Haunted Houses

[caption id="attachment_516" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Hower House[/caption]"All houses wherein men have lived and died are haunted houses", so says Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and this is Hower House, a Victorian Mansion built in 1871.  It was the home of John Henry Hower and Susan, his wife.  I dropped over to sing John "Happy Birthday" along with a number of his other friends - The Friends of Hower House and a group called, The Victorians.  When you're turning 191 years old it's only right that people fuss a little,  pop over to your house with a cake, and sing a chorus or two in your honor.

[caption id="attachment_532" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Carol Ann, Evelyna, and her beautiful cake[/caption] Here I am with John's cake and the lady who created it, my friend, Evelyna.  Not only is Evelyna a master baker and my friend, but she's also my pen friend.  We send letters back and forth to each other in between our visits. Everyone should have talented friends like Evelyna,  plus a handful of pen friends, and of course, a few dozen "dead friends" too.

But let's get back to John and Evelyna's cake.  Here it is in its full delicious glory.

[caption id="attachment_518" align="aligncenter" width="300"] One luscious slice[/caption]Evelyna calls this cake her Half and Half.  You'll want to remember that name in case you order one for your next party.  Trust me.  It is DELICIOUS!  In between the white and chocolate cake is a European butter creme filling.  Yum!  The frosting is Italian Satin, based on a meringue style frosting recipe.  A shame John couldn't have a piece of his own birthday cake, but hopefully he has pleasures of equal or greater value where he is now.

[caption id="attachment_520" align="aligncenter" width="300"] John and 2nd and 3rd generation Howers[/caption]Here's an old picture of John (on the far left) with his son and grandson.  Because I've been to their house a number of times I've learned a lot about John and his family.  I've learned John was born February 22, 1822 in Stark County, Ohio and I learned we have a few things  in common.  We've both been teachers.  John taught school for a while and I taught  music in schools.   Both John and I value creativity.  I create posts for my blog, write books, give talks on the art of letter writing, host teas and dinner parties, and John created a successful business that made him a fortune.

John was in the right place at the right time.  He met the inventor, John F. Seiberling, who patented the Excelsior Mower and Reaper, a machine that dramatically influenced the mechanization of agriculture, and they formed a business partnership that thrived  because of the Civil War.  The Union army required food and supplies and the agricultural machinery industry was there to provide what was needed.

Yes, John is one of my many "dead friends".  What are "dead friends"?  They're people of the past who we meet and get to know by discovering their work, reading their biographies and letters and visiting their houses.

John was truly one of Akron, Ohio's leading industrialists, a great man, but he's moved on now to a new address.  I'm not exactly sure what that address is, but  whatever it is, I bet he's happy there, pleased that his Second Empire Italianate house is still being carefully maintained.  I'm pleased too, because historic preservation is important to me.

John's house has been called one of the finest examples of Second Empire style in Ohio.  Historically, the House is the last remaining mansion from Akron's first "Gold Coast," and was the home of three generations of a  family that shaped history.  The Howers and their descendants occupied the home continually from 1871 until 1973.

Now Hower House is owned by Akron University and is opened to the public for guided tours. It may also be rented for receptions and private parties..

I love visiting most old houses, but I especially love visiting the old houses of my "dead friends".  To see the very things these people lived with, the simple things, their antiques, the treasures they collected from far off places ---  it's fascinating!  But it's not just the material goods that make a big impression on me.  It's the very spirit of the people who lived in those places, spirit that may not be obvious to everyone, but is usually quite visible and clear to me.

[caption id="attachment_521" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Longfellow House[/caption] I first experienced the  spirit of a 'dead friend' when I popped in at Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's House in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Henry's spirit was  all around that house.  I felt he'd be walking through the door at any moment.  Then, as if  that wasn't enough, I discovered his very own words on the subject.  His thoughts about spirits and houses were captured in his poem,  Haunted Houses.  Henry was my very first "dead friend".  Many more followed, and now John Henry Hower is one of them too.  You can never have too many friends you know --- be they old, new, living,  or "dead".  As friends share their stories inspiration flows.

Drop in at Hower House when you're in Akron, Ohio and get to know John Henry, his family and his house.  If  you're in Boston, pop on over to  Henry Longfellow's house.  Tell them both I sent you.  But now, before you go, Henry wants to share his poem with you.  I hope you like it as much as I do.

[caption id="attachment_522" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Henry Wadsworth Longfellow[/caption]

 HAUNTED HOUSES

All houses wherein men have lived and died are haunted houses.

Through the open doors the harmless phantoms on their errands glide,

With feet that make no sound upon the floors.

We meet them at the doorway, on the stair,

Along the passages they come and go,

Impalpable impressions on the air, A sense of something moving to and fro.

There are more guests at table than the host invited;

the illuminated hall is thronged with quiet, inoffensive ghosts,

As silent as the pictures on the wall.

The stranger at my fireside cannot see the forms I see,

nor hear the sounds I hear;

He but perceives what is;

while unto me all that has been is visible and clear.

We have no title deeds to house or lands;

Owners and occupants from earlier dates

From graves forgotten stretch their dusty hands,

And hold to mortmain still their old estates.

The spirit world around this world of sense

Floats like an atmosphere,

And everywhere wafts through these earthly mists and vapors dense

A vital breath of more ethereal air,

Our little lives are kept in equipoise

By opposite attraction and desires;

The struggle of the instinct that enjoys,

And the more noble instinct that aspires.

These perterbations, this perpetual jar of earthly wants and aspirations high,

Come from an influence of an unseen star,

An undiscovered planet in our sky.

And as the moon from some dark gate of cloud

Throws o'er the sea a floating bridge of light,

Across whose trembling planks our fancies crowd

Into the realm of mystery and light,  ---

So from the world of spirits there descends,

A bridge of light connecting it with this,

O'er whose unsteady floor, that sways and bends,

Wander our thoughts above the dark abyss.

Share Joy

[caption id="attachment_482" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Carol Ann coming to call[/caption]

I'm gonna wrap myself in paper

I'm gonna dab myself with glue

Put a stamp on top of my head

And I'm gonna mail myself to YOU!

Wishful thinking I know.  but as a Lady of Letters with a highly cultivated  imagination, it's fun for me to think about doing just that, mailing myself to you so we could have a little visit over a cup of tea.  As it is, I have to be content writing you this post.

 The little poem  I've shared with you is actually lyrics to a  song  I used to teach  the children in my music classes at  schools in Boston and Cleveland.  It's a Valentine's Day song and Valentine's Day is tomorrow.  Are you ready?

 Wouldn't it be fun if we really could send ourselves  to everyone we cared about, all on the same day, the way Santa gets around?   We could bring along a present for each person  --- a sentimental, beribboned, and flowery present.  I'd love to come over to your house with my pot of tea and  some of the Valentine cupcakes I'm making.

                                                                                      

Maybe I could bring you some flowers too.  Everybody loves fragrant  fresh flowers, don't they?

                                                                                           

But if you're one of the rare people who doesn't like flowers, I bet you'd like a box of chocolates!

These are for my husband  - mums the words - but I'd be happy to get some candy for you too, if only I could pop over to your house tomorrow... but I can't.

I should be sending you a greeting card.  Cards and letters are always nice when you can't visit in person.  I was delighted  to receive this pretty card from my pen friend Joy.

                                                                                                 

 Joy is the perfect name for this lady for she shares joy with me in every one of her letters.  But how does one send cards to all the people they care about?  Daily life gets so in the way for these thoughtful  things we want to do.

Some of my friends even make their own special greeting cards.  That's what my pen friend Gwen does and she sent this card to me.

                                                                                         

She's getting so good at making her cards, they hardly look home made.  They're beautiful - just like Gwen.

Most people love holidays, but as nice as they are, I have to admit holidays frustrate me.  That's because I'd love to make every holiday very special, celebrating each one with every person I care about, creating all the pretty things I imagine or see  in the glossy pages of magazines.  But I can't manage it!!! ... just as I can't wrap myself up with paper, dab myself with glue, put a stamp on top of my head and mail myself to you --- and  it's so FRUSTRATING!

All I can do is  keep a song in my heart (and that I can manage because, after all, I AM a  music teacher)  and let my little light shine, sharing love and joy in bits and pieces with everyone I meet...  not just on holidays, but every day.  A smile here,  a greeting card there, an invitation to tea, sending a friendly letter, giving compliments, paying visits ...little things done with love.   It's not just Valentine's Day and other holidays that should be special.  Everyday should be special and everyday we should share joy in some way.  If we all do this our world would be a nicer place for sure.  And this reminds me of the lyrics to another song.

I'm gonna make this world a better place

I'm gonna make this world a better place

I'm gonna make this world a better place

Just by being me

I'm gonna care about others not just about me

Gonna make a difference you will see.

There's got to be more to life than things

And I'm gonna find out what that means

So have yourself a Happy Valentine's Day, but if you can't get around to everyone you love on this one day, or on any other holiday, don't fret, there's always tomorrow.

to

SHARE JOY

How did you share joy today?  I'd love to know.  Please leave a comment.

French food anyone?

I love French food - so yummy, French people  - so chic,  the French language - so musical, and a trip to France -  so romantic, so naturally when I heard about a French cafe and bakery I had to investigate

[caption id="attachment_448" align="aligncenter" width="225"] The blue door[/caption]     Friends told me about this establishment,  the Blue Door Cafe,  and it's aptly named,  for it truly does have a blue entrance door, but curious and hungry minds like mine (and maybe  like yours) want to know just exactly what is behind this blue door.  I took it upon myself to find out.

I stepped inside and was shown to a table.  A quick look around told me the place was clean and  that's always most important in a restaurant. The Blue Door is not a fancy place, but that's ok with me because  restaurants that are too slick often lack charm. (And if you've ever been to Europe you'll agree that many of the restaurants  in small villages there are quite  unpretentious too.)

I was smart to arrive at The Blue Door on an off hour, not the morning breakfast time  nor the busy lunch  rush, so the place wasn't very crowded.



This was good for me because I was able to talk to the staff, ask  many questions, and of course,  Take Pictures!



And here  they are!  Meet the people behind the scene who make the kitchen run like clockwork.  Happy-looking people, aren't they?  Maybe they're so happy because their work day is nearly over and they'll be free to go home soon, but I suspect they're always  happy because they love their work, and happy bakers make happy, delicious food.

[caption id="attachment_453" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The girls[/caption] And here are the girls who take the orders, work behind the counter,  deliver the food,  do the cleanup and probably do a lot more too ... they do it all with big smiles on their faces and I think that's very  important.  My spiritual directives tell me we should all be of service to others, but we must do our work with joy or it doesn't count at all.

[caption id="attachment_455" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Mike, The owner and head baker[/caption]And here's THE MAN, the man behind the whole operation.  This is Mike.  He told me about his training and some of his  plans for the restaurant.  I applaud him.  It's important we all pursue our dreams and that's exactly was Mike is doing, and I'll tell you, he makes a mean croissant.  Take a look at the delicious sandwich I ordered.

[caption id="attachment_456" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Croissant Monsieur[/caption]This sandwich is the Blue Door's version of a traditional French Bistro style sandwich (using a house made large croissant) with extra bold imported Dijon mustard, Leoncini ham, cave-aged imported Gruyere, and house-made bechamel/ served with house-made chips.  I enjoyed it very much along with  a cup of their delicious  house ground Angel Falls coffee, coffee that is  made right here in Akron, Ohio.

If you have a chance to go to France... Go! ... by all means, but if not, go to the Blue Door Cafe for breakfast or for  lunch.  Watch a little of A Year in Provence first, and then step into the cafe and let the food take you the rest of the way,  away to a French experience - at least  to a French food experience.

The mission of the Blue Door Cafe is to offer you, their guest, an ever-changing menu full of healthy, creative and house-made dishes using as many of the freshest, high-quality and local ingredients as possible.

If you love good food as I do, good French food, and if you live anywhere near Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio this place is for you, but if you're reading this from some far off location I hope I haven't made you too hungry.  I hope you can find a good French cafe and bakery to enjoy in your own area, but if not,  take out your cook books and try to make your own croissants and brioche.  Necessity is the mother of invention.

Bon Appetite!

Not just any Country Inn Day - ADVENTURE DAY!

It was just another Country Inn Day ---  a day where I give myself permission to escape from normal routines and exercise my imagination, exercise it even more than usual.  Have you used your imagination lately?  I hope so.   Imagination is a terrible thing to waste.  Imagination exists for good reason you know,  and that reason is to offer us delight.

Well, this particular Country Inn Day was certainly full of delight for me.  I enjoy all sorts of  Inn Days, each offering its own unique pleasures, but  this particular Country Inn Day was slated for adventure, you know, trying something new, going somewhere  you've never gone before,  reaching into the unknown.  A  little adventure now and then adds spice to life.

You'll be happy to know a satisfying  Adventure Day does not require long distance travel, taking great risks, or spending  lots of money, but it is necessary to step out of  familiar surroundings and do a little exploring.   We all do this sort of thing when we're out of town on vacation, but we can have great adventures close to home too.  It's easy and it's fun!

So I bet you're wondering  just what kind of adventure  I came up with this time.  Well, I decided to revisit a wonderful old house where I enjoyed tea a few years ago.  I had been there with the Hudson Garden Club.  Though I didn't have the exact address I knew what street the house  was on  and felt sure  I could find it so... Here I am driving down West Exchange Street in Akron, Ohio on a damp Winter's morning looking for adventure.



Now I know what you're thinking.  You're thinking this outing couldn't be much of an adventure if I've been to this great house before, oh, but you're wrong.

This time I had no reservation.  I just planned to ring the door bell  hoping to be invited inside, where I would introduce myself, explain how I had visited once before, loved the  house,  and hoped to interest the owner in friendship.  I was anxious to get to know  this owner,  a retired English teacher.  Why her, you ask?  It's  because I knew she must have an adventurous spirit herself  for why else would she buy  a great old  1920's house, saving it  from demolition  and  turning it into a bed and breakfast among other things - like a beautiful location for  tea parties and wedding receptions.

So where exactly was this house?  Aha!  I think I found it.  I remember those pillars!  So I pulled in and parked by the door.

Here I was.  Oh boy!  This is exciting.  Now to walk up to the entrance and ring the bell .  What an adventure!



I never really expected anyone would answer  the door not yet invite me inside. I figured I'd just ring the bell, then write a note and leave it in the door, but SOMEONE DID COME TO THE DOOR ... and what's more, THEY INVITED ME INSIDE!

This was going very well indeed.  The nice lady of the house, Gail Johnson,  was very friendly, amazingly friendly, and  quite trusting, for no sooner I was inside she excused herself to take a phone call and disappeared for 10 long minutes!  Only her sleepy black dog kept me company.



I mustn't have looked very dangerous, but still,  I was surprised she left me alone for so long.  I could've  been a crook, or started exploring the house on my own, for  believe me, I wanted to do just that.



Here I stood admiring the furniture and peering just beyond into the  living room,  dying to freely wander around this great place.  I love old houses as you know, especially big ones and this is a big one! (Those of you who know me and know my blog know that my Dad always used to say "That's a big one", so I felt Dad was along on this adventure.)



Anyway,  eventually Gail returned and we had a very nice long chat after which she asked if I'd like a tour of the house.  Would I?  YES INDEEDY! ...so off we went, and now I'd like to share a little of that tour with you.  Why?  You know.  Sharing doubles the joy.  Besides, you might like to come here yourself some day, book a room at this bed and breakfast and enjoy a Country Inn Day of your own... So let's start by entering the dining room.  It's not large, but very cozy and I loved the crystal chandelier.



The dining room windows look out to a very pretty patio, and don't you love the window seat?



The patio was furnished  with  a neat canopy frame that sat ready for warm weather.  The canopy  is even equipped with  a chandelier which hangs from its center, but now in Winter it rests on the outdoor table.  Can you imagine this setting for tea or cocktails on a Summers day?



Crossing back through the foyer I headed to another window in order  to get a good view of another garden area,  and here it is.  WOW!



Isn't this marvelous?  Can you imagine it with all the trees and flowers in bloom?  I was told there are roses and honeysuckle among all the other plants.  My favorites.  Just beautiful!  I could stay here forever.  But let's move along.

How about a look at the kitchen?  Good windows, a wood floor, great big restaurant stove and oven (sorry I didn't get a better picture of the oven, but I was amazed I got as many pictures as I did.  So much to see.)   The island is a gem, an old chest Gail found  in a nearby antique shop.  Isn't it marvelous?



Gail told me  the  entire kitchen ceiling fell down one day with no warning, (that's an old house for you), but she took the opportunity to add recessed  lights in the new ceiling.  She's the kind of girl who makes lemonade out of lemons.

There was a butler's pantry too.  I love a butler's pantry, don't you?  This one was so small, but so cute and efficient.  I couldn't really get a good picture, but believe me, it was nifty.  Here's one small corner of it.



Let's move on to the library.  Ah, a library!  ...every house should have one.  A library is the perfect place to write a letter, cuddle up with a good book,  or create a post for your blog.



Are you enjoying the tour?  I sure was, and I'm so happy to have these pictures so I can revisit this great house  with you.   But now let's go upstairs.



I was so impressed with all the wood paneling on both sides of the stairs... you just don't see this sort of thing very often in modern houses.



The views  from the upstairs balcony and the leaded front windows were terrific.  Looking down into the foyer or out into the front yard... well, I was impressed.



But there's one more thing I want to show you, well really three more things --- two bedrooms and a bath.






The bedrooms and baths were comfy, but unpretentious.  Gail wanted them to look their age and they do.

Sorry I didn't take pictures of the nanny's room, the maid's quarters, or the room where the chauffeur stayed in days gone by.  The chauffeur had a small door in his room that led to a private staircase taking him directly to the garage.  How neat is that?  He also had an old fashioned water closet.  (That's a tiny closet with just enough room for a toilet).  So many nooks and crannies in this house.  So many back stairways and halls.  Everything was wonderful!

Well, there you have it.  The O'Neil House.  You probably didn't expect to tour a great  historic house today, but then,  neither did I when I set out on my last Country Inn Day Adventure.  I simply reached out in friendship but I got a whole lot  more in the bargain.  I'll be writing Gail soon and you can write her too.  (Gail Johnson, The O'Neil House, 1290 West Exchange Street, Akron, Ohio,44313)  You might also want to schedule a tea at her place or book a room.  If you do any of those things be sure to  tell Gail that  CarolAnn sent you, and give her a big  hello from me.  She really made my day with her friendly hospitality and the generous sharing of her beautiful home.  Gail obviously subscribes to my theory - sharing doubles the joy!

I hope you enjoyed coming along with me on my adventure.   I can't wait for the next one, but I do like to mix things up.  My next Country Inn Day may be more quiet --- maybe a spa day.  We'll just have to wait and see.  But maybe it's time for you to have a little adventure of your own.   You really should.

Adventure Days are Great!

My Friend Phil

[caption id="attachment_359" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Phil and his Punxsutawney friends[/caption]Hi there!  I want you to meet my friend.  It's Phil.  He's the furry fellow second from the left.  I'm so very lucky to have many friends.  I have my delightful  local friends, my wonderful pen friends, all my outstanding "dead friends" and of course,  my  extraordinary animal friends.

Each category of friendship adds its own very special element of delight.  Each is worthy of discussion, but today, on the Eve of Groundhog Day, I'd like to focus on an animal friend, one particular animal friend I've had the pleasure of knowing since I was a very little girl.  That fellow is none other than Groundhog Phil.

You've probably heard of him.  Phil is a famous weather  man, (well, not really a weather man!  He's a weather critter)  from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.  Phil was the first to predict just when Spring will arrive based on seeing his shadow or not seeing it.  He's had  lots of copy cats, but isn't that what always happens when people and critters spot a good idea?

I had the opportunity to meet Phil and get to know  his world first hand because my father happens to be from Punxsutawney too, just like Phil, and I've been to their sweet Pennsylvania town many times over the years.  You may have seen Phil in the movies, but I have had the good fortune of seeing him many times in person.  Don't you love to meet celebrities?

Phil lives in a neat groundhog  abode equipped with everything a groundhog could want.  It's built into  a lovely modern public building  with a big, fancy picture window.  His home  is located right in the center of Punxsy's town square.   Location!  Location!  It's not surprising  to find him in such a cushy residence  because after all, you wouldn't expect a famous personality to live in a dump, now would you?   There, in his own private world, he has fun lounging about, enjoying  the good life, with a great view of the town he loves so much,  the  town that put him on the map - made him world famous.  Of course like all celebrities he has to sacrifice privacy.  The picture window he likes so much allowing him to look out at the world  also allows his many fans to spy on his every move --- fans like me!

You would be impressed to see the statue of Phil in downtown Punxsutawney, but it's no surprise for a famous townsman -- oops, townscritter, to  be memorialized in this manner.  After all, Phil is not only a famous weather critter, he's also a  movie star.  You must've seen his film, Groundhog Day, where he co-starred with Bill Murray, but if you haven't seen it yet, or even if you have,  tomorrow would be the perfect day to watch it again or for the first time.

[caption id="attachment_361" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A scene from Phil's hit movie, GROUNDHOG DAY[/caption]

I'll have to make a point to schedule one of my next Country Inn Days in  Punxsutawney, pay Phil a call, and visit a few country cousins while I'm at it.  Groundhog Day would be the perfect time for such an outing, but then again, any time is a good time to visit friends and family, isn't it?   Come to think of it, Phil would  probably be too busy on Groundhog Day for company anyway.

So if you're looking for a really different escape from your work-a-day world take a jaunt over to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and if you drop over at Phil's place say hello to him for me.  I'm happy I could give you this idea and  share my friend with you today.  You know what I always say ---sharing doubles the joy!   And by reminding you about Groundhog Day a day early you still have a little time to plan your Groundhog Day party.  (I bet you almost forgot.)  That's what I'm going to do right now...so I guess I'll just catch you later... and one more thing.

HAVE YOURSELF A HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY

PS - Meet one of those country cousins,  Jason.  A director of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club— a Punxy man and proud of it!

[caption id="attachment_378" align="aligncenter" width="470"] Cousin Jason[/caption]