Cap'n Jonny B

Once upon a time there be a wee lad, coming nigh of the age of a mere six summers. He dreamed of the High Seas and of Pirate Ships and swords and such. His name was Jonny B. “Avast, all ye Buckos,” he’d say, “and beware me mighty blade! You’ll not be hornswagglin’ me out of me hard-thieved booty!” The Jolly Roger was aswayin’ in the breeze of the darkenin’ storm high above the Crow’s Nest. Even though Cap’n Jonny B was just a young lad, he had the courage of a wizened Old Salt. He’d battled the Black Savage before and knew he was a rough and tumble Scallywag. But he also knew the Savage’s one fatal flaw...The Old Seadog couldn’t resist Gobstoppers or Goobers! The Seaworthy Cap’n Jonny B always kept a stash of each on hand, hidden up high in burlap sacks tied to the Main Mast and hanging above the Poop Deck. (Yes, Mateys, the Poop Deck! And no, Mateys, that's not whatcha do on it!) The brave Cap’n took his cutlass in hand, and with one measured blow unleashed the contents of the bags! “Blimey, and blow me down!” cried the Black Savage as these tasty goodies landed at his dirty feet. He stroked his greasy beard, his head swam, and he felt dizzy at the sight of these tempting treasures! As the Old Scoundrel of a Buccaneer bent down to gather up a hefty handful of booty, the Brave Cap’n Jonny B swooped in and effortlessly shoved his enemy overboard! Cap’n Jonny B stood at the edge of the bow, one leg hefted onto the brim of his faithful sailing vessel, and watched as The Black Savage was taken below water by the dreaded Sea Monster. Feeling mighty proud of himself, The Young and Handsome Cap’n took hold of the wheel and turned his ship into the vibrant colors of the setting sun, knowing all too well that another day meant another Man-O-War on the horizon!

Wishing You a Faerie Happy Valentine's Day!

Once upon a time there was a Young Man who was minding his own business, living his own life, when suddenly he heard a Voice.

He looked up to see a Young Lady singing. Her Beautiful Face and her Melodic Voice captured his attention and he forgot all else, nudging his fellow companion and asking, “Who is that Girl?”

As the days passed, they quickly turned into years. The young man, though clearly spreading his affections far and wide, never lost sight of this Unapproachable Lass. She continued to flit in and out of his mind, his thoughts, and actually his personal space, apparently not even knowing that he existed!

One day, as he sat in a pew attending a wedding, he turned in his seat to watch the bridesmaids saunter down the aisle in their pastel gowns, holding parasols. His world literally spun into slow motion, for coming straight down that aisle towards him was The One He’d Heard so long ago. Everything faded into the background. All he saw was Her.

The days continued to pass, and not so very quickly.

Finally, getting up the courage to grab The Fair One’s attention, the Young Adventurer stood in line. Well, he had to. She was flipping burgers at an outdoor gathering. He told himself that if the crowd vanished as he approached her, he’d say it.

Wouldn’t you know that not one single soul was in the courtyard as the Tentative Young Lad stood right before the Vision Who Was Flipping Burgers? He looked all around and could not believe his eyes. They had all vanished.

It had to be Magic.

So as she stared at him, waiting for his order, he cleared his voice and said, “I made a decision today.”

She looked him straight in the eye and said, “Oh, yeah? What’s that?”

He very boldly said, “I decided to Marry You.”

With that, the Vivacious Femme Fetale threw back her head and laughed wholeheartedly. It was the laugh that he had grown to love from afar, which he could, for it was very, very loud!

Instantly she said, “Well, just keep believing.”

And apparently He did. For the next time he saw Her walking down an aisle in a long gown, it was to Him and Him Alone.

The Young Lass who had flitted in and out of his mind and thoughts had captured his heart and soul for life. And The Persistant Young Man, with his unwavering showers of affection, won her heart, her soul, and her very loud laugh, for ever and ever.

(And that is A Flourished Tale about how I met my husband 32 years ago. Happy Valentine's! I Love You!)

Link-ed Together

Fairytales do come true. And we had one come true last night - the birth of our grandson, Link.

We are now inseparably Link-ed Together.

Highgrove

If you want a Fairytale Wedding, then you need to take a look at the Highgrove in Fuquay-Varina. It is truly a magical setting in which to walk down the aisle to the Love of Your Life.

I was just there last weekend at their Open House, but you don't need to wait for another Open House to go see everything they have to offer. You won't be disappointed. We weren't. Our son and his wife were married there in November of 2008 when the reception was held in their magnificent tent. Now they've built a Ballroom that is spectacular. And don't worry, there's plenty of room on the floor for dancing your night away!

If you want the moon to rise above you and the sounds of the water behind you as you take your vows on the grounds of a quintessential Southern Manor, then you won't need to look any further.

Jorma and Devon's Flourished Tale

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away (Texas), a handsome and sweet little boy was born (in less than one hour) into a warm and loving (and very tired) family. He grew up, flourishing between his older sister (the little princess) and his younger brother (who always got his way).

Five years later (well, almost five years later…a mere day short of it), in a land far, far away (Florida) from this little boy, a vivacious and beautiful little girl was born (also in less than an hour) into the eager arms of her Mother. This little girl grew up under the watchful eye and fun-loving spirit of her Doting Older Sister.

When the little boy was two years old, he was whisked away (well, by his parents, of course) in a horse-drawn carriage (a V-8 to be exact) along with his siblings (who only asked one hundred times, “Are we there yet?”) to live happily in Virginia… until he was nine.

Not allowing any grass to grow for too long under their aching feet, the parents of this youth swooped him up (or actually made him hop in the car all by himself) and ventured forth into the Land of the Lovely Evergreen Pines (Raleigh), leaving their home and livestock (“Baby,” the dog) behind.

It is here that this fair-haired youth grew up into an intelligent (true), artistic (true), and dashing (true) young man.

Now, we have not forgotten this little feminine gem that had been sparkling and thriving in the heat of the Florida sun all this time. In fact, it got so hot in Florida, that when this fair young maiden became, well, a Fair Young Maiden, she decided to venture forth into a land that was milder. So she saddled her horse (a V6) all by herself (because not only was she a striking beauty, but also a fearless one) and made haste to the hospitality of her Aunt and Uncle who lived quietly with their Gifted and Handsome son in the woods of the Evergreen Pines.

Ah Hah! The plot thickens!

The Fair Young Maiden and the Dashing Youth now found themselves living not so Far, Far Away!

In fact, as it happens in Fairytales, their paths were destined to cross.

Unbeknownst to The Fair Young Maiden, her cousin (you know, The Gifted and Handsome One) had been dueling demons and all manner of fierce foes (and by that I mean, video games) for years alongside the Dashing Youth.

It came on a day that this Dashing Youth made his way in full armour (t-shirt and torn jeans) to be at The Gifted One’s side, to once again battle their foes together (that battle just went on and on and on).

As this Dashing Youth entered The Gifted One’s castle, his Universe changed course, for there, blinding him with her sparkling (albeit really, really young) beauty was our Fair Young Maiden.

Their eyes met.

In an instant, the miles between them closed. Once far, far away from each other, they now inhabited the same hour, the same day, the same minute, the same second, the same moment in time...shall I go on?

His battle now became one to win her heart, her mind, and her soul.

She pierced his heart with her beauty and adoration. He captured her heart with his kindness and gentle spirit.

She reached out her hand to him as he reached out his hand to her, and they walked, hand-in-hand (obviously), into the warmth of the Evergreen Pine’s sunset.

Thus begins the tale of the Dashing Youth and the Fair Young Maiden…

The Flourished Tale of Stewart and Kristen

Once upon a time, there was a ravishingly beautiful Young Maiden who traveled abroad to England to study for a year. Unbeknownst to her, there was a very dashing and intelligent Young Man who had simultaneously ventured to Spain and France to further his studies.

It came upon a day that both made the trek to London to witness the premiere of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. You see, they were both great fans.

As Stewart stood in the relentless cold and rain, straining for a glimpse of the famous cast, his eyes chanced to fall upon a most stunning image. Out of the mist emerged the luminous face of the Fair Lady Kristen.

Time stood still. Magic Happened. The crowd parted, making the path of Destiny open to only the two of them. The spell was cast, and Stewart was forever to remain entranced by her.

But that spell also spun its web to encompass The Fair Maiden. For to her, in that split second, her Knight in Shining Armour, the one she had been waiting for her whole life, came into view.

She was inexorably drawn to him, and he was helplessly drawn to her.

All the Wizards in the all the Worlds could never separate them from that day forward, for their souls had become one.

And they lived Magically Ever After…

Just Getting Started

Welcome to my new blog. I am just getting started with it, but wanted you to be in on the ground floor.

I am a professional calligrapher, born and bred right here in Raleigh.

And just like I love Raleigh, I also love lettering and writing. So, why not put the two artistic avenues together?

I will soon be offering to tell your unique Fairytale, flourishing not only with the calligraphic pen but with words also.

Pictured above is my pencil sketch that I worked on this afternoon. Next will come the watercolored finished piece. I am thinking it will probably be the header for this blog as well as used on my business cards.

Has a dream come true for you? Would you like it told in a whimsical, fairytale way with beautiful lettering? How did The Bride meet The Groom? This could be a keepsake handed down from you to your children. You could have the story of your child's birth as a lovely piece of art.

Start thinking of which dream came true for you. And then let me tell it...Once upon a time...