tried shaking off my blues with a walk into the village this morning. It was a cool, not cold, and moist morning with a light, dewy drizzle off and on.my first stop was my favorite little boutique where I was dropping off some jeans to be shortened. every jean or pant I purchased here has required the same routine, even though all the french women I've seen are petite like me! but I love this little nook with lots of cute clothes and a friendly mademoiselle to assist. In fact, it is called Mamzelle so I probably shouldn't be there! ha. next I strolled up to my favorite boulangerie where I bought a tourte (round country loaf which lasts longer than a baguette) and a brioche with sugar crystals instead of my usual croissant. On to the little bar facing the plaza, where I had a petite café and enjoyed my brioche. so much in fact that I walked back and bought another for tomorrow morning. As I sat and sipped my coffee, I spied on the couple in front of me. Not young, but still loving ... they cooed and nuzzled like love birds as they enjoyed their pains aux chocolats and I recognized the meaning of the phrase 'love birds' ... their little kisses made soft smoochy sounds as they smiled and pecked.
le sigh.
after the 2nd trip to the boulangerie, I walked up to the patisserie and bought one small tarte aux fraises and a small paquet of sarments ... chocolate dipped orange zest. as I walked up the street, I noticed another little shop had finally opened, I have been observing the renovation of the space for months. It is another chocolate shop, Belgian, called Les Deux Venises. The region of Belgium they are from is called the Venice of the North, Brantome is the Venice of the Perigord, thus ... the name. The gentleman was quite kind and a little shy, so I bought a few chocolates and gave some encouraging feedback. A sweet little shop, and for my efforts I left with a couple of extra chocolates, gratuit!
on to the horlogerie where I finally made the drop off of a wristwatch that I haven't been wearing. It is a vintage Hermes, turquoise, more jewelry than watch as it has this really cool cover that is a pyramid like stud, you don't even see the watchworks unless you wish to (by lifting the cover). I've never grown an affinity for a timepiece, but I love the look of this one. so there it is, for examination and pick-up on Tuesday.
I strolled back and tried to concentrate on the beauty that surrounds me. the life I'm slowly creating. my haves vs. my have nots. I dropped off my items at home and continued my walk the opposite direction to the little fleuriste up the road from me. I picked up a new climbing rose, Queen Elizabeth, for my trellis pot in the garden. and a small bunch of ranunculus, red with interesting leafy green centers, for my own morale.
a friend just recently commented to me that she had been bemoaning her desire to return to Europe for her European life. And husband reminded her that where we go, we take us along.
it is true, i've brought *me* here ... and while there has been growth, there are parts of me that I imagine will remain sad and unfulfilled wherever I wander. for now, I'm going to just let them be, offer comfort and succor to those wounds as best I can ... and try to accept that parts of my path this go around may not be meant to change...ever.
I do wish you all could walk along with me next time. for it is a truly lovely place I've landed.
