BEL’OCCHIO … the beautiful eye
SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW
There are those wondrous moments of anticipation so filled with joy and happiness it takes your breath away. She had been counting the weeks, days, hours, the very minutes until her Tin Man would arrive.
She had discovered him purely by chance. His strong beating heart had led her to him. Whispered words flung into the air and the magic became reality.
The Victrola played her song.
Some where over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that dare to dream
Really do come true.
She put on her ruby slippers.
And followed the yellow brick road to finally meet her Tin Man.
Bel' Occhio 
did you know that this gentlement almost died because of intoxication of the painting he had to wear? fortunately finally he didnt 🙂
Oh, Virginia, dreams really do come true! Enjoy the Tin Man who has a very special heart and place in our lives. Give him a hug for me! I will be there in spirit and look forward to your glorious posts relating to the visit.
Jo Nell, we spoke of you often and marveled in this place that has brought us together…….this day was true magic.
Jo Nell you should know that you sat under the big umbrella on our patio and shared a glass of wine with the four of us. Theadora also joined us.
We were all rather giddy excitement as Tinny and Augustine regaled us with stories of their great train-trip across Canada. You are so right about The Tin Man traveling in style. The two of them hosted a cocktail party in their suite on the train – complete with pate and exotic cheeses.
My Beautiful, Elegant, Charming Virginia……to finally meet you in person and look into those eyes that capture in world, find all the treasures and gaze upon those lucky enough to be in your presence……it was a dream come true. To have followed the Yellow Brick Road to the a End of the Rainbow and discover the treasure of your beautiful home filed with treasure, delights and so much love was almost surreal to us!
The hours flew like seconds, ending much too soon. How Augustine and I delighted in every moment…..I found myself holding my breath, trying to make time stand still…..trying to make the seconds turn into minutes…..
What wondrous delights to have watched and participated in the creation of all that beautiful food….the opening of the ’81 Margaux….the initial tasting….and the savoring of each delightful sip…..
The most amazing scones created by Larry, truly the best we have ever consumed. To discuss the history of “the Captain'” to laugh, embrace, watch the geese fly over, listen to the birds learning to fly and coax their young, to sit next to Buddha and wave to the neighbors as they passed by……
To touch and gaze upon the magical creations you have conjured up in your most delightful home….
….but best of all, to reach put and give you a hug, to hold your hand, to hear your laughter, to embrace your wit, to share a silly joke……to be together, in the same place, at the same time……this was a gift greater than most ever get to have……..a gift whose memories shall live in my heart till my last breath.
I love you, I thank you, I forever hold you dear……
Emil and Augustine, something rare and wonderful happened when the two of you stepped out of the elevator and into our lives forever. Such was the happiness – the supreme joy and delight of our first meeting that strangers were stopping and smiling at the sight of four deliriously, over-the-moon happy people who couldn’t stop hugging each other.
We sat in the sunshine so engrossed in our conversation the beautiful gardens, the ocean, the mountains did not exist. We discussed our concept of the perfect holiday – perhaps two months in a little village in Umbria – shopping for food in the markets, becoming part of village life. The business woman in the table next to us closed her laptop, finished her coffee and came to our table. “Your plans sound so wonderful I would love to be able to join you”. She thought we were good friends planning a holiday. And we were.
Oh the conversations as the four of us talked and laughed and told outrageous stories
Through afternoon tea and scones .
As Augustine rummaged in the butlers pantry for the right pan to roast the potatoes he had prepared.
As Emil performed magic with a bottle of wine and a recalcitrant cork.
Never had the birds sung such beautiful songs. Never had the Oriental poppies been so outrageously red or the lilacs so fragrantly purple.
Never had the smell of onions and garlic sauteing in the pan smelt so good.
Never had the Gypsy Kings played so well …
as when the four of us were together.
This day began with the movie The Wizard of Oz. My love of the movie led me to you – the handsome, erudite TIN MAN.
What a day – what an absolutely glorious, red-letter, never to be forgotten day Lar and I spent with you and Augustine. We didn’t want it to end.
Goodness. Gracious. Dear Virginia and Monsieur Tin Man, I am still green with envy. I keep reading your descriptions of the day again and again. What a beautiful tribute to friendship. Scones? Potatoes? And wine? Music and cheese, too? A cocktail party on a train? I’m now weeping. Two passages from the Wizard of Oz pop to mind:
“A place where there isn’t any trouble. Do you suppose there is such a place, Toto? There must be. It’s not a place you can get to by a boat or a train. It’s far, far away. Behind the moon, beyond the rain…”
AND
“Oh, you’re the best friends anybody ever had. And it’s funny, but I feel as if I’d known you all the time, but I couldn’t have, could I?”
Life is truly wonderful. Reading your words, I was able to feel the love. Grinning, I am now. Over-the-moon and rainbow.
Big Hugs,
T.
Oh Theadora…………..it was if you were with us………we spoke of you so often and told stories about you. We told Larry and Augustine of the time we played about the Trevi Fountain in our boas and drank too much bubbly……
We also made a pact to one day come to visit you ….and you are quite correct….“……. you’re the best friends anybody ever had. And it’s funny, but I feel as if I’d known you all the time, but I couldn’t have, could I?”
This is magic, this life we live…………..beautiful magic.
Dear Miss T. It was as written “I feel as if I’d known you all the time.” All of the adventures of The Tin Man and the girl with The Ruby Slippers were there – just to the right. The candles flames burned brightly against the night. We knew it was soon time to reluctantly say good bye but we all promised it was only for the now. More adventures were awaiting the four of us together. Xx V.
Wonderful! Your ruby slippers work! _Resa xo
And that is why I have ruby slippers for every occasion Resa. To meet the The Man I wore the reddest of the red Italian shoes. XX V.
❤
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