BURLESQUE…

TEACUP AND SAUCER
TEACUP AND SAUCER

No, she never wanted to be a burlesque dancer. What she wanted and only because he asked was a china teacup and saucer preferably English and old, blue or orange or both. Her immediate vision was that it was to be similar to the small collection they once had. The collection he took with him when he left. When he left her.

The bits and pieces of English china had been assembled, bought and bartered over their years spent abroad. Not an expensive collection mind you, it was primarily mixed and matched, the odd and the old, sets or single pieces found during weekend and holiday jaunts, boot sales or charity shops. Think more a collected celebration of pattern and colour diversity. It wasn’t the amassing of. It was more the building of and the layering on. Not so much a collection but a relationship of the past and present and hopeful tomorrow. She knew that. It was exceptionally clear. He took it all with him when he left. When he left her.

She never wanted to be a burlesque dancer but since he was going back there…to that place where the collection became more than…and since he asked can I bring you something and without hesitation she answered a teacup and saucer, he did. He brought her a gift of one teacup and one saucer. She realized, but not for the first time, it wasn’t the same for him. That gift. Her gifts.

It had never been.

Just as well he left.

57 thoughts on “BURLESQUE…”

    1. Goodness! Thank you Cecilia for the most kind comment. Summer is here and sitting down at the art table seems to take second seat to my garden, at the moment. Any day now….more to come. Again, many thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much for the “discovery”, it is always nice to see a new face! It is always interesting to know how one finds other artful posts…and I shall be discovering you, as well!
      Many thanks.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Geez…you just fill me with angst whenever you show up here! You are sooo good and I am so, not. I am pleased you continue to drop by and comment. I’m honoured. Thank you. Raye

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  8. your teacup and saucer drawing/painting is perfect with the story. I like how you kept the texture of the paper very visible in your painting. Like the texture and layers of life.

    On another note, after reading the comments I wonder if you’re next going to start a single’s dating site. That would be interesting. 🙂 Great Post Raye.

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    1. Single’s dating site comment brought my finger down my throat and that terrible noise that happens when one sticks their finger down their throat. Dating…perish the thought. Enough said on that topic. The texture of the paper shows larger than life (isn’t that the truth) because I zoomed into the image to enlarge the part of the watercolour I wanted…more abstract….like life…isn’t that the truth (again). Thank you always for commenting. P.S. You should move to Portland. We could be friends and then I wouldn’t have to sleep on your couch when I come to visit….Just a thought.

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  9. Very much enjoyed this…it is sad, but also such a accurate way things we hold dear to us are because of the people who are dear to us. Even when relationships break, there is good to be found ~ in the good memories and perhaps even in the parting. And I suppose when we kind of smile at the understanding that maybe the ‘tea cup and saucer’ is beautiful on its own because of the parting. Great drawing to match this philosophical piece 🙂 A nice Saturday read and think for me. Cheers R. ~

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    1. R. Yes, to your thoughts. For me (and perhaps some others) there are those niggling doubts…those would ifs….if onlys. Then an occurance. An understanding. A floodlight of reality.
      Teacup and saucer only becomes the vehicle that moves one out. Forward. Onward.

      Whew!

      As always, R.

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  10. Looks like you crafted many favorites in this small offering. This is my particular fav: “It wasn’t the amassing of. It was more the building of and the layering on. Not so much a collection but a relationship of the past and present and hopeful tomorrow.”

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  11. OK Raye, now you’re getting heavy on the inspiration and depth of living. Having gone through 2 other marriages before I finally got it right, I so closely can relate. The last breakup wasn’t tea cups, it was a collection of porcelain animals, my favorite being an elephant. Thats the one she had to have the most. Oh well

    And to Dale and Sammy, do keep putting yourself out there. it took me to my 40’s to find the right one; spouse, lover, friend, confidant, and the best person to tell me when I’m wrong. Without continuing to climb out on the shaky branches, it would never have been, and I would have missed out.

    Ok, enough of the sentimentality, great post and of course, love the artwork.

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    1. Elephant? I would not have guessed you were an elephant man…no pun intended. I’m looking forward to our meet-up…you and Mrs. I do believe she walks on water in your eyes so that makes my eyes, as well. I’ve done my research on the old fashioned bread boards, by the way. I can send you links to give you an idea what I’m talking about…or not. Will email later…

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      1. Not only does she walk on water, she never even gets her feet wet!!!

        Yes, if you do have links, that would be a help. No such thing as too much information. Pat also gave me lots of insight, too, so I’m getting closer to an understanding.

        As for the elephant, (I knew that would get your attention) it wasn’t so much the animal as the special person who gave it to us. Oh well, things come and go, friends stay the course.

        Thanks for the comment

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  12. Ahh isn’t that apoften the revelation once we finally begin to dissect a failed relationship – “it had NEVER been the same for him/her”.

    What a remarkable way to remind me of that truism, Raye. Two years on, I’m still grieving the (necessary) end to what I thought was my BFF friendship. Now I know “it was never the same for her.” As much as I grieve the loss, i can’t belive I was clueless enough to ‘color over’ all the signs that should have clued me in.

    Love your teacup and saucer – I don’t know what technique you used. It looks like textured oaper but that might be the effect of your painting technique. Mesmerizing to study. 💖

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      1. Oh Dale, I’m sorry to hear that.

        I try to remind myself of how many positive aspects there were to that relationship, but once it’s over and you realize how much wasn’t authentic, you begin to question all your memories. What I hate the most is realizing the ways I relinquished my own authenticity without realizing I was doing so.

        While I’m glad I finally took the difficult step to end it, I don’t trust my ability to seek another close female friend. For now I’m content in my introverted world being my own best friend.

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        1. Exactly. We can “convince” ourselves only so long before we realize we are dismissing who we are. It just sucks when you’ve had a difficult four months and the person who seemed to be there for you wasn’t really for real – now it feels more like it was an act.
          Don’t give up! The right people come along when they should.
          For all you know you can make real connections in this blogging world…right Raye?

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            1. Nah. I’m choosing to believe it was just a question of time. Now’s as good as any.

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    2. I leave the room for a minute and look what happens…you and Dale just start the coffee, do the pour and eat all the cookies on the plate. I don’t mind sharing….but you ate. all. the. cookies!!!
      I am quite sure, Sammy, each of us have lost what we considered “the best friend ever”…with a fair amount of betrayal in the mix. I continue to feel the stings and sharp barbs of losing a friend but also….myself…as you and Dale [already] discussed without me and no doubt with your mouths filled with cookies to boot. Enough about the cookies. Enough about lost friends. More about the ones you do have or have yet to meet who do and/or will celebrate you AS IS. Listening Missy D?
      Fill my walls with your junk any day. Cookies? Yes, please……
      xoxoRRR

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      1. Oh absolutely all ears! As far as I’m concerned…Portland Fund is ever increasing … xoxo

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        1. Oh good…you are going to come see me but only after all the work (my work) is done….weed pulling, mulching, pegging wash on the line, walking the dog…there’s more so much more! You keep saving for the fund…I’m going to save painting the foundation of my house for when you come for your holiday with me. Bring a paint brush. So there….!

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          1. … but if we wait until ALL the work is done, well, then I’ll never be allowed to come over. Just as well you save some work for me. I will, with pleasure paint your foundation!

            You didn’t see my comment below, did you? No, you did not. You got way too many other comments ~ ‘coz you’re just THAT fabulous. (My joining in on Sammy’s outshone my original one!)

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      2. LOL the whole time Dale and I were conversing I was thinking “Egads. Raye is gonna be PI–I-ISSSSED that we’ve hijacked her blog AND scarfed all the cookies.” And here you are telling me to Buck Up and stop sniveling and get to baking toute suite! It is your fault for writing that evocative fable. *snif * hang on, I smell cookies burning … 💞🌷 🍪🍪🍪

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        1. Oh dear…should I get started on a batch as well? I don’t want to come across as the mooch of the place…

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  14. The bastard.
    Seriously, RRR, you really should think about what Russell said; you are such a beautiful writer and water colourist; A book of your images and words ~ a short-story collection of sorts ~ would be so amazing.
    A gallery showing and each purchased item comes with the story on the back…

    And another thing. Are you sure we’re not related? I’ve dreamt of collecting cups and saucers from my travels around the world… ‘course the only places I’ve been are islands in the sun where we collected rum instead. And needless to say, they are gone. Will have to start travelling with myself and collecting for myself. Or maybe with a friend. 🙂

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  16. Very sad, but to eliminate that part of our experience in relationships would be a lie and you share these snippets so well, Jots. I only see her half of the saucer and cup. Very neat story and imagery that will stay with me.

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    1. Life…it does take a while, doesn’t it? Your point of view regarding the imagery “half-of” I’d never thought about but now….yes…an appropriate view: his & hers. Thank you for always commenting. So valued.

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      1. you are so funny! ‘yes.’ only half of the image loaded but i am glad to get a peek. perhaps it’s too brilliant of a study for me to handle in that first glance.

        beautiful story, maturely written that shows you’re a classy gal!

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  19. Interesting how much I missed when my eyes first saw this … then came more … and more … and then a smile when overcame the sense of sadness in the words. But if those English tea cups could only share the conversations they countered. Another smile came along when I thought of a song … then found one by a Cincinnatian. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0MtzQDltr0 … enjoy.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh…still WILD and crazy You, aFa…thanks for the Doris Day song this early Friday Portland morning. Beautiful thoughts from you as always! Never sad gravy on your turf…here either!!
      Carry on…shall we??

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