Remi and I were talking about what qualities we seek in a friend these days, at this age in our lives. And he came across a word that I loved, vrai or “true.”
I think that the same could be said for many of the faces seen at the recent Fête de Gardians in Arles on the First of May. There was something about their traditional costume that made them more themselves. Especially as they all seemed so completely bien dans leur peau, good in their skin.
And that is as true as it gets.
David Terry, David Terry…*shaking my head in wonder at you* Well, the Maestro up above certainly broke the mold when he made you, my goodness gracious. And yes, avuncular is the right word indeed for you tell it like it is!
I have done quite a bit of reading over the years about sleep (having dealt with insomnia for over twenty years now) and am always fascinated by folks like yourself, the living proof that no, not everyone needs eight hours. And as I imagine you already know, there were more than a few geniuses in history that thrived on the same sleep patterns as yours. To each his own.
I know that when I can make peace with being awake in the middle of the night, I do delight in the beauty of it. All of that time and space just for me…
Lucky you to have found a man that doesn't need eight hours either, nor enjoy eating the early bird special…
xo,
h
Don't worry too much, Heather….but the fact remains that I haven't slept more than four or five hours straight in at
least twenty years (neither has my father, and nor did my great uncle or grand father).
We happen to lead lives in which we can do this…..sleep when you're sleepy, go straight to sleep the moment you WANT to sleep (all the women in the family hate this ability of ours), and generally not WORRY about sleeping….but, then, we don't have to contend with issues such as crying babies or 9-5 jobs.
I generally sleep from about 11 or 12 at night until 4 or 5 in the morning….and I take a two hour Or less) nap each afternoon.
I know…..you won't be surprised to hear that I fit RIGHT IN with the schedule in Andalusia and Barcelona (we go there each Spring; I love the regios). I loathe places (which are mostly hosueholds with children) where folks expect you to eat your dinner at 6 or 7…which is an appallingly UNGODLY dinner-hour, as far as I'm concerned.
I'm lucky; I'm married to a man who underwent three residencies (epidemiology, internal medicine, and obstetrics…and I kid you not). So?… Herve (after years of working 10-day shifts at hospitals and clinics in France and Africa) is quite cheerfully accustomed to sleeping when you can and how you please.
It's a good thing, of course, that we don't have children. It wouldn't work out…..at least not for the kids, I expect.
In any case, Herve ad I are both accustomed to waking up in the middle of most folks' "night" and finding the other baking a cake at 4 am, or writing emails.
Since I work at home, I can take a nap (short or long) whenever I want. His secretary is a truly frightening dragon-at-the-gate….so he can also take short naps when he pleases….a good thing, since he also has to field teleconferences with folks in places such as Thailand, where they don't have white-people time (as we say here in progressively-minded North Carolina).
It's 8:20 pm here….and I was just thinking I would go to bed…one of the things the women in my family most resent is that the men wake up,,,,and we're ABOSLUTELY AWAKE AND READY TO GO GO GO!!!!!
Avuncularly as Ever,
David
http://www.davidterryart.com
Hooray! You so nailed it, N. There is absolutely nothing of the Disney parade in this, it is very, very seriously done with ZERO irony. And their sincerity is what makes it especially beautiful.
David? Are you not sleeping well? This came in at what would have been an absurd time to be awake. At least for me. And I had insomnia all last week, so I do understand.
But yes, Remi and I have been talking about this a LOT lately. This being France, I hadn't even dared enter "a sense of humour" into the equation but your friend is so right…
Helen, I am always so grateful when you wish me a week of beauty. Thank you and I wish the same for you!
Hopefully here later today, Loree with a link back. Because I DO appreciate the thought…!!
Oh thank you Michel! That is so very appreciated!!!
Honestly NN, on days like today I have to say it isn't all bad… 😉