Tie my dreams upon a string, lift my arms high in hopes that they will sing…
All right, down to the brass and tacks for those who have been asking: Kipling is doing just fine. The massive smile on Claire’s face on Monday night at the check-up said it all but she exclaimed, “Bravo!” Even though the drain had popped out on Sunday (!), it had done its job. So with a snip came the end of the stitches and the cone was banished to the back of the closet. None to soon for Mr. Ben who was getting mighty tired of being chased around with it, I can tell you. So see that leftover Valentine above that seems to thump in the twilight? It is. Good news is good news.
And yet I am seeking patience. It is dead quiet in these parts. Just take a look at the neighbourhood kids who have set up in the middle of the Place du Forum. Might as well. Nearly all of the cafés are closed with the owners sunning themselves in the Seychelles. With Kipling recovering, we have not been able to dive into our normal discoveries and are quite Arles-bound for the moment.
In the meantime, I hope that you will be patient with me. And I will try to not overwhelm those of you that are not as animal-oriented while we welcome a new member to our family, an understandably important event.
I am asking patience of me too. That me sitting worrying in the near dark in the photo above. How I want all to be running so smoothly but what an unrealistic wish. There are too many variables up in the air.
It will all happen with time, that same that builds and tears down and puts up again.
Patience. It is required in negotiating and there is a lot of that going on right now in this household that even with a joyous addition feels topsy-turvy like the sea.
I need to be more quiet and just see and breathe. I am trying.
And doing…
…but what a masculine household this has suddenly become!
Well, I have my flowers and multi-fold sweetness just not when expected, not to mention the joy of discovering a new being. That too requires patience, especially in this delicate circumstance but it will be rewarded ten-fold.
Wishing you all well. So grateful you are here.
what a beautiful, beautiful blog. So glad to find you. x
I am so very sorry to hear that your husband is ill. Sending my very Best to you all. And yes, I know that Grenoble is not the cheeriest place to be in winter. Hang in there.
Bisous,
H
Oh how that made me smile, Jeanne. Really? I need to expand our collection I believe!!
Gros bisous to you, wonderful, wonderful lady…
It certainly doesn't come easy to me either Loree!!!
Have I told you the story about when it took five weeks to repair the door on our dryer? 😉
Good point, Sylvia. The Easter Bullfights will be here in about a month–it is the official start of "the season"–I need to appreciate the quiet all I can!!
And yes, flowers are such a blessing.
Beautiful post. Persevere with your patience and you will find the calm again. We are going through a traumatic time here with my husband's illness and I am constantly in search of my zen. I will be so happy when this winter has finished.
I am sure I have told you a thousand times Heather…I love the way you look at life. What you feel, we see…and that says it all.
I always tell my kids that patience is a virtue…unfortunately, I am a bit short in that department. Deep sigh my friend, you are tucked away in a beautiful part of the world. Thinking of you…
Jeanne xx
PS… I took out all my Rudyard Kipling books the other day…thinking of your Kipling. 🙂
Will do, beautiful Marsha. And oooh, yes, the Oscars. A weak point. Last year was utter bliss in that I planned a trip to the States to be with my Mom and Sis for the night–that should tell you everything! Of course, Argo is not here, perhaps in Paris–so I will wait to see it next year!
Maywyn, I thought of you this morning as Ben raced juuuust ahead of Kipling, clearly mocking "Ooh hoo, me off leash, you not," very bratty but taking his revenge after being chased by the cone.
I roll out the glitter blue lips carpet for any friend of Suze's, a person who holds my highest esteem. Welcome, welcome et bienvenue. And frankly, I don't think that I have ever submitted my identity to a group (beyond say, groups like "human being" then in which case, guilty). Once an outsider, always an outsider. 🙂
I happen to be super animal oriented :-). I found you thru Suze's blog. Patience is easier when you don't submit your identity to the group(or so I have found for me).
Patience is the romancer anticipation
Embrace them when they are about because they are some of the best reasons to sooth oneself with Häagen Dazs coffee ice cream and dark chocolate.
It is quiet in our big city as well, Heather. Awaiting Spring, I think. Our trees are budding already, but the sky is overcast. We finally saw Argo last night, which I was a bit disappointed about, maybe because it's been SO built up with Clooney & Afflect both participating in it's making. So, now I don't have a clue about the Oscar's, so I will be patient, and await the gowns as they appear on the red carpet. Incidentally, Johnny Depp was on Letterman last night, playing with Bill Carter on their new album called "Unknown," get Remi to take a listen.
I did see that movie and would love to again actually!!
I love that Jackie. Some of the best adventures of all…
Thank you so much for these, David.
*smiling gratefully*
Glad you are here, Lisa.
Ask and you shall recieve, Debra…
Thank you for your support and faith, wonderful friends. Your words go through to my heart. And yes, I did feel that I was approaching a cross-roads even before having met Kipling. We shall see what comes next.
With much Love,
H
so glad the "cone of shame" is banished to the closet (you saw the movie "Up"?) you are truly doing God's work in helping Kipling to have a full and joyous life.
Patience is one thing which we all need to learn – for one reason or another. It does not come easy to me, and I suppose it doesn;t come easy to anyone. Glad to hear that Kipling is doing so well.
There is no where better to learn patience than in provence, Heather… 🙂 xv
Too much testosterone around you? hahaha, patience, patience indeed.
Glad to hear your new 'kid' is doing better.
If I were you I think I'd enjoy the peace in your town these days, without the tourists and craziness of high(er) season.
Flowers do give some femininity to everything, don't they?
☺
Thank you so much Penelope. You really make my day with your support and enthusiasm. It truly encourages me to keep going. I was thinking of you on my walk with the boys tonight–I saw a gorgeous patina and thought, "Penny would love that." I'll try to go back with my camera–but even that isn't easy as I have to learn how to take photographs while walking two dogs! Luckily (and I do know how fortunate I am), Kipling is a true dream on the leash. I don't know who trained him previously but he practically walks himself!
Promise to bring more of everything and to keep my perspective straight!
xo,
H
YOU and I share the same thing!We are surrounded by the BOYS!
It is always unnerving to comment after David who articulates thoughts and feelings so beautifully, but I must add that I've been feeling that same restless, unsettled way as well. Perhaps it is the season – both calendar and metaphorically-speaking – who knows? I purchased a small notebook at the start of the year, so small that it fits in the palm of my hand. Each night I enter into it a sentence, or two, about the day and a word to summarize the way I think I responded to it. . .it's a travel journal of a different kind I guess. It will be fun to see where the year takes me.
P.S. I should clarify (having spoken loosely and realizing that I can't seem to edit what I've just "published"))….Dominique wouldn't/probably "hate it" if she saw that I'd just used her name and book…..she'd probably be glad that I just gave the gift of her writing/tastes to other folks.
—david terry
Oh, Heather….first of all? what lovely, intitial responses. you do have good and kind readers.
Here are few gifts for you, today (from a former skool-teacher):
"The gloom of the world is but a shadow;
behind it, yet within our reach, is joy.
Take joy."
—-Fra Giovanni Giocondo
"It's more real to me here than if I went up," he suddenly heard himself say; and the fear lest that last shadow of reality should lose its edge kept him rooted to his seat as the minutes succeeded each other."
—Edith Wharton, "the Age of Innocence"
"Create in me a clean heart"
—Psalm 51:10
"The Uses of Sorrow"
"(in my sleep I dreamed this poem)
Someone I loved once gave me
a box full of darkness.
It took me years to understand
that this,too, was a gift."
—Mary Oliver
and, Heather?…..before you congratulate me on my exquisitely-trained literary tastes and knowledge (I do, after all, have five degrees in this stuff), I should emphasize that those are the four quotations Dominique Browning chose for the sections of her wonderous book "Slow Love Life".
I'm re-reading the book this week (got problems of my own, and I need to address them). I first received the book, as I do many others, as a review copy…and I liked it loads and giddily skipped through it, without ever really/sincerely considering that the words might ever apply to me/my life/my marriage, etcetera.
I hope these quotations provide some thought and comfort for you. They did for me….just yesterday, to be quite honest. Dominique's a smart and hard-working woman. The aspect of her essays/writing that I most admire is her ability to accept that (and contrary to all the self-help books that tell you all about to "achieve your goals once you define them") she knows that the goalpost is always changing and shifting. It feels unfair to most of us, but it's simply the case.
I know she'd hate it (and probably bristle a bit) if she heard that I was saying this about her on your blog (I've never asked if she reads it).
that said?…..
fondly, and best wishes to you and all of us, I suppose,
david terry
http://www.avidterryart.com
As Leslie says, you have captured this late winter feeling exactly — the waiting for spring, the patience needed to power through big changes until a routine is negotiated. Where I live, patience is tough to maintain when housebound by snow. I fear another storm is on the way, making our daily walks and other routine errands more difficult. I'll be hunkering down with books and knitting this weekend.
I wonder, how many snowflakes can my camera handle? Sometimes it is quite pretty, but also quite wet. Thinking of you during this quiet time. Deep breaths, being still, and just listening and, as Robin says, enjoying the small sights and sounds — fodder for future posts, I suspect!
I really am loving your posts Heather, thanks xxx
I'm usually the most patient person in the world but not now. As much as I love seeing your photos, and you're becoming a wonderful photographer, I still want to see the "men". I'm so happy for you all that Kip is making a full recovery. It would be nice to see Kip without his bandage.
XXX
Debra~
Patience is one of the most precious virtues !!
My father always said to me : 'In life,you need courage and patience!'
xx
Greet
PS Gorgeous pictures Heather!
Hello Heather:
There are times in life when to pause is so very necessary, to reflect on what has been and to imagine what is to come. From all that you write here, accompanied as always with the most evocative images, we suspect you are currently at that point. The welcome addition to the household of Kipling will, inevitably, make further demands on you but we know, without a shadow of doubt, that you will succeed and that, given time, the path ahead will become smoother. Always in our thoughts.
You are doing the most healthy thing imaginable; to me! You are a visual person; and an animal-passionate-lover! (I am a kindred soul) you are doing what you know is right nurturing; and also finding (and most importantly SHARING) the incredibly beautiful details and finishes in your gorgeous town!
We are the lucky ones!
Bravo!
What a wonderful example you are to all of us all over the world!
It is all so personal. I was reading the "hell" (and I am sure it was!) that the cruise ship passengers were suffering on the stranded "cruise boat"!
the next thing was the Syrian refugees! They have lost their homes, their families, their animals…….everything!
Brings it all right into perspective!
My heart is so with you! (I am almost 66 years old; and my dogs I have nursed back to life are all vivid in my memory! they need us! And I wish you so much luck with that darling Kipling!
This is one reader who will never tire of the dog stories; nor the door knobs, nor the peeling paint! All of it!
Penelope
dearest Heather
*lookingquestioninglythroughtheinterweb*
patience for progress? a letter? an offer? kipling to be better? ben and kipling to bond more closely?
or all or none of the above just Patience.
ah yes.
that we understand.
we meditated today before heading out into the bright sunshine after the rains and it made all the difference.
we pretend we do it everyday.
but we don't.
that's acceptance 😉
sending patience and caring vibes from Los Angeles.
_tg xx
Those boys playing in the Place du Forum are right in front of Van Gogh's inspiration for the Cafe de Nuit. Amazing how history swirls through real life. Perhaps, as you wait, and oh how difficult waiting is, you will come to see these moments as snippets in a larger history.
I love the photo of the shadow of ironwork on the orange wall.
In my Buddhist classes we've been talking about patience as the antidote to anger, but they don't mean it as "be patient with some jerk". They mean patience with oneself, and I think you are doing that! Winter is so hard – ugh, you should see it in central Ohio – but a dose of patience and enjoying the small sights and sounds (and cuddling on the couch with TWO puppies) will help! I love the picture of the dark top of a building with the sunset sky – so Magritte!! Lots 'o sisterly love being sent to you!
I've just read the story of how you came to adopt Kipling. I had a lump in my throat when I came to the part, saying he was tied up outside of a store waiting for his owners to return for him. He is a very lucky dog to have been adopted by such a loving couple as you & Remi. I'm glad that Ben has taken to him & doesn't feel he's having his nose pushed out. Enjoy your lovely dogs.
Walking with the dogs on our street this afternoon was almost eerie. It was so still that Bob and I frequently turned around to see what was coming…but nothing came. With the sky heavy with clouds we wondered if it was the quiet before a storm…but no storm has come. No birdsong, no gardeners, none of the noise of the joyous activities of recent sunny days. We are reminded to be patient in our craving for spring and in the evolving of our human endeavors. To breathe, and to breathe deeply. Once again, you have it just right, in words and photographs. With every good wish, Leslie
Change is awful scary, isn't it, Heather? I'm sending you lots of warm wishes as you navigate the transition. The boys surely do outnumber you in your corner of Arles, you lucky female! 🙂
This time of year is also quiet in Santa Fe. Your photos really capture the stillness of late winter, reflective images of gray. Spring will bring some great moments for you and Remi when the dogs can move outside to play!
Happy to read Kipling is doing well.
I'm a nervous wreck when my pooch, Pastis, is ill
As always, Heather, your words and images inspire both thought and feeling.
Patience has never been among my virtues; less so in certain circumstances in which patience isn't an option.
But breathing deeply is. Sometimes, it's such a challenge.
(Hugs to the household… from one who knows what it is to be surrounded by males!)