The time here is passing. We are already preparing to finish up the best we can, jobs not yet tended to. All the wallpapers has been removed and walls painted with light pastels. That is except one room that we painted a burgundy. The floors have been stripped and sanded and varnished. We found that most rooms had originally had fireplaces. So we opened up one for the living room. Moved gardens , mowed lawns ,planted trees, painted ceilings, painted murals of Bertagne village up the staircase, gardens at the upstairs, Bretagne people on kitchen cupboards and gardens in the toilette room. A lot accomplished in just six week.
We have had a chance to learn a great deal about the area and have met new friends. They have helped us find what we need and get our bearings. The difficulties with language is never a real hindrance . The lovely woman across the street visits us daily and we sit with our French /English dictionary and converse freely. Yes much is lost in the translation, but it is amazing how much is understood with gestures, a little imagination, and a dictionary.
It’s been great fun.
I did not get to do some of the thing I had expected to do. But then I have seen and found things I did not expect.
Living by the sea has been so healing and restful. I just walk out the door, across the highway and the mists of Avalon settle in over the cliffs and sea scape.
I never really got used to the cold though. And the sun has seldom shown its face.
They promise a sunny day tomorrow. If it happens I will be at the beach. Even if it is 50 degrees F. Last night I took out my map and sure enough….we are as far north as Canada. No wonder this Florida girl shivers…chuckle.
Before we leave we are going to visit Mont St Michel …on the border of Normandy and Brittany. I posted a bit about that earlier. I also want to visit Gingamp.The only black Madonna in Brittany is there.
It will be our last couple day trips before returning by train to Paris for our flight back to the USA. I have some work waiting for me when I return, and plans to make if I want to return to France in a few months.
I had originally planned to visit some friends here in France but the circumstances did not work out this time. But that gives me more reasons for a return trip.
There was an article in the local newspaper that someone was bit by a viper and died in the next town. We have been warned to be careful walking in the woods. But I have not seen any snakes….or squirrels or foxes or any animal. I have been told that there are wild boars in the wood. I am beginning to think there are no animals left. And the variety of birds is still so few. Perhaps their return is just later here.

Alchemical gardens
Curious gestures
Mudras of the seed
Upon the rock
Mustering some tiny sprout
Encased / cacooned
Given and received
Knowing that each step upon the water
Leaves an imprint
Fog and veil
Condensation for the mass of
Hungry ghosts
Dismissing memory of place
Upon the wheel in ages past
And how the hand of giants
Bless or smash
Forgetting all the gods have gods
Turtles on turtles on turtles
Give me the
“Cup of wine and Thou”!!!
I leave the structure of all created realms for later dreams
…..For now lets water
Watch
And hold
The Marigolds in high esteem
While setting on the edge of Giea’s dream