Expectations. Oh la, that word! It just keeps back and pinching me, hard. I feel like I am on a loop of learning that particular lesson over and over again.
Last year at this time, I wrote about how birthdays have always been a very big occasion in our family, as in blow-up balloon size. But at the time I had the deeply quieting realization that I was exactly where I needed to be and nothing could améliorer such a simply perfect day. And yet, two weeks ago the wheels started turning, “Where should we go? What should we do?” and most importantly “What should we eat?” I plotted and planned and all for naught. For on Saturday, everything went utterly awry and by accident, only when I had let everything go did I see an ad announcing that it was the first day of the Foire Internationale at L’Isle Sur La Sorgue, one of the largest antique fairs in the South of France! Interestingly enough, our last visit there was also a last minute decision, on Christmas Eve.
As Remi often says, “Life is always right.” We had an absolutely wonderful time.
Dreaming can be the best gift of all.
And while we were tempted by much, certainly both the starburst mirror and the elegantly drawn sanguine, again the unexpected won the day. We came across a stand run by a charming woman selling vintage sunglasses. A true collectioneuse, she knew the origins of everything that she had, all while taking the steps to replace worn lenses and dig out lots of glasses that had never been worn such as my sparklers below. Remi bought me two pairs, a wonderful gift that will be put to good use in my daily strolls here in sunny Provence. A silly goose I may be from time to time but that doesn’t prevent me from being a stylish one…
Thank you again to all of you that left wonderful Birthday wishes and emails! And so I step in to another year with hopes of learning more, appreciating all that I have and loving with an open heart…
Belated Birthday Wishes…another Leo should have guessed…hehehe…Still reading just having problems with time and computers but promise I will get back on the blogwagon soon! hugs H
I should have known that you would have liked that photo, Sister!! It is my favorite of the bunch.
Thank you so much for you Birthday wishes, David, not to mention for your stories, which are gifts in themselves. As for the tangible one, I will email you pronto happily. 🙂
How easy it is to imagine your charming face ornamented with that extra sparkle. Why not, I say? Having spent a fair amount of time in California where grown men walk around in Zorro costumes "just because" or rollerblade in thong swimsuits decorated with a bunny tail at Easter, things could be seriously more eccentric than that. And definitely stranger in a strange land too.
Gros bisous from a blistery hot Arles,
She Who Longs For Autumn
Heather your new/old glasses look wonderful on you! So many treasures I see above and there's a pair of garden lions I would love to get for my best friend, her birthday was Monday. I hope you enjoyed your day!
XX
Debra~
It is twice a year, Elizabeth. One at Easter and then again around August 15th. It is amazing and would be worth the trip. We didn't even see everything! We gave up! And trust me, that is saying something…
Perfectly said, as always, Nat.
That building was FOR SALE, BLW. Just think you could have been the woman who lived in a shoe factory!
Heeheehee. We actually ate really simply but two things that I love/crave–smoked salmon for lunch and cold shrimp with lemon mayo for dinner (plus a bit of sushi to start)–and champagne! It was such a long, hot day that I was too tired to go out and was all too happy just to stay in with my love and pupper.
Have fun with your new camera–you'll see how great it is!!
Happy birthday. Those sun glasses are so charming. You live in a wonderful corner of the world. Those coffee grinders brought back wonderful childhood memories of my sweet nanna (grandma). I miss her so much.
I love those glasses… they are the best! We all need a little sparkle in our lives… xv