Holiday | CLB Novels

4th of July 2021: Bring on the Fireworks!

– Carmen Baylies

As a United States citizen, I proudly believe in freedom and the pursuit of happiness. Independence Fay takes a deeper meaning for my family, and spending the weekend with my loved ones is a cherished annual event.

My father, Herman, rolled out the grill, and we combined an impromptu Father’s day celebration with the 4th of July. We had a nice afternoon, dining on a couple of brats paired with some oven-roasted green beans and a herb-celery potato salad. The fact that Dad prepared to celebrate his 70th birthday in August warmed my heart. I am blessed and grateful that he still gets around by his own power and is in relatively good health after a few recent troubling scares.

Peter and I met with my Mom and stepdad, Chris, for a quick visit for the holiday weekend itself. The afternoon held a riveting conversation as they explained their next adventure to Dallas for a travel agent convention. Prepping to take all precautions, seeing my Mom and Chris excited to return to their retirement lives was heart soothing. As we left to head home, Mom showed off her blooming tomato plant that was large and in charge.

The Blues and Baylies stand on the sunny front lawn wishing all a Happy 4th of July.

Happy 4th of July from The Blues. Photo credit: Peter Baylies

We traveled home to rest for a few moments before the festivities continued. Peter’s mom, Susan, and her companion, Vance, came over to our home, so we could all go and watch the fireworks together at the local shopping strip. With our busy schedules, Father’s day passed without Vance receiving a gift from us. So, we took the occasion to present something we hoped could be useful to Vance and let him know how appreciated he was. I think he enjoyed the gift and thought.

What could it be? A timely gift, perhaps!

As time ticked by, we traveled to the area where a fireworks display would take place. Greek Fiesta was the restaurant that filled our dinner needs and provided outdoor seating where we saw the light show perfectly. The fireworks showered the sky with colors while we listened to the local radio DJ played wonderful tunes. I captured a short live video as we took in the scene.

Taking the opportunity to fulling enjoy the holiday, we hopped out of the car and walked to the movie theater conveniently a few feet away. The attendance was fairly large, and parking was at a standstill for longer than we liked. The film, Cruella, served us delightfully well to pass the time and allow the traffic to clear. Spending an evening with Peter’s family and seeing how happy that makes him is a reminder of the importance of family and making time to enjoy their company.

We said our goodbyes and trekked home after a full day. Peter and I took the next day to relax and enjoy each other’s company by recapping the abundant activity we experienced. Celebrating freely with our family helped rejuvenate our spirit.

Also, Be civic and remember to vote!

Juneteenth 2021

– Carmen Baylies

June 19th, 2021

The notification that slavery in the United States was no longer lawful and that the emancipation of those who still were captive remains an essential point to remember. The marking of this occasion birthed Juneteenth. If not recognized, history tends to repeat. President Joseph Biden signed into federal law to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday. CLB took to the seaside to enjoy the breeze of freedom in 2021.

After a year of dealing with a global pandemic and response to COVID-19, I made a point to celebrate liberation. A trip to the Outer Banks (OBX) in North Carolina seemed an appropriate way to kick off festivities. We traveled to OBX to visit the memorial at Kitty Hawk, NC. The shoreline area provided the perfect scent for the Wright Brothers to take steps of the first flight. I found this area an excellent space to connect with my state’s history and look forward to my ideas and dreams coming true.

The breeze was light, and the sun gently warmed my skin. With arms wide open, I wanted to hug the light and embrace freedom. I felt my own communion with the world by simply standing by the sea and smiling at the love of my life as he took my picture, having fun in the sand. The brown t-shirt expressed how I really feel in one image and showed my hopes of continued growth in freedom of life, expression, and faith.

Loving Day 2021

– Carmen Baylies

June 12, 2021: Loving Day and The Art in Bloom

National Loving Day serves as a special day to remember that fear knows no limits; truth and love win. Period. American society’s struggle with race and status reveals the many problems and accomplishments our community experiences collectively.

I would be remiss not to state that the gaps in equity and fairness still exist within each cultural group and cliques of identity (however, you define yourself.). Disregarding the tugs and pulls I struggle with when trying to fit into an ideal persona would stamp out my own progression. I battled with anxiety and fear and chose to ignore physical and mental pains to placate others. My health dictated I get a grip on a few fundamental truths and move forward boldly and unashamedly. Once I accepted the truths without the shiny trappings, I began to heal.

I strive to live with an optimistic opinion of the world, and more times than I can count, the world shows that the growing process is a journey, and it takes time. I am from Durham, North Carolina, and a proud product of the 1980s. I attended an integrated private catholic school in my formative years, and also, an integrated public school rounded out my academic structure. I shared classrooms and a myriad of activities with children from all backgrounds, and some of those friendships I still call on to this day.

Case in point, my husband and I met in grade school and connected later in life. The connection of friendship opened the possibility for us to explore and dream of a future together. I learned that people are People (even me). They make mistakes and can try to amend them. I do not believe that people are only one way. The belief that growth, forgiveness, and acceptance are possible bears the weight of my testimony. Learning and knowing your history (herstory) and acknowledging the bad and good to progress to a more enlightened way to live helps the healing and coping process. Personally, turning to my faith to guide how I interact and set my boundaries clarified how to live an optimistic lifestyle and appreciate my past, present, and hope for a better future.

History exposes hardships that appall and horrify as well as achievements to honor. However, painting a broad brush of dismissiveness over people because of the past will cut out the process of growth, deny the beauty of the full human experience, and opens pathways for the atrocities to return. A mantra I hold dear, “The Struggle Continues,” means the story is not over.

For National Loving Day, my husband and I attended an art exhibit called ‘The Art in Bloom,’ held at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, North Carolina. Artists from around the state created pieces of art sculpture based on works the museum displayed using blooms of all types. We also explored the bonsai garden and found a sculpture of a bull. Since my husband is a Taurus sign, I felt it fitting to pose there. A very lovely gallery-goer stopped us and offered her assistance in grabbing the snapshot.

The Floorwork dazzled and welcomed the event attendees

While allowing the pearl and rose dangle earrings to shine, I wore an ivory lace top with wide-leg pants featuring roses around the bottom hem. Peter sported his Pi Approximate Day shirt. We closed the day out with a scrumptious meal at the Texas Steakhouse near the airport, then home. An excellent way to celebrate loving the person you know is meant to be in your world regardless of circumstances and proclaiming to the world that they are your spouse. We stood amongst artists who exemplified passion, purpose, inspiration, and hope with floral notes.

A Toast to Love! May your light continue to shine throughout time and space!