Tongue in Cheek

Souvenirs

                     

Souvenirs...A butterfly that dared to leave the cocoon. A found button with an X that marked the spot. Stamps from another place and time. Music that stirred my soul, "Rize and Krump!" Past lives connecting with the present, like a dream becoming a reality. Unnoticed strings, like words that held me together and shaped new paths...where? who? why? I don't remember each detail but they brought me a grand aroma of life that I can call my own!

Souvenirs; moments gathered, moments shared, may the new year unfold page after page in you!

photo: Details of collected bits and pieces at the French flea market.

A Gordian Knot

                     

Untie that which holds you back. Let go of the reins, allow the loose ends to dance in the wind. Follow the thread that seems unlikely to lead anywhere. Knots are bows, think outside the box, let the weeds grow. Invite yourself to unwind, unravel and not brush your hair. Why not?

photo: 1920s hat box, with thick uneven ribbons, tied over a bold pattern background of dark flowers.

Snapshots and Stories in Six Words

Marseille's rare moment. Thoughts of rain.

Table setting. Guest arrive. Merry making.

French husband stands faithful in 501s.

Josephine swims away. Her blog stops.

I heart desserts. Hips heart....salad!

Six word restaurant sign in French.

Photos: Six snapshots of my days...six word stories trying my hand to the competition, click here! 

Amazon books and things are available by clicking on photos. Buying at Amazon through my blog benefits me by giving me a small fund to buy books. As you know living in France doesn't mean second hand English bookstores! Thank you!!

Thoughts Flowered....

                     

"Thoughts flowered"...And within no time the French word "pensées" is budding in my mind...French "pensées" can be either "thoughts" or "pansies" in English...
Now when I send "mes meilleures pensées", will you get "my best thoughts" or a little bunch of delicate purple flowers ?" (written by Marie-Noelle in yesterday's comment section.)

When I receive a comment regarding what I have written, I feel that they are amazing post in themselves. The depth that many of you share, gives new light and direction to my posts. Your comments are "meilleures pensées" and at the same time bouquets of friendship. Thank you, all of you, who encourage me to blog my thoughts and photos! Merci Beaucoup!

photo: 18th century painting in Chateau de Chenonceau. A mademoiselle sends a thought to heaven and receives a welcoming message from an angel.

Matters of the Heart

                  

Looking opposite directions, they both wanted the same thing.

Their minds overflowing in the clouds. Thoughts flowered but not gathered.

Longing in the midst of comfort. They debated in their silence.

Never knowing the others need.

Photo: Turn of the century, porcelain top hair brushes, without any tangles to brush through...they unnecessarily knotted that which mattered most.

The Day after Christmas

                     

       What will you do with the gift of Christmas that has been given to you?

  photo: A statue with a child-like expression, offers the gift he has been given...the gift of love.

You Are the Angels on Top of my Tree

Merry Christmas!Joyeux Noel!

photo: 19th century, hand painted, theatrical angels for the nativity scene.

Born in a Manger

                     

After telling Chelsea, (who was four at the time,) the story of Jesus, Mary and Joseph...of their long travel, the ride on the donkey...and when they arrived there was no room in the Inn...Jesus was born in a manger.

She asked me with a surprised look on her face:

"Didn't they know to make reservations?"

photo: My Grandfather's barn that once stood tall, that still evokes deep memories in my Father. The frame, made from the barn's planks by my cousin.

Songs of Silence

                     

                 singing in silence,

                 Side by side,

                 Hand on heart,

                 Knowing.

                 Does silence sing to you? 

Photo: A peeling painting, and a chipped gilded statue stare softly, part of an altar in a basilica, next to the French village where I live. This church is said to be the burial place of St. Mary Magdalene...

                

Santa's Helpers

                        

One of my Mother's clever tools of disciplining, my four brothers and I as children, was telling us that the birds that sat on the telephone wires were Santa's helpers. During the year (not just in December,) she would point up to them and say, "They are watching you! You better behave, or they will fly back and tell Santa!" If we did something devious, she would look out the window and say, "Oh, I see one of the birds flying away, look, there it goes to the North pole!"

I believed her. I remember seeing hundreds of birds lined on the telephone wires and wondering why soooooooooooooooo many of them were by our house?

Being Catholic had nothing to do with guilt compared to those damn birds!

Photo: A collage sheet of my vintage papers, were Santa's helpers are singing praise to clever children named: Marty, Mathew, Mark, Zane and Corey!