Celebrating Bastille Day in the South of France

The fire was set up with oak wood to grill the sardines. Our friends layered the grill with a bed of thyme, laurel, and rosemary. The dinner was set up outside under the cyprus trees. The table was a cornucopia of provencal goodness: Garden tomatoes, fresh green beans with garlic, and roasted potatoes in lemon and olive oil.
In the near distance, behind the stone wall, the town was celebrating as well, the eve of Bastille day.
Later we walked over to the town square, laughter mingled with music filled the space between the square and the stars up above. Families gathered around listening to the band, sipping Pastis, celebrating in unison the eve of Bastille Day. The baker in his blue checked pants stepped out of the bakery to take part of the merriment, he leaned on the fountain and sent a cloud of flour dust when he clapped his hands. The bartender called over to the waiter to send the baker a drink, the baker shook his head declining the offer, "Do you want burnt baguettes tomorrow?" The bartender took the dishtowel from his pants and snapped it at him.
Over the cobblestones, I jitterbugged in the arms of my husband. Children chased each other weaving amongst those of us dancing. As my dress swirled around my legs to the tune of a French song I do not know but have heard a hundred times before, I caught kaleidoscope glimpses of the crowd.
Simplicity.
Celebration.
Joy.
The band was playing when the church bells struck twelve bringing in the new day like fireworks.
Happy Bastille Day.

Comments

[Diana von Welanetz Wentworth]

Oh, that sounds wonderful!
I remember a restaurant years ago where one could order chicken or beef grilled atop a bed of herbs. Did the herbs char a little? Did they stick to the food?

[SweetPeaSurry]

What a beautiful image. The laughter and joy and yummy foody goodness. Bliss!

[Jill]

(Sigh...) Corey, you have a gift for painting a picture with words. I felt transported through your beautiful words and thoughts. Your words remind me to take note of the simple beautiful things and to live in the moment. Thank you so much for sharing your moment with all of us!

[Jeri Walter]

Poetry, sheer poetry. Your descriptive words painted a poetic picture of joy!

[Deborah P]

Happy Bastille Day, Corey! I'm watching the Tour de France on television and loving the images of the beautiful countryside.

[debra]

Not only Bastille Day, but my oldest daughter's 21st birthday :-)

[Kathie]

Corey, today's blog is a prime example of the writer's dictum, "Don't just tell me, SHOW me." We could all envision last neight's revelries there so vividly. Parabéns!

[Carol]

Great post, Corey, it feels just like I was watching a great film.

I can't imagine jitterbugging on cobblestones. Back in the day, when I mostly wore heels everywhere I did well to walk on them.

Thanks so much for sharing the Bastille celebration!

[Genevieve]

Ahhh....
I thank you for this picturesque painting of the revels,
Madame Wordsmith!

[Rosemary]

Sounds like fun Corey!!
Rosemary

[Shelley Noble]

"...he leaned on the fountain and sent a cloud of flour dust when he clapped his hands." You've got to be kidding me with how great this line and whole post is. You notice such sublime things in life and describe them with such love.

Lady, you are a superb writer!

[benson]

beautiful! Have just found you and am catching up on the last few years of your life...lucky girl.

[Marilyn]

What beautiful images you create with your words. Thank you so much.
Marilyn
in Oregon

[Marilyn]

Corey,

As always, you have the ability to paint pictures with words!

From your words, I was able to taste the food, hear the laughter & music, and see the puff of flour dust.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful day!

Marilyn (in Dallas)

[Pamela]

Vive la France!

[Diogenes]

Dear Corey,

I felt like I was there. Thanks for that.

[Kim]

I think that I may need to plan my extended visit to France in July... It sounds heavenly~

[Vicki Archer]

Happy 14th Corey, xv.

[Ed in Willows]

You didn't add a single photo to your blog today but I could see every detail of the night......thank you.

[Kathie]

Ack, should read "a remastered" -- I was so intent on trying to get my poor French correct that I messed up my native English. Still need more caffeination before getting to work this morning :-)

[Kathie]

For several years we belonged to a local chapter of L'Alliance Française (which, alas, dwindled as our older members became infirm and/or died). The high point of our monthly schedule was La Fète du 14 Juillet, bien sûr: qu'ils mangent de la brioche! Today, in honor of the date, our local (NPR) jazz radio station is playing French jazz -- some recordings by French artists, others by American expats who flourished there -- so I expect to have some delightful listening while slaving over my computer polishing some book chapters whose deadline is looming (right this moment, an remastered Django Reinhardt/Stephane Grappelli number from Le Quintette du Hot Club de France!

[Gina Baynham]

What memories your words bring back! I wrote my memories of a Bastille Day in France as a child on my blog here:

http://thebaynhamfamily.blogspot.com/2009/07/happy-bastille-day-dad.html

It was set in a similar small village but unfortunately for my Dad he didnt realise the orange juice he was being poured was more potent than he realised!

[anne]

Wonderful celebrations..can imagine it just from your words..:-)

[marlis]

Aah Bastille day... your delicious words brought all those memories back.. thank you :)

[Jillian]

Bonne Fête! My family is celebrating today, though we are only francophile :) I'm excited for our Provençal feast that I've planned!

[Penny]

I love to see your photographs, but, your description of Bastille Eve was so picturesque I was there in my mind. Thank you.

[kelleyn]

Sounds like Heaven to me.

[Merisi]

Merci, Corey,
for sharing this wonderful celebration with us!

May Bastille Day be as beautiful too!

[Mary]

Happy Bastille Day Corey.
The French villages always celebrate with such wonderful zest and happiness. I loved mingling with the locals at their fetes, seeing the true colors of people who enjoy the fruits of their land......and the simpler things in life.

Celebrate and dance for me too please!

[Jeanne]

The joy of life that is what you bring to us all.
Love you
Happy Days each and every day
Love Jeanne♥

[Julie Ann Evins]

True joy. You absolutely bring it to life - it sounds like a painting and should be ! Love the baker clapping his hands in a cloud of flour - imagine that painted. Jx