One of the first times I ever met my brother-in-law, before he was offically part of our family, he and my sister came to Baton Rouge to visit, and we took a little sight-seeing trip together. We drove up to St. Francisville, Louisiana, about an hour and a half away from here, and stepped back in time more than 150 years at Rosedown Plantation. It was a magical day. If you follow the link, you might be able to imagine how we lost ourselves for several hours in the beauty of the gardens and the ancient, moss-draped trees. We were feeling really mellow as we drove back to Baton Rouge. In the distance there was a faint rainbow, and my sister started telling a story about some people she knew who had found themselves standing near the end of the rainbow. My future brother-in-law and I, almost in unison, began telling her all the reasons why the story couldn't possibly be true. We tried to explain about the characteristics of rainbows and water particles and light refraction, but even before we'd finished making our points, we rounded a curve in the road and came upon exactly what we'd told her was impossible to see: the end of the rainbow.
The arc of a brightly colored rainbow came low over the treetops and ended abruptly on the shoulder of the road, less than half a mile from where we were. We watched it with wide eyes and open mouths as we slowed down and drove past it, and then we turned our heads and watched behind us until it was out of sight. It was an amazing part of a wonderful day.
I think that may have been the first day that I saw my sister's husband-to-be let his guard down enough that I could peek behind his "man's man" exterior and catch a glimpse of his softer side, the side that was rapidly winning over my sister. My sister had told me, quoting Julia Roberts' Vivian in Pretty Woman, "I want the fairy tale." On that day, I believed for the first time that she might have a real chance at getting it.
My sister and her husband have been together for a lot of years now. You'll be pleased to know that the "happily ever after" part seems to be coming along nicely.
That was a magical story and how I would have loved to have been there 'at the end of the rainbow'. I took a peek at Rosedown, (so much there so will go back and browse), I can see how easily one can lose themselves there.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to see moss hanging from trees ever since watching the Bob Ross painting series and reading James Lee Burke (are you a fan of either?).
Great post, could write more but I've gone on enough. oh btw. next time you pop by click on the door. :)
"Some dreams come true, some don't; but keep on dreamin'" Another good quote from that movie.
Sandy
just came by to say we made rings of fireflys and put them all over our faces. loved the spanish moss.
ReplyDeleteI was glad to hear "the rest of the story" about the brother-in-law. One always worries about friends who want to live a fairy tale. Too often the fairy tale turns out to be rather Grimm (pardon the pun)!
ReplyDeleteSandy: I'm not familiar with the Bob Ross painting series, and I've read some James Lee Burke that I liked and some other, not so much. BTW, I encourage the rest of you here to check out Sandy's site and, by all means, cllick on the door.
ReplyDeletePatsy: I figured y'all did that, too.
FHG Rebekah: I'm disappointed. I've always thought South Carolina would be beautiful. Must have watched Jon Voight in "Conrack" a dozen times, and it sure looked pretty when he took the whole class to Beaufort.
Annie: Good one!
Velvet, FYI...I have been to the
ReplyDeleteend of a rainbow...I have my pot
of gold!
Sweet Sister, we didn't see any pot of gold. But we did see some little bitty men in green suits dancing around right at that spot. We thought they'd just stopped to stretch their legs and eat a few Lucky Charms.
ReplyDeleteMy brother in Texas e-mailed me this message: "Just so you know, we have been in a sailboat at the end of a rainbow. It kinda makes you wonder about all the other things we learned were impossible."
ReplyDeleteCool, huh?