THE POWER OF COLOR

A series of short stories.....





Proudly Displaying Our Nation's Colors:

"The red stands for the sturdy qualities of hardiness and courage.
The white stands for the honest virtues of purity and innocence.
The blue stands for the durable qualities of vigilance, perseverance and justice."

Judy A. Lee




.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


Someone once asked me if my 'sense of sight' were to be taken away from me today, what would I miss seeing the most?  With little  hesitation, my reply was......color.

I'm being purely selfish here, however, as an observer of life, I've often thought about losing the ability to listen to the sounds of nature, as well as the man-made world around me.  Or, suddenly relinquishing the power to see the beauty of life that encapsulates every fiber of our being inside the complicated act of light receptors within our eyes.  Color: A property depending on the relations of light to the eye, by which individual and specific differences in the hues and tints of objects are apprehended in vision; any hues distinguished from white or black.  Courtesy of Webster's Dictionary.  Okay, that's as technical as I plan on getting.

 

Usually, I apply my observations towards certain characters that reside in my 'other world' of writing to see how they might react to various trauma and unfortunate circumstances.  I definitely  place myself in a precarious situation in the attempt to balance my 'real' world with my 'make believe' one.  Emotionally reaching-out to my characters has provided insight into my personal reaction to loss and failure.  And, without a doubt, this has greatly influenced my life.  How I choose to allow it to affect me is one of the main reasons I decided that abruptly leaving behind a world filled with brilliant color would turn my life upside down.

Once having had or experienced something positive and beautiful  makes the sudden loss of it even more devastating.  The 'designer' in me is shaking her head up and down right now. 

Wherever you happen to be standing or sitting at this very moment, take a long look around you; observe your surroundings.  Run your hand along the curvature of the  wooden desk you might be sitting at.  Take in the pronounced height and breadth of the room you occupy as you study the large framed painting on the wall hanging just to your left.  Step through the doorway to the outside and feel the warmth of the sun kissing your skin as you inhale the delicious sweetness of the flowers flourishing in your corner garden.  Concentrate on the vibrating humming sound of a honey bee in flight deciding which flower to feast on in order to  extract its sweet nectar and pollen before moving on. 



The Humble Honey Bee

Provided you are receptive of this imagery, each picture can elevate you to a much higher awareness of the world immediately around you.  The scenarios have taken our mundane existence and repositioned it in a loftier light through the use of words and colored visual images.  The glossy mahogany desk takes on its own style with a flair of sex appeal as it replicates the female form.  The room grows much larger in stature as you take-in the oversized silver-framed painting on the wall.  The power of the bright white sun is heightened by how warm your arm is becoming as your nostrils broaden to better inhale the amorous overtones of a single, red rose.  And, where would any of us be if it were not for the hard working honey bee, dressed in black and yellow striping, making his daily collections?

The power of color has always served to enhance and intensify the beauty of our world.

The power of color can illustrate the widespread devastation and havoc of natural disasters and wartime imagery.

The power of color illuminates and clarifies our surroundings via light and enlightenment.  The application of color transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary!  The use of color is an adaptation process that changes or modifies something to suit new conditions or needs.

Many artists will tell you, whether they apply paint, crystals, cloth or ancient stones to form their particular creations, that the personal adaption of color marks the individual set of emotions and style that characterizes their particular work.  From the brush strokes of a Monet painting to the many inspiring men and women who have an eye for the design and decorating of interior spaces....their use of color within their own style sets them apart from everyone else.

The power of color can be quite invigorating!

Have you ever seen a certain color and had it evoke a special taste or smell within you?  Perhaps the color orange conjures up the aroma of orange blossoms when you walked through an orchard in Florida.  Or, umber tones might remind you of the heap of cinnamon-sugar sprinkled on toast as a child.  The 'sound of color' can be just as real to us as a familiar song, reintroduced to our conscience mind, can elicit memories from our past. Walt Disney had a mission of bringing the depth and power of music to kids by introducing eight pieces of classical music and setting them to animation over seventy years ago.  The movie Fantasia has become a loving classic to many generations of fans.  From the deep blue, swirling darkness of the night sky a demon conjures up dark angels in "Night On Bald Mountain."  Mickey Mouse himself is the iconic "Sorcerer's Apprentice" who introduces us to marching brooms of golden straw and rising blue water that threatens his world.  This classic movie taught us to see the music and hear the pictures all in amazing color and stereo!!



Western North Carolina Mountains

Yes, losing the ability of enjoying first-hand the colorful, natural beauty of our world would terrify me after having walked among the deep green forests of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, photographed the smoky blues and grays of the Western North Carolina mountains,  observed at least forty shades of green along the Connemara coastline in Ireland and marveled at the azure seas of the Mediterranean off the southern coast of France!  If so, my memory and imagination would surely have to  become my best friends!

I have lived to witness the intense green and startling blues of my grandchildren's eyes!  I will never forget the picture-perfect rainbows arching high above the Caha Mountains along Ireland's Bantry Bay after a warm afternoon shower.  The myriad of colors that fill the burlap bags overflowing with fresh spices, oceans of sweet, cellophane-wrapped cut flowers (lavender, pink, yellow, red) and endless varieties of farm fresh cheeses displayed in colorful rows remind me of days spent at the open-air markets of France.

Life is color.  Color is life.  I will never neglect or take for granted the impressive power of color.  I have so much more yet to see.....

Farmer's Market in Asheville, North Carolina

Copyright © 2014 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

RHYTHM...DETAIL...REPETITION

A series of short stories.....

The Beast Entitled 'Cuisinart'

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


She awakes with the sound of the radio playing softly in her ear, not unlike every other morning.  The local Public Broadcasting Station is highlighting a cut from Michel Beroff and (The Complete Solo Piano Works of Debussy - Preludes Premier Livre).  Apropos.  However, before NPR News signs-on and interrupts the musical rhythm, she taps the 'off' button and slips quietly out of her warm, cozy surroundings trying not to disturb the loving man sharing the space beside her.




Claude Debussy

Lightly closing the bedroom door, she gingerly makes her way to the kitchen weaving through morning shadows of grays and pinks as she passes by the two sets of French doors that open the family room up to the back patio.  The morning sun barely filters through the tall live oak trees that border the east side or front of the property.  Soon its golden light will seep through the mullioned front windows casting out all remnants of the night shadows that lurk in every corner and crevice inside the house. Until then, she clicks on the small kitchen lamp and softly illuminates the counter nearest the coffee maker.

Emitting a small chuckle, she knows she could perform this morning routine in pitch-blackness.....if she wanted to. 

Having already filled the deep well of the machine to the twelve-cup mark with cold tap water, she closes her eyes and gently reaches for a flat paper filter from the blue glazed ceramic bowl to her left.  Deftly she extracts a single filter from the stack and proceeds to apply gentle pressure to each corner until she feels the paper slowly opening like flower petals in the early morning light.  Producing the familiar cone shape, she slips it into the recess at the top of the machine. 

With eyes still closed, her fingers locate the cool metal clasp of the canister holding the lid shut that creates an airtight seal protecting the precious ground contents inside.  Flicking it upwards, the clasp snaps open.....and, the delicious aroma of dark roasted coffee is released and carried along the gentle movements of air that  lightly flow through the kitchen.  Delicious.  Her slender fingers seek the small, wooden handle of the petite measuring scoop that is attached to the lid and she methodically plunges it into the canister's rich contents.

Crunch, one scoop.  Crunch, two scoops.  Crunch, three scoops....and so on, until all twelve tiny mounds of coffee are extracted from the depths of the container.  She feels like a giant playing with children's sand toys at the beach as the twelve passes fill the paper filter to the proper level.  Snapping the lid of the beast entitled 'Cuisinart' shut, she flutters her eyelids open and depresses the start button.

The machine huffs and puffs now as the hot water it has created attempts to filter through the mound of  dry coffee grounds and begins to remind her of the toy train engines that she and her older brother played with as children.  As the water strains through the paper filter and begins to explode into the clear glass carafe she has placed beneath it, her attention drifts towards the cable box nestled snugly beneath the flat screen television in the next room.  Even though the bright blue numbers digitally proclaim the early hour of six-oh-five in the morning, she is happy to see the red light below them vividly shining and casting its glow across the darkened space.  She understands that the DVR is up and running right on schedule and is recording today's Stage of Le Tour de France happening in 'real time' and to be watched later at her convenience.  She continues to be delighted by modern technology!




Morning Concerts

The family of cardinals nesting within the towering Viburnum plants along the north side of the house are waking-up, too.  She can almost pinpoint the height of the rising sun by their melodic notes and the nearly perfect repeat timing of their morning concerts.  Some people find the shrillness of their songs annoying......but, she finds the musical communication complex and exciting and is happy that they return each year to nest.

While the aromatic mahogany-colored liquid continues to fill the carafe, she saunters over to the cabinet that contains her coffee mug collection and chooses her favorite one for this morning's brew.  After all, today is a Special day!  It's really not so much about what the mug is shaped like or even what color it might be.  For her, it's all about the shape of the handle and if it's long enough to accommodate her fingers comfortably.  This insight into mug configurations conjures up childhood memories of her Russian Grandpa who drank his coffee from the same white ceramic mug each setting.  She smiles to herself as she is reminded of her Grandma complaining about how ridiculous this habit was.  Are we really the personification of the spirit of our beloved ancestors, she wondered, taking her own mug over to be filled-up.  Perhaps, we are.

Lifting the carafe off of the hot plate, she carefully pours the hot
liquid into her mug thinking about how it resembles a slightly thinner version of the (java brown) glaze she's been using to stain her kitchen cabinets with.  Their kitchen renovation is now entering a third week and, if truth be told, the initial fun and excitement of transforming an outdated kitchen is desperately waning with each passing day. Even though the successful outcome of this lengthy project is the main objective, the daily process of work needed to be done to complete it has become tedious at times.  She tucks the thought away for now.  There's ample time to think about the kitchen later.....




My Office

Turning off the lamp, she picks-up her steaming mug and turns down the small hallway that leads to her office and the doorway into her 'other world.'  This is what she's been waiting for, really, ever since drifting along with Debussy only a short time ago.  Never the one capable of turning-off the subconscious mind, she learns to live with all the 'chatter' that accompanies her every thought.  There's not much else she can do about that, after all.

The subconscious mind forgets nothing!  She can only see this as being an asset as she settles her coffee mug on the coaster and turns to softly close the door behind her.  It is a beautiful beginning to a Sunday morning, her Special time, and she is aware that all is well within her conscious world, for the moment.  Now it's time to say hello to 'the others' and make note of what is going to happen in their lives today. 

Anticipation is played out in joyous hope and expectations.....  She is a writer and will occupy space in the 'other world' until she decides it's time to return.  When she does, the existing process within her will be played out time and again like the force of the moon and sun on sea levels, incorporating Rhythm....Detail....and, Repetition!!

Rhythm...Detail...Repetition!!!

Copyright © 2014 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

RANDOM THOUGHTS.....

 

 A series of short stories.....

Dorothy And Friends Traveling The Yellow Brick Road

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes



I've often wondered why we have a certain 'pull' towards particular persons, places and things over others.....


Is it simply about how (good/happy) another person makes you feel about yourself?  That's not always true.  Many people are thrown into painful and abusive relationships they find difficult, if not impossible, to break away from.  So, circumstances play a major role in the paths that we walk down and, eventually, connect us with people who will become our teachers, lovers, acquaintances, friends, mentors and, possibly, enemies.  Like Dorothy, the yellow brick road that winds through corn fields and dense, shadowy forests into a sunny field of poppies and beyond......is not always a simple road to navigate.  And, the people we meet along the way, friend or foe, are there to guide and strengthen our character as we move forward on this crazy journey called life!

I understand that individuals are placed along our path to interact with us for very specific reasons.  If we believe in ourselves, it is possible to see that each person we meet teaches us a 'life' lesson and, by filtering and categorizing each one, then we can learn to either approve and work with this lesson or use its negativity to guide us to be stronger and more understanding of the world and those around us.  I believe this is called 'character building'......utilizing the circumstances surrounding our life to make it the best it can be.

Ambitiously, we assume that our family will wrap us within its loving arms, guide and protect us, through thick and thin as we shuffle along our individual path.  However, will a best friend or a lover do the same?  We, as humans, want to believe so but, all too often, this is not the case.  A good friend of mine with three young children was going through a nasty divorce, deteriorating financial circumstances and, eventually, an affair 'rooted in loneliness' with a married man.  The divorce was justified, the finances unfortunate and, the affair, brutal on many levels.  As a friend, I could never justify her affair and initially served only to comfort her guilty feelings about it.  Introducing her lover to her children was a cruel scenario as it gave these beautiful kids false hope regarding a possible future with a man who dealt in untruths on a daily basis.

The charm and comfort of the affair wore-off after one very long year when my friend finally learned to believe in the power of 'self' as the internal force that guides us along the shadowy forest path.  As she began to fully comprehend this and decided to place herself and her children on a higher level of importance, her life changed for the better, the affair ended and infinite possibilities opened-up before her.  I assert that the only way to arrive at a 'happy medium' is to experience both extremes, the highs and the lows, ups and downs of a situation and allow your positive and negative observations to be your guide.  By allowing this man to complicate further her already complicated life, my friend was taken to the depths of despair and from there she buoyantly resurfaced with an opened heart that allowed her to love herself again.  I understand that by experiencing the dark path side-by-side with this man, it guided her to the bright path she is on today.  Things do happen for a reason, even if we often stumble in the dark at the beginning of our journey.



Do certain places keep calling us back, tugging at our heartstrings and having us begging for more, more, more?

Alamanda Resort at St. Martin

Since we had honeymooned in Aruba, vacationed each summer on historic Mackinac Island which lies just to the east of St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and, walked for miles along the Sanibel Island shoreline off the Gulf of Mexico in Florida collecting seashells with our daughters for over twenty-six summers......I can safely say that we are drawn to the rhythm of an island beat.  Like species of birds that migrate south to their particular nesting areas or the illuminating Monarch Butterfly that utilizes an internal magnetic compass to direct its flight toward the equator, this family always returned to the sea.....



Orient Beach on St. Martin

Several years ago I was deciding on which French yogurt to purchase for my evening snack while scanning the cooler of a small grocery store near our hotel, the Alamanda Resort, in St. Martin Island located in the northeast Caribbean.  Our home for the week was Orient Beach.....voted as being one of the world's most beautiful beaches!  As with its French counterpart, the Riviera, clothing on this beach is optional.

Encompassed by the most intense colors I have ever observed, taking photographs, walking the beach or shopping for souvenirs in Marigot (St. Martin's most populated city) at the market place by the port, was a profound experience! 


Marigot Market

 

I digress.....  I selected my yogurt as a lovely lady, close to our age, asked me if we were staying in the area.  At this point both of our husbands moved-in closer to join the conversation.  We replied that we were and discovered that they were staying at the Esmeralda Resort just north of us.  They hailed from Ohio and had been returning to Orient Beach for over ten years every September.  We told them that, sadly, the next day was our last full one on the island and we'd be flying home Saturday morning.  "Do both of you partake in what this beach has to offer?" She asked.  "I mean, do you enjoy sunbathing in the nude?  Because, if that is what you like, the four of us could meet on the beach tomorrow for the day!"

Oh, we tried so hard to not look surprised!  I don't think it worked, though.  They both picked-up on it right away, thank goodness!  I would have thought my distinct tan lines were a dead giveaway?  They were very gracious, however, and told us about several unique (clothing necessary) attractions on the island we'd not seen yet and then said their good-byes after wishing us a safe trip back to the States.  We had just been hit on and, in a weird and unusual way, it was strangely flattering!?  Two outwardly mature adults paid for their strawberry yogurt that balmy Caribbean night and proceeded to giggle, hand-in-hand, all the way back to their room.

A Monarch Butterfly sits on a tree trunk at the Sierra Chincua Sanctuary in the mountains of Mexico.
(Photo: AP/Marco Ugarte)

I leave you with a quote by Jody Marr in an article she had written for Liquid Salt Magazine entitled THE SEA WITHIN US:

"The human body has almost the same proportions of calcium, sodium and potassium as the ocean. It pulses in our veins.

We migrate to the sea with precision and purpose as soon as the cords to our childhood are cut. God has set our internal compass to lead us toward a salty body of water; like birds migrating south via some ancient, ancestral, homing instinct.

It’s a way of life. A need. A yearning. It hums in us everyday. We swim in the water like otters. It cloaks around us like the warm fluid of the womb."

 

"Passion is energy.  Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you."

 

Copyright © 2014 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

A WORK IN PROGRESS

A series of short stories.....

My Office

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


Work with which an artist or writer is engaged but which is not completed or approaching completion. 

A piece of work that is not yet finished.

                                                             Merriam-Webster Dictionary
                                                 

                                                            ***

Before

Work In Progress

Our latest kitchen challenge (major renovation) has left me happy, exhausted, frustrated at times, feeling highly creative and, strangely philosophical!  Who knew that last one would even be in the mix?  When I really think about it......it makes plenty of sense.

To begin at the beginning, this entire project was initially slated for the summer of 2010 with a full make-over including new cabinets, flooring, new appliances and tossing out the old, white kitchen sink for a sleek, zero-radius stainless steel beauty!  Well, that didn't happen.  Somehow, life got in the way.  It has a habit of doing that you know.  Trust me, that white kitchen sink remained exactly where it was.

Things do happen for a reason.

As with our Master Bath renovation of two years ago, we have learned the importance of the thought process that goes into a project of this magnitude with regard to expense, time, labor and repurposing of materials.  The sheer joy of repurposing has truly elevated my spirits as I plug-away daily at resurfacing our original maple cabinets leaving chocolate brown 'glaze-prints' on places they were never intended.


Samples (Check-Out the Pink Tiles)

I believe that by being able to rip-out the original 13" x 13" pink porcelain floor tiles gave both of us concrete inspiration, hope and the pure essence of the feeling of Joy!  It was a highly cathartic release, as well.  They had not been my friend for over fourteen years of water spots, footprints, wet paw prints, and not-so-subtle cracks.  Replacing them with 'natural stone' was an innate progression.


Making our 'snail's paced' progress through this work has offered me insights and ideas about so many other things happening in my life right now that run parallel with our kitchen reno.  While the paint is drying, I sip soothing green tea from a floral mug and contemplate having to say good-bye this afternoon to my friend, Eliane.  She is flying back to her homeland, Belgium, for three months and will return to Florida in October.  I will Skype with her while she's away.  I will come to terms with the beautiful fact that friendships can become stronger in times of absence.  And, because of this, I will realize that our friendship is 'a work in progress.'  Still, I will miss her dearly....



Painting New Bookshelf For Kitchen

I apply a glossy second coat of (storm gray) paint to an upper cabinet door and disguise its honey-maple past life in a matter of a few swipes of my brush.  Dan has removed its inner front panels so that clear glass will eventually allow my wine glasses to observe our every movement in the kitchen at all times.  Great, stalking wine glasses!  Instead of tossing out such 'potential for a new purpose' four years ago, as we originally planned, those glasses will find a new home in a perfectly good cabinet that has been injected with new life and fresh possibilities.  Perfection!




"Scattered Construction Debris"

Since Dan has been classified as the Weekend Warrior and handles the heavy-stuff two days out of the week, I do what I do best.....sand, paint, glaze and strategize during the remaining five days.  Unfortunately, my plan of action for the organization of cupboard contents is wearing exceedingly thin and I find myself navigating trails around the house carved from stacked cookbooks, boxes filled with various sized dishes and the scattered debris of kitchen components waiting to be salvaged and used.  I'm fairly certain our kitchen sneezed during the night producing this maddening results!  "It's merely 'a work in progress' and will be resolved as soon as possible," the little voice inside my head keeps telling me.  And, I know it's true.

When I am compelled to take a longer break from the action, I slip into my office for a few hours to resume my life as writer and comfortably slip back into another world.....one where I seemingly lose all control so that my mind is completely open to any and all possibilities.  I love this world.  I am home here.  This world and the book being created are definitely 'works in progress' and consume my very being while I traverse its endless terrain and navigate the thoughts of everyone who resides there.  This is my world and welcome to it.....eventually.


 



Skype, mentioned above, is the preferred software application that keeps me in touch with family and friends living a distance away.  And, with all of my 'little ones' up in Michigan, I'm on the computer Skyping as often as possible.  Isn't technology wonderful?  When I not only get to hear their beautiful voices but, am allowed to see and enjoy their sweet faces, life is good.  Interacting with our youngest daughter's three children this morning made me realize that even though we are separated geographically, I am gifted the chance to observe their emotional and physical growth on a regular basis. They are the most positive 'works in progress' that I am aware of in my life today!  Watching each child move forward towards his or her maturation and spiritual development is a goal worthy of my deepest consideration and time and, I will never take this for granted.  The bear hugs lovingly given and multitude of kisses I plant on their tiny faces and heads are stored-up and evenly dispersed among the five 'little ones' every opportunity we take to visit throughout the year.

The lessons I've learned by writing this little piece today are simple yet profound.  And, to share them with you is confirmation enough for me as to their truth and authority within all of our lives.  We're all in this together; this thing called 'Life.'  Label it a relationship, a project big or small, a creative endeavor worked on with painstaking attention to detail or, the act of nurturing a small child so that he or she is better prepared to take-on the world as an adult.......one thing is for certain: We're all 'a work in progress' and the ticket is knowing that we should never stop progressing!

Copyright © 2014 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

CHRISTOPHER MCCANDLESS SYNDROME.....OR NOT?

 A series of short stories.....

The Magic Bus of Christopher McCandless

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

I have often speculated as to just what it is that pulls each one of us in certain directions throughout our lives whether it be work related or, simply, pleasure oriented.  And, I might mention here that I am exceedingly happy for all of you who have successfully been able to combine the two scenarios......for you are the fortunate ones!

"You must have ants in your pants!  Why can't you just sit still?"  How many times did I hear my beautiful Mother say these words to me?  It was a foregone conclusion that those afore mentioned ants would segue into the reality of being antsy, a word that has described my personality for years.  It would show in the 'need to be anywhere else other than where I was at that moment' to, physically doing the opposite of what was expected of me to, after owning our first home, needing to rearrange the furniture as often as possible. 

One thing I always knew about myself was that by placing my feelings and ideas into written words, my journals and notes helped to soothe a restless soul....release anxieties and frustrations.  Like the drummer in a rock band, my keyboard (pen or pencil) was my trusty drumstick beating out a song of highly sustained rhythm in the hopes of attaining total freedom.

Leo Tolstoy

All of these current thoughts surfaced this week due to a quote from Christopher McCandless which went, "Happiness, only real when shared."  His journals claim that he was in reference to a passage from a novella written by Leo Tolstoy published in 1859 and entitled Family Happiness.  A passage from this novella is quoted in the book, Into the Wild, written by Jon Krakeuer in 1996 about the travels of Christopher McCandless into the wilderness of Alaska, and adapted into a film of the same name by Sean Penn in 2007.  Both book and movie involved the life of this young man who had rejected civilization and openly relished 'survival mode' in a remote area of Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska in April of 1992.

Another quote from the works of Leo Tolstoy and found highlighted by Chris went, "I wanted movement and not a calm course of existence.  I wanted excitement and danger and the chance to sacrifice myself for my love.  I felt in myself a superabundance of energy which found no outlet in our quiet life." 

This is an example of how strong the shear power of the written word can be, especially with regards to Chris McCandless, (also known by his alter ego, Alexander Supertramp).  Chris was found starved to death in an abandoned bus he called home and weighing only sixty-seven pounds.  How does Chris relate to Leo Tolstoy?  According to Wikipedia, "An extremely intense young man, McCandless had been captivated by the writings of Leo Tolstoy.  He particularly admired the fact that the great novelist had forsaken a life of wealth and privilege to wander among the destitute."  For several years, he had been emulating (Tolstoy's) asceticism and moral rigor to a degree that astonished and alarmed those who knew him well.




Chris McCandless in Alaska ~
Courtesy of Wikipedia

Many of Chris' actions were inspired by literature.  When he was found in the bus in Alaska, he had in his possession five heavily marked-up books written by Jack London, a writer known for stories about the wilderness, Individualism and Naturalism.  Henry Thoreau, a writer who was known for his philosophy of Transcendentalism (living life to its fullest in order to understand life), was a philosophy in which Chris adopted as his own.  Including Tolstoy, "These authors played an integral role in developing Chris' personality and, if it weren't for the presence of his literary heroes during the time he grew-up and the last days of his life, Christopher McCandless would not have died at peace with himself."

 

 

I truly believe Chris died as he had lived....at peace with himself and with nature.

I'm not saying that I need to "live off the land" by hunting wildlife and scrounging for wild berries to make-up my next meal and sustain me.  I can relate, however, with the general philosophy of appreciating the 'fruits' of this magnificent planet, as well as the incomparable beauty it showers down upon us via its valleys, mountains, flowers and rivers!  Like Chris, Jack, Henry and Leo, I seek the power captured within just one grain of sand; admire an Irish hillside lush with 'forty shades of green' and alive with sheep as far as the eye can see; relish the simplicity of routinely walking to the Boulangerie to purchase the daily bread (baguette) and, marvel at the pure solitude of a wooded walk on a gloriously sunny afternoon in September with a good book in hand.

Nature and literature speak to me every single day.  If I am not capturing nature in pictures in one moment, you can be certain I am writing (or reading) about it instead. 

Ireland 2013

Christopher McCandless, it was later determined, was slowly poisoned and became paralyzed by eating massive amounts of toxic wild-potato seeds in an attempt to survive but it rendered him unable to hunt or forage.  Irony at its darkest point.  It was not arrogance that killed this lovely, open-hearted young man, it was ignorance.  I refused to believe that anyone who became known for saying that the happiness we enjoy in this lifetime is meant to be shared with others could possibly be suicidal. "I've decided I am going to live this life for some time to come.  The freedom and simple beauty is just too good to pass up."  This was a man who openly relished the gifts of nature that surrounded him and whose order of the day was to live life to its fullest.

The History Channel on cable television has highlighted many of these 'maverick' individuals, men and woman, who share the love of nature along with Chris McCandless.  Mountain Men, airing on Sunday evenings, is my favorite by far.  Haven't we all wanted to explore the far reaches of the Alaskan wilderness, implement the ancestral techniques for tanning hides in northwestern Montana or learn wilderness survival skills in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina?  Marty, Tom and Eustace have guided my 'alter ego' through the natural beauty of the rugged lands they call 'Home' and I always hunger to learn more!

Literature can invariably play the role of guide, trapper, teacher and friend as we discover, via the written word, worlds far beyond our own reach and imaginations.  Books transport their readers through time and space......as we explore the realities of history and speculate about the possibilities of co-habitation on other planets.  When a subject arises, you can bet that someone has written about it at one time or another.

I have not seen Sean Penn's movie about the life and death of Christopher McCandless.  Someday, perhaps, I will.




River in Oughtergard, Ireland

Until then, you will always find me with a book in my hand and the idea that this busy world will slow down just long enough to allow me to read a chapter or two at a time.  Or, maybe take a few interesting photographs with my trusty Canon EOS.  And, when the opportunity to travel to places unknown to me arises, I will explore, discover and write about each and every adventure with the desire to sooth my restless soul while discovering freedom and the happiness within me that only becomes real when shared with others.
I leave you with one of my favorite quotes by an unsettled, young man whose love of nature combined with a heart that was wide-open to all of life's possibilities left us far too soon......

"The core of man's spirit comes from new experiences. If you want something in this life, reach out and grab it.”
― Christopher McCandless

Chris in the Wilds of Alaska ~ Courtesy of Outside Magazine

Copyright © 2014 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved

FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN IN SABLET

 

 A series of short stories.....

A Feast For Two

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes



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, expose 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 'cloud to land' lightening strikes 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
 





Copyright © 2014 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
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