Under the Maples Monologue

Cornerstone Mansion Restaurant Fall 2010 and the two Maples

The decision was made on October 16 to close the doors of Cornerstone Mansion Restaurant on December 23 of 2011. The restaurant had flourished in a beautiful old historic home in Lowell, Indiana for six life-changing years.  People came and went depositing a little of their spirit along the way.  By the time the restaurant closed, I knew there were many stories to be told about Cornerstone's history making years as well as stories that would relate to times past. The home is 147 years old this year and I remember how people used to come to eat and admire her beauty and many would wistfully comment, "If walls could talk." It seemed to me that they did and I sat each day and listened to the walls share their stories of times past while I watched new stories unfold before my eyes.  

From early spring to late fall I often sat on the front porch under the maples and absorbed the day into my being and heard the whispers of all the yesterdays and saw the smiling faces of the day, although some faces were obviously dealing with overwhelming issues and struggling to be positive while grabbing a few moments of joy as they dined at the mansion.  

The mansion, that I fondly call the “grand old lady,” is quite elegant with her 10 foot ceilings and tall narrow windows that rest a foot from the floor. The trim is original and features a ten inch high baseboard, a stately walnut staircase and a walnut dining room floor. This coupled with three fireplaces give the home an aura that speaks of warmth, family and love. She sits on the corner of Commercial and Fremont and you cannot miss the two majestic maples that virtually dominate the front yard.  Their living presence adds vibrancy and life to this magnificent old landmark built in 1870, just five years after the Civil War.  In the summer, these giant Maples provide much needed shade for the southern exposure and in the fall the leaves are a brilliant yellow-gold reminiscent of sunshine or golden jewels. Even in the night, in the moonlight, they glow with lustrous iridescence and will take your breath away. One look at these trees and you know that they have spent a multitude of days on this corner plot and hold many secrets in their boughs. 

While these Maples cradle the front of the house, the Maple on the East is like the point man for the rear of the home.  This is a very different variety Maple and has dark green leaves with burnt burgundy undertones.  It is smaller and slow growing but still a beauty in every way.   The richness of the burgundy provides a much needed relief to the green of summer and adds a daring splash of rich color to summer hues. The West side is fortunate to have one of these Maples in the courtyard. None of the above diminish the backyard’s lot line with its majestic pines that stand like faithful sentries beside a magnificent old magnolia tree.

Choosing a name is never easy, but it was "Under the Maples" where people walked and talked. It was "Under the Maples" where they entered and exited leaving just a breath of their spirit so here is where the stories will unfold.

Stories I share that concern the mansion will also carry a tagline, Under the Maples Series. I have three blogs already on the site that would qualify for being part of the Under the Maples series.  They are, The Bunnies of Cornerstone Mansion, Have You Walked a Mile in Their Moccasins, and the third is really more of a personal narrative of who I am and how it all started called, If Only Walls Could Talk.    

I intend to do other writing as well including a series called, Random Thoughts and Musings.   All will be compliments of yours truly, the someone who spent years listening, learning and being inspired, Under the Maples.

Erin Morgenstern wrote in her book, The Night Circus, “Someone needs to tell those tales. When the battles are fought and won and lost, when the pirates find their treasures and the dragons eat their foes for breakfast with a nice cup of Lapsang souchong, someone needs to tell their bits of overlapping narrative. There's magic in that. It's in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict. From the mundane to the profound. You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone's soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words.”  Could anyone who writes a blog, a short story or a book want for more? My sincere hope is at some point one of my blogs feeds your spirit and brings some revelation to you and, in the meantime, may they always provide you an ever so pleasant moment of reflection and peace. God speed to all who read these blogs.