This is me at 3. Even then, I hated my photo taken and had a thing for red shoes. Some things don’t change.
I don’t have anything for you tonight, really. It’s not that I haven’t thought about it. I’ve been gently tumbling random lines in my mind all day; turning the words over and over and yet, never getting any of them down on the page. It’s a lack of motivation. Or maybe it’s the laundry. We should blame the laundry, I think.
Instead, I’ve been looking at this. And it makes me weepy.
I’ve always been a crier. When I was three, having my photo taken made me weepy. At 20, finding the perfect pair of shoes on sale and discovering that every size but mine was available could induce tears. Now, it’s Liberty Prints and tuberoses and babies and cute kids and even not so cute kids singing up front at school assemblies that make me wistful. I bite back the tears, because honestly—who cries over starter people singing off-key? These little voices don’t even have to belong to me, genetically speaking, and I’m off. Fighting for composure. There is just something so beautiful about these moments.
Christmas carols, old movies, sappy poems, flowers in bloom before Spring, the sunset. The way my 11 year old pats me on the back when he hugs me. The list goes on and on and on. I’m a sucker for beauty.
Tonight (and in truth, probably every night since it came on the market!) I find myself weepy over the amazing beauty that is Pariso Verde. If you can take the time to download the brochure on PDF, I recommend it. The history of this estate is breath-taking and provides some context for all the visuals.
In all likelihood, this estate will never be on the market again during my lifetime. What takes my breath away, what has me squeezing back tears, is not the house itself (which is lovely and grand beyond imagination) but the stunning grounds that define this property. It was once part of the Val Verde Estate and the gardens were designed by Lockwood de Forest. Now, it appears that nearly 4 acres of this historical site is being sold into private ownership. It is unclear if the Austin Val Verde Foundation has failed in its attempt to open the gardens to the public. For now, it is by invitation only. I can only hope, that in sacrificing this small portion of the garden (the only one of de Forest’s works still intact) that the monies generated will mean an eventual preservation of the remaining property.*
These photos may be as close as I ever get to walking de Forest’s amazing gardens. I find myself stunned by the grandeur and the history and beauty that is Pariso Verde.
And just a bit weepy at the beauty of it all.
*I’m making a bit of leap here… as I don’t know when this property was separated from the Val Verde estate. It could be that it was sold prior to its renovation. Either way, I’m finding it hard to imagine this being “private” property. And I apologize for the link to the Austin Val Verde Foundation. Their site is slow and needs an overhaul. (Seriously, IZ, call them.) Evidently, if you have $150 bucks you can buy a raffle ticket to win a cool million—proceeds will go to the Foundation. They need to consider updating that site to attract more support for their cause. OY! Anyhow… the LATimes piece is amazing. GO READ!!
Who can fault you for falling in love with such a place of beauty. It truly is a marvelous setting and location; all wrapped in amazing history. I have Tevia singing in my ear… “If I were a rich man…”
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More like, “If I were a filthy rich man. . . ” It’s lovely. I do wonder what’s happening now with Val Verde, since their website seems all but defunct. ~W
Rubber toed Keds. Love ’em. Ry’s been sporting her own pair of rubber toed Chucks lately- because her mother wants her to have red shoes.
Yes- the history, the weeping, the care. I know, Friend. I know. And now I have Tevia shaking and singing in my head, too.
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I think it’s pretty funny about the red shoes… considering how many pairs of them I have now. It starts young! As for the Pariso Verde, sometimes a place takes over your imagination. I can’t imagine living there… but I can certainly imagine visiting those grounds. ~W
Beautiful estate.
But I love that picture of you even more 🙂
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Oh! Thanks. 😀 ~W
I regularly weep at kids singing and doing all sorts of other things — being a teacher is all about controlling the weepies. Cuz it freaks the kids out, I’ll tell ya, when their teacher starts sobbing. 🙂
That place is amazing.
You were an adorable 3 year old. Love the shoes! (mine would have been pink! 🙂
Hang in there. People who don’t get weepy just don’t *get* things. If that makes any sense at all.
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Yeah, that was me: all vinegar. 😀 And it’s nice to know I’m not alone in the weeping thing. 😀 ~W
what an amazing place! Just gorgeous, how could you not fall in love?
what a cute kid you were!
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Thank you!. This is a stunning property—and while the grounds are what I adore, I can appreciate the ingenuity of the new architects. It’s no small wonder to marry together buildings and have it look like an original plan. ~W
It is a beautiful place, and it is a shame no one gets to enjoy it right now.
And that face is precious!
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Thanks…see, vinegar. 😀 As for Pariso Verde, it’s a heart breaker! ~W
You do NOT look happy in that shot, in spite of the adorable red shoes. I find myself on the verge of tears pretty often these days–for one reason or another!
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I wasn’t happy in that shot! Hang in there, Margaret. These transitions are typically very rocky and take time. ~W
I’m glad you have great memories of that area. I would get downright hysterical if I ever had to live there again. It is a gorgeous place, it’s just not home for me. BUT, show me a picture of Haystack Rock and the tears will flow. I YEARN for it. I just BELONG there. Ya know what else can get me weepy? Those tampon commercials with the mom and daughter talking about memories. Oh, and some coffee commercials. I do like being a girl, even a weepy one. 🙂 I love that picture of you. So cute!! 🙂
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Aw thanks. Well, every person has their own definition of “home”. Otherwise, Haystack Rock would be a very crowded place. 😀 ~W
It is gorgeous. I might even consider moving back to California for it…if I can pull together the $18 million.
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I’d quit blogging. 😀 ~W