The sunflower that bloomed here in January. Today it reminds me of a search light, combing the sky above, looking for a starman….
TODAY'S WORD: se rendre compte
: to realize
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J’ai toujours pensé que j’étais un artiste intellectuel, je me rends compte aujourd’hui que, la moitié du temps, je n’ai aucune idée de ce que je suis en train de faire. Et plus je vieillis, moins je réfléchis à ce que je fais.
I'm terribly intuitive—I always thought I was intellectual about what I do, but I've come to the realisation that I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing half the time. And the older I get, the less I think about what I am doing. -David Bowie.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
What More Can An Artist Strive For?
The best tribute one can give David Bowie is to continue on with their art or their art de vivre. For me, this means continuing to write today, whether the words come easily or not.
This morning I woke up thinking about the reader who shamed my dog and me, and about what kind of response I could give him. Sarcasm popped up as one in a million possibilities, until I remembered the words of Glennys.
I met Glennys in my first writing support group, found by chance after signing up for the internet in the late 90s. The group was called BIC HOK TAM, which stood for:
Butt In Chair
Hands on Keyboard
Typing Away Madly
The name of the group was beside the point. Mostly, the writers chatted. One day, I delurked and joined in! After several weeks I got to know their personalities, and was surprised to learn they'd already pieced together mine….
One day someone said something, I can't remember what, and I sat behind my screen, trying to come up with a witty response. The subject was banal enough (so banal I cannot remember it), but, eager to write something writerly (whatever that meant), I painstakingly formulated my response (probably reading and rereading it 17 times before hitting "post", at which point my heart would have thumped until someone responded).
That's when Glennys from Scottland popped up. I will never forget what she said: "Kristi, sarcasm does not suit you."
But it sure suited Glennys! Oh, how I enjoyed her retorts! (And now I am reminded of what the original thread must have been: another of Glenny's sarcastic insights. I must have been inspired to respond in like.)
Glenny's wouldn't have it. Instead, she took the opportunity to help me find my voice.
Though I still may be influenced by others, such influences are at the risk of not ringing true to readers. Speaking of which… Did I tell you about the reader who shamed my dog? I still have not responded to his comment. I will try to now–by saying what comes to heart, in the next instant, while typing this essay….
Dear (I can't remember your name),
And that, it seems, is the end of my letter! The fact is, "a good comeback" is found nowhere in my writing repertoire. So I will use what tools I have acquired so far, the biggest of which, is this:
La sensibilité.
Which brings us back to David Bowie: more than having sensitivity, through his work–through who he was–he brought out sensitivity in others. What more can an artist strive for?
This inspires a few more words for the man who shamed my dog:
Dear (I can't remember your name),
I sincerely do not mean any disrespect by addressing you in this way. The fact is, I cannot remember your name. Mysteriously, I can remember the name of the person who commented after you.
I'm signing off, now, to wonder why….
Amicalement,
Kristi
We can be heros, just for one day. -David Bowie
COMMENTS
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As you can tell, most of us have forgotten what the jerk said and I think it’s the best way to handle him. Simply oubliez lui or n’y pensez plus.. You and your precious Smokey brighten our world. ‘Nuff said.
Who would shame a dog? That is just crazy…well, maybe one who has just bitten someone or peed on the carpet..ha!
Smokey is so cute and funny and lovable. This person obviously has not followed The Smoke through the years and doesn’t know him like we do!
He’s made me smile so many times. I just love him.
Sheila
I really LIKE this response! Kristi, You are sweet and lovely and remarkably open with your thoughts on life and love and all things good, beautiful and painful. I, too, won’t usually read responses to blogs because social media can be cruel and thoughtless. However, I love that your supporters have your back. Keep up the good work – and good words.
Kristi, since your column is not required reading and your following friends have to sign up to receive it, I’m dumbfounded that a person who does not love you/your family/your musings on FRENCH life and Smokey would be attracted to your column or sign up to follow you. He is the exception that proves the rule: you attract followers who share your positive outlook and energy. I feel sad for people who don’t know how to meet loving kindness with loving kindness. Warm regards, Deborah
Way back when I worked for London Records in NY and helped promote David Bowie he was on Parrot label I sent his 45’s to all the radio stations with my write up of his bio, he was just a school boy at that time
I do not know what the person who tried to shame you and Smokey said, but it pains my heart just to know that someone tried to do that and hurt you. You and Smokey are both magnificent, and together you bring joy to your readers with every story and photograph. Much love to each and both of you, Leslie
Dear Kristi,
About the man who shamed you and Smokey….a response? He’s not worth it. My guess is most people and dogs don’t like him very much anyway.
Some of the topics you address can reach deep down inside your readers and touch tender emotional thoughts or…nerves. Then comes the thoughtful contemplation evoked by your words. For some it may be painful, hence the striking out and critical comments. Fortunately such comments are few and far between, but when they do come I am sure they sting. But not forever, I hope.
Our dogs enrich our lives. They can offer unconditional love and need to be treated with love and respect. Not all people understand or appreciate our canine companions. Oh how fortunate are we who do. They can bring us absolute joy!
So thank you for what you offer and where you take us…in a myriad of different directions.
How healing are the words from all your readers…
Amen to all the comments above.
That love and compassion far outweigh the negative comment of a lost soul who didn’t know he “missed a chance to keep quiet”.
Les paroles s’envolent mais les écrits restent….
Although that may no longer be true as you have the power to delete cruel comments… If you wish to. 🙂
Just a little typo: “heroes”. (A Bowie song I believe).
Coincidentally, I have been photographing my “less-than-perfect” sunflowers when they look ‘frazzled”…
Sunflowers love across ze WOOOOORLD!!!
Jacq – Brisbane (Summer 32Celsius)
P. S. And the beautiful sunflower…our beloved
state flower. If only ours bloomed in January!
(Who am I kidding? They don’t even grow here in
January. 😕)
The spirit of David Bowie will continue to inspire all true originals, whether they be writers, painters, musicians….
As for Mr. Nobody:
Dogs love unconditionally as does God. It’s not a coincidence that Dog spelled backwards is God. I feel sorry for you, Mr. Nobody.
JOY, I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS. DONT WORRY. IM TOUGH. AND SENSITIVE. BUT TOUGH. 💛💛💛
Chère Natalia, you have been my hero here in the comments box on more than one occasion, and you dont even know it. 💛
Thanks, Deborah. I went to my list server and looked up his email address. It was nowhere to be found. Either he reads this blog via an rss feed, or he is a troll.
Love it! Thanks Valerie.
Many thanks for the correction. Always helpful!
So helpful to read your thoughts about why people lash out. And thanks for the giggle re sunflowers chez toi!
Well said. No response is sometimes better. We have to live with a lot of idiots. My mother used to say: ” mejor un loco y no dos” translation… better there be 1 crazy/fool then 2.
Love you, Marina
Capricious, captivating, astute, and thought provoking —
Much love and gratitude, Fred
The photo clearly shows the special relationship between a two beautiful,loving creatures, a bond similar to that between my loving wife and our (really her) cat, Finney. A joy to behold!
Silence speaks louder than words when you really want to speak your mind!
He obviously has no appreciation for the deep things of the heart.
You are loved 🙂
How sad is the life of someone who wants to go out of his way to be publicly mean.
I missed the post or maybe you talk it down as you should. I won’t ask that you repeat it. The less publicity for that person the better. We love our animals and have endured some harshness too.
Love your brilliant response letter to the dog shamer. Then there is the matter of Bowie; musical genius and certainly love his ‘Hero’ song – for more than one day!
Hi Kristi!
Your blog is an absolute delight. I have enjoyed it for years & live a bit vicariously from them. You see my family is French but immigrated to New Orleans where I was born. I always wished my mom could have kept their home in Nice. My grand-père had a small vineyard there . And you have the kind of life I can happily romanticize about!
Your loving personality shines through in your postings. These trolls prey on persons like yourself because they have a pathological need to exert power over others by belittling because they really feel inadequate about themselves with poor self worth. They can act out in the anonymity the Internet provides like all the other perverts. Don’t be upset. Understand you are dealing with a mental misfit. Ignore those cowards & realize you are the better person.
Besides anyone who has an issue with a pet,well that’s diagnostic as well!
Dear Kristin,
I really loved Joy Wood’s comment. I hope you (or she) doesn’t mind if I borrow it. My personality is a lot like yours. In time, we will care less about what other’s think, while practicing self care more. I believe it takes time.
In our family, we have 5 cats and my husband and I adore them, especially when Mason, who is my study buddy sits long hours with me at my computer, while I do my homework. However, my daughters don’t think this is so great and don’t invite their friends over much. So, I wind up having a house full of cats, instead of a house full of teenage girls. Hmm.
Janine
includes a class at school. Even though I want to be more like Joy now, the class has taught me that in aging personality does adjust and
Loved the post and the Sunflower. I think I will paint it if you do not mind.I have a love for sunflowers.
Kristi, My dear computer friend, Thank you for writing every day. I get a lift everytime I read your words in French and am able to understand them. For the short time it takes for me to read your notes, I am transported to France. Thank you, Krinkly