“I am definitely wandering, not only these streets of Arles that I have come to love so much since moving here in 2005, but also looking for that next step, that sign of the direction of what is next for me. A good a day as any, then to start a blog and share my experiences of living in Provence that I find along the way…”
My hands trembled with excitement as I hit “publish post” then “view blog”. There it was! What a difference from the world of the press where it would take months to see an article be published. Such immediacy was stunning. Now the only question was whether I would enjoy it enough to continue…and would anyone be interested?
It is incredible to think that a year has gone by. On this, my first blog anniversary, I want to thank Remi, my love, for encouraging me to start and to those of you that have inspired me to keep going. I am so very, very grateful for everyone who stops by to read and for those of you that have become friends. I am well aware of how extremely fortunate I am. Both my Mom and my friend Sonny have made the same remark: “Your readers are so amazing! So intelligent and well-spoken.” Yes, they are. Not to mention generous, talented and funny to boot.
I hope that you will stick around for the ride. It has been an adventure, coming at blogging from the quite formal world of French travel writing with nary a moi in sight. Yes, I am still learning and as I wrote yesterday, still finding my way as I go but happily, doing so in excellent company.
Merci encore, mes amis et bisous!
PS. Yes, I have decided to change the look of my blog. I originally chose the red, gold and purple as I felt, as I still do, that those colors are the essence of Arles, a land that is both baroque and farouche, as described by native son Christian Lacroix. Well, they have recently begun to annoy me. I need less noise in my life and that includes on my blog! I certainly would never have thought that I would be moving again when I launched this and those colors also reflected an “olé!” that doesn’t feel appropriate to where I am right now. I had a lot of fun last night with Remi at my side to help decide on colors. Merci, coeur. I might do some tinkering still in the next few days but nothing fancy. The words and photos will have to do all the work!
Thank you so much ladies, so nice to wake up to such sweet words. I love you Sister and what you wrote means the world to me…
Well I'm certainly glad you kept on blogging. I adore hearing about life in your part of the world. So very different to Australia. So much more history among other things…
~ Clare x
Congratulations, Sister!! How proud I am of you – not only baring your soul to us all, but growing into an amazing writer in the process! We are so happy to see Provence through your eyes, and I imagine you benefit as well – from the friendships you've made and the conclusions you've come to. I look forward to many more blog posts – you are a beautiful writer and a beautiful person.
Hello Heather
I, too, like your new look. Looking forward to keeping up with your blog as your enter Year Two.
Congratulations
Helen
Thank you everyone for these well wishes. I am heading off to sleep now but with a full heart with these kind words. A good sleep most certainly lies ahead. Bon nuit et merci!
Hello Heather:
Bonne Anniversaire!!! [We always knew that our schoolday French would come in handy one day!!]
Many, many happy returns. Blogland would certainly be a poorer, unhappier, less colourful,less informative, less cheery place without you. Bisous!!
Joyeux anniversaire.
Your beautifully written bog with its lovely photos gives me much pleasure.
Warm regards.
Happy Blogaversary Heather! It's always a surprise when a year goes by I had my anniversary in June and coming up on my 100th post…who would have thought? I love your new look and while I don't actually know you it seems more you, the other it seemed to loud. Thank you for sharing your beautiful part of the world and for many more to come.
Happy blogging anniversary! [Mine is coming up fast.] I like the new blog look by the way and I am so glad I found you a few weeks ago. You live in a beautiful part of France. Keep blogging! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
Nothing like a tinker.Like your dog.