We stopped the car, realizing that we were, well, if not lost than entirely on the wrong road. As I got out to stretch my legs, I sucked in my breath from the cold and the sight of a liquid cloud, spread across the sky like an ink stain. “It is snowing in there,” I thought to myself with pleasure, imagining all the things in nature that we don’t see but are right there in front of us.
Once safely on the other side of the mountain, we stopped in a field outside of a small village. Neither the field nor the village had yet awoken from the night before. Frost glistened and dew dropped from winter berries and their pom-pom fronds.
Further on, the remains of an ancient wall crumbled into the folds of the earth. Forgotten, forgotten the houses here before. Shards of terra cotta roof tiles pulsed with a slight covering of verdigris lichen and roots crawled crab-like to warmer climes.
I sat next to Ben, as patient as ever and took in the world from his point of view. So much life within the tiny patch of dirt near his paws. Two miniscule beads of water reflected or refracted the interior of the earth. Get closer. It is good at times to smell something as vague as life.
Remi and I had spoken the day before about my timidity in photographing people so when we both saw this Citroen 2CV battling down the lane, he pushed me to flag it down.
I was glad that I did. The gentleman in the drivers seat was perplexed and amused at my request but was willing to concede that certain étrangères might appreciate his car. The truth being that his face, his way of being was far more interesting. Out of politeness, he only and addressed Remi and spoke softly when he did. “Soon, we won’t see that anymore,” Remi admitted as the blue bug lurched away and he is right. Best then to take it all in while we still can.
Thanks Natalie! It will take me a few days to get my response together for your award but I haven't forgotten in the least…
Yep, that is it exactly Debra. He is such a great travelling companion. And I love what you wrote, yes, the marks of a life are well-won and well-worn!
Thank you Sister! Having such supportive family and such talented siblings inspires me to try and do more. 🙂
Hello Lindley and thank you so much for your kind words! Oh my, ten years of exploring the Alpilles on vacation? In the fall (my favorite) to boot? How amazing and how fortunate you were to experience that with them. 🙂 I have never been to Texas but I imagine the land to be drier than our Alpilles? Still so much to see in the world.
Have a great day!
Really looking forward to reading your posts and thanks for following back (never a pressure on my end for that but appreciated)!
Thanks so much friend. I certainly don't feel on fire, I feel frozen! It is sooo coooold here…Brrr…And yes, I am loving my new camera! Trying to take a few more risks with my writing. Why not? Bisous.
Merci!
Yep, but wait until you see how cold it got afterwards! :0
ENCORE…………That MAN and his CAR!FABULOUS!Stop more people…….they think we AMERICANS are crazy anyway so might as well give them a show!Beautiful snaps…….you take me away.MILLIE GRAZIE.
Two 2CV shots in two weeks! You are killing me, Heather 😉 Meet me at the Ritz Paris when you return… Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)