Last night, I took a glass of wine and sat out under the trellis in the courtyard, listening to the neighborhood’s pair of turtle-doves call. They stated their love for each other over and over. “Yes, the light has morphed,” I thought. The vines tumbling over the wall were lit up from within, a golden x-ray that I could almost pull at like taffy between my fingers. I picked up my cell phone, then put it down. “Don’t fiddle,” I told myself. “There is plenty to see here. Plenty to keep me occupied.” Habits…I gave me head a sharp shake as if to let them go.
As I reached towards my glass, I saw that two leaves had fallen, just so, as if I had placed them prettily under my sluice of red. “These autumn leaves…” I hummed a little Nat King Cole merrily to myself… “beneath my window…” even if it is a wistful song. For Summer is solid in France, a yearly right of passage or a coda, something earned the rest of the year. And yet Remi and I had given ours over entirely to working in this new house, then moving, an investment in our future. Neither of us saw the time passing but it has and I am relieved.
For now, so much has been shed, just like blooms that had once triumphed brightly and yet are no longer useful. The boxes have been unpacked and stacked and in the middle of the night when I had to find my way down to the kitchen in the dark, I knew the way.
As I looked up at the sunset’s scrawling across the crowds, I sipped slowly and let my shoulders drop. “Goodbye Summer, you beautiful swanning girl. See you next year…” A light popped on in the kitchen behind me, Remi coming down to watch the evening news on a very important day when an entire government had faded into the past. Yes, change is in the air.
You create such an ambiance, Heather, with words and images both. Melancholic music, and so beautiful.
xo
Most likely but I have to say that being there when I was felt just right.
I feel the same as it usually only lasts two weeks! But we can hope Loree!!
I like hearting! It certainly feels like being cared for…but oh my, that is far too cold too soon!
Here, here! And you have definitely been making the most of everything lately – the sun, the good times, your talent…
Thank you so very very much, G. And ooookaaaay. 🙂
How I am crazy for the last sentence. And will think of it more often than you could guess!
You know how much I love it. The first night that we put a fire in the fireplace I will be a VERY happy girl! And oooh, I love that we are exchanging blossoms on the other side of the earth, dear V…
Aloha, Bill! Nice to hear from you! I will need to stop by and see what is going on in your world…
I thought Summer was on the wane too but we have a heat wave! Arrgghhh…
Isn't it, Emilia? Perfect for a romantic such as yourself. 🙂 I love what you wrote.
Certainly that place is beautiful, a place for all seasons.
So eloquently written, dear Heather. Summer's hold is still strong here but I can sense a change in the colour of the light, it is more mellow, more golden. Looking forward to autumn – if we are lucky enough to have one.
I have always considered Autumn as a second spring because of the beautiful colors, the wam climate, the crisp and golden mornings, laziness, harvest time… I am so thankful to see another Autumn…. Stunning pictures and charming words as always Heather. I will note "Le jardin du quai" among my favourite places. It is so ravishing!
(heating, of course. Not hearting (:
Yes this is again one of those posts…
Thank you once more for another beautiful insight full of melancholic prose. For autumn brings a certain ambigous melancholy.
And with ambigous feelings the german media oberserves the developement of politics in France, hoping that our neighbours decide wisely and our friendship will remain.
Oh by the way, my central hearting is on since August the fifteenth.. (; and thank you again for the wonderful photo of the Chineses Blue Rain.
Yes, we want the link and we want the post! (: Your sister is right!
Heather, your musings are just as beautiful as the garden. I love how by paying attention, you nearly stopped time and could just see the subtle shift between summer and fall. I've noticed some small shifts here, too, and have a feeling that even though the calendar says the season sticks around into September that this will be our last week to revel in summer (which has made me want to slow down and pay more attention to the world around than to my laptop). I'm glad it's been a productive one for you, that change is mostly hiding behind you now, and that ll the possibilities that it drags along with it are what remain. Here's to a beautiful fall! XOXO
Heather, your posts and photos grow more and more beautiful with each successive one. And, please, do tell us more about the Canadian TV interview. Please?
Beautiful post.
Your words are helpful in making it easier to deal with the distraction some cooler weather. I'm not ready for socks and closed toe shoes, long pants and hot toddies. This week is hot. The sun today felt irritated at autumn being too early. Then I think…what do I tell the air conditioner. Balance, sometimes being on the low end of a see saw alone is all right.
Conversely, our winter seems to have upped and left before I was quite finished with it…spring has arrived with much aplomb and serenade in the last couple of weeks…can't ever remember it arriving with such a sense of decidedness….(melbourne is normally maybe, maybe not, just teasing….).
There is so much beauty in fallen leaves and fallen flowers – a sad beauty, but beauty nonetheless. It's good that you are feeling as if you are now "at home", just in time for the snuggly season.
Wow! A Masterful Presentation! .. Mahalo, Heather
Bill Facker
Kauai-to-Paris.com
I was first intrigued by your post – the fallen blossoms in the wet, your desire to find balance between just being and capturing. Then I scrolled down through the comments and would really like to know about the Canadian tv interview.
Summer is on the wane here. Love the image of light like taffy – so apt.
Exactly, Jackie. Well, that was our Summers but we both had other things to capture our attention, just like that flitting butterfly. 😉
Thank you, beautiful Marsha. One of these days in person?
Yes, summer went far too rapidly this year. . .it was almost illusive, like trying to catch a butterfly. One moment it was there and then, as you've noted, the leaves are falling. . .
Sister, I love you so much! Your wish is my command…
Eh oui, what we do for our puppers. At least I know that you are eating well! 🙂
Heather, as always, I feel as if I am with you.
And I do so love being with you.
Lovely photos – they definitely have a feeling of summer ending – fallen leaves and petals, brown and yellow mixed in with the green. Le sigh! My honey started his school year commute today, so I am feeling a little wistful and end-of-summer myself! But I like the part about putting down your cell (or computer – hel-LO?!!) to just take in the sights and sounds around you.
Um, excusez-moi, but weren't you interviewed on a huge, national Canadian t.v. show recently?? Wasn't your blog featured, and weren't you practically Mary Tyler Moore with your vivaciousness and charm? Did you not only speak with authority and warmth but also make everyone wonder why YOU did not have your own t.v. show? If I am not mistaken about this event (if it wasn't just a dream), would you be so kind as to post a link to this segment? Or, perhaps, because your readers would LOVE to hear about this experience from beginning to end, even do a post about it??? Just sayin'.
love,
a fan : )
Extraordinary words and photos. My own shoulders relaxed as I read this (inside a Red Roof Inn in Benton Harbor, MI — "dog friendly")
Yes! I agree with you so fully and it is feeling really wonderful just to stop and take stock of where I am, where we are after such an eventful Summer. I am hoping that yours was filled with the best of adventures.
Bisous,
H
Hello Heather,
Change is most certainly in the air but with sunny days and blue skies still with us, we are clinging on to the last breaths of summer.
But here you have captured the season's shift towards autumn. How wonderful it must feel to have finally arrived at your destination and to have the first sense of being at home in one's surroundings. New adventures are bound to be right around the corner, but for now take time to reflect and be still. Tomorrow will come……