late bloomers

“Let the beauty of what we love be what we do.” Rumi Not everyone awakens to life’s possibilities at a young age.  Some of us are late bloomers.  Many of us were told as children that we could be whatever we wanted to be when we grew up, but once we...

l’esprit campagne

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” Martin Buber Last Sunday I attended  a country wedding in the village of Parleboscq, at Domaine de Marsan.  I was invited by the father of the bride, whom I’d met while waiting...

le cadeau

The Gift “Whatever we have been given is supposed to be given away again, not kept.  The only essential is this – the gift must always move.” Lewis Hyde We’ve all experienced the commodification of natural resources, from drinking water, to air...

masquerade

“Be who you are.  Say what you feel.  Those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter.” Dr. Seuss The countryside of France conjures up romantic images, but quite often most rural villages have a deserted air, as though suddenly...

carnet de voyage

“Travel…the word reminds me of my safari to Africa.  Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water.” W.C. Fields Eight years ago I took the proverbial road less traveled to southern France.  Those of...

knocking on heaven’s door

“You can cut all of the flowers, but you cannot stop spring from coming.” Pablo Neruda Last week the Vent d’Autun winds swept through southern Gascony stirring up portentous changes.  Like the infamous Mistral winds in Provence, they can make you...