Un mois sabbatique. Some talk of a sabbatical year, but one month may just be enough to recharge these batteries after 11 years of online journaling.
In November, I'll follow a gentle rule: no emails, no blogging. Thanks for helping me stick to it…. If you have sent me a note in 2011 or 2012 and not received a reply, I am so sorry. I wanted to respond, but I slipped behind. Please don't take it personally. I'd feel even worse than I already do!
Before putting this blog and my inbox on hiatus for the next month, one more story for you. I hope it will fill you with hope and inspiration and, especially, tendresse et amour.
If you are looking for the word of the day, I have put it in the following story, somewhere (hint, it's in theme with October 31st…).
"See you" in December!
We'll get back to the regular blog format in December. Thank you for reading!
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
The Photographer and the Body Piercer
Last night my mind chattered from the day's unexpected and meaningful encounters. I had met two strangers in the town of Bandol, and by the time we parted I carried in my hand a precious, if invisible, puzzle piece. Mindful of its value–and still unsure as to where to place it–I held it tightly lest it fall into a street grate (alas, it wouldn't be the first time!). Meantime, a familiar quote galloped across my soul, dropping a clue as to what this puzzle piece represented: boldness.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it…
Those words were tattooed on my brain like the Lord's Prayer. They must have significance. But who had said them–Ralph Waldo Emerson? Claude Bristol? Mom? And how did boldness relate to yesterday's meeting?
An internet search brought the first answer and led to an even more profound text, words which would give insight into yesterday's chance meeting, which I will soon share. First, via Wikipedia, here are the powerful thoughts of William Hutchison Murray, Scottish mountaineer and writer:
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!
Now back to yesterday's pivotal encounter in the town of Bandol, and to where boldness and, especially, "countless ideas and splendid plans–and Providence" fit in.
Cynthia was one of the "strangers" I met yesterday. We first chatted online and were struck by our connections to Mexico and France. Cynthia lives very near my mom (who is in Puerto Vallarta), and she has a home very near me, in Bandol.
Over lunch we discovered more affinities, including a love of photography. After coming to France 20 years ago, and with no plans on leaving, Cynthia's circumstances suddenly changed. But instead of returning to the States, she found a creative way to stay in France–by offering photography tours.
As we talked about the creative activity that had allowed her to remain in France, I was struck by Cynthia's pluck–her courage and boldness to follow her intuition and to trust things would work out!
Though Cynthia no longer gives photography tours of France, she clearly enjoys helping others advance with their cameras. After lunch, Cynthia was helping me snap some pictures when I looked up, dying to ask her a question.
"Which do you prefer to photograph: architecture or people?"
"People!" Cynthia did not hesitate.
"Me too! Me too!" I said, my voice wagging its tail, like my dog Smokey when his heart is full.
"I want to photograph people!" I said, "but I am afraid of being chased away." I told Cynthia about an encounter, earlier, in which I asked the pumpkin stand lady if I could photograph her bright orange courges. The woman's face contorted into a ghoulish non!–scaring me away from my goal.
"How did you respond to the woman's negative reaction?" Cynthia wanted to know.
"Well, I told the lady that I was American… and that seeing une citrouille, or pumpkin, made my heart swell with nostalgia. The women then grumbled, 'Go ahead, just don't photograph me!'"
Cynthia said I had handled the situation very well, and, buoyed by her encouragement I seized the next opportunity….
We had be walking toward the church when my eyes locked on a colorful figure sitting in front of the tattoo shop, just beside the historic cathedral.
"Cynthia! That is who I want to photograph!" I pointed my head over to the girl in purple tights, tattoos up and down her arms. I loved the way she was sitting–carefree, yet lost in concentration.
But just as Cynthia was helping me to discreetly adjust my camera, the purple-legged subject moved. Her feet came down off the table as she shifted to greet a friend who was passing by. Oh no, the moment was lost! Or was it?….
Before my mind could reason or object, I found myself marching toward the young woman! Enough was enough. I could not go on sneaking photos–and giving up, I determined, was no longer an option.
(Boldness has genius….)
"Sorry to bother you," I said, "but I would really love to take your picture." Next, I told the young woman what a chicken I was to photograph strangers, but how I no longer wanted that to keep me from a creative impulse!
(Boldness has genius, power and magic in it…)
As I babbled on, unbridling my heart, the young woman in head to toes tattoos with piercings across her face, and earlobes weighed down with spacers–looked up at me with gentle eyes. "Bien sûr. Yes of course you can take my photo."
My babbling stopped… replaced by a moral inkling:
"Do you mind if I publish your photo?" It was a delicate question. I might have been even more direct: I wish to share your creative and inspiring-to-me character with the world, without exploiting you. You okay with that?
Without batting an eye, the young woman assured me it was pas un souci! How refreshing to know that not everyone has as many hang-ups or fearful imaginings as I. I just needed to relax–and snap the photo!
"Janis"
"I'm Kristi and this is Cynthia," I said, in between snapping pictures. "What is your name?"
"Janis."
"Ah, Janis Joplin!"
My subject smiled a confirmation, when I noticed her great and punctured heart….
"It's a bleeding heart," Janis said, as Cynthia and I huddled in close, to study the heart tattoo across Janis's chest. We chatted several moments about everything from tattoos to driving lessons to permaculture–in one of the richest conversations I have ever had in the space of 5 minutes.
Meantime, the lumière from the sky above streamed down through the church's eves, to the tattoo shop below. I watched the light fall across these former strangers, how grounded and strong they were, with hearts as warm as the sun's rays.
As I said goodbye to these artists, while holding that precious invisible puzzle piece in my hand, my breath caught. Something had fallen from me, and landed in the street grate!
I saw then what the puzzle piece truly represented: the limitations I set against myself. I no longer have to let my dreams pass me by. I can stop, say hello, and ask the magic question: May I?
Comments
To leave a comment, click here. Thank you very much for reading and I will be back in December with more words and stories. Feel free to leave a message here (my email inbox is closed, until I can catch up).
Through December, the ebook version of Blossoming in Provence is just over $4.
Janis, if you are reading, many thanks for helping me to put to rest one more limitation. I will think of you each time I ask the golden question, May I? Puis-je?
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happy re-charge, Kristi — and good luck with your photography. I have gotten yelled at more than once (so enchanted with what I was photographing that I forgot to ask first). And this was in the US! Bonne chance.
happy re-charge, Kristi — and good luck with your photography. I have gotten yelled at more than once (so enchanted with what I was photographing that I forgot to ask first). And this was in the US! Bonne chance.
I will certainly miss you, Kristi, and will look forward to your December return to my life. Enjoy your month & cruise and take lots of pictures – of people and things and places as all of them are interesting.
I will certainly miss you, Kristi, and will look forward to your December return to my life. Enjoy your month & cruise and take lots of pictures – of people and things and places as all of them are interesting.
HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY! WELL DESERVED.
HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY! WELL DESERVED.
Great story and great pic, you go girl!
Have a fantastic break!
Chris
Great story and great pic, you go girl!
Have a fantastic break!
Chris
Recharge–Recharge……enjoy this time ! Looking forward to December and all your future musings & pictures….be inspired anew !
Recharge–Recharge……enjoy this time ! Looking forward to December and all your future musings & pictures….be inspired anew !
Kristi,
Have a great relaxing vacation and time off. Will you celebrate Thanksgiving?
I too love to take pictures of people and sometimes I ask and other times I just shoot. In Europe you can still take pictures of children, but not in the US. I have some wonderful pictures of people at restaurants in France, where they did not know that I was photographing them. I have had them in shows here, so I guess that I am safe,but who is to say?
I also like to take pictures which are abstract … where you are not quite sure what it is. There are so many themes which I like.
If I take a close up then I definitely ask the person.
See you in December…we’ll be here.
Kathleen
Kristi,
Have a great relaxing vacation and time off. Will you celebrate Thanksgiving?
I too love to take pictures of people and sometimes I ask and other times I just shoot. In Europe you can still take pictures of children, but not in the US. I have some wonderful pictures of people at restaurants in France, where they did not know that I was photographing them. I have had them in shows here, so I guess that I am safe,but who is to say?
I also like to take pictures which are abstract … where you are not quite sure what it is. There are so many themes which I like.
If I take a close up then I definitely ask the person.
See you in December…we’ll be here.
Kathleen
Have a wonderful cruise. I look forward to your stories when you and Jean-Marc return. Say hello to Susan for me. Am I right that she on the cruise with you??? I will miss your stories too! xoxo
Have a wonderful cruise. I look forward to your stories when you and Jean-Marc return. Say hello to Susan for me. Am I right that she on the cruise with you??? I will miss your stories too! xoxo
Enjoy your time off, the cruise and being alive! I know right where that tattoo parlor is & went to Mass in St. Francis de Sales, the Bandol church. It must have some history.
Enjoy your time off, the cruise and being alive! I know right where that tattoo parlor is & went to Mass in St. Francis de Sales, the Bandol church. It must have some history.
Have a wonderful river trip and enjoy every minute of it.
Looking forward to read all the stories about your trip.
God Bless You.
Have a wonderful river trip and enjoy every minute of it.
Looking forward to read all the stories about your trip.
God Bless You.
Sometimes it takes boldness and a great leap of faith to have an incredible journey. And sometimes it takes an amazing inspiration for that great leap of faith. My husband and I are about to embark on what we hope will truly be an incredible journey. Thanks to you, Kristin, and Jean-Marc for the inspiration….
Chris in Kansas
Sometimes it takes boldness and a great leap of faith to have an incredible journey. And sometimes it takes an amazing inspiration for that great leap of faith. My husband and I are about to embark on what we hope will truly be an incredible journey. Thanks to you, Kristin, and Jean-Marc for the inspiration….
Chris in Kansas
Kristin, I wish you a joyful cruise and who knows this could be the beginning of a bright new adventure which may wish to host again in years to come. As you said in the quote, be bold and accept all that the days bring to you, the time will be filled with wonderful memories. I will miss you, but realise how you must need this holiday with Jean-Marc. Look forward to your return in December, relax and enjoy
your artiste ami June, Qld
Kristin, I wish you a joyful cruise and who knows this could be the beginning of a bright new adventure which may wish to host again in years to come. As you said in the quote, be bold and accept all that the days bring to you, the time will be filled with wonderful memories. I will miss you, but realise how you must need this holiday with Jean-Marc. Look forward to your return in December, relax and enjoy
your artiste ami June, Qld
Have a great trip, Kristin! If you and Jean-Marc get off the boat in Les Andelys, you must go up the hill to Chateau Gaillard for a wonderful view of the chalk cliffs and the Seine, not to mention the ruins themselves – of a fortress built by King Richard Coeur de Lion! One of my favorite places in the whole world.
If time permits, stop in as well at the Chaine d’Or, a delicious restaurant with windows on the river and beautiful rooms that look out over the Seine.
And to Susan Essex: It is never too late to go and live in France. Let everything else go. Take one suitcase and someone you love. Breathe and believe!
Have a great trip, Kristin! If you and Jean-Marc get off the boat in Les Andelys, you must go up the hill to Chateau Gaillard for a wonderful view of the chalk cliffs and the Seine, not to mention the ruins themselves – of a fortress built by King Richard Coeur de Lion! One of my favorite places in the whole world.
If time permits, stop in as well at the Chaine d’Or, a delicious restaurant with windows on the river and beautiful rooms that look out over the Seine.
And to Susan Essex: It is never too late to go and live in France. Let everything else go. Take one suitcase and someone you love. Breathe and believe!
Enjoy your cruise an time off. Just bought the ebook. Now I have all your books. Take care.
Enjoy your cruise an time off. Just bought the ebook. Now I have all your books. Take care.
A perfect bon voyage post. Love, LOVE the photo of Janis, she radiates confidence and joy. Picture-perfect pose, too, cool beyond cool. As always your writing inspires and unites. Happy travels, rest well.
A perfect bon voyage post. Love, LOVE the photo of Janis, she radiates confidence and joy. Picture-perfect pose, too, cool beyond cool. As always your writing inspires and unites. Happy travels, rest well.
I love that quote, way before Nike’s “Just do It”, but the same meaning. Thanks for sharing.
I love that quote, way before Nike’s “Just do It”, but the same meaning. Thanks for sharing.
As I read about your one month hiatus, I had a mix of emotions. My first is the regret that I don’t read your posts as quickly as they arrive. Often, a month will go by and then I’ll go back and catch up on everything you posted. Other times, I read as they come and wish you would write every day! My second emotion is my fear that you won’t come back! How often do we say we will do something just for x period of time and then, when that time is up, it’s easy to just let it be the past and not resume the activity! My third emotion is annoyance at myself for being so selfish that I don’t want to allow you time to regroup and come back recharged! I love reading your perspective of living in France and have enjoyed “moving” with you to your new home. I really hope your time off will bring you back with just as many fantastic stories and entertaining and informative tales as we’ve come to enjoy at French Word A Day!!
As I read about your one month hiatus, I had a mix of emotions. My first is the regret that I don’t read your posts as quickly as they arrive. Often, a month will go by and then I’ll go back and catch up on everything you posted. Other times, I read as they come and wish you would write every day! My second emotion is my fear that you won’t come back! How often do we say we will do something just for x period of time and then, when that time is up, it’s easy to just let it be the past and not resume the activity! My third emotion is annoyance at myself for being so selfish that I don’t want to allow you time to regroup and come back recharged! I love reading your perspective of living in France and have enjoyed “moving” with you to your new home. I really hope your time off will bring you back with just as many fantastic stories and entertaining and informative tales as we’ve come to enjoy at French Word A Day!!
The photographer behind Humans of New York has occasionally dropped hints as to how he approaches strangers. If you don’t follow him, you should!
The photographer behind Humans of New York has occasionally dropped hints as to how he approaches strangers. If you don’t follow him, you should!
Now I know why we hit it off easily–We are Go For It Girls!!!
I hope your hiatus is relaxing and full of adventures. Tu peut profiter bien avec une repose…
but I know your mind is always jumping!
Now I know why we hit it off easily–We are Go For It Girls!!!
I hope your hiatus is relaxing and full of adventures. Tu peut profiter bien avec une repose…
but I know your mind is always jumping!
Well, Kristin, you have been kind in the past, so I’m going to take a lesson and be BOLD…
I have a book-signing for ALAN’S LETTERS” this Friday at the St. Avold book shop, 2-7pm. Anyone who is in the area is welcome! My French is getting a little better, and my english is just fine, so would be fun to chat with other frenchwordaday’ophiles.
http://www.alansletters.com
Fun that you mentioned pumpkins- I spent a lot of time this October in France looking for the type to cut into jack-o-lanterns…
You’ll have a wonderful month. Enjoy.
Well, Kristin, you have been kind in the past, so I’m going to take a lesson and be BOLD…
I have a book-signing for ALAN’S LETTERS” this Friday at the St. Avold book shop, 2-7pm. Anyone who is in the area is welcome! My French is getting a little better, and my english is just fine, so would be fun to chat with other frenchwordaday’ophiles.
http://www.alansletters.com
Fun that you mentioned pumpkins- I spent a lot of time this October in France looking for the type to cut into jack-o-lanterns…
You’ll have a wonderful month. Enjoy.
Kristin, when you return from your well deserved sabbatical you must read about Brandon Stanton’s transformation while taking photos in NYC. Very inspiring indeed!
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/07/business/media/humans-of-new-york-by-brandon-stanton.html?_r=0
Kristin, when you return from your well deserved sabbatical you must read about Brandon Stanton’s transformation while taking photos in NYC. Very inspiring indeed!
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/07/business/media/humans-of-new-york-by-brandon-stanton.html?_r=0
And good to have you back!
I was missing my French word of the day.
I know what you mean about those sabbaticals – I’ve done it a few times with the fear that I would simply let things drop. Has never happened and I think it’s good to take a break.
All the best to you,
Victoria
And good to have you back!
I was missing my French word of the day.
I know what you mean about those sabbaticals – I’ve done it a few times with the fear that I would simply let things drop. Has never happened and I think it’s good to take a break.
All the best to you,
Victoria