Paper wings, seeming translucent, written strong with words to catch the wind.
Acts of kindness, acts of faith. Shooting like stars to make a heart, mine, open to the sky.
Un merci, a good job, a bravo, an I appreciate you. We all can use one from time to time.
I fold my head like a fanning flower, grateful…
…blow-kissing pollen, hopefully, spreading good will.
*warning: what follows is crazy long, feel free to take a run for it while no one else is looking*
A bit of music? http://www.stereomood.com/song/66859
So I have to say that I was quite surprised and touched to have been given several blog awards this past week. Isn’t that lovely? I know there is no gold little man for me to clutch while wiping away shaky tears on the back of my glove but all the better! Just a simple curtsy will do.
It started with Marg Hogan of Destination Here and Now, who gave me The Addictive Blog Award. Merci beaucoup, Margaret and for those of you that might need a graphic designer in NSW, Australia, take a look at her portfolio here.
Me oh my-oh Cinco de Mayo and then teamgloria came a knocking. Ah, tg she is my chou chou. When the inordinately talented Author of the blog was diagnosed with three tumours in her neck, she created teamgloria as a means to document her team of “glorious people, places & things” that helped her get through and move shining forward from that dark time. Quite simply, both the narrative of the blog and the woman behind it are amazing. Actually, she didn’t even have to come knocking as I can nearly always be found there, loitering. So that she chose Lost in Arles for the Liebster Blog Award, I blushed (I did). But then, a bit of a chain reaction was set in motion!
Tg had nominated the lovely, lovely Julia from Three Times Yes (an actress!), who decided what the hay she didn’t care about rules and would nominate me as well. And then another of Julia’s nominees, beautycalypse, also threw me the award and I have only just discovered her blog! Boomerang. But you have to love a woman who refers to her readers as her fellow “adventurers”–I know I do. Let alone that she feels that real beauty can knock her sideways, she quotes Bowie and loved the poem “If” by…Kipling (that is Rudyard, sillies, not our new pupper.)
Now, what has been fun is a volley of exchange and turns of phrases that could give Houdini whiplash. As I have mentioned, there are normally rules. Such as thanking the person that nominated you, telling eleven things about yourself, answering the eleven questions asked of you and passing on the award to eleven more. Well, happily, I have already been given this award (thank you again Natalie!) so I am going to throw most of them out the window but I will answer teamgloria’s questions here and in a hurry as I have been waiting to read the other responses for fear of being “influenced” by their brilliance (Julia and bc I will answer yours with gusto on your blogs, just give me a moment to catch my breath).
But first for those of you that are just about ready to sign off on this long post my list of ten blogs for the Addictive Blog Award. These are the ones that I go “Oh, goody” when they arrive in my inbox. Well, some of them. You are all so talented, it is amazing!
1) Of course, teamgloria
2) and Three Times Yes
3) and beautycalypse
4) and Destination Here and Now
but also
5) French Essence – http://vickiarcher.com/
6) Collage of Life – http://collageoflife-henrqs.blogspot.fr/
7) Glamour Drops – http://blog.glamourdrops.com/
8) HATTATT – http://hattatt.blogspot.fr/
9) Elizabeth Minchilli in Rome – http://www.elizabethminchilliinrome.com/
10) Subliminal coffee. – http://subliminalcoffee.blogspot.fr/
Thank you all so much for oodles of inspiration.
Are you still here? Really? It certainly is understandable if you have nodded off, a bit like me trying my best to see the red carpet yesterday evening (oh how me loves that particular awards ceremony, dreams of lives past still swirl about me like fairy dust). The envelope please, teamgloria’s questions, as promised:
1) candles or spotlights?
While my hearth is full of candles and perhaps their light is the most consistent point of my existence (see final question), I do indeed know how to work a spot or two and yes, jazz hands are usually involved.
2) how many books do you have next to the bed?
Well, let me go see…eight plus a back issue of National Geographic from 1984.
3) when did you last read in a café and what did you eat?
While I try to just be present when I am dining alone, a rarity in itself, I could not resist the temptation to break out a newly arrived American Vogue, expat gold, the last time that I did. I had an excellent gazpacho (a hint as to the season) plus a tartine rubbed with potent garlic and topped with ratatouille, serrano and emmenthal straight out from under the broiler. And a glass of wine. Then an espresso.
4) when did you set up your blog and why?
Here we go:http://lostinarles.blogspot.fr/2010/10/good-day-as-any.html As a professional travel writer, I missed creating once the press started to tank. I had no idea that I would come to love taking the photographs as much as writing or that I would come into contact with such exceptional people in the process.
5) what was the last film/movie you saw?
An enlightening refresher course for question 8, one that I have a sneaking suspicion just might have been chosen with me in mind? Or is that pure ego taking the reins?
6) what was the first single you bought?
Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”
7) chocolate or cheese? Discuss.
I live in France, a land where there are enough varieties of cheese so as to discover a new one every day of the year, hence there is no discussion.
8) do you identify with any of the characters in Pretty in Pink? If so, which one? And–still?
Apparently I still identify thoroughly with all on the non “ritchies,” all of them. Ode to the Duckman. And yes, still. Iona especially took on whole other shades for me that I am the now normal too. But once an outsider, always an outsider. It brands you from the inside. It was quite a lovely experience watching that film again (and enjoying the soundtrack, the finest of that time), so thank you for the homework.
9) Maria Callas or Madonna Ciccone?
Dinah Washington.
10) you’ve been invited to (where?) for supper–name the 11 other guests (alive/passed on/haunting you still):
I believe that we have already established that I detest parties. One on one. Or family. But no more. And please don’t make it a theme.
11) Is there a meaning to life? Do you need one?
While it certainly isn’t up to me to make a mass statement for the planet, I know that my personal answers are “no” and “no”. I am trying to live happy and do no harm as I go, hopefully do a bit of good. So bandage up those paper cuts, fold out your wings and…
One more for the road? http://www.stereomood.com/song/70349
Merci Marg–thanks for getting the party started off right! 🙂
Girl, you look way too young to have a thirty year old son. I am serious! I never would have guessed. Tant mieux!
Everybody needs a little bit of Arles in their day x. Thanks Heather for your lovely blog. Continued success! Marg
Ha! I wish we were the same age, but doesn't the fact that I have a son who will turn 30 (THIRTY!) in June tell you something? Seriously, though, "kiddo" is a term of endearment from me. There are so many terrific blogs out there, I'm delighted to know who else you are following!
What a lovely friend you are. Merci, Virginia.
Ah, your blog makes me feel the same, Kiddo (aren't we the same age? 😉 But I already passed on love to you the first time around, so I hope you don't mind. Making that list made me uncomfortable to be honest! Too limiting!
Stay warm,
h
Oh David, that made my night, it absolutely did. My Sister introduced me to Jonatha Brooke many years ago and that was my favorite song of hers. And seeing the lyrics while listening to that gorgeous song, yes, you hit it just right.
Merci, Uncle David and bisous,
h
Only you, my dear girl, could make this topic the witty delight of delectable wisdoms which it is! Bravo for the recognition, something which the rest of us have long known: that you are very brilliant at capturing in words (and images) those fleeting thoughts which truly make life all the richer. xx
Congratulations, kiddo. Yours is exactly a blog that makes me say to myself "Oh goody" when a new post arrives. Thank you for providing a consistent bright spot in what seems like a long winter here in Massachusetts, too. (David and I can argue whose has been longer.)
And like the Rev., I too am a fan of Jonatha Brooks.
Dear Heather,
First of all, what a pleasure (I mean that sincerely) to read of this latest, widening recognition for you. I'm sure folks were as glad to give it to you as you were surprised to receive it (nice deal, all 'round, don't you think?).
Secondly (and given this posting's title and the tone of your most recent postings?), I think you'll like curling up on the couch with your latest boyfriend (you're the only woman I know who's currently living with all of her last three boyfriends, by the way)and listening to this….."Ten Cent Wings". It's by Jonatha Brooks. It's lovely…..and, I expect, perfect for an afternoon pause therein Arles (where, I gather, winter is lingering far too long this year; it feels that way here, to me…for the first time in my life).
go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDEj0TZ2ORQ
congratulations, and thank you for the always invigorating blog,
david Terry
222.davidterryart.com