“I miss you too much,” my Mom said and yet her voice over the phone crackled bright with excitement. She, along with her companion Leonard and my Sister, Robin, had a surprise for me. They had pooled their money together to make it possible for me to visit for the fast approaching Thanksgiving holiday and my Sister’s birthday. There was no room for me to protest and why would I? To know that they were there to share with me what they could to bring me closer…as the realization sunk in, my eyes filled with tears. I looked down at my hands and they were trembling.
Sharing is an incredible word, one of the most beautiful I know.
Whether it is to share in a moment of joy or to share a burden…
…to share a life together…
…or to share a story.
Sometimes it is just as simple as that.
I have an embarrassing confession. One that might surprise you. Initially, I really looked down my nose at the idea of blogging. I was a professional travel writer at the time and they just seemed…silly. Silly me. When my assignments dried up, it was Remi, my wonderful companion, who quietly and consistently encouraged me to reconsider my opinion. And so two years ago, I started writing Lost in Arles. And while I write and photograph for myself (and am nudged back in that direction whenever I stray), I quickly understood that being able to share my life here was really appealing. To know that it was going out and away but would also come back.
I still shout out the number every time a new member joins, as does Remi, who could not be more supportive in my efforts. My blog remains relatively small and so each person that signs on to read is especially precious to me. Often I joke about being the Little Engine that Could but I am certainly not alone. So, let me open the door on three blogs that you might not know of, for they are too wonderful not to share…
Some of you might remember my previously mentioning Jennifer, whose wonderful blog Gustia (not to forget The Auntie Times), I consider to be one of the most under-rated on the blogosphere. Gustia, a food and lifestyle blog, has only 18 members and yet she prepares and photographs each post with all of the care as if it were going out to thousands. Take a look at her most recent effort (with its irresistible piglet photo) and you’ll see what I mean. I love that she opens up the exclusive realm of Monaco, where she lives for most of the year, in the least pretentious way possible and often with a point of view that is ever so slightly off-kilter. Similarly, while she is a vegetarian, she is the truest foodie that I know (she just made her own olive oil, as in literally, in her kitchen) and she will open your mind without any preachy nonsense. I recently had the good fortune of meeting Jennifer and can promise you that she embodies the wonderfulness that her blogs exude.
And while I haven’t met Nancy Kate, her hysterically funny blog, Bread is Pain, leaves me feeling as if I have, so pitch-perfect and immediate is her writing. She is also in the tiny zone, with about 30 members. Will you just trust me on this one, hop over, you won’t regret it and as she only puts out a few posts a month, you won’t be inundated either. So few writers can really nail the wacky intricate details of French life in a way that is capable of making you laugh until you hiccup without a trace of meanness. If anything, the joke is often on herself as in her recent post about the horrors of figuring out exactly how to properly give les bises. And if you aren’t immediately tempted by the title of “Congratulations! You’re having a cheese baby” or “Can bacon be a vegetable?”, then at least take a gander at her very first post to see why bread is indeed pain. To top if off, Nancy Kate, an American living with her French husband in Grenoble, is a girl after my own heart, who loves her food and wine, to the point that she will eat anything, including having tried brain…twice. Wow. Chapeau!
Loree may have a comparatively whopping 125 members (as I did not long ago at all), but I still feel that she is not on the radar as she should be for her writing is as warm as the sun on the island of Malta, where she lives and sends out her Stories and Scribbles as well as dreamy Snapshots of an Island. Her phrasing is gentle and yet as fragrant as the mysterious Smell of Violets that she so beautifully evoked recently in a gorgeous essay that brought back the memory of her Nanna Rose. There is something about what Loree does that is so simple and yet I can never quite put my finger on it, which always keeps me coming back. We all need a dose of goodness now and again.
Speaking of, I would like to say yet again how grateful I am for all of you. In recent emails and comments, many of you have reached out to share too. Things beautiful and painful. Thank you for your trust…as well as your respect concerning my previous post regarding today’s elections in the United States. While I have lost subscribers, they are relatively few and I was interested by all of the thoughts that were expressed. The irony that the only truly nasty comment came from a French person did not escape me either! Did it make me sad that so many of you applauded me for my “courage” to speak out? Yes, a bit, that our society is at that point but again, I just hope that all of my American friends will go out and vote!
We all have much of importance to share and the future is right there in front of us. A new time, every day to make choices about who we are and where we want to go, no matter our age or where we live on this amazing planet. So, open the door and let the light in.
Today’s exceptionally lengthy post was my contribution to this month’s “By Invitation Only” series. The theme involved the concept of sharing and passing on the torch to under-appreciated blogs as a means of getting the gift-giving season started! The photos are my own, as always (so please no borrowing or Pinning), taken during my recent trips to the Luberon. More of that series to follow.
To discover the other participants of this International Blog Party, please click here.
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Heather – you just inspire and warm with your Blog – maybe a few years ago Blogs were not considered anything special – but girl I couldn't go past a day without the wonderful memories you evoke – the gasp of wonder at such beauty that you capture – both from your heart and your camera!!
Whenever your new post comes to my inbox I always open it first thing in the morning before anything else because I know that I'll hear from a sincere friend, a few poetic inspiring thoughts, see beautiful images of faraway life. You have a gift to share soul nourishing moments in such a delicate way and your todays post is a joy.
Thank you very much for new blogs introduction, sounds so promising, I'm definitely going to visit them. Recently my small group of 32 followers got smaller by 2 and that made me sad, can't hide it. Probably I still have to find my voice…Work in progress.
So very happy for your upcoming trip home! You have an amazing Family. Have a wonderful safe journey, blue skies, no storms, million hugs and laughs.
Natalie
What a wonderful way you have with words, you write like I think, but unlike you I am not always able to write my thoughts.My blogging experience is still relatively new & I too don't have many followers, but enjoy what I do. I used to think 'why would anyone ever want to read anything about what other people do'. I wrote about this in my very first post on my blog http://barbaralilian-infrance.blogspot.com Like one of your other followers, I have not only friends, but my sister who cringe at the mere mention of the word blog, she never reads my posts, but her husband does & some of my so called friends I haven't even told I have a blog. This brings me to your last paragraph… I think it's time I need to open my door and let the light in. Enjoy your trip to spend Thanks giving with your mother & sister, family is such an important part of our lives, which truly shows what a bond you have with your family,for them to arrange & finance your visit to be with them. Your photos are wonderful I love French doors & windows. I'm now going to look at the blogs you mentioned which I'm sure I will like. Take care.
Dear Heather,
I'm am profoundly grateful that Remi coaxed you into the world of blogs. I so enjoy reading your words and hearing your stories. I'm hoping my vote for Obama seals the deal!!! Cheri
Dear Heather,
What a wonderful post for our By Invitation series ………. I think that blogging can be everything and anything that we want it to be. To me, itis different things on different days. Sometimes I share images of my holidays or my home or other times, I am very shallow and just show pretty pictures !!!! It really doesn't matter how many followes we have or how many comments we get, it is just a lovely way to write down our feelings and ideas.
….. and, many thanks for your lovely comment today. Much love. XXXX
You truly can master words in a way that simply makes them read as if they are being spoken over soft candlelight, each sentence is so beautifully thought through and eloquently put. Have been away, so have missed your voting post – shall go back and check it out though as I love this thoughts from an expat's perspective.
And the small blogs are the ones I treasure most (and I hope that isn't just because mine is small too! hah!). But I treasure them because people are putting such care and thought into them, as a personal thing, not just as a commercial enterprise, and because they often express far much more opinion and reflection. I'll pop in to your recommended 3 too – just need another coffee first because it is early in the morning here and a mountain of work sits before me!!
SO excited about your trip to see your mother and sister. My goodness, what a perfect gift! xx
Your blog is a gift to others. It always gives me pleasure – beautifully written with fabulous images. It is one of the very first blogs to which I subscribed. I feel privileged when you drop by Eiffel Tells and leave a comment. Bon voyage. Bisous.
My blogs are small as well but I enjoy writing them. I am a scattershot photog so I usually post my husband's fine art photography on my "Empty Nest Evolution" blog. He's an artist! My other blog, "Women of a Certain Age" is political and feminist, for the most part. It is thought provoking. http://www.womenofcertainage.blogspot.com http://www.emptynestevolution.blogspot.com
Your photographs are strikingly warm and pleasing to the eye. Love them. Are you familiar with Nicole's Little Brown Pen blog? She's a francophile and photographer and artist. littlebrownpen.com
Hello Heather
Yippee you are USA bound for Thanksgiving. I can feel your excitement. How kind of your family. Speaking of kindness thank you for introducing us to new blogs, I am going to head over to each and no doubt will enjoy them and follow them as you do.
Your images are truly beautiful.
Helen xx