Tongue in Cheek

The Empty Nest Feeling

                           

My daughter Chelsea is in Terminal Bac S, (a senior in high school.) I asked her how her day went and she said, "Since I was early for my Greek class, I leaned against the wall and started to re-read my physic lesson, when a bunch of girls came running down the hall, very late for their class next door. Laughing hysterically, in their hands they each had a cell phone, or a nail file, or a tube of lipstick, none of them had a back pack...one had a i-pod, they are fashion (the popular well-dressed crowd.)......."

Before Chelsea could finish telling me about those girls, I asked her if she was considered, "a nerd?"

"No duh Mom."

"Gee, Chelsea, I was voted, "Most Goofy," when I was in school. I didn't carry a backpack, nor a tube of lipstick."

"What did you study?"

"Boys." I said while popping my bubble gum.

She rolled her eyes at me, I winked...and drove us home.

Different birds of a feather flock together....the eggs in my nest are cracking, I am missing her already.

photo: A pair of 19th century gilded birds, smoke screen holders.

The Dare and the Aim

                           

This blog was created on a dare, November 29th 2005, after having lunch with fellow blogger Kristen, "French Word A Day." Kristen, daringly encouraged me to write about my, (as she called it, "Tongue in Cheek,") collection of French flea market finds.

My tales have been woven from my experiences of living and loving France. Mostly stories collected at the, marché aux puces, (flea market.) Tales of linens, letters, vintage scraps, and moments of these worn true objects whispering in my ear.

One year and counting, everyday I have taken a photo and scribbled something on this blog; no matter where.....on a cruise, visiting my family, whether I was as sick as a dog, or in foreign country. No matter if I had sad news, nothing to say, or no time to write...even when my camera broke and the keyboard was in Greek. It hasn't been easy, but it has been an amazing adventure! I am happy to say that I aimed at the dare that Kristi gave me, and hit the bull's eye! I did it, and it has given me a brand new world!

Thank you for your steadfast friendship, your encouragement, inspiring comments (beautiful post in themselves,) and most importantly the healing I have felt in being myself in front of you.

photo: An 16th century arrow, so happy it is dancing the twist!

Open Door

                              

Each one will take you on a journey to a place that is yet to come.

Do you dare knock and enter?

The first step of tomorrow begins today, may the door open wide and welcome you with open arms!

photo: A splash of the Mediterranean washed this door, the color alone makes me want to open it!

Julie's Treasure

                               

He was there.

As if waiting for her,

(...though he was drinking a café amongst the pearls in Paris.)

She blushed coral.

He smiled drinking her in long and deep....leaned over and said,

                                "I want to take you into my arms."

                               

                            Since then her jewelry box has never been the same.

photo: French flea market holds treasures for those who look. The poem is for my cousin who is head over heels, as she returns to France to visit her gem.

French Flea Market Cures

 

At the flea market this morning, I came across a stand that had a 19th century pharmacy collection. Apothecary jars, packets of pills, cotton bundles, glass tubes with ointments and dried herbs in paper packets, gathered together in wooden boxes. I asked the dealer if there was a magic potion in the lot? He replied, No, but that he was hoping for a cure for a broken heart. I looked into his eyes and smiled sadly...

What is your love potion?

photos: French flea market hopefuls find happiness and ancient cures.

The Key is Believing

                        

There is a way.

There is hope.

There is meaning.

Light and dark.

Here and now.

A keyhole.

A passage.

The key.

You.

The way is going from moment to moment,

Yet being where we are.

Whatever side you are on.

Or even if you are in the middle.

photo: Keyhole in a dark room, the light from outside, while standing still focusing on the moment.

Small Details

                           

The small details of how we live our lives measure large. Isn't it true that you can getting a feeling about a person in how they shake your hand, or look into your eye? Wouldn't you agree that generosity of spirit can be seen in how someone smiles?

                            It is in such small details that speak of who we are.

photo: Little bits of scraps I found in the bottom of a box. I bundled them together enjoying the moment.

My Amazon: Little details speak the answers.

A Plate of Thanksgiving

                            

Empty plates wait on the table. Ready to hold Thanksgiving. Cranberry sauce, sweet potato, corn bread with butter and honey. May your plate be filled with that which will nourish your soul; generous serving of sauces to savor, second helpings of unforgettable moments rich in color and texture.

More-so may we be willing to give from our bounty to those plates around us that are empty.

Photo: French directoire plates on the table waiting to be set.

True Desire

                               

Sure she had more than she needed, she was wealthy in many ways, she could afford to use a cameo as a button! Nevertheless, her desires remained the same...she wanted to love, to be able to give of herself without holding back. Doesn't it always come down to that...the need to love and be loved in return.

Photo: A 1916 French postcard which is addressed to Fernand, and ends with, "Mille Caresses et Meilleurs baisers de ta Julie cherie."

Morocco

Marrakesh, at the Jemaa el Fna square,

my imagination stood still! The Medina (the old city center,)

grabbed me, stunning my senses, opening pores I didn't know I had,

flooding me as I stood awestruck!

A splash of water leads you down an alley,

To a place where women paint your hands with henna,

and to hammams (Turkish baths,) in marble,

where soft strong hands caress your body and soul.

The aroma of mint tea pours through ancient doors

beckoning you to knock and enter,

and when you do you enter into the center of Riads,

Inner courtyards where columns of colorful zellige, (hand cut tiles,)

create an ambiance that make you feel like are living in a kaleidoscope.

High mountains of spices burst flavor like exotic kisses.

and snake charmers really do charm.

Photos: My cousin Julie and I went to Marrakesh, we stayed at the Mamounia, the entire trip was an unbelievable magical dream.

My Amazon: A cookbook that offers the flavors of the spice of these photos!