I am spending a good deal of time upstate in the Catskills where my boyfriend manages a two thousand acre estate (yes, two and a half times the size of Central Park!). This gilded age estate includes a once grand 20,000 sq ft mansion and riding stables. Needless to say, it is paradise for me, Nature Gal. The abundant wildlife (including bobcat and bear), fresh air, pure spring water, and total lack of light pollution has me ‘blissed out in the boonies’. I believe nature is our ultimate healer - it is the reason I incorporate all things natural into my design work. I have never felt healthier or happier in my whole life than this summer enveloped in this magical kingdom.
We are also very isolated on the mountain with so many acres around us and Andy suggested we have a party for me to meet our community (and vice versa). The party, he said, could be an ‘Old Fashioned Pig Roast’, which took me a little while to get my head wrapped around, being new to the meat eating scene. It would also help his caretaker’s new business venture (pig roasting), as well as support a local farm, and after all, this is the country. I love parties (and have been called the Eco version of Martha many times) and since so many people have never seen this grand old estate it could also serve as its introduction. I found a fabulous online invite and gathered names and emails of everyone I met. I bought a bolt of black and white checkered fabric for the 50’ long table (black saw horses with heavy decking on top). Being the Green Designer I upcycled everything, old metal feeding cans held utensils, giant old wood well covers were tables, many mismatched chairs – total farm charm. For a homegrown atmosphere I gathered dozens of various candles from antique hurricane lanterns, votives, mini star lanterns to Tiki torches that lit the parking field. This was a Big Country Deal and was all-the-buzz in our little ‘neck of the woods’. I wore a vintage black and white handkerchief full-skirted dress with high wedge sandals (very country chic). We planned the party to follow our local town’s Community Day in order to continue the festivities onto our property, which is fairy tale gorgeous. It was also a full moon! After everything was set up and perfect, Andy and I got dressed, nervous and excited (and incredulous that the two of us orchestrated this wonderful event). We began to greet our guests and mingle when a storm cloud gathered and sprinkled a few drops…
Although the forecast was cloudy with rain expected late that evening Mother Nature had her own agenda. It started raining, a real summer rain, just when everyone was arriving, the food set on the tables – and although everyone said it would pass, it seemed to just rain harder. It was a disaster! I quickly changed my fashion shoes for black boots and everyone grabbed a dish to bring into the large empty room, the old gym of the derelict mansion (luckily I cleaned just in case of rain).
The main table was too large and cumbersome to carry in but we had a few other makeshift tables that guests brought in. People were asking me were to put everything, ice coolers, food, candles (it was now dark!)…I paused, uncertain, “I don’t know, where ever you think best”. Since I invited ‘the world’, we had a very diverse group of folks: farmers, ‘flatlanders’ (city dwellers), locals, plain and fancy all tossed together in one big ugly room, dessert food next to dinner food, everything disorganized… and everyone started mingling! I stood there - soggy, hair flat, with my rain boots on and for some reason I smiled - my control and perfection issues dissolving with the rain. Perhaps it was all of my yoga and Buddhist studies, or just all the curves life has thrown at me but I was happy. It was heartfelt to see everyone chipping in to help, saying ‘no big deal, it’s the country’, we’re used to this”, and still thanking us for having them.
And then, it cleared with a magnificent double rainbow. We all came back outside to witness Andy’s firework display, along with his secret paper lanterns that float up into the sky and follow the wind currents to amazed oohs and aahs. The evening ended with an enormous bonfire and the 200 or so guests dispersed into the lawns and fields after hugs, offers to clean up, handle excess food and compliments on the party. It was a success after all! I felt welcomed into this warm and wonderful community.
I truly believe home is in your heart, it’s not about the perfect sofa, table or lamp (somewhat unique for a designer). The most important ingredient in creating ‘home’ is love: for ourselves, our family, friends and community, and our larger home ~ the planet. This evening was a powerful reminder of all that I believe, what we seek is always already there. I am Home.
Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.
