“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!
Hello Pam! Any girl that likes Charlie Brown is a o-k by me! I imagine that you follow Veronique's blog? If not here is the link!
http://frenchgirlinseattle.blogspot.com/
Great having you here!
Thank you so much Virginia about the feedback, it certainly as insanely glamorous and snappy as your blog–but then you are one of a kind! And I really absolutely agree one hundred percent that it truly helps to not be from a place to appreciate it. Oh my, there are so many folks here that I have met that have no idea what the history is of the monuments that they grew up with. But hey, I also will take any justification to travel too–I have mega wanderlust right now!
Q, I am so happy to have you here too–and I think you know how much I appreciate how much I get out of your blog–I am practically a vampire over there! And yes, I am so stunned that a year has passed. I truly don't understand how it could have gone by and know that makes me sound ooold! 🙂
congratulations heather… i am so fortunate to have found you on your anniversary! i have been to arles.. we had such a lovely time there and surrounding areas… stayed near st remy… will be back and wouldnt it be fun to meet??? xx pam
Happy Blogiversary Heather!! While I loved your old look, I totally understand the need for change, for less intensity and color, for a cleaner, leaner, pared down aesthetic. Isn't it amazing how fast that first year went? But it's also amazing to think how many new friends there are, places we've visited (even if virtual), and meals we've consumed – the zero calorie kind. I'm happy to count you as a wonderful addition!!
Loving the new fresher, lighter colour scheme – a reflection of how you feel about life which can only be a good thing, methinks! And yes, congratulations too on clocking up a year in putting your adventures and thoughts out there for all the world to see. For it is, indeed, a window into your own world in Provence and that is what keeps your readers coming back to see how your interpret things, especially the simple little beautiful things around you which sometimes other people just do not even see. I often ponder that one can only see the beauty of a place when one is not originally from that spot. Or maybe that just justifies the actions of those of us who like to travel! Virginia xx
Happy anniversary, Heather. Reading your post has become a lovely addition to my morning routine. Thank you for that.
Best…Victoria
Bonne Anniversaire dear Heather! Thank you for making us a part of your life. Always happy to hear from you. Lots in common so it's like speaking to a friend. Last August we spent a day in Arles on our way to Avignon and wandering the streets of this lovely town I was thinking of you. And because I don't part with my camera I caught myself thinking that I was looking with your eyes and what pics would you have taken.
Love your new look very much. So sophisticated. Keep going and the best wishes.
Natalie
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nataliedesigns
Merci tellement Janine. I am extremely flattered that you are interested in reading backwards a bit–I wish you would, if only to realize that my life is not at all a dream life, it is just my life. As I have said before, everything sounds more glamorous when you tack on "in Provence" at the end of it –i.e. Today, I did the laundry…in Provence. I try to straddle the atom thin wire here of not breaking bubbles while being truthful!
Bonne Anniversaire Heather! I thought you had been here longer than that as it goes…but that's because your blog is so well written and accomplished-i like reading it a lot. The pictures are just wonderful and it's as if you're living the life I wish for myself 🙂 and I've promised myself that when I have more time, I'm going to read through the whole blog from the beginning…it's a real pleasure and a delight to read your adventure…
Best wishes anyway and here's to reading for the next twelve months 🙂
Janine
xoxoox
Oh my lovely Contessa, of course you preferred the red!
CHANGE IS GOOD!Although, I loved the red!I cannot believe its only been a year!I think I found you about 6 months ago so I didnt miss toooo much!YOur words are wonderful and your PHOTOS……….well,just keep clicking away!
xoxoxox