Camelot, my Camelot…a castle to call my own…or just…a cabanon.
I was thinking earlier today that my life has hardly been linear. And while I know in my head that every moment has been a result of a previous choice plus the occasional bolt of luck, looking back it does seem all over the map. Literally. Nomad me, even in society.
So perhaps that is why I long for something solid, a little hideaway to call my own where I can live as I please. One that won’t suddenly disappear and will offer the same joys year after year.
My companion, whose jolts and dashes have been erratic as mine, feels the same. So we go hunting, cabanon hunting in Provence. It seems the perfect landscape, lavender fields, olive groves. And there they are, those often abandoned buildings, small enough to be our doll’s house. Just the size for dreaming and an afternoon nap.
We scour them out, we chase across distant fields to find them. In our minds we fix them up, we argue over where the kitchen would go. We own them even if it is only in our cabanon dreams.
I don’t need a castle. Nor perfection or idealism. No swords drawn out of a rock. Or miracles at all save for the everyday kind…
Shaking out the sheets on a line, pulling tomatoes, toes buried in the grass next to the one I love.
I am not there yet, but I am not far either. If my life has not been linear, who knows, perhaps I am closer than I think?
Today’s post was my little “Hello!” as part of the series By Invitation Only, in which bloggers around the world share their interpretations on a common theme, this month’s being “Camelot.”
To see the other wonderful posts, please do click here. There are such talented women in this group and we will be on break until September.
Come on, there is nothing wrong with dreaming is there?
I am sure your cabanon is not far away Heather…
A little cabanon in the Alpilles… now that is truly Camelot… xv
You've found some perfect Camelot images. The dream is in the mind of the dreamer, right, and Camelot is as we imagine it. Your lovely cabanons fuel the imagination with possibilities.
Does anyone live a linear life? I'd think that would be terribly boring.
As Marsha so eloquently said above, her home is her castle, and I rather suspect that even as you search for this beautiful dream of your own, somehow, wherever you find yourself next to Remi, whatever the home is, it will always be your own Camelot….you have the gift of being able to see beauty as it unfolds before you, not having to wait for hindsight to realise it….and that sounds like happiness to me…
It's a lovely spot.
Your post made me think of the Zen phrase my mother used to repeat to me all the time when I was little: "Wherever You Go, There You Are."
Ah Heather – some of these would make the perfect studio – where I could just spend a summer in Provence – lost in the hay painting!!! I can well identify with you and Remi on this one!!
I hope you cabanon dreams ccome true. They look so pretty and one of them will surely suit you just fine. it looks like the sort of retreat where I would be happy too.
Bonjour Heather. I love your pictures of the cabanon you have discovered in Provence. I hope you find the perfect one for you. In the meantime, keep dreaming, that is the only way you will find what you want. I can tell you from experience. A bientot.
The search for one will probably be as exciting as finally finding one for you and making it your own. These are just so charming. I do think that this is a perfect antidote to McMansions. I wish you luck and an equally non linear path to your perfect cabanon 🙂
Heather, this is so you. And, maybe Remi too? The simplicity of your longings is beautiful. I think we have all past the time when we just had to have this or that in order to feel "good about ourselves." My home is truly my castle, sometimes I don't leave for days at a time. I'm never bored or lonely. I'm secure and happy with my friends, my dogs (4 of them now), my family and most definitely my blog and virtual friends who often make my day complete. I thank God for finding so many of you with exactly the soul food I need. Thank you.
My favorite "By Invitation" post. My sentiments exactly. Gina