I remember it vividly, the year was 1942. The world was engulfed in the flames of war, and I was serving in the army. It was during one of my leaves from duty that I stumbled upon a small, secluded town deep in the countryside. As I wandered through the cobblestone streets, I noticed an old dilapidated cottage tucked away at the end of a narrow path. Curiosity got the best of me, and I approached cautiously. To my surprise, a woman with a mysterious aura stood before me.
Mark's Retreat is a gorgeous, newly renovated lodge just minutes from Ohiopyle State Park and Fallingwater.
This cottage and the surrounding summertime community area are so special that Jenny and many of the other homeowners don t talk about its exact location for fear of attracting visitors who may want to change the way of life there. This cottage and the surrounding summertime community area are so special that Jenny and many of the other homeowners don t talk about its exact location for fear of attracting visitors who may want to change the way of life there.
To my surprise, a woman with a mysterious aura stood before me. Her piercing green eyes seemed to hold a thousand secrets, and her long, flowing hair cascaded down her back like a river of midnight. Intrigued, I struck up a conversation with her.
My Magical Cottage in the Woods
When you design high-end kitchens and baths for a living, it’s hard to pick your five or even 10 favorite projects. And that’s how it was with Jenny Rausch from Karr Bick Kitchen & Bath. I might as well have asked her to choose her favorite child. Instead, she offered, “My favorite thing I have ever designed is our family’s cottage in the woods.” After I looked at photos and heard the story of the cottage, it was easy to see and understand why.
The cottage rests in a summer camp-like setting on the bluffs of the Mississippi River just south of Grafton, Illinois. The confluence of the rivers reminds me of my own childhood in the Catskills of New York. Other families live on the same land (which is owned by the community with 100-year leases), each with their own private setting. Personally, I can’t imagine anything more special than the site of Jenny’s cottage.
This rustic gem dates back to around the same time as the St. Louis World’s Fair although the stone foundation is from the original settlement in 1885. Jenny and her husband Todd – both creative types - had a shared vision for the cottage. With Jenny’s design expertise and Todd’s carpentry skills, they have restored this cottage to look like something from a Ralph Lauren catalog or the set of the Netflix hit series Virgin River. From a distance as you approach, what immediately captures your eye are the wrap-around screened-in porch accented by string lights, painted wood siding with contrasting window frames, old stone stairs set high on a stone foundation (once used for tents), a reclaimed antique screen door, the outdoor furniture, flags and other Americana accessories.
Once inside, you’ll be amazed at the intimacy of this less than 1,000 square foot retreat. It’s clearly been designed for the family to be close, and it’s hard not to imagine someone strumming a guitar, kids playing games, and lots of memories being made as the smell of dinner wafts from the custom kitchen. The walls are made from six-foot high beadboard, stained palette-wood, and shiplap planks found at area lumber yards. With gothic-inspired arches and stair details, six-foot high wainscotting, wood ceilings, collections of pictures, horns and antlers, and even belt-driven ceiling fans, the cottage is as authentic and nostalgic as they come.
But behind all the details are the conveniences you would expect from Jenny and Karr Bick including a hidden washer and dryer, fine plumbing fixtures, recessed lighting, a chef’s kitchen with a Viking oven and six-burner cooktop, and air conditioning. With the windows wide open, the sounds of the wind, chirping birds, crunching leaves, and kids on bikes fill the air.
This cottage and the surrounding summertime community area are so special that Jenny and many of the other homeowners don’t talk about its exact location for fear of attracting visitors who may want to change the way of life there. There are a couple of cottages for sale but ownership must be approved by the community and you cannot own the land. Jenny’s cottage reminds me of a doll house-sized model of Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel, but it’s so much more.
While it’s perfect as is, Jenny’s dream is to build a mother-in-law style guest cottage on the property to allow more family to spend time together there. Currently the cottage is only used in the summer and special holidays like Thanksgiving. With its Native American roots, you can just imagine the earliest Thanksgivings with a long table outside, bonfires and hayrides, and the coming together of community, family, and friends.
Jenny had the good fortune of spending childhood summers in the same community but a different cottage. “My parents discovered the community when I was eight years old. Our cottage was a classic Victorian with a beautiful turret in my bedroom.”
When I first spoke with Jenny to get more details of the cottage, she was preparing for the annual dance performance by the 120 children, aged three to 18, who live there in the summer. Of course, Jenny is the director, not to mention the grounds manager overseeing the community’s self-contained power, water, and sewer systems. Jenny reflects, “I just find this place magical, and I am grateful to have come here as a child and now share it with my family. The cottage is a labor of love. It’s so perfect, I hate to leave it.”
House in Confluence
Her name was Elara, and she possessed a wisdom beyond her years. We spent hours talking about life, the world, and the magic that existed in both. Days turned into weeks, and soon, I found myself falling deeply in love with Elara. Her enchanting presence captivated my heart, and I couldn't imagine my life without her. But there was something different about Elara, something otherworldly. Whispers circulated among the townsfolk, claiming that she was a witch, capable of casting spells and performing mystical rituals. I dismissed such rumors as mere superstitions. In my eyes, Elara was nothing short of extraordinary, but certainly not a witch. Love had a way of blinding me to reality. Against the warnings of friends and family, I took Elara as my wife. We exchanged vows in a small, intimate ceremony, sealed with a kiss that felt like magic itself. Our love was unbreakable, or so I thought. Days turned into months, and slowly, the facade of a perfect marriage began to crumble. Elara's powers became more evident as strange occurrences became a regular part of our lives. Objects would move on their own, and whispers would echo through the house in the dead of the night. Fear began to consume me, but my love for Elara prevented me from leaving. I became trapped in a world of shadows and incantations, constantly on edge and hoping for a glimpse of the woman I had fallen in love with. It wasn't until the war ended, and I returned to civilian life that I found the strength to confront the truth. Elara was indeed a witch, and her powers were both a blessing and a curse. They had kept us together but also torn us apart. In the end, I couldn't bear the weight of our secret any longer. With a heavy heart, I bid farewell to the woman who had been my wife and lover, but who I could never truly understand. 1942 was the year I took a witch as my wife. It was a year of love, fear, and ultimately, letting go of the things we cannot control. Elara taught me that sometimes, love can be as enchanting as it is destructive, and in order to find peace, we must learn to accept the things that lie beyond our understanding..
Reviews for "Witchcraft and Romance: My Journey with a Witch Bride in 1942"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I found "I took a witch as my wife 1942" to be disappointing and rather absurd. The story lacked depth and seemed overly focused on the supernatural aspect, neglecting character development and a coherent plot. The protagonist's decision to marry a witch felt forced and lacked justification, making it difficult for me to connect with the story. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wishing for more substance.
2. Jason - 2.5 stars - "I took a witch as my wife 1942" had an interesting premise, but failed to deliver on its potential. The writing style was disjointed, making it difficult to follow the timeline and understand the characters' motivations. The story lacked a clear direction and seemed to jump from one random event to another without a cohesive structure. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unresolved, leaving me with more questions than answers. Overall, it was a mediocre read that left me disappointed.
3. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't get past the first few pages of "I took a witch as my wife 1942" due to the writing style. The prose was convoluted and filled with unnecessary descriptions, making it difficult to engage with the story. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or relatability. I was hoping for a captivating tale of supernatural romance, but instead, I was met with a confusing mess that was impossible to enjoy. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a well-written and engaging story.
4. Mark - 2 stars - Despite the intriguing title, "I took a witch as my wife 1942" left much to be desired. The story felt underdeveloped and lacked a clear narrative arc. The writing style was inconsistent, shifting between flowery descriptions and abrupt dialogue, which made it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The characters were also forgettable, and their actions often felt forced and unrealistic. Overall, I found this book to be a lackluster read that failed to deliver on its promising premise.