11/07/2019
Adam and Jess Gardner offered Stargazen a set of bunk beds from their cabin retreat on Lake Eau Claire. They are narrow, vintage beds that they had fitted with custom (only-used-once, by MY kids) mattresses. I was ecstatic to receive them, knowing they’d be perfect in the shotgun orientation of the boxcar I’m renovating next season.
Just HOW perfect, I was yet to discover.
Adam delivered them Sunday morning. He set them up for storage in (of course!) the Bunkhouse! He stated that He didn’t know anything about them, but “thought they were cool and needed to be at Stargazen.” He continued, “They are dark wood, with simple brackets and the company name looks like US.”
Yesterday, while waiting for the furnace repair rep to appear, I was hastily doing more winter prep. Replacing items that belonged in the varying cabins, I decided to take a closer look at the “Gardner’s Gift.”
I gasped!! The beds were US military barracks bunks, simply framed and made of pine! Tears spontaneously hedged down my weathered cheeks.
Last year, I saw an article about the US Liberation of the train cars used to transport victims to concentration camps. The boxcar in the photo looked almost EXACTLY like Stargazen’s, which was built in the 1940’s. Originally, I was going to name the car “The Ludington StarLine,” because it now resides in the Town of Ludington.
That news article, however, changed my perspective on the inherent gift of this future dwelling. It’s new moniker is “The Liberation StarLine,” with a Star of David (✡️) for the A’s.
Might You imagine how PERFECT those bunks will be in The StarLine?? My Gratitude was so immense, I couldn’t stop crying. I envisioned the whole dwelling, cozy and complete. There isn’t a space at Stargazen with a bed for a newborn, when a Mother needs shelter and respite. I’ve decided to create that in the StarLine.
Nearly 40 years ago, my Father Doyle J Belisle, crafted a beautiful pine cradle for my son Brandon. It has a tiny music box which can be wound, and plays as baby drifts off to sleep. It’s on a stand, but can be readily moved to the floor for easier access (think “Short Moms!”😂). All of my children (+ Colette, Kellen and Keira) spent their first year, dreaming in Papa’s cradle. It is made of pine and stained a dark walnut. . . just like the bunks! I also have a gorgeous, dark-stained twin bed headboard, footboard and frame, which will be used with the cradle, to make a small nursery. Both the twin bed and cradle will be fitted with new, memory foam mattresses.
The StarLine will become our most unique Hermitage, I suspect, filled with vintage furniture and lush fabrics; staged on wood-plank floors and umbrella-ed by the original curved, wooden ceiling. Several of our cabins commenced their lives as “something different.” LaCoop was literally a chicken coop. The Fishack was a fish shack, complete with fishing ports! Keezheekoni was a young boy’s elevated hang-out. The Wilder was a canvas-tent deck. The Secret Garden Bunkhouse was a store. Gert’s Grove was a mini log-sided library, filled with Raven’s precious collection of gardening books.
The StarLine arrived at Stargazen via a series of Miraculous events, (which included a crane at each end and a semi with a flatbed trailer in between) and, the tenacious Spirits of my sweet brother Doyle Belisle and the boxcar’s previous, generous owner, Dear Nolan Joseph Walters.
The StarLine has a purpose, as does every bit of Whimsy and Manifestation at Stargazen. It’s purpose has become more formed, with the inclusion of some vintage army bunks. That’s how Magic evidences. Eyes, Heart, Arms and Soul WIDE OPEN!
Thank You, Dearest Jess and Adam. Your Loving-Kindness is again a part of Stargazen’s DNA. You’re my Tribe ❤️
Barbara Lynn Neff Colba
Chrystal Reidt
Sandi Bee
Di Bell
