Bare and Beautiful

Paris in February yields the nudeness of an unclothed woman, beautiful as the crystals of a snowflake, and just as cold. When the sky opens up to reveal the blue sky and sun we turn our faces, as if receive a kiss from our mother, for she, Paris, is our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and daughter. Paris, a woman of class and stature, renowned throughout the world. Paris, she is still beautiful even in the dead of winter. Like a lady who has taken off all of her makeup, I glimpsed her in her most vulnerable form, naked as she was born. Paris, stripped of all the splendor of the year. Fountains turned off, jewelry put on the dresser, river a muddy brown, but still as silky as freshly washed hair. Paris, the woman still glitters without her façade of green grass and summer flowers. Paris, I saw her bare and beautiful. The life and love of a woman captivated by beauty is written in her stone walls and stained glass windows, in the street vendors, the painters, the black clad coat wearers and smiles of the children. Grasping the tiny rays of sunshine as if it were her last we awaiting the morning when she will dawn her jewels once more.

Sleeping in Paris

Soon I will be sleeping in Paris. I will be spending two days in the City of Lights and Love. I have no expectations, no adgenda, I will just see what turnes up and be happy with whatever I am given. Once again another journey comes to a close, while at the same time another unfolds. Life is a series of happenings and choices. I hope I can always make the right one and if not, then I hope I can be happy with whater I choose. Look out world because I’m just getting started with you!

The Perfect Sunday

Our "family" of four laying on the living room floor, just kicking it
Breakfast of omlettes and toast
Sundays we relax
Cluedo and snaks we pile on pillows
I dare you to do a silly dance
"I Have Never" comes in rounds
Can you believe there are poeple who till havn’t been on an airplane?
Movie time! What are we watching today?
How ‘bout Somethings Gotta Give
Hide and seek in the dark
We go outside and watch the stars
Kiss the horses good night and
Head inside for a dinner with sweet, sweet wine

Morning Bike Ride

This morning I went for a bike ride through the French countryside. It was exquisite in the early morning light. The cool breeze washed over my face and made my checks flush with pink. The sun smiled through the gray clouds and lit the forest on fire. The grass sparkled in neon greens and tiny, little, yellow flowers still managed to poke their heads through the wet leaves, even in the middle of winter. I passed black and white cows playing king of the dung heap, nearly got bombarded by geese and heard roosters crowing like there was no tomorrow. I even encountered a few dogs but didn’t stay long enough to find out whether or not they were friendly. The feeling of freedom. Not knowing, or caring where you are or even what you are. Being open to all possibilities. Should I go right or should I go left? Spontaneous exploration is a wonderful thing. Breathing in the damp air. That smell of wonderful rotting leaves and moss on trees gives me a feeling of forever. It is a timeless scent with no end. It is comforting and will make you remember the funniest things. As I headed home, I passed an old fellow on his bike on his way out for his own cycling adventure. Just as I got into the barn, it started to drizzle, then pour. I wonder if he turned around and went home or if he enjoyed getting caught in the rain?

Taking a bath with the dishes

Once again we have no hot water. It is a comedy of errors for all we can do is make light of the situation and teach our selves to use only a liter of hot water for a “bath” and wash our hair in cold. Do not take anything for granted and simplify are my mottoes for this year. We laugh in the face of hardships but it is okay because we are all in this together.

Warmer weather brings smiles
Tank tops and shorts are on the mind
But don’t get too comfortable
I open myself up with love and respect and expect it in return
How dare you diminish my soul and your own at that
No one can make me feel bad or inferior except myself
I stand before you as a friend
You strip me with your honesty
I value your opinion and we share our fears
But have no fears for I am here
I dedicate my ever-lasting soul to you
I pledge my heart to yours
Bosom sisters we are
Forever
I make these sacrifices for you and essentially for myself too
I am glad I’m here
Cold weather, rough times, I’m glad I’m here
To share these little moments with you
We find delight in the slightest
And in my opinion that is the most important
You are Joan of Arch and I am the Angel she saw
I love you like my own flesh and blood
Talk to me dear, I am yours for the listening

Realize All That You Are And More

Preface : sorry for the spelling errors, my computer only speaks French.
(Said with a mouth brimming with bread and cheese) I am sorry I have’t had a chance to write more frequently, (chew, chew) but I have been gorging on bread, cheese, chocolate and (gulp) wine.

Yellow, butter sun rises
Twin chimnies, tangled smoke streams linger
Brighly painted barns and hidden lake shore benches
Cold frosty pastures, with breath still warm
We talk and laugh and realize that friendships are the best when the world feels like it’s falling
Good food and great company is the ticket to a happy heart
Play now and forever remember your dreams
Be sponantious, stick your head in the freezing , famous, fountain and splutter your fears away
Listen to good music and say what’s really on your mind
Use common sense and stick to it, until it’s done
Be bold, be bright, be you, be love and you will recieve all that you are and more
Red rose sunsets turn into night

Hauling wood with childish enthusiasm

Three women moved two cords of wood in three hours. Which, by the way, is A LOT of wood in a descent amount of time. We felt very accomplished and afterward had chocolate crepes with ice cream for dinner. Who needs a gym and yoga classes when you’ve got wood, hay, mud, and a pitch fork? I have never felt more alive than I have in the past week. Something about cold, fresh air really gets the body going.