Once I discovered reading, as in really discovered the joys of it, I was a goner. Instantly, my near permanent “new kid” status didn’t sting as much because I had entire worlds to explore and so many characters to befriend. That started at when I was around seven or so. We had moved into a big Victorian home (gigantic from a kids point of view) and my bedroom was in the former maid’s quarters at the end of the hall near the back stairs to the kitchen. For some reason still unfathomable to me, as I am not nor ever was a princessey kind of girl, I chose pink as the main color theme when it came time to redecorate (this being one of the few rooms in the house that did not have the original wallpaper). Pink it became. And so perhaps it isn’t so surprising now, looking back, to see how I took refuge in the cedar-lined closet instead. I would make a little nest out of dirty clothes and with the bare bulb overhead would read until the world around me faded away entirely. My Mom has told me that at times she had to call my name repeatedly before I would “snap to.” And I still remember that feeling of being sucked back from wherever I was – walking down the street with David Copperfield – and being washed back up on the shore of that safe, small room within a room, blinking. In reading, sometimes I went so far into the weave of a story that the lines of reality blurred a bit. I was fuzzy on the edges. I would think, “I should call so and so” only to realize that I was thinking about one of the characters.
That is how I have been feeling for the past few days. A different kind of limbo. I am deep in the pages of a book that many of you have read already (I am not saying which as I don’t want anyone to give me even the tiniest suggestion as to what happens) and it is all I can do. Is read. Somehow this story has chained itself to my heart so strongly that I feel like I am carrying the book around with me even when I am not. I get lost and look at the clock and hours have passed.
That can happen occasionally too with instagram. No, the hours don’t pass – I am not that addicted! But I find a certain hum in the scrolling and scrolling with my thumb through peoples days, their lives and adventures. It feels oddly luxurious. I am sharing a few recent photos from my account as they are better suited for the mood that I am in. Less formal, not everything is in focus, which in itself is perfect for Provence, especially at this time of year. Little pieces of in-between or that’s me, just down the rabbit hole.
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Another thing that I appreciate about instagram is the swiftness with which information passes, quicker than a tin-can telephone! And so today, when Sara Louise (@cestmoisaralouise) posted a photo of her canine friend Fifty, I was able to get in on the action. It turns out that if those of us who have adopted dogs post a photo on ig with the adoptee adorned in a red ribbon with the tags @anniemovie and #ImARescueToo, $1 will be donated to the ASPCA. Isn’t that amazing? Ps. Something that I learned about him in taking this photo? That he was quite pleased wearing it – which rather surprised me and made me wonder if he didn’t wear a bandana around his neck in his “previous” life. Something else that I learned about him later on in the day? Firecrackers truly piss him off. Eh, oui.
For those of you that already follow me on instagram – all 411 of you! Hooray! – I hope that you don’t mind the photo repeats in this post too terribly. And for those of you that don’t, feel free to join me at @lostinarles…
To everyone? Have a wonderful weekend…
Me, too, I am EXACTLY this type of reader. And now I want to know what book you are reading! Let us know when you're done, okay? 🙂
Hello Heather,
Your images are dreamy. I can envison you in that closet beside the servant's staircase. Simplicity and feeling safe in the closet. We had a farmhouse in rural Ontario, similar to your description with five bedrooms on the second level and 2 staircases. Our dog would never descend the servant's staircase. We pondered why!
I will look forward to your book review. Like you, I read what my heart desires and not usually what is current or trending.
Milan Kundera is my current love.
Often, I wish I could read more "economically" and less consumingly. Once I got into a book I read without taking a breath rather than savouring it over a period of time.
By the way, on "Actes Sud" (that you recommended) I disovered Jean Darrig, which is of course just an easy and a bit of a trashy romancier policier. But I already read three of his polars just to relax and I enjoy imagining the scenes taking place in Aix, Martigues etc…(I think that was my aim in choosing him) Reminds me a bit of Izzo…
And your photos are merveilleux, to dream along. Did you resolve your camera problem?
Lost in thought,being lost in an imagined world is a lovely time.
Have you read Jane Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde? You will like Thursday Next.
Oh thank you! And I will take a looksee to find you there…I am really enjoying it and have been really impressed by the friendliness of the community on ig.
This absolutely made me smile. Yep, me too. 🙂
Oh my gosh, I feel that way exactly! I have to try to make myself read sloooowly to make it last!!
Romy, did you see the article about the backlash against "The Goldfinch" in Vanity Fair US awhile back?? Ouch!
Karina is one amazing girl. She just has the most calm beauty that radiates out of her…
Do you know that they say piano piano in Provence too?!
Aloha Bill! I hope all is well with you in Hawaii…Mahalo for stopping by!
I know! But I didn't know how to say it otherwise! I initially typed "mansion" but was then like, "well, that sounds pretentious" – hehehe. That was the most amazing house! Do you remember if I have ever done a post on it Sister???
I was so NOT a tomboy! Reading was my savior…
I am exactly that kind of reader, and hope I always will be. A newbie at Instagram, which isn't working on my phone at the moment, but I will attempt a follow- your pictures are other worlds to get lost in too 🙂
When I was young, I used to disappear into the back of my closet to read. I had a lamp hidden in there and would stack things under the hanging clothes to block off my "secret room". I would be all cozy and tucked up in there for hours and if anyone came looking for me, I would turn of the light and stay very quiet until they went away! 🙂
Heather like you reading was a complete refuge for me as a child and I guess still is!
Being the eldest of eight children it was my escape ( after my chores were done of course!)
Sometimes it breaks my heart when I am nearing the end of a book really I love!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
I bet you are reading 'The Goldfinch'?! If so you have captured exactly how I felt when I was totally consumed by reading it….if not you will have to share the title….once you have devoured it! Rx
Hi Heather, I was/am the same kind of reader who gets "lost" in the fictional world. My mother's technique was to stand in the doorway and start talking nonsense until I finally emerged from my reader's fog. Such a great memory of her. I do hope you will let us know what the book is once you've finished it.
And I will try to post a shot on IG of our Karina in a red ribbon as she, too, is a rescue, though as is often the case, I feel that she rescued us by giving us all she has in terms of love and loyalty.
I love reading ROBIN"s take…………….I also love your description of your "reading closet!"
Instagram is fun…….however I have yet to participate with the TAGS!!I will get there…………PIANO PIANO as they say in the old world ITALIA!XX
Reading: Sport of Mental Champions! Thanks for the reminder, Heather. Aloha!
Yay for having an Instagram account!!! Can't believe these are all Instagram pics and glad they made it into the "big leagues"! : ) It seems like all the photos you chose for this post look like they came from a story or book; but upon thinking about it, all your photos seem like that! You know I don't read as much as I'd like, but I do love being carried away – even if it is just an article from my Tricycle magazine! p.s. our Victorian house was not just gigantic from a kid's point of view!!
What beautiful memories and so familiar, too. I was a reader in my childhood but also a tomboy engaged in all kinds of wild things with the boys in the neighbourhood. These days I don't seem to have much time for reading but it still sometimes happens I may become so absorbed in a great novel I don't hear or see anything that happens in the real world around me.