I find peace in plenty while walking through an olive grove…
…and I know I am not the only one.
Yes, I am well aware that these trees have been declared a simplistic symbol, the Provence of Provence…
…but I breathe them in and love them now with time and understanding, just like our varying sky.
For the leaves twist with the seasons, dipping into a palette…
… that soothes yet is vibrant enough to inspire a shout or a joyful run…
…while the trunks, raising raides sometimes a hundred years, twist inward with still solidity.
It is my Japanese garden. Ordered and quiet…
…with just enough rustle to sweep away the gray.
*Update: Oooh, I am so excited to be guest-posting today, Thursday, over at the absolutely amazing D. A. Wolf’s blog “Daily Plate of Crazy”:
I hope that you will enjoy and stop over to say hello!*
You are teaching me about the many faces of beauty, Heather. What a privilege to receive your words and photographs. And to see the dogs romping, both off leash!!! Fondly, Leslie
cherie – Love This!! http://dailyplateofcrazy.com/2013/02/28/french-chic-and-shock-transitioning-to-life-in-france/
more please.
more.
*wavingfromlosangeles*
Another wonderful adventure 'with' you Heather. Thanks for taking me along~
Hello, Heather, this morning I came to know you over on "Biglittlewolf" — and put both of you (you in a comment) into a blogpost — http://devifemme.livejournal.com/1323980.html
Then, later, I saw your amazing post on Provence on her blog and came here — well, voila! Wonderful! Do you chance to know of the late Lawrence Durrell, a great novelist? He wrote five books comprising the Avignon Quintet, and lived the last 20 years of his life near Arles. (Earlier he wrote the better-known Alexandria Quartet, including Justine — for whom I'm named…)
Tried to post this identifying Livejournal as my origin; Blogspot couldn't do that, so I'm coming as "anonymous" — sorry!
Thanks again, Justine
Wowzer, love your article in D.A.'s blog. Reading your article reminds me (hope I'm not mixing up my books), "A Year in Provence", Peter Mayle and his wife went to a party in Provence, same thing, not dressed up and the whole crowd were in their fineries… I tend to like the quote from "Hamlet", "to thine own self be true". And you were true to yourself Heather. And that, in my opinion wears better than silk, cashmere, diamonds and emerald. I have this image in my head of you as "Marlene Dietrich" with combat boots minus cigarette holder…:)
xx Amelia
Wooohooo! Heather, I love D.A.'s "Daily Plate of Crazy". You won't know it because I never once made a comment. Hahahaha, and you can't shut me up in here, "Lost in Arles"…:) I know she had TeamGloria as her guest yesterday (?). Love it when I know the guest writers (meaning online). Go girl!
Would love to take a walk in the olive grove under that clear blue sky.
XO Amelia
Oh thank you, Karen–I could have used it! 😉 And you grew up in Portugal?!? I have been told by many a fellow voyager that it is one of the true "bijous" on Earth.
And oh, your poor oliviers during winter!! It is why we don't have them here in pots (we live in town) but appreciate them to our utmost when we are in the country, happily only a fifteen minute drive away.
Merci, Marsha! But I haven't seen anything mean at all in the comments. For which I am grateful. 🙂
Hooray!!! And then do make that trip, it is closer than you think and easy as can be…
Oooh Sister, if you weren't heading out to SF I would say come back over here please! We miss you!! And Kipling needs to meet you!!!!