One of my favorite aspects of travelling is imaging myself living an entirely different life in my new found environment. And I like to dream big. It doesn’t cost anything does it? Just a dash of wistfulness perhaps. So be it…
The click of my satin court shoes echoes on the parquet running the length of the chateau. Back and forth I pace, pouting over a disagreement with my portrait painter. How many times must I tell him that I will…not…wear…purple!? I grab my cream silk morning coat and storm out into the labyrinth of boxwoods. He can wait.
From the cool shelter of my Renaissance cave, I turn the pages of an original Rimbaud manuscript that has been brought to me from Ethiopia in a gilded box, pronouncing each poem out loud in a rhythm that descends with the cascading waterfall. Gradually lulled, I curl up on the fur-lined blankets that cover the uneven dirt floor.
I fling open the shutters of my maison du village to twitter along with the birds outside my window and giggle at the burbling brook that spills over from last nights rain. “Bonjour, Madame Robinson! J’ai un colis pour vous!” shouts out the postman. When I open the beribboned box that he places in my hands with a short bow, I am overwhelmed by the perfume of three dozen roses sent all the way from Paris. I burst into song as I turn to close the door, like a joyous Edith Piaf.
My Sister is getting married today. We have opened up the chapel to air and brought the largest table out into the garden. Thirty bottles have been lined up for lunch. In the kitchen I check on les quiches and les gougères, I pour broth over les rotîs, I smooth out the purée. I have already lined platters with asperges, others with les huîtres, a long board groans with les fromages. Next to me, Amandine tries to roll out the dough for her famous millefeuilles while swatting away the minou, who leaves paw prints in the flour. We can hear the first car down the road as the family begins to arrive.
Or maybe I am content just in this little cabanon, working hard to bring the vines back to life, to shore up the beams under the roof, to splatter a fresh coat of lime-wash on its pebbly walls. I listen to the windmill crank, bringing up water from deep inside the earth and know that I have all that I need.
Hoping that you all let yourself dream a bit over the next few days, no matter where you are. Thank you so very much for all of your kind responses to my previous post and for your music as well…
Bon weekend!
I love how you dream Heather and these images are amazing. I will never get tired of visiting your dreams!
XX
Debra~
A wonderful dream, indeed! Thank-you for your visit and lovely comment. As I was reading this post it struck me how beautifully you write, then read your profile and saw that you are a writer. I am very envious of that talent. I so look forward to reading more. You sound like such an interesting person so I am thrilled to meet you! x Sharon
Thank you so much, wonderful ladies, each so special and unique!
But Sue, now what is the point of dreaming if you don't let yourself go?!
Gros bisous…
What a marvellous imagination you have! Such trips, such dreams, such wonderful images you spin with your clever words. xx
Well, I just want to go with you. Enough said.
Heather, I love the way your mind works! I tend to do the same thing, although I admit that I'd likely be the servant washing those huge windows, instead of enjoying the benefits of their view. 😉
Oh Heather, You're my mind reader or is it my mind writer?
Thank you.
Have a wonderful weekend full of real and imaginable trips.
Heather,
oh yes you made me dreaming of when and where!I loved this post! Amazing!
I am ready for a dreaùy weekend!
xx
Greet
Oh thank you so much Jeanne (ps. do you pronounce your name "Jean" or the French "Jeanne"?)! And I will return the favour:
http://www.fipradio.fr/
Eclectic radio at its best!
Merci, merci, Heather for inviting us along into your imaginary other life! I love it. Whenever I visit the Rodin Museum I can't help but imagine my self running down that staircase, trailing yards of taffeta – a couture creation from Worth perhaps.
Wishing you a dreamy weekend! XO
PS- The Beatles are on the radio now – Can't Buy Me Love – Streaming KEXP.org, you should give them a listen sometime!