its good designs and so forth, is why we unjustly, at times, categorize ourselves as being mediocre. Pressure and fear serve to refrain the deep breaths needed to focus on, have faith in, and believe in the work that we put forth. The lack of creative oxygen can block out the proper words, brush strokes, balance, properly pitched notes, and nearly anything that serves to classify an artist and rank him somewhere between mediocre and great!

The pitfalls of pressure and fear become obvious in the form of 'writer's block,' a profound sense of insecurity, which could lead to addiction (hence my obvious reference to proper Irish Whiskey earlier!!), or depression. Oh, but we are a highly sensitive and anxious group who thrive upon the acknowledgment of others, drink in the compliments, and savor each 'Like' afforded us via social media. We can be spoiled, little brats, and downright pathetic at times, it's true! Nonetheless, when we proficiently create  that memorable masterpiece painting, strum or sing a tune worth hearing over and over again, or write the 'Next Great American Novel' that sells internationally and is translated into numerous foreign languages......whew!!!!, then we will return to our most humble selves. Did I mention a possible movie deal?

Marked by meekness, this is the time we become self-serving entrepreneurs, business men and women who must redefine ourselves in order to promote our work online, by way of social media, and door to door, if need be. Oh, the mighty hatrack is studded with a variety of styles these days as we challenge ourselves with these multiple tasks.

Many artists perform under the guise of being an exuberant personality type, 'Hemingwayesque,' so to speak. Their main interests may include: Enjoying intense experiences, being productive and producing high quality work, using alcohol or drugs for stimulation or relaxation (Again with the Jameson!), traveling and moving to new locations and residences, and being committed to creative work or productivity. When most people fear change, artists tend to anticipate and revel in it. After all, a boisterous celebration and merrymaking can be a good source for creativity. It helps to compensate for the many hours writers lock themselves up in smallish, desk inhabited areas while their imagination runs rampant! We need outlets, too....

I believe that out of the flames of mediocrity rises the mighty Phoenix to begin a new cycle and restore the suffering writer with renewed idealism and hope. Fortunately, this happens more than once in five hundred years!

Making changes, rewriting, reading our words over and over again, rewriting some more, and reading our stories out loud are useful ways of encouraging a writer to become better at his or her craft. If we work long and hard enough, occasionally, our stories are sold and read by the masses. And, sometimes, when you least expect it, our stories are shared by a prominent publication and pushed out into the world to be digested by readers who have yet to hear about you and what you have to offer. Personally, I thank "The France Daily" by My Blogworld for this opportunity. My story, "Memories of a September Wedding Celebration," was highlighted in their Leisure Section this past week. The Link can be found below.

So, is mediocrity such a bad thing if it encourages us to do great things? Does a piece that starts out 'good' become 'great' if we work harder, visualize it to be better and discourage any thoughts of 'only good enough?' This idea crosses my mind every time I sit down at my desk, place my fingertips above the keyboard and begin to work.


Link to "The France Daily" by My Blogworld:
http://paper.li/GoodBlogPosts46/1318466370?edition_id=239fdee0-5861-11e5-ab2e-0cc47a0d15fd



Copyright © 2015 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved