I heard about Claudia Lynch from a mutual friend shortly after moving to the New Orleans area.  I will never live down the fact that I am an avid collector of shoes.  I would be embarrassed to share with you the count or the number of boxes containing shoes that were involved in our move.  I love the color, the shape, the style, the smell of leather…..ok…..I’m a shoe fanatic!  So when I heard of this amazing woman who creates the most beautiful shoes on paper and then, wonder of all wonders, adds a clever mystery to each piece ala Sam Spade….well, I could not wait to meet Claudia!

Claudia comes from a background of theatrical costume design and bridal millinery.  Add to her list of experience graphic arts, fine arts and illustrations and you’ve got a woman who is so vibrant and lively you can’t help but be enchanted!  She first decided to try her hand at illustrating in 2001 when the idea of creating her clever “footwear” on paper inspired her.  But it didn’t stop there….oh no!  Frustrated by the fact that she wanted to see more on the page than just the shoe she decided to take a break, back off from her work and go for a bike ride.  As she rode she heard a story in her head, narrated by the famous literary mystery character, Sam Spade. Actually she heard a story for each of the three shoe illustrations that lay waiting for finishing touches.  A light went off in Claudia’s head and she had her latest successful and very artful invention.  A border and her signature were added to create her first three pieces.  So taken with her designs were the first to view her work all three finished pieces were featured in the Northern Ohio Illustrators Society show that year.  Now people collect these unique works of art, give them as gifts, buy Claudia’s books and her career continues to flourish.

As with most ultra creative people, Claudia doesn’t just stop with shoes!  I love these cabbage headbands she has created for the most perfect St. Patrick’s Day headdress.

And then there are the one of a kind shoes she creates for the Krewe of Muses during Carnival Season.  If you are lucky enough to catch one of these hand designed beauties you’ve got something to cherish for years to come!

Here is another Mardi Gras beauty.  The verse so carefully inscribed on the sole reads:  “A Muses Shoe Is A Work Of Art And A Labor Of Love.”.  Truer words were never spoken!

You can read more about Claudia on her website, visit her on-line store and marvel over all of her creations. http://www.shoestories.com/.  You might even want to treat yourself to her coloring book and use your imagination as you become the artist!  The darling headbands are available on her Etsy site here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/269284457/handmade-cabbage-headband-perfect-for-st?ref=listings_manager_grid.

I love surrounding myself with creative people.  The energy we are able to exchange and the ideas that flow always excite me and feed my soul.  I am thrilled to know Claudia Lynch and look forward to many good times as I continue to watch her life as an artist bloom and grow!  New Orleans is a great place to be!

Melissa | people | 03 1st, 2016 | No Comments »

“Begin to weave and God will provide the thread.”  This old German proverb stands alone on the page of a book recently sent to me by author, June Hall McCash, “The Thread Box”.

“The Thread Box” is the latest of Ms. McCash’s wonderful books.  Unlike her other works of fiction and non-fiction that so many readers have enjoyed, this is a collection of poetry.  The lovely simplicity of the books’ cover with its vine of thread, seashells and flowers guides one inside the pages to discover that Ms. McCash can pen poetry in a way so few can.

Google Images

The book begins with a section on Jekyll Island, Georgia.  The author spent countless summers and holidays there writing about the island’s history and providing us with a peek into the bygone days of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel with its rich cast of characters and events.   The poetry you’ll find in this first section will have you feeling the squish of sand through your toes as you walk on the beach or gasp as you experience the color of wildflowers along the causeway leading onto the historic island.

June Hall McCash is an award winning author of eleven books of fiction and nonfiction.  Her soon to be released work of young adult fiction, “The Boys of Shiloh”, is set in the Civil War and promises to be a great read, not just for middle schoolers, but for any age.  But I’m stuck on her poetry for the time being, devouring every line and letting my imagination see the images her words create.  I highly recommend “The Thread Box”, it takes you away from the cares of the day and paints pictures of the vast life and experience the author has enjoyed.  Just to whet your appetite a bit….here’s a short poem from the book entitled, “Winter Fragment”.

Winter Fragment

a dusting of snow on the roadway

like flour sifted on the castle floor

to catch a lover’s footprints

in the night

June and Logan

Thank you June, for sharing your words, for showing us a bit of your soul and for creating this wonderful collection of poetry, “The Thread Box”.

Melissa | people | 11 4th, 2015 | No Comments »

I’m sharing the video I had scheduled to play this past Sunday.  As luck would have it my site has been in transition and I could not access it to get my post ready.  But I think you’re in for a treat today.  I had no idea that Condoleeza Rice plays the piano.  When a friend shared this video on Facebook the other day I thought it was one of the most beautiful renditions of “Amazing Grace” that I have ever heard.  I had to do a post and let all of you hear it.  This song is good for any day, especially when one is up to their elbows in cleaning and packing!  I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday and enjoy the music!  I’m living in a state of grace as more and more opportunities open up for me as we head for The Big Easy!

Melissa | Out&About, people | 08 4th, 2015 | 1 Comment »

Barbara Kraus

Now that the lazy days of summer time are here I’m officially on island time!

This is the time of year when life slows down a bit.  My flower gardens are thriving.  Our vegetable garden is beginning to bear fruit.

Tiffany Carroll Mosley

Late afternoons spent on the beach provide a peaceful time to relax and enjoy friends.

You never know what you may see there….is that horses I see in the horizon?  Why yes, the tide was out and they were riding on the sand bar just off the coast!

Heart Full of Wisps

Life is simpler in the summer.  Although I suffer through the heat and humidity there is a feeling this time of year that cannot be found during the hustle and bustle of the school year.

It gives me time to breathe, to be grateful for this beautiful island I am so lucky to call my home and a time to regroup before another busy fall begins.

Life on an island can only be explained in one way……perfection.

Melissa | people | 07 30th, 2015 | No Comments »

Any place of history has stories that haunt and delight, that create mystery and raise questions about what really happened there.  The Pink Chapel, located at the north end of St. Simons Island is no exception.

Hair raising accounts of devil worship and slaves being beaten at the doors of the chapel have been recounted for years.

But the true story is a sad one.  One of families pitted against one another.  Harsh words and misunderstandings that led to the death of one man, John Wylly, at the young age of 32.  An obelisk marks his final resting place in the cemetery at Christ Church.

The chapel was originally built on the Westpoint Plantation by William Hazzard, whose brother, Thomas, fatally shot John Wylly over a property dispute.  Prior to the event, the Hazzard family worshiped at the famous Christ Church.  But they no longer felt comfortable attending services there after Wylly’s death and Hazzard’s subsequent acquittal.

The pink color of the building, rumored to have been caused by blood from beaten slaves, turned out to be caused by lichen which covered the tabby building giving it a pink cast.

The red tile roof still graces the top of the building, the pink color has long since vanished due to restoration work done to save the structure.  A lone cross sits atop the roof, pointing toward the sky.

Deer now wander the property and tourists visit to feel the chill one inevitably experiences when walking on historical ground. Spanish moss drapes over huge oak limbs, swaying in a gentle Spring breeze, sending a shiver up your spine as you approach the chain link fence that now surrounds the little chapel.  The original doors have long since gone, replaced by modern ones.  Haunted or not, ones mind can wander a bit and imagine it is.

The Pink Chapel is a reminder that people need a place to worship, a place to take their cares and have their spirits healed.

Melissa | people | 07 27th, 2015 | 15 Comments »

Just south of Saint Simons Island is another charming place, Jekyll Island.  Known for the summer cottages that still remain standing gracefully on the grounds, filled with their history as seasonal dwellings for some of the most well known and wealthiest family’s in the early 20th century.

What started out to be a hunting club after the end of the Civil War became the most exclusive social club in the United States.  Names such as Pulitzer, Vanderbilt, Morgan and Hyde are just a few of the  rich and famous who maintained membership in the club.

Many famous events took place at the Jekyll Island Club, including the first transcontinental telephone call placed by AT&T president Theodore Vail on January 25, 1915.  J.P. Morgan was host to some of the financial world’s most influential members along with Senator Nelson Aldrich and the Assistant Secretary of State in 1907 after a virulent time on Wall Street caused a run on the banks.  The team of financial wizards traveled to the island under assumed names to write The Aldrich Plan, which later became the basis for The Federal Reserve Act that established The Federal Reserve System.

Visitors to Jekyll Island can now tour the Club property and the summer cottages which once housed the families of wealthy financier’s from the Northeast.  Trolley’s provide guided tours that enable guests to learn about the island’s rich history while walking in the steps of those who once inhabited these famous grounds.  Family’s such as the Rockefeller’s  passed the time during hot summer days taking part in the lavish splendor of this Southern playground.

The Jekyll Island Club Hotel now offers the finest in accomodations for the discerning traveler.  Dine on five star cuisine in the Grand Dining Room or enjoy a lovely meal at the Crane Cottage, a short walk from the Hotel itself.

Crane Cottage is where Mr. T and I exchanged vows one cold winter day in front of a roaring fire with a private luncheon for our family afterward several years ago.  Also on the hotel grounds is Cafe Solterra where you can enjoy a casual meal while sitting on the balcony that surrounds the inner courtyard.

This whole facility holds very special memories for me and my family.  The beaches are close by and horseback riding is available if you want to take a ride on the beach.  Bikes can be rented to see  Jekyll the best way with shaded bike paths running around the entire island.   There’s plenty of history, sightseeing and relaxing to be had.  And you can take day trips to visit the other barrier islands in the area!

A trip to The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is a great idea for any couple or family wanting to experience nature and history in an atmosphere of turn of the century grandeur.  A lovely pool awaits as well as golfing on three outstanding courses if that’s your sport of choice.

You’ll be in for a special treat when the sun begins to set on this historic jewel.  Plan to order a cocktail and watch nature’s display from the westward facing porch…you’ll feel every muscle in your body relaxing as you take in the splendor!

Melissa | food & entertaining, people | 07 23rd, 2015 | 6 Comments »

There is a lovely enclave at Gascoigne Point, Epworth by the Sea.  The minute you drive through the archway that marks the entrance to this peaceful place you feel a shift in energy.  You take a deep breath, gaze on the gigantic oak trees that grace the area, Spanish moss hanging from their massive branches, and feel that you could stay here forever.

This is the site of the Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum that houses a vast collection of books and artifacts about the founders of the Methodist Church, John and Charles Wesley.  You can actually walk in the footsteps of John and Charles as they preached the word of God throughout the Coastal Georgia area.

Both brothers  worked as missionary’s on St. Simons Island.  Charles was appointed chaplain for the settlement at Fort Frederica and John had charge of the religious affairs of the colony.  On the north end of the island now stands the Wesley United Methodist Church, founded by the Wesley brothers, with Bishop Frank Robinson as the first pastor.  The brothers actually began the Methodist movement after returning to their home in England.

Epworth by the Sea is named in commemoration of the birthplace of the Wesley brothers.  In addition to the Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum, visitors will find pathways winding through the property that lead to the Gascoigne River, considered gateway to St. Simons Island.  A conference center is available with facilities to accomodate up to 1,000 people.

Lovely Lane Chapel is the site for many weddings on St. Simons Island.  This is the oldest standing church on the island.

During Plantation Days, James Hamilton built a large Tabby home at Gascoigne Point where he became a millionaire in the cotton trade.  The home burned in 1890 leaving only the tabby cottage that housed the plantation’s slaves.  The cottage was completely restored in 1995 by Epworth.

As you walk through the Epworth retreat property you can feel the vast history surrounding you.  Visit Epworth and experience the peace and beauty to be found there.

Melissa | people | 07 22nd, 2015 | 1 Comment »

I love the work of local artist, George Netherton.  I’ve gotten to know George through Albert Fendig’s wonderful Plein Air event each year at the Hofwyl Broadfield Plantation.

During the month of July you’ve got to make the time to get over to The Horton Gallery at the Southeast Georgia Medical Center in Brunswick.

You’ll be delight by the scale of the pieces…..

The lighting that highlights them so well…..

The subject matter……

And the brilliance of George’s use of color and composition.  George Netherton possesses a passion for Coastal Georgia that simply cries out from the canvas he works on.  This is a perfect way to while away a hot, summer afternoon!  Beauty heals the soul and calms the spirit…..find the time…..cross the causeway and treat yourself to this awesome talent!

Melissa | people | 07 6th, 2015 | 1 Comment »

I’ve featured several of Bud Hearn’s “Weakly Posts” here, but I think this one is my favorite thus far.  Bud has such a way with words, but I think this post, in particular, gives us a glimpse of the man himself and how deeply he thinks and feels about writing and about life.  I think you’ll enjoy reading “Something From Nothing”!  I know it spoke to me and I will treasure it for years to come!

Something from Nothing

“….the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep.”

Genesis 1:2

Some days are like being inside a cloud of thick fog—all white nothingness. Attempts to mentally find anything of substance are impossible.

It must have been on one of those days the poet wrote, “(V)ague and nebulous is the beginning of all things, but not its end.” Or something similar.  Poets play with vague concepts. Yet, in that white chaos, it’s helpful to realize that haze is full of promise, just waiting to be discovered.

Deadlines for writers hover like death. They sit looking at an empty computer screen or a blank sheet of paper, searching for something to write. In those days ideas are harder to find than hen’s teeth.

For about nine years my Thursdays have begun by staring at an empty sheet of paper, or a set of white computer pixels that make the screen appear blank. This is the genesis of this Absurdity.

Empty is always the beginning. There’s just something about a blank slate that craves input. It calls, “Put something on me ~ words, numbers, drawings ~ or fold me into the shape of an airplane and sail me. Do something with me, now!”

Imagine being a blank sheet of paper. How would it feel if your life went unused, just wadded up and pitched at trash cans? Or run through a shredder to make parade confetti or other such ephemera posing as momentous events. Please! A blank sheet has infinite possibilities.

Everything starts out blank. We did, too ~ some may still be! So did this planet. Think of the untold number of possibilities that existed at the Big Bang of Creation. Imagine what could come from a totally blank universe page. Now look at it. Think of each person’s beginning as a blank sheet of paper. Impossible to comprehend with a finite mind.

All pages begin equal, but some more equal than others. Some become important, like The Bible, The Constitution, or The Gettysburg Address. Some amount to absolutely nothing. Some would be downright frightening ~ like fodder crammed into The New York Times.

I prefer blank computer screens. It eliminates the eraser and wipes the slate clean with no consequence. And ink on paper is better than pencil lead. Imagine a fancy invitation scribbled in pencil. Pencils, like flip phones, are relics of another era. Its devolution is rendered thusly: “Let’s pencil in the appointment instead of ‘ink it in.’”

Blank pages have other possibilities. Suppose someone has trashed you with some malicious gossip ~ why, you can write you several scathing replies, take out your anger and frustrations on paper and then trash them in the nearest shredder. There, don’t you feel better?

Blank bank deposit tickets provide wonderful possibilities. Sometimes when I’m bored I take a blank one and write insanely huge amounts on it. Pretending to be wealthy is better than caffeine. I envision myself presenting it to a bank teller, especially one showing a deposit of $10 billion dollars to my account. Imagine their shock. Sadly, this dream has yet to materialize.

That brings up another subject. Bank accounts. They can begin small with very little written on the deposit ticket, like $10.00.  Yet, a bank account has the capacity to enlarge itself to infinity. It can’t be filled to capacity.

All of which may lead one to the ultimate use of paper ~ to print cash currency. This paper is highly decorative and has the effect of creating more emotional fervor than all the paper in the world. Yet, the irony is that while it starts out as a blank page, its value is based on nothing but a fiat faith ~ a huge blank page.

Many of us may be writing more checks than deposit tickets these days. But may I suggest a superior endeavor? Grab your blank page of faith and write something on it. Perhaps it is nothing more than a short note to a friend, a card to a child or a check to a charity. Your words will make your paper very happy, as well as the recipient.

A blank sheet of paper is a terrible thing to waste.

Bud Hearn

June 12, 2015

Melissa | people | 06 15th, 2015 | 1 Comment »

I’ve written about my friend, Holly McClure, a very talented author and storyteller over the past couple of years on this blog.  Holly is sharing a post today in which she writes about the process of doing research for a book.  In this case, “Conjuror”, a soon to be released novel, published my Mercer Press.  I think you’ll enjoy Holly’s writing and I can tell you, having read the story, you’ll want to read it too!  You might also put her book “The Vessel Of Scion” on your summer reading list.  It’s a thriller ala Dan Brown and available on Amazon.com here:  http://www.amazon.com/Vessel-Scion-Holly-McClure/dp/0992657474/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433953446&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Vessel+Of+Scion

Skidder

 A service trucks sits equipped for emergencies,loaded with pumper and water in case of fire.  There’s one at every site.  Safety first.

 

Another machine turned underbrush and debris into tiny chips,which it sprayed into something that looked like a box car.  David explained this was why all his job sites looked like parks when he finished. He carefully selected trees for harvesting, leaving trees of differing age and size, then cleaned up the underbrush and trash. The clean-up became bio-mass fuel. The work site I toured would be a hunting preserve.  Others might be cleared for shopping centers or subdivisions.  He had eight crews busy that day, like the one working this site.  David gave me a ride in one of the big trucks so I could see where they delivered the logs.  Good quality logs like these would become floors, cabinets or furniture.  Trucks circled through, unloaded by machines and back to the job site for another load.

I believe in knowing as much as possible about my characters.  The Copperhead family in Conjuror and the sequel, Covenant, own a logging company, and I needed to learn about what they do. I was impressed with the technology involved, and with the careful attention to the environment. No clear cutting, unless the site owners required it for building. David took great pride in leaving strong timber and a clean forest behind.  As the inspiration for Yona Copperhead, he wants to make sure I get it right. I should confess, D&S logging is a family business, founded by my big Brother, David McClure.  Thanks for taking your little sister to work, David.  Can’t  wait for another death defying ride on the gator.

Melissa | people | 06 11th, 2015 | 1 Comment »