Karen's Blog

Growing a Pumpkin in the Garden

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:11:51 -0500

Every year, we strive to grow a perfect pumpkin in the garden to celebrate the warm autumn days and the Halloween holiday. This year, we are extremely proud of our efforts.

Meanwhile, on Fort Myers Beach, the 1st Annual Fort Myers Beach Art and Pumpkin Festival is taking place at Bay Walk Place on San Carlos Blvd between 3rd Street and the Harbor on Fort Myers Beach, Florida, Oct. 24-Oct. 25, 2009. Festival hours are: Sat., Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m and Sun., Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Bay Walk Group, which includes the Yucatan Beach Stand Bar & Grill, Smokin' Oyster Brewery, Snug Harbor Restaurant, Matanzas Inn and Restaurant, and Shipwreck Treasures expects 6,000 Festival goers to enjoy a memorable experience with a special display of sand artists in the Shipwreck Pirate Photo Area, a contest for "Picasso's of pumpkin carvers" sculpting and shaping pumpkins, a stage in Pumpkin Village (Snug Harbor area) with contests and live entertainment for the whole family, harvest-inspired Art & Crafts, the tastiest pumpkin foods/drinks on the planet, entertainment at each of the Bay Walk Group establishments, and the never-ending search for the Great Pumpkin waiting to be chosen from the rustic pumpkin patch. Unfortunately, my pupmpkin is not quite ready for picking, needs another couple of days. Photos below:

If it's November in Florida, it must be time for a Wedding

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:51:45 -0500

. . . . . a Tropical Beach Wedding. November is a bit of a secret in Florida. It's one of the best times to live here. The weather is simply wonderful, bright, sunny days with temps reaching the high 70's or low 80's and sultry evening. And, we're not yet crowded with visitors from cold northern places. November is a time for us locals to enjoy our beaches and the beauty of the tropics. It's also the time for a tropical wedding on the beach at sunset. I've presided over such an event on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. I specialize in the "Romantic Ceremony." Just as the sun begins its descent into the greenish ocean and the colors of the rainbow appear for decoration, I begin the ceremony with a poem that brings together a timeless ritual with timeless beauty:

Light the first light of evening
In which we rest and, for small reason, think
The world imagined is the ultimate good.

This is, therefore, the intensest rendezvous.
It is in that thought that we collect ourselves,
Out of all the indifferences, into one thing:

Within a single thing, a single shawl
Wrapped tightly round us, since we are poor, a warmth,
A light, a power, the miraculous influence.

Here, now, we forget each other and ourselves.
We feel the obscurity of an order, a whole,
A knowledge, that which arranged the rendezvous.

To book a wedding ceremony on Fort Myers Beach at sunset, call 239-849-3064 or email: Bythesearentals@aol.com. Optional plans include weekend or weekly rental of beach place.

David Letterman and the Old Hollywood Criteria

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:51:26 -0500

I'm not one of those fascinated by the lives of celebrities. I'm far too busy, and in any case, celebrities make me yawn. I'm far more interested in the goings on of the people involved in my own life and what is happening on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Still, once in awhile, a headline will capture my attention. So, David Letterman goes on his show and announces that someone is trying to extort money from him by threatening to reveal that good old Dave has had affairs with female staff members. The media was quick to point out that good old Dave was not married at the time. He was living with his current wife at the time, however. And how totally embarrassed she must be. I learned a of lot from the media blitz that is still following this story. I learned of the criteria of good old Dave to work on his show. And that is an old Hollywood criteria. The Technology keeps improving, but the games remain the same.

Good Old Dave

My Memory of Ted Kennedy, Senator . . . . .

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:16:12 -0500

I met him once at a party, Senator Ted Kennedy, that is. In hyannisPort. It was a party for him in the 1980's to mark his 25the year anniversary in the Senate. I was invited by someone who had been actually invited to the party . . in a way.

I was 19, 20 maybe. I had heard about the party the week before and decided it would be fun to go. I had been down to Hyannis many weekends and had friends there, but no one who knew the Kennedys. Still, I figured that I was sure to meet someone that weekend who had been invited. At the time, I was attending college and working part time as a legal secretary. I flew out of my law office in Salem that Friday afternoon, my suitcases already in the car and began the two hour drive. I checked into that little motel on Main street and hurried over to Harry's Bar and Grill. The Kennedy's went there sometimes, I had been told, though never when I was around for the weekends. Still,I was friends with the owners of Harry's, Eddie and Dana, and the town was overflowing for the party. I was certain to meet some invited guest, some male in need of a date for the party.

After an evening of investigation and flirting, I finally met someone going to the party . . . the caterer. He liked me a lot and agreed to take me. We had it all planned. I would go in his catering truck and then disappear into the crowd and be a guest. It worked. I sat with a group of people and explained that my date was late. I was so excited to go to the party, to the "compound." There was a large large tent set up with bars on all sides. A buffet filled with shrimp and lobster, etc. And lots of people and an orchestra and then a "roast." I had a great time. After the roast, I spied him standing talking to some people and I went up to him and said, "Hi, Ted." he turned away from his friends and looked at me, squinting at me, trying to recognize me, but, of course he didn't know me. Then he held out his hand. I did likewise. He didn't shake it, simply held it a moment and smiled into my eyes. Later in the evening, his daughter, Kara, passed me and said "Nice dress." I had only taken hours to prepare. For that 20 year old young woman, it was a thrilling evening. I wish now that I had been older, more mature, for this party, as I would have conversed with him more, discussed issues, life, philosophy. But, then again, had I been older, more mature, I probably wouldn't have crashed the party in the first place. There were no camera phones then, so I have no photos to mark that occasion, just the ones in mind.

So, thank you, Caterer. I don't remember your name. You were too busy cleaning up to drive me back to the motel. I hitched a ride with some other guests and drove home the next day and never saw you again. But, thank you.

And, rest in peace, sweet Prince, from Fort Myers Beach, Florida

My Tribute to Farah Fawcett

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:20:33 -0500

My Tribute to Farah Fawcett

Model: Karen Nichols of Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Photographer: Lloyd Nichols

Rest in peace, sweet Angel.

Books to Read on Vacation: Griffin & Sabine's Extraordinary Journey

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:09:07 -0500

These are stressful days. With the enconny and housing market still in the doldrums and job security or finding a job at all a major issue, vacations are more important than ever. Even a couple of days on a Florida beach to totally relax . . . . . I've always been an avid reader, although these days, I don't read as much I would like. I'm busy and my other interests, such as painting and writing, interfere with this most basic pleasure.

One day last month, I was out shopping and happened to come upon this most beautiful looking book. I briefly scanned through the pages and was amazed to see the unbelievable art contained in the book; yet, the inside cover advised that this was indeed a novel. I purchased the book and could not put it down. I then learned that this was a trilogy and ordered the other two of the series on Amazon.

The first book of the series is subtitled, "An Extraordinary Correspondence." Extraordinary doesn't even begin to describe the thought-provoking postcards and letters that reveal the story of Griffin Moss, an English artist, and Sabine Strohem, the woman who can "see" his paintings even though she lives an ocean away from him. Griffin eventually becomes unable to handle the relationship, questioning whether Sabine even exists, and disappears. From the formalness of their first postcards to the revealing intimacy of their final letters, Bantock's art gives the reader a delightfully tactile tour of their developing relationship. Bantock's art is amazing; his style ranges from looser "nature" prints for Sabine's postcards to precise, whimsical oil and acrylic paintings for Griffin's correspondence.

These books were written in the early 1990's. Where have I been? I need to take more vacations to read.

Field of Dreams

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:34:21 -0500

It was rather a feeling than a voice, and the feeling said: Go there and you will be happy.

I grew up in the suburbs of Massachusetts, 20 miles or so north of Boston, the North Shore. The next town over was Salem, home to the witches. The North Shore is beautiful in all four seasons, particulary fall, but summer is short, sometimes non-existeant, the same for spring, and winter is long and all consuming. I never liked the cold, even as a child.

When I was no longer a child, I had a feeling and the feeling said: Go there and you will be happy. The feeling brought me to Florida.

A strong wind was blowing over the island and the algae blew in so it looked more I was walking along an ocean of green grass.

My field of dreams is tropical and green and located on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. This is where the feeling led me.

For a dream vacation, feel free to contact me.

By The Sea Rentals

239-849-3064

Bythesearentals@aol.com

Sweet Beach Cottage on Fort Myers Beach

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:49:00 -0500

Nestled in the midst of colorful tropical gardens is a sweet beach cottage on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. I love cottages. Beach cottages, mountain cottages, country cottages. Perhaps because cottages are inherently romantic and often out of the way.

The cottage below is a studio, sleeps 3, full kitchen. There are glimpses of the bay from the deck. Short walk to beach and restaurants and shops. Very Private. For the artist, naturalist or vacationer seeking a relaxing place to come to after a day at the beach.

Summer Rate: $375 Weekly

By The Sea Rentals

239-849-3064

Bythesearentals@aol.com

You Will Sell That House in April if . . . . . .

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:59:10 -0500

Realtor, if there is conferate jasmine present on the property filtering the air with the power of it sultry bloom, you will sell that house in April.

A true Florida garden contains confederate jasmine. A true Florida gardener waits all year for April, the month the Confederate jasmine deems fit to bloom.

Warm spring-summer Florida April nights, the moon hanging so low you can almost touch the sweet scent of confederate jasmine fill the air on these lazy Southern evenings.

Confederate Jasmine is hardy in zone 8 where it thrives in moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Partial shade is a great location for best growth and flowering although it will grow in full sun or shade. It has an aggressive nature, but is not difficult to control.

Pruning is a practice that Confederate Jasmine benefits from and can be used to keep it in good shape. Since it blooms on last year's growth, wait until after flowering (April-May) to trim. Hedge shears may be used. Trimmings can be used to start new Confederate Jasmine plants. June and July are reported to be the best times for propagation, but it may root most any time of the year.

Below are photos of one of my Conferate Jasmine in my Fort Myers Beach garden. I was fortunate enough to obtain a new area of Jasmine in front of my garden from a trimming of my prized Jasmine vine on the right side. It's not easy to do, and I have failed before, but not this time.

the new area of jasmine draping the mailbox . . . .

taken from a jasmine vine on the right side of the house.

These flowers also are blooming in my yard in April. They are not Jasmine. There is no scent to them. Their bloom is a cold beauty, and they are toxic. They are Oleander. Make sure to keep your pooch away from them.

The Color of Beaches

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:55:07 -0500

The Color of Beaches

A Thousand Beaches

And only One Sunset

Highlighting

Pure Pearl Floridian sand

New England's Brown crystalline dirt

Tourists in winter painfully Pink

President of South Africa

President of America

Both Amazingly Black,

Purple streaks in the sky

Give way to night

A sultry sultry darkness,

I smell the ocean's greenness

The White Jasmine an April memory.

Join Me For a Wedding At Sunset on Fort Myers Beach

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:00:40 -0500

If there's a wedding taking place at sunset along the Fort Myers Beach coastline of Florida, it must be springtime. I performed a wedding ceremony this past weekend. The sunset was kaleidoscopic; the bride was nervous; the weather was perfect. In moments such as these standing there witnessing my world, as those miraculous sunset colors in the sky fade and darkness descends, I most appreciate my life on this intimate little island.

Below, I sign and notarize the Wedding License on a boat anchored on the sand:

To book a wedding with me or if you just would like to stay at a romantic place for a week or weekend, contact me at 239-849-3064 or email me at: bythesearentals@aol.com

A Word About . . . Farah

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:22:51 -0500

They say that she is lying unconscious in a hospital bed, dying of cancer. How can they possibly be? I remember this young child, a little girl, watching her every week in this silly TV show, you know the one, the one about three female detectives, all beautiful, sophisticated and caring. The remake movies were a sham. Those remade angels were played without heart or soul.

Of course, that young child was me. And just now, the musical theme from that silly TV show is running through my mind . . . and so, this blog.

They say that Farah deeply regretted quitting the show after that one season. But, when she dies, they will call her an Angel one more time.

Weddings on the Beach

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:54:00 -0500

Come April, if you are walking or running along Fort Myers Beach, Florida, you'll most likely see a wedding taking place somewhere on our seven mile stretch of white sand. The white sands just outside of the Pink Shell and Diamonhead are popular spots for beach weddings, but you don't need the sponsorship of a resort. All you need is a license, a Justice of the Peace and a couple of witnesses. Then, choose a select piece of white sand and take your vows. Sunset is the most popular time of day for beach weddings.

As a Notary Public, I perform weddings on the beach. I perform a "poetic" ceremony. The couple may speak their own vows or the traditional ones. To book my services, call 239-849-3064 or email: KarenEnichols@aol.com

My wedding ceremony opening poem:

For romantic places to stay on Ft. Myers Beach after the ceremony, visit: www.bythesearental.com

November Novel Writing Month: An Exerpt

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:25:25 -0600

November Novel Writing Month has been taking place for years. Run by www.nanowrimo.org, you may go to that website for more information. It's a little late to sign up now, but there's always next year. The point is to write a 50,000 word novel in one month. I decided to try it this year. I write in different places, at home, at the library, at a coffee place on Estero Blvd., here on Fort Myers Beach, but write I must if I hope to complete this project. The first week ends tonight. I am up nearly 11,000 words. Three weeks and another 39,000 words to go.

An Exerpt from my novel: (Did I mention that my main characater is a Realtor and that the setting is Fort Myers Beach, Florida)

When introduced to Patti Harrison at the first Happy Hour convention by their broker, Sal, Patti shook Jan's hand warmly. Her bouncy brown eyes indicated a lighthearted, unreserved nature. By the way, I never slept with Eric, though I am married to George. Jan got the joke but didn't know quite how to react.

Too bad about Eric, she finally blurted out and the office crowd cracked up, as did the bartender who hovered over them as if he was one of them. In fact, Sal was so amused that he bought everyone another round of beers. Jan, who didn't think her response particularly clever, would have preferred a glass of wine, but kept quiet about it in an effort to fit in with these crazy Florida Realtors.

As it happened, Patti Harrison had been born Patti DelMarco. She married a young real estate lawyer named George Harrison. She was, indeed, Patti Harrison. The next week, just three days before her real state license exam, Jan received a call from Patti and an invitation to lunch. They met upstairs at the Beached Whale. Their table overlooked Estero Boulevard and beyond, the greenish waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Sylvia Plath

Quotes from The President

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:56:40 -0500

On a cold morning here on Fort Myers Beach, with the election right around the corner, I'd like to share some quotes, not from Obama or McCain,but from a great past American President, John F. Kennedy.

On Democrats Vs. Republicans
We have all made mistakes. But Dante tells us that divine
justice weighs the sins of the cold-blooded and the sins
of the warm-hearted on different scales. Better the
occasional faults of a party living in the spirit of
charity than the consistent omissions of a party
frozen in the ice of its own indifference.

On the Economy
Economic growth without social progress lets
the great majority of the people remain in
poverty, while a privleged few reap the benefits
of rising abundance.

On Education
A child miseducated is a child lost.

Education...is the mainspring of our economic and
social progress...It is the hightest expression
of achievement in our society, ennobling and
enriching human life.

On the Environment
It is our task in our time and in our generation to
hand down undiminished to those who come after us,
as was handed down to us by those who went before,
the natural wealth and beauty which is ours.
John F. Kennedy, March 1961

Never before has man had such capacity to control
his own environment, to end thrist and hunger, to
conguer poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy
and massive human misery. We have the power to make
this the best generation of mankind in the history
of the world--or to make it the last.

On Equality
This nation was founded by men of many nations and
backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that
all men are created equal and that the rights of
every man are diminished when the rights of one man
are threatened.
John F. Kennedy 6-11-1963

On the Future
"I look forward to a great future for America,
a future in which our country will match its
military strength with our moral restraint,
its wealth with our wisdom, its power with our
purpose. . . . And I look forward to an America
which commands respect throughout the world not
only for its strength but for its
civilization as well."

The Last Rock Stars

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:16:24 -0500

This poem was inspired by the fact that I no longer know or care that I don't know the latest music.

The Last Rock Stars

Firstly, there was Bob

a folk artist going astray

Neil from the north country

strumming and strunged out

Eric making love to his guitar

and George's alluring wife

Jethro hypnotizing his flute

no longer too young to die

Brazen belting Bruce

and his Jersey beach town

Freddie being positive

Kurt taking his own life

due to Georgia's son, Michael

Lars riding that freight train.

Lastly, Steven Patrick Smiths

And Paul David Hewson

The voices of these two

Remaining with me in tune,

No other appears

Over these many years.

- written by Karen Nichols, Fort Myers Beach, Florida

The Long Hot Summer

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:42:23 -0500

The Long Hot Florida Summer is finally over. As I sit in the office at the computer here on this little island, Fort Myers Beach, windows open, I feel the longed for cool breeze on my shoulders(to northerners, this would, most likely, feel like a warm, summer breeze). Below are memories from Summer, 2008, from June at doggie beach with Mimi through Fourth of July to my husband's birthday in September.

10 Years on Fort Myers Beach

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:55:54 -0500

It will be coming upon 10 years since we purchased our home on Fort Myers Beach. That seems like a long time to me. People think of island communities as being filled with tourists and transients. But, in fact, there are many long time residents here among the approximate 6500 full time residents. Across the street, there is Susan, who has lived in her house for over 40 years. Her disabled son lives with her. Her brother, Jack, owned and ran shrimp boats. He was an unusual man(an attorney who turned to the sea for his living) and was known far and wide. When he died, Susan had to sell the shrimp boats. A couple of houses down, there is Bonnie. She brought up her children at her place. Her oldest son is now 40, married, living in Seattle. Soon, the tourists and snowbirds will begin their trek down to us and our population will swell and there will be traffic. They will enjoy the magic of our island for a week or two or a few months, and then come spring, they will all leave, and Bonnie and Susan and the rest of us will enjoy the quiet and relaxing joy of island living.

Real Estate News by Carl Sandburg

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:30:58 -0500

From Fort Myers Beach to Chicago, Realtors, for your dining pleasure:

Real Estate News

ARMOUR AVENUE was the name of this street and door signs on empty houses read "The Silver Dollar," "Swede Annie" and the Christian names of madams such as "Myrtle" and "Jenny."
Scrap iron, rags and bottles fill the front rooms hither and yon and signs in Yiddish say Abe Kaplan & Co. are running junk shops in whore houses of former times.
The segregated district, the Tenderloin, is here no more; the red-lights are gone; the ring of shovels handling scrap iron replaces the banging of pianos and the bawling songs of pimps. Chicago, 1915.

-by Carl Sandburg

Feng Shui and Decorating with Flowers

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:59:36 -0500

Whether contemplating an Open House or making your own home a place you want to be, remember that decorating with certain Flowers bring about positive chi, such as the Sunflower for its stability and endurance. The color yellow brings light and life into a room, much like the rising sun in the morning. Yellow brightens any space and is welcoming. It's an excellent choice for children's rooms as well as the family and living room and kitchen. Yellow brings the feng shui energy of fire in a gentler way than Red and also is thought to increase self-estem. For Feng Shui purposes, use hot Yellow in moderation in the feng shui areas of East and South East areas of yoiur home. For Open Houses, placing a large vase of yellow sunflowers on that granite counter in the kitchen will be both eyecatching and welcoming. In my garden on Fort Myers Beach, Florida, my beach sunflowers grow all year round. For most residents of these United States, sunflowers may be purchased at the florist most of the year.

Cape Coral Art Studio

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:45:11 -0500

For those of you who will be in the Fort Myers/Cape Coral area this season and for residents who may not be aware of it, Cape Coral has an absolutely wonderful Art Studio located on Coronado, not from from the Parkway, featuring two find art galleries that display work from top local and Florida artists. Year round classes in a variety of mediims are offered, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, sketching and drawing, photography and jewelry making. Summer camp is also offered for children.

Cape Coral Arts Studio
4533 Cornado Pkwy.
Cape Coral, FL 33904
239-574-0802

Open House Flowers

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:43:50 -0500

I've given different ideas about how to put on a successful Open House. I had a great response and many emails from agents who read my blog about holding an art exhibit freaturing the works of local artists at Open Houses.

Another, more basic way to dress up an empty house would be to place a vase filled with gorgeous flowers on a prominent counter. In summer, let me suggest large sunflowers. If the house is a little musty and stuffy from being vacant, choose a more fragrant flower flower arrangement such as gardenia and with Autumn coming on down the road, a great choice may be a mixed bouquet containing the amazing colors of fall.

As for the expense of the flowers, when the Open House is over, you will have gorgeous flowers to bring home or a great gift for your wife or girlfriend. For a great local florist in the Fort Myers and Fort Myers beach area, to: ftmyersflowerdelivery.com

A variance on this theme would be to fill up a box with flowers, place them on the counter, and give one to each person who attends.

Florida Women

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:43:00 -0500

Florida Women . . . . .

Make angels in the pure white sand

Pink low tide bikinis

Challenged by a bombardment

Of ivory seashells and blue-black rocks

After the storm

The sand disappears

Everything is flat at the Florida beach

Except the Florida women

Their sun strewn hair

Blowing in the winds

Of just after

Their green eyes as wise and experienced

As the sea

While the winter minds of Northern women

Wander far and wide from home.

Memory of A PBS Docudrama/Korean Real Estate

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:24:21 -0500

My niece recently wrote me an email, asking me if I had any stories about her Grandmother, my Mom, who left us several years ago. I wrote her back, relating several memorable tales. One in particular:

When I was in my late teens, I moved into my own apartment. I came over to my parent's home one evening to do some laundry. My Dad was out, at his health club, playing cards. My mom was lying in bed, doing her nails, watching TV. I went to do my laundry, was talking on the phone at bit, then I turned on the TV in the living room while waiting for my clothes to dry. There was a documentary on, must have been PBS, that I started to get into. It was about a man flying over Korea during the Korean war. He was either a Congressman or a Reporter. I don't remember which. Anyway, they ran into enemy fire and the plane was shot down. The pilot was dead. The man(either a pilot or congressman) got fragments in his eye and was blind. He couldn't see and the plane had been shot down in enemy territory, in North Korea. The man wandered about a bit in darkness. Then, a little girl came over to him. She was an orphan. Her parents had died from all of the bombings. She had survived but had no one. Somehow, she understood that he was an American and needed to get to the American lines in South Korea. She took his hand and led him there. It took several days and they had to hide at times from the North Korean soldiers, but she got him to an American troop in South Korea, just over the line. The doctors immediately took him to operate to remove the metal from his eyes. The operation was successful and he could see again. He looked for the little girl who had saved him but couldn't find her. Then, he was leaving to go home to the United States and just as he was stepping into the airplane, he saw her in the field. He ran to her, grabbed her and took her with him into the plane. He brought her back to America and adopted her. When the documentary stated at the end, that he adopted her, I began to cry and went to tell my mom about this story that I was watching. I went into my Mom's room and found her crying, too. She had been watching the same show.

I never saw that show aired again. I always wanted to know who it was about. Are there any Realtors out there who were watching PBS 20 or so years ago?

Memory of a Memory of a Memory/Built-In Bookcases

Karen Nichols (Closings, Signings and Weddings) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:03:07 -0500

I was attempting this morning in a slow, sultry Florida September way those once in awhile cleaning chores, dusting the books in the bookshelves. I have a few bookshelves, both built in and standing, and I realized when I saw the amount of dust that it had been awhile. As I picked up another dusty volume, I happened to note its identity, one of my favorite novels, Just Above My Head, by James Baldwin. I dusted the book and then brought it with me to the sofa and sat down and opened it. I have read it 10 times at least, but my mind wasn't on the James Baldwin's words, but rather on his death, several years ago.

When I learned of Baldwin's death, I was sitting at a bar in Peabody, Massachusetts. I was in my mid-20's and had just left the office. I decided to stop at Brody's to visit with my friend, T.J., the bartender and grill cook. I often made a little detour in order to have a drink and chat with him after work. We were the same age. He had just been dumped by his wife and I had just left my fiance. We were both from Peabody, though I was now living in Marblehead. We had met at Brody's and had become friends. I advised him of legal matters regarding his wife and daughter. He advised me to move on from my fiance. We were chatting about the usual when he left me momentarily to serve customers. I picked up the newspaper, the Peabody Times, that was laying upon the bar. I idly leafed through the pages when a headline on the Obit Page drew my attention. Author, James Baldwin, had died.

The first time that I read James Baldwin was in College. I remember the Professor to this day, a southern middle-aged man who fancied himself extremely amusing and smoked cigarettes in the classroom. It was a class in Modernist writers, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Faulkner and Baldwin. Towards the end of the semester, we came to our novel by Baldwin, called Giovanni's Room. This was a short novel and I read in easily in one seating. After finishing the book, I recall that I just sat there for a long spell, digesting it.

At that time, I was 19, and considered myself sophisticated and worldly. After all, I read the Rolling Stone and the Boston Phoenix. I laugh now of how I thought of myself, when in truth, I was immature and unworldly. I had never before read a book about homosexuals. Yes, I had heard comics on TV joke, etc. I was shocked actually by the novel. The story concerned an American man who went for an extended vacation in Europe after finishing college. In spite of his father's pleas to come home, he continued to travel about and became engaged to a Swedish, or Danish woman, but while she was visiting her family, he became involved with an Italian man named Givoanni. Through the narration of the story, it came out that he had had these desires since adolescence. Giovanni's Room is, as I stated above, a short novel, but compelling. Something else compelling: When the professor was discussing the novel with his students, he asked us if the characters were black or white. In this novel, Baldwin had written his characters in a race neutral manner, meaning that most people would assume that they were white, though Baldwin himself was black. It had never occurred to me that Baldwin was black from reading this novel. His other novels are another matter. The semester ended. I received a good grade. In the months that followed, I read every novel that James Baldwin wrote. Most of his other novels concerned obviously "black" characters. That was the point, in fact, to depict black people.

What's so Interesting, T.J asked me. He had finished with his customers and had brought me another drink. James Baldwin died, I answered him. Who's he? A writer, I said. T.J. didn't say anything. Just stood there behind the bar smiling at me. So, James Baldwin is dead. Whoopi doo, said Mary Ellen. I had been so engrossed in my thought that I didn't notice that she had slid into the bar stool beside me. Mary Ellen was T.J.'s twin sister. She didn't like me much. She was jealous of me, to be sure. She was jealous because I was T.J.'s "friend and confidant," not his girlfriend. This had been her role for a long time and she wasn't happy about sharing him. If I had been his girlfriend, she would have more tolerant of me.

Just Above My Head was Baldwin's last novel, his greatest in my opinion. This lengthly story centers upon Harlem in the 1950's and 1960's and a gospel singer and his brother. I was considering reading it yet again, but the day was burning outside of my protective air conditioning. The rest of the books would wait for another day to be dusted. I decided to go to The Lighthouse for a swim and a drink. My husband was working on the computer. I tell him to meet me when he is through with his work.

In this day of Internet and IPOD's, a built in bookcase is still a wonderful thing.