This year, I did not wish to spend yet another birthday in
this house alone. Until 2010, my adult birthday day had always been
extra special, spent with others, enjoying gifts and cards. It is my
gift to my Self, as in Reality, I am not one to like to be spoiled in
that way on other days.
A year ago I wondered where to travel nearby, for MY BIRTHDAY ALONE, without breaking the bank and body. Last year with a physical walking problem, I hauled myself out of the house too late in the day to drive for almost two hours in my ageing vehicle to Chenonceaux Chateau, where I mainly sat to eat a beautiful 'late in France' lunch. I wandered in the chateau as I have seen it many times. This time in awe that I could cross the gallery over the bridge to the island. It was too much for me to walk in the gardens where I sat frequently until closing time.
The physical problems have continued unresolved for a year and more.
So... a TEST was necessary, that would exercise the groin pain. This year I WOULD go to Paris to do city walks. Last year, I was too late in becoming brave enough to book the adventure, by which time prices had soared. After repeated research I booked 4 nights Airbnb in Paris.
In ways unknown I have been energised even though my body feels weary!
My mantra became: "I am a river flowing...." or "I am a leaf floating on a river - drifting at different speeds, hoping not to get stuck or destroyed before I reach my destination". Of course, like me, the leaf is already in a state of decomposition. I am tempted to publish my poem about that concept from 11/2011, but dare not deviate.
I LEARNED & RE-LEARNED to:
1. Gain confidence with each step of achievement.
2. Control rising panic.
3. Ask friends for advice on what to do and how to do it.
4. Find accommodation. Cancel accommodation. Book better accommodation. My friend says I deserve it. Yes I do! It was a really good Airbnb for bed, location and privacy.
5a. Book train ticket - I'd already checked out how to do it and which TGV to catch.
5b. Check station and what to do.
5c. Check what to do for car parking for five days and cost. I didnt wish to poark for free several streets away.
6. Research what to do in Paris. Last year I'd bought a smaller than A3 sized book which unfolds for each arrondissement describing monuments, restaurants, markets, shops etc. At Montparnasse my first step was to the newsagents in the station. I found a good book map for walking - pages split into arrondissements with GRID numbered squares. It took three days to understood how the logic of how the pages inter related! Eureka! The large plastified map was not so useful as it did not easily fold; it was referenced a few times. Good for planning the next trip!
7. Start a TRAVEL journal... glue / write all details of where to stay and other information. Use it to write in.... (I hardly had any time to write!) The TRAVEL Journal can contain the next trip info.
8. Packing nightmare. What is the least I can travel with being not a minimalist when I go anywhere|! What to wear? Weather? Feet issues mean shoes need to be changed during the day. The sandals, not feet, need deodorant in this heat. Talcum powder decanted into a small plastic supplement container was used every day to refresh the feet.
9. Start to gather what I need... REJECT more than half over the next few days. Rejected more the night before. In the morning, screamed at the packing that I hate my clothes and lectured myself for behaving like a child. Told myself this will not do as I have packed at least 5 times and decided I don't like my bags. Told myself I can do it and will do it.
10. A few days before I travelled I ordered a new crossbody handbag, a BAGGALINI, which arrived in two days! It was an excellent travel bag and I even began to like the many pockets - GOOD for memory! Money here .. passport there... I know I should split valuables but it was better to have one place and have my hand tight on it at all times.
11. In a panic not to be late but already later than my intention, I drove anxiously to the train station, where, despite knowing what to do I tried to enter two bank cards in the machine to obtain a ticket to open the barrier, pressed button for HELP. A French voice told me all I had to do was press the green button. I pay on exit! I knew that... Silly me! Fortunately, I was 20 minutes in time to sit and study people travelling. What bags did they carry? What shoes and clothing did they wear? Where were they going? Some of course were working! People very clean and tidy, chic and sophisticated, even with huge travel bags!
12. Discover train seat numbering - sit - relax - I can do it - Here we go!!!!!!!!!!
Two hours to Paris.
BREATHER: Thank goodness the school contingent were well behaved, because on the homeward journey they were loud and naughty, smashing empty plastic bottles in the folding hinged tables.
Showing posts with label Birthdays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birthdays. Show all posts
Tuesday, 16 July 2019
Monday, 25 July 2016
another year passes by
and I still haven't done that road trip of route 66. Now the age has progressed to two consecutive digits once again and I shall have to wait for another 11 years before it happens again!
message from my daughter was in emoticoms but I am not sure if it will reproduce here!
🎂🎉🌻😄🍸🍾🎈. Xxxx 😘😘😘 Have a good day.
Only two cards this year.. and then a later one six days later and then another one 14 days later..
None from my mother this year or even any reference when I phoned her five days after my special day. Well she will be 90 in September and last year she was in a muddle sending to me as her sister and from my brother ( he has cerebral palsy and she has done everything for him in his lifetime .. he has such terrible shakes that writing is nigh on impossible ) she said I was his niece!!!!
Much has happened and I don't get or make time to write!
message from my daughter was in emoticoms but I am not sure if it will reproduce here!
🎂🎉🌻😄🍸🍾🎈. Xxxx 😘😘😘 Have a good day.
Only two cards this year.. and then a later one six days later and then another one 14 days later..
None from my mother this year or even any reference when I phoned her five days after my special day. Well she will be 90 in September and last year she was in a muddle sending to me as her sister and from my brother ( he has cerebral palsy and she has done everything for him in his lifetime .. he has such terrible shakes that writing is nigh on impossible ) she said I was his niece!!!!
Much has happened and I don't get or make time to write!
Saturday, 11 July 2015
Happy Birthday to me!
66 Clickety Clix
That's how old I am.
So, therefore and thus, it shall be celebrated!
Wouldn't it be wonderful to do that road trip or indeed any other ?
...
but what to do about my cat who has just cost me several arms, legs and lives with her flea infestation!
Thank you to my father and mother, my ancestors, friends and not friends who have created who I am today! I am most grateful also for all the negative and positive experiences in my life!
I aim to get the kitchen done and have a wonderful year of freedom and happiness.. tick off a few more boxes and if the attic doesn't get cleared then, hey, what does it matter!
It seems France is my home and will be for the foreseen future and there isn't a lot left!
I aim to get the kitchen done and have a wonderful year of freedom and happiness.. tick off a few more boxes and if the attic doesn't get cleared then, hey, what does it matter!
It seems France is my home and will be for the foreseen future and there isn't a lot left!
Friday, 10 July 2015
Little Bird sings her heart in Happy Birthday LOVE....
My son has another birthday! I wish he would let the past see a future. I have tried and am not sure what more I can do. Everyone makes mistakes but sometimes we just need to start again! When people will not move their thinking and start to blame and criticise, there can be no progress.
I learnt that to my cost in various scenarios from the past. I have had to learn not to do it!
In fact the heart, mind and body die whilst trying to protect oneself.
It is like drawing the curtains and blocking out the light, closing the door and window instead of opening them wide to let in sunshine, good humour and an open heart...
Wherever he is, whatever he is doing, whatever he is thinking, I love him with all my heart as a parent whose little bird sings to him a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I cherished him through difficult years after a 36 hr difficult birth. I asked of him too much and yet not enough. I gave him such a lot and yet never emough! I wanted him to be successful and possibly then I wanted to bathe in his glory, and he is and has been successful but not in the way that I anticipated. I acknowledge that his way of life is good for him, even if it would not be my choice. I have been very proud of his talents, skills, ability, knowledge, sense of humour, as well as deeply sad that he too has had to battle with depression... but I know now it can be turned around and isn't always a negativity. Depression or feeling low is a signal that something is not quite right in one's life. He is a very talented man and can make beautiful items. He used to take wonderful photos. He cycles without gears. He can make with metal, wood. He lives on a steel vessel which he has lovingly renovated.
It is not a truth to say I have never praised him, which is what his wife believes. He knows who he is... and he knows who I am, and hopefully soon he will come to understand what it is to be a not perfect parent. Hopefully, he will understand that my life journey is how it has been and that I am indeed his mother. Hopefully, one day he will be able to sing again with me! He and his wife!
I learnt that to my cost in various scenarios from the past. I have had to learn not to do it!
In fact the heart, mind and body die whilst trying to protect oneself.
It is like drawing the curtains and blocking out the light, closing the door and window instead of opening them wide to let in sunshine, good humour and an open heart...
Wherever he is, whatever he is doing, whatever he is thinking, I love him with all my heart as a parent whose little bird sings to him a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I cherished him through difficult years after a 36 hr difficult birth. I asked of him too much and yet not enough. I gave him such a lot and yet never emough! I wanted him to be successful and possibly then I wanted to bathe in his glory, and he is and has been successful but not in the way that I anticipated. I acknowledge that his way of life is good for him, even if it would not be my choice. I have been very proud of his talents, skills, ability, knowledge, sense of humour, as well as deeply sad that he too has had to battle with depression... but I know now it can be turned around and isn't always a negativity. Depression or feeling low is a signal that something is not quite right in one's life. He is a very talented man and can make beautiful items. He used to take wonderful photos. He cycles without gears. He can make with metal, wood. He lives on a steel vessel which he has lovingly renovated.
It is not a truth to say I have never praised him, which is what his wife believes. He knows who he is... and he knows who I am, and hopefully soon he will come to understand what it is to be a not perfect parent. Hopefully, he will understand that my life journey is how it has been and that I am indeed his mother. Hopefully, one day he will be able to sing again with me! He and his wife!
 |
"And Your Bird Can Sing"
You tell me that you've got everything you want
And your bird can sing But you don't get me, you don't get me You say you've seen Seven Wonders and your bird is green But you can't see me, you can't see me When your prized possessions start to weigh you down Look in my direction, I'll be 'round, I'll be 'round When your bird is broken will it bring you down You may be awoken, I'll be 'round, I'll be 'round You tell me that you've heard every sound there is And your bird can swing But you can't hear me, you can't hear me |
Monday, 9 March 2015
Ah-mund-buns
Last week I baked little cakes for little people with this recipe doubled:
Almond Buns
180g caster sugar and the same of butter beaten together until creamy then 4 eggs whipped in with 80g flour and a sprinkle of baking powder plus 150g ground almonds. You could do 230g ground almonds for gluten free! Then mix in more or less 100g marzipan cut into small lumps. Add milk if necessary. Beat well. Spoon into cases and add whatever dried fruits you have. Unfortunately I didn't have any blueberries / bilberries / myrtilles and I wasn't sure if the kiddies liked ginger, so I used expensive dried raspberries and mini-smarties! mmmmmmmmmmmmm but avoided M&Ms a fave of mine! Peanuts! Bake, 180C, but my oven is just HOT... one stat without a timer... hence one batch got double baked as I gave the buns just a few more minutes (ahem) forgetting they were on the bottom shelf!!!!!!!!!!!! Their daddy said, after I had cut off the paper and we were all enjoying the twice baked cakes, they would be good with custard. I agree! But then they were gone!
We played Connect, magnetic shapes, Kerplunk bees in the tree...drank copious cups of tea.
Almond Buns
180g caster sugar and the same of butter beaten together until creamy then 4 eggs whipped in with 80g flour and a sprinkle of baking powder plus 150g ground almonds. You could do 230g ground almonds for gluten free! Then mix in more or less 100g marzipan cut into small lumps. Add milk if necessary. Beat well. Spoon into cases and add whatever dried fruits you have. Unfortunately I didn't have any blueberries / bilberries / myrtilles and I wasn't sure if the kiddies liked ginger, so I used expensive dried raspberries and mini-smarties! mmmmmmmmmmmmm but avoided M&Ms a fave of mine! Peanuts! Bake, 180C, but my oven is just HOT... one stat without a timer... hence one batch got double baked as I gave the buns just a few more minutes (ahem) forgetting they were on the bottom shelf!!!!!!!!!!!! Their daddy said, after I had cut off the paper and we were all enjoying the twice baked cakes, they would be good with custard. I agree! But then they were gone!
 |
| Mix up the mixture |
 |
| Spoon into pretty baking cases |
 |
| Decorate with crystallised raspberries and smarties |
 |
| or cranberries |
 |
| Four of the not baked twice buns gifted to each twin |
 | ||
| My-made cards for twins |
Saturday, 7 March 2015
Friday, 6 March 2015
A Poem: I am a Mummy Octopus
Happy 7th Birthday, 6th March to special Francesca!
Happy Felicity Feast day 7th March with babe in arms!
Happy Birthday Party 8th March
Happy Francesca Feast Day 9th March
Happy Birthday Party 8th March
Happy Francesca Feast Day 9th March
This Poem which is absolutely copyright is a tribute to my grand daughter who has a busy mummy making her seventh birthday weekend a memorable happy event.
The Poem was started in 2013 from a song idea from my daughter to her daughter but she couldn't sing enough ideas about what an octopus could do.
She asked Grandmama in France to oblige. She has never had sufficient inspiration or imagination to make it into a children's rhyme or song but now supposes the octopus could find treasures in the sea. A pictorial artist is needed to help develop a story!
A
Poem: A Mummy Octopus sings to Baby Octopus
I am a mummy octopus with many arms to hold
you safe with all my heart until the days grow old.I am a mummy octopus with eight long tentacles
to keep me busy all the time to clear all obstacles.
I am a mummy octopus working hard for family,
I try to give my very best for health and harmony.
I am a mummy octopus, I wrap the world together,
Open - close, hug you tight, embrace shared love forever.
We spread ourselves around the world to reach out arms unfurled,
wide and far, wrap loved ones near, tentacles are curled.
We squish and squirm in Waters of Life, build friendship out of trust,
destroy unwanted nuisances, convert to angel dust.
On your seventh birthday, Mother and Daughter, we
keep our tentacles busy baking cakes for your party.
I hope that when you grow up more
your octopus daughter’s arms stretch to adore
the beautiful world of hope - a kaleidoscope.
One day my daughter you might be
a mummy octopus just like me
with arms to hold ME safe
with all your heart
until my days grow old and cold.
Thank you for letting me be a mummy octopus!
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
Each little bird that sings...
In Praise of my daughter's birth this day in 1978.
May she grow ever strong
Singing melody in song
Aloud from treetops high
In a beautiful clear sky.
Sing little bird with all your might
Fly with feathers very light
Do not carry any weight
Search the earth for sunny lands...
This is a heritage song from my father's sister: Ivy Evelyn Shaw. It was a favourite of hers. It was a favourite of mine at my own primary school and when I taught in a Catholic school. I loved to play hymns on the piano for 120 children to sing. My daughter was one of the throng. Hence, this song is my song for her and her daughter too.
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Cecil F. Alexander
Hymns for Little Children, 1848
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful
The Lord God made them all.
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
THANK YOU GOD FOR HER LIFE WITHIN MY LIFE x
Sunday, 13 July 2014
Villandry on a birthday
Never mind a picnic.. or a cake..
SEE LATER!
I had a small Caesar salad for 6.50e - the large one would have been too much food for me. This was a la carte! It was fresh and presented well. Lots of meat and a whole egg!
with a glass of St Nicholas de Bourgueil - a very rich red which I regretted cos it needed meat! Bit strong for mid pm for it was now between 14h30and 15h when I arrived at VILLANDRY. I came to a sudden halt at the first restaurant as I had driven from Poitiers, missed morning coffee and was feeling bushed! The wind on the autoroute was a little scary whilst watching the lorries ahead of me grip a straight course!
This little restaurant Le Gosier Sec was inside a grotto. The proprietress and waitress were impeccably polite. But somehow it missed something! Perhaps a restaurant in a grotto is limited! French musette accordion, organ and xylophone dance music and chansons filled the air! After a while one's eyes adjusted to the darkness but I did ask for the candle on the table to be lit. Happy Birthday it said! The back mural was a Bacchanalian Medieval scene of bosomed wenches and predators, quaffing wine and eating grapes!
I returned to my car for a slice of home made Pear Tarte Tatin and Rooibus tea!
Then into the expansive grounds of the chateau, which is quite interesting architecturally and quite ordinary inside!
Imagine controlling the household budget! No thanks!
TWO DAYS LATER I SHARED AND ATE THE CAKE I BOUGHT!
Friday, 11 July 2014
Going on a Magical Mystery Tour
A FEAST DAY
Hey hey...65 today!
I know where I'm going... I know the route I'm taking... I know where I'm heading for....
SIDESTEPPING MY STORY
A song springs to mind ... one I used to teach in my classes at school...and also which 'Captain Sensible and his Sweetpea' sang together in our last years of heady fun together!
The lyrics of this traditional Scottish/Irish ballad are about a woman pining for her "bonnie" lover Johnny. Folk music, learned by oral rote, produced different versions of lyrics and music and the simple version reproduced by Laura Wright became a rowdy version. Once upon a time The Clancy brothers, as well as others, sang it as The Gypsy Rover!
INTERLUDE I - whilst listening to the song!
I know where I'm going
I have no idea if and what the picnic will be.
BUT... I shall take a basket with tablecloth, cutlery, crockery, glasses, wine, plus a flask of Earl Grey tea for myself and an uninvited guest just because one never knows...hahaha! I shall take my birthday cards with me! AND... I am going to explore a Chateau. That is as much as I have planned!
I hope My Magical Mystery Tour will find a fine morning coffee to imbibe with an interesting view!
I hope to find delicious food in a boulangerie - maybe a savoury tart and most definitely a gateau.
For today is my birthday,
gonna have a good time...
gonna singalongasong with the fab four 'cos there aint anyone here to sing it for me!...
gonna sing in the plural (I am happy with who I am - with all my different personalities, moods and enigmas)
gonna re-invent the tradition that was an idea initiated by my daughter in 2004 when I didn't know what to do for his 60th birthday! Captain Sensible and I had several Magical Mystery Tours for his birthday and mine until after January 2010 when it all stopped!
I am not ever going to spend another birthday in bed as I did in 2010 just because I am on my own. Nope! For the last three years I have spent a family birthday with cousins, their children and grandchildren on the beach at Southwold or having barbecues in Reydon/Blythburgh but not this year. I couldn't find a cat sitter!
INTERLUDE II ... sing up!
They say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too, yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you
Ah Come on
Yes we're going to a party party
I would like you to dance
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance
I would like you to dance
Dance yeah Oh Come on
I would like you to dance
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance
I would like you to dance
Oh dance! Dance
They say it's your birthday
Well it's my birthday too,
They say it's your birthday We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you
TO CONTINUE in prose
The sun will shine in my heart and in France. I will drive safely and return to tell another story!
The end of the forecast!
Hey hey...65 today!
I know where I'm going... I know the route I'm taking... I know where I'm heading for....
SIDESTEPPING MY STORY
A song springs to mind ... one I used to teach in my classes at school...and also which 'Captain Sensible and his Sweetpea' sang together in our last years of heady fun together!
The lyrics of this traditional Scottish/Irish ballad are about a woman pining for her "bonnie" lover Johnny. Folk music, learned by oral rote, produced different versions of lyrics and music and the simple version reproduced by Laura Wright became a rowdy version. Once upon a time The Clancy brothers, as well as others, sang it as The Gypsy Rover!
INTERLUDE I - whilst listening to the song!
I know where I'm going
And I know who's going with me
I know who I love
And the dear knows who I'll marry.
I have stockings of silk
Shoes of bright green leather
Combs to buckle my hair
And a ring for every finger.
Some say he's poor (black)
But I say he's bonnie
The fairest of them all
My handsome winsome Johnny.
Feather beds are soft
And painted rooms are bonny
But I would leave them all
To go with my love Johnny.
I know where I'm going
And I know who's going with me
I know who I love
But the dear knows who I'll marry.
TO CONTINUE in proseI know who I love
And the dear knows who I'll marry.
I have stockings of silk
Shoes of bright green leather
Combs to buckle my hair
And a ring for every finger.
Some say he's poor (black)
But I say he's bonnie
The fairest of them all
My handsome winsome Johnny.
Feather beds are soft
And painted rooms are bonny
But I would leave them all
To go with my love Johnny.
I know where I'm going
And I know who's going with me
I know who I love
But the dear knows who I'll marry.
I have no idea if and what the picnic will be.
BUT... I shall take a basket with tablecloth, cutlery, crockery, glasses, wine, plus a flask of Earl Grey tea for myself and an uninvited guest just because one never knows...hahaha! I shall take my birthday cards with me! AND... I am going to explore a Chateau. That is as much as I have planned!
I hope My Magical Mystery Tour will find a fine morning coffee to imbibe with an interesting view!
I hope to find delicious food in a boulangerie - maybe a savoury tart and most definitely a gateau.
For today is my birthday,
gonna have a good time...
gonna singalongasong with the fab four 'cos there aint anyone here to sing it for me!...
gonna sing in the plural (I am happy with who I am - with all my different personalities, moods and enigmas)
gonna re-invent the tradition that was an idea initiated by my daughter in 2004 when I didn't know what to do for his 60th birthday! Captain Sensible and I had several Magical Mystery Tours for his birthday and mine until after January 2010 when it all stopped!
I am not ever going to spend another birthday in bed as I did in 2010 just because I am on my own. Nope! For the last three years I have spent a family birthday with cousins, their children and grandchildren on the beach at Southwold or having barbecues in Reydon/Blythburgh but not this year. I couldn't find a cat sitter!
INTERLUDE II ... sing up!
They say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too, yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you
Ah Come on
Yes we're going to a party party
I would like you to dance
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance
I would like you to dance
Dance yeah Oh Come on
I would like you to dance
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance
I would like you to dance
Oh dance! Dance
They say it's your birthday
Well it's my birthday too,
They say it's your birthday We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you
TO CONTINUE in prose
The sun will shine in my heart and in France. I will drive safely and return to tell another story!
The end of the forecast!
Thursday, 10 July 2014
My lovely boy! A Man!!
Happy Birthday Sebs
LIVE each day for it soon goes away!
as did the Birth day of 40 years ago!
Thursday, 6 March 2014
Happy Birthday Grand daughter
My only grand child is 6 on 6th March. I searched for a photo of her that does not identify her...!!! Then discovered mummy, me and her larking about at Chenonceau on a sunny day in October.
I can't believe it was 18 months ago!!!!!!
Seems like yesterday.
My children do not take sufficient advantage of the fact that I live in France and will not live forever!
Tuesday, 28 January 2014
Happy Birthday Daughter
As an Aquarian she is supposed to be inventive. That is so but could she do more in that direction?
I found this description, which should make her laugh given recent life events!!!
they'd like to make the world work better, which is why they focus much of their energy on our social institutions and how they work (or don't work). Aquarians are visionaries, progressive souls who love to spend time thinking about how things can be better. They are also quick to engage others in this process, which is why they have so many friends and acquaintances. Making the world a better place is a collaborative effort for Aquarians.Wishing her a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY and hoping that she continues to try and make the world a better place!!!
Thursday, 11 July 2013
Birthday July
My poetic cousin sent this beautiful birthday gift:
Happy Birthday to you......
Have a good one wherever you are
Enjoy the sunshine
The smiles
And a glass or three of wine
Think how lucky you are
To be whole
To be able to smile
And have fun
And enjoy a glass or three of wine
To have a family
So full of smiles
Lots of laughter
Troubles too at times
But a joy able to share
With a glass or three of wine.
Such lovely words from a so very thoughtful woman who has faced the stuff of life that I hope never to face.
A brave woman...a cherished woman...a loving life woman...a special woman... a daughter of Ivy...
A brave woman...a cherished woman...a loving life woman...a special woman... a daughter of Ivy...
Thursday, 25 April 2013
A Beautful Party with Candles and Cheese
A beautiful party.
In a beautiful setting.
Magic. Féerique.
Like a magical fairy tale.
On arrival one gave one’s
cheese and one’s candle to the organizers.
People made themselves scarce whilst important others made arrangements. I explored the natural beauty of La Distillerie, St Pierre de Maille, an events centre for music, arts, wedding feasts, etcetera.
People made themselves scarce whilst important others made arrangements. I explored the natural beauty of La Distillerie, St Pierre de Maille, an events centre for music, arts, wedding feasts, etcetera.
As guests we were invited to one room for pre-evening drinks. Chatter was accompanied by French melodies. Then we
had to secrete ourselves. No
voices, which was difficult because the people I joined, whom I have not
seen for several years, who are so funny, kept making froggy and birdy
sounds with ribald comments that I did not understand!
Francois is 60. He was brought blindfold to the lake where he boarded ‘une barque’ to be punted around the
lake in the dark, between the ribbon of fairy lights strewn on the water’s
surface, until his family, who were hidden behind willow trees and reeds burst
into the Happy Birthday song in French.
We guests were instructed to remain silent until they had finished when
we were to hear a lone voice singing the first Joyeux Anniversaire and hear a
second lone Joyeux Anniversaire. Then we
were to join in, reveal ourselves by lighting candles that we had
previously collected from the oil lamps surrounding the lake. There weren’t
any solo voices but everyone joined in with gusto singing several times as the song lapped around the lake.
Silence … as we picked our way by moonlight and candle light careful not
to ditch down the bank! I had the urge to sing in English so I started and
at the second Happy Birthday everyone joined in, in English!
Lots of praise and love issued forth to him from his family and friends. He is a lovely man, gentle, who, I think would wish no unkindness on any soul or creature. One only sees the public man. He and his wife have been good friends for 8 years now, patient, helping the friend and I to integrate into part of the French culture.
After ‘le spectacle du nuit’ we processed to the dining room, where long tables of 12 or more places were laid with creamy white cloths and yellow wild flowers…
Then we commenced to eat. People chose from
the buffet, not waiting for everyone to be seated which is what I think we
would do in UK! I was not sure
where to sit, and feeling a panic rising, eventually tucked myself onto the
corner of a table, centrally facing the buffet and a screen where later
photographs of the younger François were beamed.
Whilst people ate, I played three pieces on
my accordion:
Autumn Leaves –
Sous le Ciel de Paris –
Under the Bridges of Paris -
Then the hurdy gurdy man and his violin wife again played French dance tunes… feet tapping, people dancing. I joined the spiral dance except didn’t spiral for we only circumnavigated the tables. 3 steps and a foot gesture repeated 3 times, then 2 lots of 2 and 2 lots of 1. A progressive dance. SIMPLE FUN!
Sous le Ciel de Paris –
Under the Bridges of Paris -
Then the hurdy gurdy man and his violin wife again played French dance tunes… feet tapping, people dancing. I joined the spiral dance except didn’t spiral for we only circumnavigated the tables. 3 steps and a foot gesture repeated 3 times, then 2 lots of 2 and 2 lots of 1. A progressive dance. SIMPLE FUN!
After that Thomas serenaded François with
Bach ‘cello pieces without music. Exquisite! Later cds of modern music. I
distinctly remember Sweet Home Alabama by Lynnrd Skynnrd – a favourite song for
me! A small nucleus danced and
laughed until 3am when I thought I’d better take my personal being back on
home. Tables were cleared. Many had already departed some time back!
Well … we ate radishes, salads, a choice of three
soups (nettle, carrot, radish and ginger). There were so many cheeses to die
for!!!!!!!!!! Baguette was largely ignored, especially when I found better bread. I believe that I witness a French movement
away from the traditional baguette. Then tiramisu cake (oh wow) and a white chocolate
cake for the children, but there was a little left to sample. Gateau was served
with a grapefruit champagne. Coffee. Red wine to start, continue and finish! Plenty
of water jugs on the table. The French certainly tucked in. There were 70
guests and evidently apx one litre of alcohol per person was consumed!
What a party. So spectacular! So
beautifully organized. Joyeux Anniversaire à François!
It was the first French party I have ever been to, at which, I was the only English person. I was very appreciative of my invitation and surprised to count more than 10 French people to say a little more than Hello and a smile
to. I felt as if perhaps “I had
arrived” as they say. After the long haul of winter, sunshine in my heart has returned. I’ll have to accept there is just one I can direct it to. C’est moi.
Monday, 28 January 2013
Try again for the Marmalade Queen
Always every year a happy birthday for my dearest and only daughter is celebrated whilst I make marmalade!
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
'Twas a birthday treat
I can return to the renovated room, with its new oak floor instead of concrete and carpet. The doors and bay window tiling are to be completed ... but hey ... what a happy day! A special day! We celebrated with expensive morning coffee, Agen prunes and Turkish delight. Then a birthday lunch -
 | ||
| ♠ Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic Soup |
 | ||||
| ♣ Chicken Breasts stuffed with Sundried Tomatoes, Goats Cheese, Garlic and Thyme on a bed of buttered oat grains and lemony leeks with Bourgueil wine |
♥
Goats Cheese and Épautre bread
(a smidgeon of each)
 |
| ♦ Triple layered Chocolate Orange Clementina Cake with Teddy who had been mowing the lawn, the garden well, and 8 candles as 60 had been eaten by two Capricornian goats!!!!!! I raided the farm set! |
At the end of the day we divided the salon with a blue screen. On the woodburner side, much warmer as the room has been divided into ⅔ and ⅓, is the piano, dining table and settee. In the smaller section will be his wood machine. Wood dust will be contained as it is far too cold to work outdoors. His gifts were opened and appreciated. My gifts were to be told it was a memorable meal and to regain sleeping quarters rather than spend the nights amidst a melange of chaos that many a French man or woman seem so heartily to accept, if you glance through windows whilst on an evening walk! Although it was quite cosy and comfortable to witness the woodburner alight in the witching hours.
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Belated Happy Birthday
on 5th September 2012 as my blog reaches it's first birthday.
I have actually written this on 19th September 2012!
I have kept this blog fairly private even though it's in the public domain. This has been for reasons of cautiousness, protecting a friendship, and my insecurities. Here though I have found within a space a place where creativity can unfold and heal the past whilst I confront the present and the future. It is where, within a certain anonymity, I can feel brave enough to record a diary of events. I can challenge and correct a mild dyslexia using word processing combined with visual book style presentation.
I know that I find the public sharing of my life a difficult one.
With my previous blog I had an alias which I continue to this day. I like it very much.
I rarely had my profile on that blog.
I am not fan of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc where I have to share my real name and statistics!
But here I can be RestlessinFrance!!!!!!!
I have actually written this on 19th September 2012!
I have kept this blog fairly private even though it's in the public domain. This has been for reasons of cautiousness, protecting a friendship, and my insecurities. Here though I have found within a space a place where creativity can unfold and heal the past whilst I confront the present and the future. It is where, within a certain anonymity, I can feel brave enough to record a diary of events. I can challenge and correct a mild dyslexia using word processing combined with visual book style presentation.
I know that I find the public sharing of my life a difficult one.
With my previous blog I had an alias which I continue to this day. I like it very much.
I rarely had my profile on that blog.
I am not fan of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc where I have to share my real name and statistics!
But here I can be RestlessinFrance!!!!!!!
Monday, 23 July 2012
En Angleterre
It was rather hectic but I absolutely loved it.
I stayed a few days with my cousin's daughter and family and tried to support them in their latest angst. Then onto Sussex and the most delightful of cottages. I was lucky. It was a beautiful thatched cottage which I highly recommend to rent. The owners were lovely and apart from a few mosquitoes I had a lovely time.....but then my own home is pestered with mosquitoes! Difference is I have a mosquito net! I loved Arundel and Chichester. So pretty, calm and assuringly steeped in history. I also visited Rye on my journey from Ashford to Littlehampton. What an exquisite village.
Maybe I will tell you more about these villages in a later posting.
Apart from the prep for and clearing up of my son's wedding at which I did not help as much as I would have liked to .... (everyone did their bit)... and apart of course from attending the lovely ceremony, I walked on a lovely SSI beach in Sussex. Then in Suffolk another SSI beach and how wonderful to be free from litter.
The next two weeks disappeared as quickly as the first two! Suffice it to say there was Englishness :
A day's journey to visit mother and brother
Barbecues and bunting
Crabbing buckets with bacon
Dunwich 10 miles there and back
English scones and raspberry jam
Fish and chips, flying kites, flag on the sandcastles
Gigs in pubs
Hula hoops
Ice creams
James and Katie
Laughter as we climbed the lighthouse up and down the spiral staircase
Meals in pubs with Ad
Nams
Olympic torch flame carried past the cottage
Picnics in the dunes, paddling in the sea, promenade on the pier,
Questions from little ones and those who are so tall
Running along with wind in our hair
Shared meals
Tired people
Union Jack flags wherever we go
Umbrellas abandoned when rain stopped
Vicky and co aboard a river boat
Walks along beach to harbour, across common and marshes,
X,Y, Zee and Camarderie,
Thank you England and despite the weather I had a whale of a time and laughed for 4 weeks!
I stayed a few days with my cousin's daughter and family and tried to support them in their latest angst. Then onto Sussex and the most delightful of cottages. I was lucky. It was a beautiful thatched cottage which I highly recommend to rent. The owners were lovely and apart from a few mosquitoes I had a lovely time.....but then my own home is pestered with mosquitoes! Difference is I have a mosquito net! I loved Arundel and Chichester. So pretty, calm and assuringly steeped in history. I also visited Rye on my journey from Ashford to Littlehampton. What an exquisite village.
Maybe I will tell you more about these villages in a later posting.
The next two weeks disappeared as quickly as the first two! Suffice it to say there was Englishness :
A day's journey to visit mother and brother
Barbecues and bunting
Crabbing buckets with bacon
Dunwich 10 miles there and back
English scones and raspberry jam
Fish and chips, flying kites, flag on the sandcastles
Gigs in pubs
Hula hoops
Ice creams
James and Katie
Laughter as we climbed the lighthouse up and down the spiral staircase
Meals in pubs with Ad
Nams
Olympic torch flame carried past the cottage
Picnics in the dunes, paddling in the sea, promenade on the pier,
Questions from little ones and those who are so tall
Running along with wind in our hair
Shared meals
Tired people
Union Jack flags wherever we go
Umbrellas abandoned when rain stopped
Vicky and co aboard a river boat
Walks along beach to harbour, across common and marshes,
X,Y, Zee and Camarderie,
Saturday, 28 January 2012
A thankyou tribute to my lovely daughter
It was thirty four years ago today
I was struggling to make my way,
With sliced oranges in a preserving pan
Making marmalade for me and my man
So may I introduce to you
My daughter naturally true
Miss Happiness was her name
And for that I'm glad I am to blame
For calling her Felicity
'cos with speed and velocity
She arrived into this wonderful world
A beautiful pink baby pearl.
ohhhhhh
Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band
It's wonderful to be here
It gives me such a thrill
She's such a lovely audience
and makes me feel so good
I don't really want to stop the show
ohhhhhh
Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band
It's wonderful to be here
It gives me such a thrill
She's such a lovely audience
and makes me feel so good
I don't really want to stop the show
but I thought you might like to know
I am happy just today to say
a very very Happy birthday.
And so it was that I
started at about 5h in the morning, stage 2 of my special motherly recipe for
making marmalade which involved cutting finely by hand the seville oranges,
sweet oranges and lemons on that second day of making the best marmalade in the world! At about 7h or later in the evening it was jarred. And so, I was free to give birth for I
was elephantine and if I sat down could not get up again. I too was jarred with stirring and
jangled because I was having this baby.
I refused to go to the hospital earlier because of frightful experiences with what happened when I gave birth the
first time with my dearest son, and so I waited until I was sure that those waves of pain were the
real thing. When I arrived at the hospital
at about 20h30 I told the nurses “I am having a baby”. I remember the look on
Matron’s face as she smilingly and kindly spoke “Of course you are”. Why else would I be arriving at a
maternity hospital like a beached whale?
However, I insisted urgently that I WAS HAVING the baby! It was a small cottage hospital. Nonchalantly,
they allowed me to go to the toilet unaided, whereupon the waters broke, I
collapsed on the floor yet had the good sense to pull the alarm cord and so
they came running in their uniforms. Within a few minutes at 8h53pm the darling Felicity was
born! Miss Happiness. I felt that I was lucky to now have one
son and one daughter. It was my wish come true.
She hasn’t always
caused happiness to either herself or others, being a very challenging person, but the worry was well worth
it because I now feel a great affinity with her, and the more we see each other, as we get older, the more
we seem to get on well together. But of course I cannot speak for her. I
praise her for her ability as a mother in coping with a parenting situation that is very different to my experience as a mother, as was my own experience different to the trials of my own mother. I respect daughters. I respect mothers. I respect what supportive father's do too. Being a conscientious parent is not the easiest of jobs and it IS a job, it is a career and as mothers we work hard for the heartache of pain AND joy that sons and daughters bring to us.
My daughter has a wealth of ideas and self confidence. She has many creative talents and abilities. We come from a family where the women appear to be late developers. I am hoping that in 2012, or whenever, she will find a way to use her skills, interests and talents in a way that brings more confidence, success and happiness. May doors open for her. Happy Birthday, my lovely one.
28 January 1978 Top of the Pops chart
Number 1 was "Stayin Alive" by the BeeGees
Number 20 was "What's your Name?" by Lynrd Skynrd
My daughter has a wealth of ideas and self confidence. She has many creative talents and abilities. We come from a family where the women appear to be late developers. I am hoping that in 2012, or whenever, she will find a way to use her skills, interests and talents in a way that brings more confidence, success and happiness. May doors open for her. Happy Birthday, my lovely one.
28 January 1978 Top of the Pops chart
Number 1 was "Stayin Alive" by the BeeGees
Number 20 was "What's your Name?" by Lynrd Skynrd
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