Tess has offered to write on her first-time visit to the Jane Austen Festival, to follow up Melody’s previous account – so here you can again visit vicariously with words and more pictures, the entire weekend – and this time we get to go to the Ball! And I do think we need to put next year’s adventure on our calendars right now! – and certainly all meet for Tea…

**********************************

The Louisville group

JANE AUSTEN FESTIVAL – LOUISVILLE, KY 21-22 JULY 2012

After hearing lovely things for the last few years about the Jane Austen Festival sponsored by the Louisville region of JASNA, I finally attended this event, the 5th Annual. Everything I had heard was not hype – this was a most delightful way to pass the weekend. The ladies and gentlemen of the Louisville chapter are commended for doing it right! Everything organized well, high quality entertainments of every variety – and fashion everywhere you looked!

Flirting on the porch

The Market

The Parlour

I attended with three fellow New York friends and we began the morning on Saturday with a stroll through the various shops of the market. (I was sorry we did not arrive soon enough for the fencing demonstration, which sadly was not repeated again during the festival, though most events were.) I was sorely tempted by many of the fashionable fabrics, bonnets, period games and trinkets – but managed to limit myself only to the purchase of some teas. Shortly afterwards, I headed off to blend my own with Julia of Bingley Teas, one of the session events available. Made a wonderfully aromatic (and quite tasty as I have since discovered) blend with black tea, roses and calendula, cranberry and apricot…and a few other additions. I am now ready to hit the markets confidently to find my own ingredients and develop my own signature blend! Following this session, I rejoined my friends for our scheduled tea time.

Tea Table

What a lovely tea it was! And how impressed was I to discover that all the china being put into service was the collection of one lady!—Bonnie Wise, the Regional Coordinator for Louisville and spearhead of this event. Truly amazing, and very gracious of her to trust us with her precious china. Our table tried several tea blends (all from the Bingley Tea line) but I must confess my favorite was “Marianne’s Passion” – it was delicious served hot, with a fruity under-taste; and even better when I later sampled it in iced tea form.

Tea-Time!

Well sated with sandwiches, scones and desserts (I agree with Melody, the lavender cake was delicious) we headed off to watch Mr Darcy undress. What better entertainment for ladies on a lazy summer afternoon! And judging by the crowd under the tent-top, I wasn’t alone in that opinion. Along the way to it we admired (and photographed) scores of wonderful Regency attire; of course, stopping to chat with ladies and gents alike about the construction of them (being a novice at making my own, I was most interested.) Brian Cushing (aka Mr Darcy) had an engaging presentation style as he peeled off his layers and his anecdotes were both humorous and instructive. A long collective chuckle rippled through the audience as he began to pull his shirt-tail out from his breeches to show us a typical shirt of the period… and it kept coming and coming. In the end it reached past his knees… as he asserted that this was one of the shorter ones of the day!

Darcy in shirtails

Now employing my fan assiduously (I shall not admit whether from the summer heat or seeing Mr Darcy’s shirt-tails! Such a fluttering came all over me!) we ventured to find a bit of shade and to capture in print our own fashions in the ‘grove’ –

Ladies of Fashion in the Grove

and then back to the presentation tent for a lecture on Sickness and Health as depicted in Austen’s novels. It was a fascinating look at various characters and their ailments and a perspective you don’t often encounter – that Mr Woodhouse, despite his annoying solicitousness of everyone’s health, was actually seldom wrong. The whole of it illustrated wondrously Jane Austen’s own extensive understanding of illness and treatments and human nature, of course. Dr. Cheryl Kinney assembled a wonderful slide show of characters, treatments, film clips and anecdotes to support her lecture. It was so well done, I determined not to miss the second lecture she would offer on Sunday. After this one, I approached Dr. Kinney to ask her opinion of the ailment of Anne DeBourgh, as it had not been raised in this presentation. And, as a P&P fanfic author who often considers it when writing, I was thrilled to learn that Dr. Kinney has an entire session on Anne DeBourgh’s ailments planned for the 2013 AGM in Minneapolis. Count me in! I will come armed with interest and questions!
Shortly after this presentation, my group retired to our B&B (a most wonderful find) to rest before readying ourselves for the ball that evening.

The Ball!

I was amazed when we arrived for the dance at the attendance and the fact that nearly the entire company was in period attire. And what fashions there were to witness – each gown finer than the last! Although the acoustics in the hall were not perfect, we had a grand time, dancing almost every dance, and laughter abounded as we made sport (of ourselves and our neighbours, of course) at trying to learn the dance steps. Shame on us for not attending the afternoon practice session. The refreshments during the interval were extensive, and I was most amazed at the competence and administration once again of the Louisville organizers – replenishments were quick and smooth – truly well executed.

We slept very well after our busy day, and got a bit of a late start on Sunday; but arrived in time for a Bare Knuckle boxing demonstration. I, of course, averted my eyes from bare-chested as well as bare knuckled combatants.

Bare-Knuckle Boxing

Following this, I enjoyed a demonstration of side-saddle riding from Ms Deborah Glidden and her assistants. The older gentleman (Bill Glidden) turned out to have spent a long career in Hollywood; he was Doug McClure’s riding double in The Virginian among other things. A few of us in the audience were of an age to recall that TV series very well.

While my friends attended tea again, I instead toured the inside of the house that Melody has already described so nicely. And in addition to the house and furnishings themselves, I truly enjoyed the fashions on display there – all part of Gayle Simmons’s collection and complete with accessories of every sort. Every room held a few ensembles, either on models or lovingly spread out on beds awaiting some young lady to prepare for a ball. Very impressive in all. Each room was manned by a volunteer to provide visitors with a short history, and the master bedroom in particular had a pair of girls who explained that they were in their parents’ room looking for a ribbon their younger brother had impishly hid from them, a particular one the older girl wanted to wear for her coming out. They stayed ‘in character’ throughout and were a delight.

Gayle Simmons Collection

There was also a lovely lady demonstrating bobbin lace making in the house. Oh, the patience required – I don’t think I’ll tackle that, but I will certainly appreciate it more when I encounter the finished item.
More fashion was to come as I attended Betsy Bashore’s fashion show in the large tent. Her creations are magnificent and all taken from either extent garments or pattern books of the era, ranging from mid-1790’s to about 1820. I learned a great deal in addition to just admiring the look – of bonnet veils, and cartridge pleats, and apron dresses and the like. And the fabrics – many of them from saris – were exquisite. It inspired me to continue with my own novice efforts. (My own gown that day included an overdress that I’d made from a $5 thrift shop tablecloth – hey! It worked!)

Tess’s day-dress

I loved all the gowns – the details in them amazing – but my favorites were this brown and cranberry silk ensemble from 1796 (coincidentally, the period I write); and this tissue-silk in a red stripe that was cut on the bias so that the striping was diagonally oriented. They both had the most delicious flow and drape when the young ladies walked. I could just imagine that taking a turn about the room in one of these would turn Caroline Bingley green with envy (as well as capture the admiring eye of Mr Darcy.)

Dr. Kinney’s lecture on Sunday was to do with Jane Austen’s illness, but encompassed so much more besides. It looked at Charles Hayden (whom JA described as something between a man and an angel) as well as Dr Matthew Baillie, a prominent physician in London. One of these two was likely the doctor that Jane Austen consulted about her failing health. The presentation also included ailments and cures of the day, a fascinating look at arsenic (if you wore green or painted your rooms with green paint you exposed yourself to the poisonous stuff), more wonderful slides and film clips as well as a hilarious video look at why we love Austen set to the tune of Connie Stevens’s “Sixteen Reasons.” Overall, another session that was entertaining, informative and engaging. (Yep, definitely looking forward next year to that session on Anne DeBourgh!)
I witnessed a duel between two gentlemen. I learned that the purportedly injured party always shot first – in this case he wounded his opponent in the shoulder. But what a small victory it turned out to be when his opponent, shooting second, killed him in return!

The Duel!

I finished the afternoon at another of the special sessions, joining a group of ladies young and old to paint a fan. After a short historical talk on fans and seeing examples of extant designs, we were off to design our own. I must admit to admiring many of those around me as they took shape (and young ladies too of about fifteen, so accomplished for their age); but my own drawing and water color talents left something to be desired. What fun it was, though – and I have just ordered some blank fans so that I can practice and eventually make one worthy of appearing at a ball. After all, we all know that no excellence in [drawing] is to be acquired, without constant practice.

Nature Drawing

Laying out clothes

Fashion Show

Despite dreadful hot days that kept us in a continual state of inelegance, this Festival was not to be missed! Picture perfect in setting, it was well attended by only the most fashionable of society; had much to offer in entertainments; and was very nicely done indeed! The 6th Annual Jane Austen Festival in Louisville is already on my calendar for next summer. Hmmm, I’d better start sewing if I’m to show well…

The gentlemen have spied some ladies…

********************************

About the Author: Tess Quinn (a nom de plume) read Pride and Prejudice years ago at the age of thirteen, and has been hooked on Jane Austen – and Mr Darcy, unsurprisingly – ever since. She has read all the novels multiple times and doesn’t plan to stop any time soon. Some time ago she was introduced to Austen-based fan fiction and, unsatisfied with some of the depictions and approaches, took up her own pen to try to carry on beloved characters in a manner consistent with Miss Austen’s originals. In 2011, her first short story was published in an anthology called A Road to Pemberley. With that encouraging milestone she is hoping shortly to publish another anthology, all her own stories, tentatively titled Pride Revisited. She has two completed P&P based novels (awaiting final edits and a willing publisher); and is nearing completion on her own darling child, a retelling of P&P from Georgiana Darcy’s perspective.

***********************************

Thank you Tess for sharing your weekend with us – I think of you and Melody passing each other various times throughout the weekend, and now connected in cyberspace! – we must all meet up next year for that cup of tea!  I wish you the best with your Pride and Prejudice writings, and look forward one day soon I hope to interviewing you about your first published novel here!

[Text and images courtesy of Tess Quinn]

c2012 Jane Austen in Vermont

****************************************

The Louisville, Kentucky fifth annual Jane Austen Festival was held at Locust Grove. I wasn’t aware of the history behind this historical house. The home belonged to Maj. William and Lucy Clark Croghan. When George Rogers Clark was injured, Lucy invited her brother to stay at Locust Grove. So who is George? He was the older brother of William Clark, (who was part of the Lewis and Clark expedition), he founded Louisville, and quite a few other notable things important to the nation.

This is the North facing side of Locust Grove. It has a nice size porch.
The south side, which I would think
visitors would enter wasn’t as grand imo.

One of the notable items in the house that stands out is the fact the descendants painted over a regency era portrait. Apparently they felt the red dress was gaudy and a black dress was painted on. This was found out in the restoration and they put back to the original regal red regency dress.

The portrait that was painted over

  Another fascinating fact was the entertaining parlor was on the second floor, where today, upstairs is reserved for family and entertaining is done on the main floor or possibly even the basement for those who have one.

 The entertaining parlor on the second floor 

Now for the Jane Austenites that want to hear about the festival. There were a great many visitors dressed in period reproductions that were all amazing! There was even a Regency style fashion show. The clothes were delicious and went in order according to the years they were popular. The speaker gave information on the clothes and where to find the patterns. Who knew men carried fans? The women carried cute reticules, wore pretty hats or had dainty parasols, and of course wore gloves, either long or short. The men were dashing in their finery as well.

 This lovely lady is a member of JASNA
with loads of information.
She was also in the fashion show.

Tailored/fitted clothing for a man 

(something that was mentioned during the fashion show was women
didn’t seem to be as concerned with gaping or perfect fits as we are today)

A man’s banyan

 I loved the detail in this purple dress. (same lady as above]

Now don’t think for a moment that this is an event purely for women. NO! There was a Gentleman’s duel. I do not know what caused the men to find it necessary to shoot at each other, but the first man to fire was the man to die. It was over within a minute. The gentleman remaining had been injured in the shoulder and was quite irked with the doctor for spending so much time with the dead man saying, “stop spending so much time with the dead man and tend to my wound!” (the duel the next day lasted longer than a minute).

Gentleman’s duel

There was also a bare knuckle boxing match that women obviously would not have attended. Or at least not women of any gentility. The ring leader gave the history of the gambling of the sport and the numerous exchange of money as the odds would change throughout. When he removed a pad of paper from his pants he wrote names and odds of the betting men. The winner of the boxing match had won a substantial amount of money.

There were fencing lessons and a demonstration on riding side saddle. It was very important what horse a gentleman rode. It reminded me of the status of the type of car one drives. There were special pay classes for how to paint a fan, and two discussions. On Saturday evening there was a ball, but since my companion is just 9 we forego that event.

Side saddle demonstration 

If you made reservations ahead of time there was afternoon tea. I recommend the lavender cake for dessert. It was deliciously moist and not overly powerful in taste.

Dr. Cheryl Kinney discussed Jane Austen’s illness and Jane’s opinion of illness and her characters’ woes. Who knew that green dresses were toxic?! It wasn’t just the clothing, but wall paper and paint as well. Green was very fashionable at that time too. Dr. Kinney asked how many people were wearing green at the event; there were quite a few! (of course they didn’t need to worry about the copper arsenic).

The final event on Sunday was “Dressing Mr. Darcy.” However, it was in reverse and he ended in a state that could make a grown woman blush. There was quite a bit of fanning happening in the audience.

Dressing Mr. Darcy

Finally, what made the event so special were the people. Everyone was so nice and the vendors were helpful. One young lady took the time to show my son a Spanish pistol’s workings with the full knowledge we were not going to buy. She even showed him how to salute with a rifle British style and American style.

One of the vendors made marbled papers that were amazing. After each one people would ooh and ahh. Of course everyone is unique. I was able to speak to the vendor on the last day and he showed me an antique book someone had given him with the marbling technique on the outside, inside, and on the edges of the pages. But the coloring was more indicative to the Victorian era, (darker, not as pretty as the Regency era).

The children gathered together and had their own fun in the meadow playing sword fights and just plain running around. I asked my son what his favorite parts were and after thinking about it he replied, “playing with the kids and the vendors.”  I was surprised. What kid enjoys shopping?

If you ever get the chance to attend a Jane Austen festival, I highly recommend it.

***********************************

About the Author ~ Melody writes:

Jane Austen came into my life, because I love history; the manners, fashion, and lifestyle. I also happen to be a book enthusiast and I like that Jane Austen tells things to the reader that makes the reader think. You must read between the lines, she doesn’t just come out and molly coddle the reader. Truth be told, I’d never been to a Jane Austen festival. I didn’t even know they took place. My son and I decided to give it a go, only because they offered so many fun “guy” events. I would not have gone otherwise. We are both happy for the adventure. We may make a tradition of it. Perhaps in period reproductions next time.

*****************************

Thank you Melody for sharing with us your observations of the Festival – maybe I will see you there next year myself!

Further Reading: from the Locust Grove website

• You can see a performance of the bare-knuckled boxing here.
• Bite from the Past blog on the Festival here.

 c2012 Jane Austen in Vermont

Congratulations Jessica and John!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbm2tRpkaBM

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding,
Bri

________________________________________________________

DJ Bri Swatek, Spinning with Style

Your DJ for Your Unique Style
in the Hudson Valley of New York

Email: briswatek@aol.com
Phone: 845.235.0080
Online: www.djbriswatek.com

Behind the mansion there are a lot of trails which lead all the way down to the railroad tracks by the river and back. We decided to take a right at the first fork we reached.

There was a beautiful blue barn where the carriage horses must have been kept.

When we finally reached the river, we took our time exploring every part of a trail that was marked on the maps. We stood on jagged rocks,

Soaked in the views,

Watched some trains,

And we even saw some pretty flowers.

We continued on the small path down a steep hill that we took with caution. However when we reached the bottom, we found no way out and were forced to make our way back up the hill. Once we had made our way back to the trail head we followed the signs back up to the house. Here are some more pictures of the trails and what we found on them:

We had finally made our way back up to the house and decided to continue exploring.

“I want a porch like this when I grow up” – Anne-Marie

We even tried to enter the house but sadly it was locked from the inside.

On our way back to the car, we decided to stop in the gift shop with no intention of making a purchase. We ended up walking out with a geode each.

We were both eager to break open our rocks with the hopes of finding a beautiful crystal in the middle. We tried to break the rocks to little avail.

We got a bigger hammer.

When we finally did, we were disappointed at the outcome; no crystals, just a lot of scraps of rock strewn across the pavement.

The day had been filled with both successes and disappointments, so we decided to treat ourselves with Game of Thrones, chocolate chip cookies, and a nap.

Harlon Matthews ready to serve some aces on the tennis court.

45-year-old Harlon Matthews of Locust Grove, Georgia remembers the first tennis match he ever played in Hilton Head, South Carolina in 2001. “I lost the first match, but I continued to compete and won the consolation finals,” Matthews explained. “After winning that consolation round, I really developed a zeal for playing tennis, and that’s been driving me ever since. I was playing in the C division with 32 players. After this victory, I was told that this was a tremendous accomplishment since it was my first tournament. I learned that often tennis players required a couple of years to become that proficient in tennis. I felt very enabled after that win.

“Then later, I went back to Hilton Head, played in the A division and actually won that tournament. When I received that trophy for winning the A division, a wave of emotion swept over me. It was unreal.” Matthews had begun his competitive career at Hilton Head, in one of the lowest divisions of tennis, and then returned, competed and won the highest division, creating a passion for all things tennis.”

After the first tournament in 2001, Matthews became a tennis instructor by the PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) in 2004. In 2008, he went back to Hilton Head for 7 weeks at the Van Der Mer Academy and became the first instructor in a wheelchair to do a 7-week apprenticeship for tennis instruction. “It’s almost unbelievable, how many life-changing events have happened for me in Hilton Head,” Matthews mentions. Matthews found tennis to be very liberating and learned that it enabled him to play and teach physically challenged people. Matthews is quick to say, “I can teach tennis and play with anyone – whether they have a disability or not.”

Harlon Matthews believes that he can play tennis with anyone- disability or not – and he teaches this philosophy to kids on the court.

Matthews’ athletic journey started in high school where he played every sport as an able-bodied athlete. Then in 1982, when he was 15, he caught a cold. Unlike the colds other students at his school had at that time, this cold changed his life forever.

Next: Harlon Matthews’ Shocking Discovery About The Impact of His Cold

About the Author: For the last 12 years, John E. Phillips of Vestavia, Alabama, has been a professional blogger for major companies, corporations and tourism associations throughout the nation. During his 24 years as Outdoor Editor for “The Birmingham Post-Herald” newspaper, he published more than 7,000 newspaper columns and sold more than 100,000 of his photos to newspapers, magazines and internet sites. He also hosted a radio show that was syndicated at 27 radio stations; created, wrote and sold a syndicated newspaper column that ran in 38 newspapers for more than a decade; and wrote and sold more than 30 books. Learn more at http://www.nighthawkpublications.com

Scarlet Tanager

The second leg of the nature tour stopped at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie.  The sky continued its overcast ways, making photography frustrating and difficult.  It was a shame too, as there were some really interesting and cooperative birds.

I wasn’t able to get many photos, with many of the species singing either high above in the trees or in thick brush near the ground.  Can’t win them all!

Photos from Locust Grove (click photos to enlarge)

Common Yellowthroat

Two days, three locations, 13 hours, and 10+ miles of hiking.  That sums up my weekend!  I spent a considerable amount of time at Peach Hill Park, Locust Grove and Vassar Farm, spotting and photographing everything that I could find.

So, do you want to know what the final tally for the weekend is?

At Peach Hill Park on Saturday morning, I spotted or heard 47 different species of birds.  Saturday afternoon at Locust Grove, the total was 29 different species.  Vassar Farm on Sunday was the most diverse day, with 57 different species of birds.

The total tally was 70 unique bird species for the weekend – more than half of the total birds I’ve seen in Dutchess County in my years as a wildlife photographer.

Now comes the most time consuming part, the photo editing and selection!  I took over 500 photos this weekend, so I will be going through them to see what is worthy of posting.  Next weekend is supposed to be the ‘peak’ of migration, and to make sure I see as much as humanly possible, I will be spending an insane amount of time outdoors.

For those interested in the full sighting/sound list from this weekend, I have attached it below.  Happy birding everyone!

Peach Hill Park (5/5)

1. Canada Goose
2. Wild Turkey
3. Great Blue Heron
4. Red-tailed Hawk
5. Cooper’s Hawk
6. Mourning Dove
7. Red-bellied Woodpecker
8. Northern Flicker
9. Eastern Kingbird
10. Blue Jay
11. American Crow
12. Tree Swallow
13. Black-capped Chickadee
14. White-breasted Nuthatch
15. Carolina Wren
16. House Wren
17. Eastern Bluebird
18. Wood Thrush
19. American Robin
20. Gray Catbird
21. Northern Mockingbird
22. Brown Thrasher
23. Cedar Waxwing
24. Blue-winged Warbler
25. Nashville Warbler
26. Yellow Warbler
27. Chestnut-sided Warbler
28. Magnolia Warbler
29. Yellow-rumped Warbler
30. Black-throated Green Warbler
31. Black-and-white Warbler
32. Ovenbird
33. Common Yellowthroat
34. Wilson’s Warbler
35. Eastern Towhee
36. Chipping Sparrow
37. Field Sparrow
38. Song Sparrow
39. White-throated Sparrow
40. Northern Cardinal
41. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
42. Indigo Bunting
43. Red-winged Blackbird
44. Brown-headed Cowbird
45. Orchard Oriole
46. House Finch
47. American Goldfinch

Locust Grove (5/5)

1. Canada Goose
2. Wood Duck
3. Mallard
4. Cooper’s Hawk
5. Red-bellied Woodpecker
6. Downy Woodpecker
7. Pileated Woodpecker
8. Great Crested Flycatcher
9. Blue Jay
10. American Crow
11. House Wren
12. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
13. Wood Thrush
14. American Robin
15. Gray Catbird
16. Northern Mockingbird
17. Tennessee Warbler
18. Northern Parula
19. Yellow Warbler
20. Black-throated Blue Warbler
21. Black-throated Green Warbler
22. American Redstart
23. Chipping Sparrow
24. Scarlet Tanager
25. Northern Cardinal
26. Brown-headed Cowbird
27. Baltimore Oriole
28. House Finch
29. House Sparrow

Vassar Farm (5/6)

1. Canada Goose
2. Mallard
3. Double-crested Cormorant
4. Great Blue Heron
5. Green Heron
6. Red-tailed Hawk
7. Spotted Sandpiper
8. Solitary Sandpiper
9. Mourning Dove
10. Belted Kingfisher
11. Red-bellied Woodpecker
12. Downy Woodpecker
13. Northern Flicker
14. Pileated Woodpecker
15. Eastern Phoebe
16. Great Crested Flycatcher
17. Eastern Kingbird
18. Red-eyed Vireo
19. Blue Jay
20. American Crow
21. Tree Swallow
22. Barn Swallow
23. Black-capped Chickadee
24. White-breasted Nuthatch
25. Carolina Wren
26. House Wren
27. Eastern Bluebird
28. Wood Thrush
29. American Robin
30. Gray Catbird
31. Northern Mockingbird
32. Brown Thrasher
33. European Starling
34. Blue-winged Warbler
35. Nashville Warbler
36. Northern Parula
37. Yellow Warbler
38. Magnolia Warbler
39. Black-throated Blue Warbler
40. Yellow-rumped Warbler
41. Black-throated Green Warbler
42. American Redstart
43. Common Yellowthroat
44. Eastern Towhee
45. Chipping Sparrow
46. Field Sparrow
47. Song Sparrow
48. White-throated Sparrow
49. Northern Cardinal
50. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
51. Indigo Bunting
52. Red-winged Blackbird
53. Common Grackle
54. Brown-headed Cowbird
55. Baltimore Oriole
56. American Goldfinch
57. House Sparrow

Tomorrow will hopefully be more of the same – early out in the field and for a long period of time.  I can’t wait!  Hang in there guys, photos will be posted soon!

The wind lifted me from the concrete,

If I cut through the park on my way downtown,
I passed the Indian boy’s house–Jon-Jon,
now upright in the valley like the burnt
stump of a oak felled for firewood.

He said nothing but smoothed his hand
over the blue T-shirt skin of his belly,
and I picked the close, white clover flowers
untrammeled in the springy grass nearby.

It is a way of opening up–this dream,
a way of letting the park, the uneven pavement
of the road, the rusted swings, and Jon-Jon
with his collapsing wood house open up.

The spring is eternal here; the grass sways
one way in the wind and tickles my ankles
and makes a path of shadows as if hiding
a stream rich with tadpoles and glistening sand.

“Sheep showers,” Kelly called them, and we found them
in the damp patch of clovers next to the corrupted see saw,
and we shook them free of ants and dirt,
then crushed handfuls into our mouths.

The taste was like half-dollar-sized sweetarts
on our tongues all at once and going nowhere,
but the foreign feel of leaves and stems in our throats
was even better than the sweetness.

It was like eating the world and nothing like
the dream of the sailing white hat carrying me
into a cool valley where Jon-Jon and my 6th grade boyfriend
waited and took my hands to keep me from floating away.

If we ventured past the sheep showers, the piss smell
hit us, invading the park like a pack of dogs,
all madly, vainly marking their territory, but boldness
might carry a few of us over to the concrete walls.

Buddy and Billy and the other bullies with shortened names
burned branches and left beer bottles in the empty rooms
where the toilets and sinks used to be and spray-painted
the words they knew best on the gray, cracked walls.

My 6th-grade boyfriend had blue eyes the color
God invented to show off with, and his black hair
lifted lightly when my hat flapped, and the valley
jutted up and leveled out to become the world.

On the flat surface of the world, the green grass rippled
with the wind all blowing the same direction,
and, magnetized, Jon-Jon moved away from me,
like the rook in a travel chess game.

If I left the park early enough I had time
to take the long way home and avoid Jon-Jon’s
where the weeds always hid snipers, his brothers
with slingshots and rocks big as my kneecaps.

In May, the prison band played for Founder’s Day,
and the park swelled with bacon-fed bodies,
women who declared to fix up the bathrooms,
men who drank whiskey and circled the park.

David found a place in the pasture behind our house
where the honeysuckles grew into massive bushes
over the fence, and we made houses there, and we ate
the honeysuckle, pulling out the rich white center.

After I rose from the concrete, I smiled an idiot’s smile
that never fractured Jon-Jon’s stoic expression,
and my 6th grade boyfriend grinned at my bare feet,
white and unstained, stretching toward the clovers.

In July, the sheep showers were littered with gunpowder,
spent bottle rockets, and the colorful, scattered remains
of Black Cats and ladyfingers, stark and obvious
against the brown grass of Oklahoma, mid-summer.

At the park entrance, a peach tree grew round
and lush and never flowered. Each fall
its leaves turned rusty orange and covered
the busted sidewalk to the ruined world.

–Shaun Perkins

NOTE: This is a combination of a flying dream I once had and memories of the little park near our childhood house in Locust Grove, OK.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding,
Bri

________________________________________________________

DJ Bri Swatek, Spinning with Style

Your DJ for Your Unique Style in the Hudson Valley of New York

Email: briswatek@aol.com
Phone: 845.235.0080
Online: www.djbriswatek.com

I even had to slow down last night when the clock kept hitting over 65mph. For the non-Vdubbers reading this, that’s not because I was breaking the speed limit, it’s because my 1971 engine is not built to go much over 60mph for extended periods.

Anyway, we had a lovely rest last night in a little town south of Atlanta with a new MG friend who kindly offered to host us.

And soon we’ll be heading off to meet some Full Moon Bus Club guys about an hour east.  Looks like this afternoon’s drive will be much easier from Peachtree City (B) to Locust Grove (C) though we might have snow!!! What’s happening here guys, do you think just ’cause we’re from Massachusetts (me) and Oregon (VW bus) that we are missing cold weather?