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A Joyful Noise

connecticut

Home again

February 21, 2011 by Melodye Shore

Hello, dear friends! I’m still jet-lagged, but here I am at home again, and everything that implies. I’m eager to catch up with you, to hear all the latest. But until I’ve got both feet planted on this side of the continent again, I’m hoping you’ll accept this touch-and-go landing…

When I arrived in Connecticut a little more than a week ago, my in-laws were frail and unsettled. At times, and each in turn, they seemed ready to let go. Scary times, for all concerned–a lot like what’s depicted in this short video, in fact. But when we said our goodbyes on Saturday, they seemed much more relaxed. Rejuvenated, even. I think that comes of having their affairs in order, of settling into their new nests. For now, and for however long, they’re clinging to life and to each other. =:) 

It was a challenging time for lots of reasons–the cold weather, among them. I’m not used to wrapping myself in thick layers of clothing, or navigating wintery conditions. Example: One moonless night, my car got wedged between shoulder-high snow berms on a lonely country road. No GPS…wearing gym shoes and makeshift winter gear, I truly thought I was going to suffer the same plight as the Little Match Girl. Until, that is, a burly guy in a pickup truck swooped in to save me. Whew, thank goodness for guardian angels! 

A stranger in unfamiliar territory, I nevertheless found myself surrounded by the many kindnesses of old and new friends. For instance, I’m still beaming this morning as I think about the wonderful afternoon I spent with Jeannine Atkins. We’ve talked online for awhile now, but hadn’t visited in person. So I was beyond thrilled when she suggested an afternoon get together at the Chaiwalla tea house in Salisbury, Connecticut. Generous soul that she is, she braved the winter roads to meet me! Sunshine streamed through the picture window, surrounding us with warmth and light. It was a balmy 50 degrees that afternoon–a perfect complement to a cozy conversation among friends. And when she presented me with lavender-blueberry chocolate squares, plus an inscribed copy of BORROWED NAMES, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. (She’s posted a far more eloquent description of our afternoon–with pictures–here.)

One more bit of news, and then I really must unpack: Phoebe’s newest hatchlings finally fledged! If you know me, you already know that I’ve watched this video time and again. My heart soars whenever I do! Phoebe’s had some tough luck of late–some of her eggs weren’t fertile, and a few hatchlings fell prey to hawks. But good mama that she is, Phoebe never gave up. She built one nest after the other, and nourished each brood as if it were her first. And it just so happened that Bea and Jay took to the skies, on Valentine’s Day, no less! Hope–that shimmery thing with feathers–lives on and on and on. 

Posted in: Uncategorized Tagged: chawalla, connecticut, hummingbird hatchlings, jeannine atkins

To everything its own season

February 11, 2011 by Melodye Shore

Phoebe feeds her hatchlings, Jay and Bea (2/10/10 photo via Phoebe’s Facebook feed)


Nurturing ourselves and nourishing our loved ones….it’s a delicate balancing act, isn’t it? Though we might pretend otherwise, the timing is rarely our own. And so it is that I’m headed to Connecticut this morning. I’ll be away for about a week–perhaps more, if circumstances warrant.

I wish it was going to be a fun trip, but sadly it’s not. I’m packing up my in-laws’ belongings, and shuttering the cute little cottage where they’ve been living the past couple of years.

You might recall that, in July 2009, I helped them move from their longtime home atop a hill in rural Connecticut. (Remember Dante, and the Millerton coffeshop?) Seems like it was just yesterday, but so much has changed since then! After celebrating 72 years of marriage—after being inseparable for countless "goodnights" and "good mornings"—they’ve been wrenched apart by health-related circumstances. Now, they’re wholly disengaged from the world around them. Simply put: they’re pining for each other…for what used to be and is no more. L

I can’t ease their pain, but I can help smooth the transition. So I’m sliding out of my flip-flops and packing my warmest clothing. I’ll only be gone for a short while, but I’ve got lots of ground to cover before I return. 

Take good care of yourselves, and kiss your loved ones. I’ll be back soon, but will miss you in the meantime. xoxo

Posted in: Uncategorized Tagged: coffee shop, connecticut, dante

What a trip!

May 22, 2007 by Melodye Shore

Last week was all about spending time with East Coast relatives, reflecting on my writing project, and energizing my spirit. 

I fell in love all over again with the New England countryside.  In many ways, it’s the antithesis of California: established neighborhoods, traditional architecture, lush foliage, ever-changing weather, fill in the blanks. Although I’m very much a California girl, I’d love to own a cottage in the area. Look at these flowers from our Sunday outing…can you see why I’m so smitten?

Last Tuesday, I mentioned that I’d put together some sample pages, bird by bird, ala Anne Lamont. But over the past several days, I’ve been plucking those birds down to their goose-pimply carcasses and rearranging their feathers. I don’t want to lose my forward momentum, but I believe getting this chapter right will help subsequent chapters take wing.

Page Six-ish sidetrip: The reclusive rich (think Henry Kissinger, Meryl Streep, Diane von Furstenburg, and Oscar de la Renta) have homes in rural western Connecticut, where my in-laws live.  But as I’m learning, even this tranquil region has its share of scandalous intrigues. For example, a Manhattan-cum-Connecticut socialite reported a James-Bondish crime late last week. She told investigators that intruders bound her and her companion, pulled hoods over their heads, ransacked the house, and injected them with a mysterious blue liquid. An antidote would be provided, they told her, if she ponied up an $8 million ransom. The National Guard and the FBI were called to investigate the incident. Fortunately, no one died; however, no one’s been arrested. Yeah, I know, we Californians generate more than our share of bizarre stories; still, this East Coast tale’s, um, unusual, don’t you think? 

More later…I need to unpack my clothes, and I’m eager to get back to my writing.  

 


Posted in: Uncategorized Tagged: connecticut

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