Emotion recollected in tranquility
If you have been with me a little while you may recall that I moved to a rather palatial temporary home in Grenoble in February and that I knew I would have to give it up at the beginning of July. That time has come and in discussion with the local fire brigade, I have conceded that chaining myself to the stunning ornate pillars in the drawing room and refusing to move will simply be undignified, probably messy and not at all couth. A teeny bit reluctantly, therefore, in a few hours I will close the door on this lovely interlude and very soon I will share what happens next. In the meantime though, and given that it is summer and collective thoughts turn to high days and holidays, I thought a little less taxing on you might be to run a series of photographs accompanying poems, prose or lyrics that never fail to snare my heart and noose my soul. Those which effortlessly conjure emotions and tempt my teeny-tiny brain to shimmy into something resembling coherence.
The first offering is this, a picture, taken more than three years ago in the north of le Cantal in the village that was then home and to whence I will head later today before decamping to the south of le Cantal to check on our seemingly endless renovation of a tiny square house.
It seemed then, as now, to evoke this beautiful poem by a favourite amongst of all favourite poets …
He Wishes For The Cloths of Heaven
HAD I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
William Butler Yeats
PS: The title comes from Wordsworth’s brilliant definition of poetry that it is ‘the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility’
And now I simply must dash … .toodlepip!
NB: My internet access will be tenuous until the weekend so please forgive me if I am tardy in responding to your messages and in reading your own wondrous blog-offerings
I love the Yeats poem – one I hadn’t come across before. Lovely photo too, and very redolent of Cantal which, as you know, I love almost as much as you! I look forward to hearing what your next port will be. Maybe it won’t be a million miles from the Auvergne…
I’m very pleased to have introduced a new poem to you and am happy you like the picture, because I do know you love the Cantal too 🙂 In fact that sort of wier thing no longer exists as they demolished it and put the river back to it’s natural state to allow the fish to travel upstream to spawn about a year ago. My next port will not be a million miles from Auvergne but that is all I can reveal today (being an international woman of mystery and all that 😉 )
I won’t press you! Nonetheless, you have my appetite whetted to know more…
Soon!
Lovely marriage of words and image.
Thank you Su! I hoped they might strike some chords 🙂
For me, like the soft opening chord of a long-forgotten, but much-loved song. The kind that is heavy with memory and emotion. I’m sorry you’re leaving the flash digs. Hope the renovation is going well.
I will resume the installments on the renovation in a couple of weeks. It is going …. 😉
🙂
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end.
Indeed they must and as one door closes, another opens 🙂
Lovely. Sorry you have to move on, but it’s all to the good, I’m sure
It was always a 6-month sabbatical so I jest, really … the door closes and another is opening. All shall be well!
I hope the door that opens is filled with comfort, happiness and love. Happy Change.
Thank you Claudette … as you know, I would love more than anything to put roots down. It will come but there are a couple more pirrouettes to perform first!!
Enjoy the dance, for when you stop you may miss it.
I will, I promise 💃
Beautiful words. Yours and Yeats.
That’s a bottle-it comment … me and Yeats in the same breath – thank you 😊
Bonne chance, mon ami.
Bernadette, my thoughts are with you as I close this little chapter and move into the next. I send you my warmest wishes. I would love to send you a note by email but I couldn’t find your contact details ((my ineptitude, I expect). Would you be very kind, and only when you have the wish and the moment, and pop an email to osyth.storyteller@gmail.com so that I can send you the note that is in my heart?
Lovely to see you, Bernadette. I hope everything is going as well as it possibly can for you and your family. My thoughts are with you x
Lovely to see you, Bernadette, I share the thoughts of Osyth and Clive and send my love 💜
I’m glad that you resisted the urge of a 60s protest..
It’s time to get back to reality where floors are walls and a shower is public art.. 🙃
Hope all is good and the good gets better as you dig back into the project 💛
It was tough but I believe it was the right choice! We have actually been working away at the house unreported for the past six months a few days each month. I will resume the story in the next couple of weeks. That shower though …. 😉
Awesome ! You’re the J.K. Rowling of restoration.. Causing an undue amount of anticipation for each installment of your magical transformations 😉
It’s funny how certain aspects of any story are highlighted in the reader’s mind.. For me it’s the walls, which is my jump off into the story of the building, the townsfolk and the challenges of the project.. The impromptu peep show is a reflection of you and yours, in humor, outlook, love and passion for life..
I wonder what parts are left highlighted in other reader’s minds as they follow your adventure.. You know well that my mind works a bit in the abstract.. I wonder how saner minds digest and sort your tales of home improvement ☺
You prompt me to think I must re-read some of the comments and see if I can understand what people get out of reading the pieces. I love your abstract take on life. Do not change! And J K Rowling … how I wish 😉
No wishing about it.. I believe your writing talent could weave an interesting tale of nails rusting, if you were inspired to write about it..
That doesn’t mean millions will rush to book stores to grab the latest installment.. So much depends on trend and timing.. Your talent could bring in millions of fans, with the right theme, timing and marketing.. I love restoration and imagination, so I’m naturally a fan 😊
But yes, it would be cool to see into the reader’s minds in the snippets they hold that trigger the fascination of the story line..
I always say to people that if the motivation to write is blockbusting sales and the attendant money then don’t start …. but having just one person who takes the time to make such a statement and whom I know I can trust – now that is reason to keep going. IOU an email, I think – am in England with mum but gradually getting back to whatever normal service is!!
Never feel you owe me an email.. You’ll zip one out when you’re duly inspired 😊
With so much going on in France and England recently and your own lives, I’m sure you’ve been quite occupied.. 💛
As long as you enjoy what you write, I hope you always keep writing.. In my opinion, an artist’s fan following is a natural reflection looking back.. The work is great, regardless of the lack of mirrors available at the time..
Ever notice that we (most people) are our own worst critics, while simultaneously our biggest fans ? We are pretty much first to be dissatisfied with our works but regard it well enough to show the world ! I find us humans, the weirdest creatures on earth.. 😄
You are a very smart cookie. Your analysis of the artistic temperament is absolutely point perfect and as so often happens I find myself wishing I had a) thought of it and b) written it!!
You may borrow it ! 😂
Breathtaking, inspiring, restorative…take your pick, all resemble you. ‘Bon vent’ as they say around here, at least you will be out of the temperature extremes and off to a new adventure. Can’t wait to follow you to the next stopover! xo
Mel, you are FAR too kind. We made it out, stopped off where we needed to in Cantal and I’m in England for a couple of weeks with family. All is good in the world. Next stage to be revealed and it shall be well! Xo
As you said Osyth:” the door closes and another is opening. All shall be well! “, hope all is good for your moving!!!
Thank you so much … all is well and after a short break with family I shall be setting out on the next stage when I hope all shall be well again!!
Always difficult to close the door on a comfortable home but having followed your adventures for a while I am certain you will land onto something even more interesting and fun…Good luck with everything.
P.S. We have decided to close our blog but I will continue to follow a few people including your various posts…(Suzanne)
I think knowing it was temporary made it easier to close the door when the time came. The next chapter beckons and in the meantime I am spending a little time with my mother in Oxford and going to Liverpool to see my youngest daughter graduate her Fine Arts degree. Life is good. I am sad you are closing your blog but I know it had become a chore rather than a pleasure and that is no good at all. I am flattered that you choose to continue to follow mine – I will continue to strive not to disappoint 😊
Your time there went so fast:(
Cheers to the great new adventures that lie ahead for you and yours🥂
Too fast but I did savour ever moment …. thank you for the good wishes …. all will be fine and dandy – the trick is to ‘go with it’ as a wise man once advised me!
After five days of cool rain, the heat is back. Just looking at that photo brought coolness wafting through my tiny office. And the words of the poem were further soothing respite.
If one must live in temporary lodgings, all the better that they be palatial! Looking forward to your next goings-on.
Oddly when the time came I was quite ready to move on. A question of always knowing it would be temporary I guess which made me savoir every moment. I hope you get a little respite from the heat … it is sapping. Though of course come winter we crave it again. Nature is a clever creature!
A poignant post and well complemented by W B Yeats. Good luck with the next chapter.
Thank you Margaret, you are kind …. I adore Yeats so it is nice to have an excuse!
Admit it, there was a part of you that was egging you on to be released from self-imposed captivity by the local pompiers, wasn’t there! Lovely poem, it catches the mood of this piece and your present situation perfectly. I hope the move goes well, and I’m looking forward to hearing about where you go next. And another instalment in the Neverending Story of the renovation is always welcome. Just don’t let it get too much for you and resort to dynamite, ok? xx
OK – I promise I won’t blow it up but believe me I have been tempted. More installments follow in the next couple of weeks. And poems. And pictures. And. And. And yes I did want to have a close encounter with the Pompiers …. I’m sneakily plotting another 😉
This was full of so much, Fiona: hope shining brightly through the tree branches and little bridges you may cross. . . Yeats us particularly poignant in this one! 💞
Hope your life’s journey continues in a special location but along the way, daisies, lilacs and roses pop up out of the earth your dear feet tread upon. While a misty, foggy morn brings sunny days to feel the kiss of warmth upon your cheeks. This is for you, the man who loves you and your girls, friends, Mum and all! 💞 🕊 xo ~R
Robyn, you have brought a misting to my eyes! Thank you so much for this lovely note. A delight to receive across the ocean. Life is not planned right now but I know where I think I’m going and that’s about as good as it gets. Time to embrace my freewheeling hippy which can’t be bad at all!! Xo
Oh, now stop please. . . I have easy way of tearing up myself. Oh, embracing your inner hippy is a marvelous idea! xo
I know all will work out for you and hope someday to track you down to share hugs, laughter and a brief time together.
Time gets so precious as we move forward in life, dear. ❤
My daughter’s wedding dress on 7/7/17 had a hippie flair to it (only $17 so perfect!!) The floral arrangement I made of silk flowers ended up wrapped in cream burlap. She loved it! Her younger man and she first time weddings. Left almost at the altar the first time by scoundrel, lost money but saved her special family unit. Daniel told me quietly he plans to adopt her sweet Micah. 💞
I am SO happy reading this. Congratulations to your beautiful daughter and her wonderful Beau. Micah gets a proper daddy and the circle of love is complete. Happy endings, happy beginnings. Her dress sounds a dream and a 17 dollar dream is the best kind of all. We will catch up one of these days and it will be a beautiful moment to bottle. I send you all my warmest and dreamiest because warmth and dreams are the most precious of gifts xo
I appreciate all your sweet notices of Caroline’s (my Carrie) circle of love being completed. It is one time in my life I was sure everything will be “warm and dreamy” just as you pronounced!
The precious moment to bottle will be something held firmly in my hopes. There are many special people in our lives, particularly family. If our meeting shall be in our dreams, even such will be treasured. You’re a rare and beautiful friend! xo
😊xo
At least you have had the pleasure of living there…better than nose pressed to windows, only able to wish for it.
Good to see someone quoting Yeats again…coincidentally he popped up in book I am reading about Barcelona…now wait for a third appearance!
It was a fabulous few months and now it is time to move on before it goes stale. I love Yeats. I am intrigued that he is in a book about Barcelona. Let me know when the third appearance occurs!
Time to move on – but you have beautiful memories and lovely photos to remind you of your stay. Be safe and happy Osyth. 🙂
Change, change, change … a time for everything and everything in its time so long as we keep that perspective then each stage can be embraced! 😊
Wishing you gold beneath your feet on the next part of your journey Osyth. Take care 😍
Thank you so much. I am breathing calmly and serenely 😉
I wish you all the best on your new adventures. Namaste ❤️❤️😘
Thank you my friend … curved balls and unplanned next stage adding to the spritz of adventure! 🙏
<3
Your new place looks lovely too Osyth! We can create the palace in our minds when we choose to, isn’t it? Easier to say though as I have realised of late. But here’s to transforming the square house into your own definition of a sanctuary.
The photo of le Cantal is surreal. The river is a rippled stretch of gold and it brings me to say next that Yeats never fails to make me sigh. This particular poem is one of my favourites xx
Ah – la Maison Carrée… one day we will be able to live in her but we are a long way off because we simply don’t have the time to be there often. So for the moment I will be in a different place. But Cantal keeps a little of my heart safe and serene. I’m glad you like the picture and of course entirely unsurprised that you enjoyed the poem nor that it is one of your favourites …. xx
That is being slowly converted into your place of refuge then, I believe. What a wonderful feeling that must be. Maybe one day Adi and I can have such a refuge for the tired soul too. xx
Water and poetry, wistful goodbyes and sunny hello’s, these are some of life’s treasures 🙂 Happy travelling my fellow wanderer
What a lovely comment! Thank you.
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.” (Lyrics from Closing Time by Semisonic)
One of my most favourite songs. Thank you … appropriate and lovely.
My daughter-in-law read this very poem as part of her wedding vows, it brings tears to my eyes, I love it. Good luck with your journey onwards and upwards 😊
I cannot think of a lovelier poem to include in wedding vows. That must have been a very beautiful ceremony. All is done for now. There will be more in a while but for now I am breathing calmly and enjoying every minute!
Unlike me! Our refurbishing exhausting and we’re just watching the professionals 😄
I’m in refurbishment detox … staying with my mother in Oxford for a couple of weeks and right away from all thoughts of plumbing and wonky staircases. I feel your pain and send you a dollop of kindred kindness!
Thank you, much appreciated 😘 Our floor has set us back a week and it’s in the room my mum stays in, she’s coming on Thursday for her birthday visit and my hb is struggling to put furniture together and the newly decorated walls and skirting boards need touching up from the sanding… her bed was due to arrive last Friday but the van broke down and it’s now coming tomorrow afternoon when hb is chest of drawers has been delayed until Friday… and on and on… I know we’ll get there, I just wanted it ready for her visit 😕
I so hope you get it done. How awfully stressful it is. I will keep all my digits crossed and send my most motivation strong thoughts to the universe to aid you. And happy birthday to your Mum when she gets to you 🙂
Ps have a nice relaxing visit with your mum 😊
Thank you. I’m taking her to LIverpool for my youngest baby’s Graduation. We are staying in the hotel that she last was in for her sister’s 21st birthday over 70 years ago. They made a note on the booking form so I hope all goes to plan and she is made to feel rather special. Which of course she is 😊 Then we have her own birthday the weekend after your mum’s … so happy birthday again to your mum – I remember you had a dry run of her birthday outing and I am sure it will be a lovely day to cherish 😊
Thank you so much, it sounds like you will have an amazing time in Liverpool, congrats to your daughter – my eldest grand-daughter has just got a distinction in her MA and scored a job as designer with Burberry no less. Haven’t we done well? 😄👏🏻🎉🎈👊🏻
Wow! That is a fantastic result … many congratulations to your Grand-daughter!!!! 😀
Thank you 😊
Made my day with the words of one of my favourite poems and poets mixed with the words of one of my favourite bloggers. Good luck with the move 🙂
Oh thank you Andrew … as one of MY favourite bloggers your comment makes me very happy. The move is done for now. All is calm in my world. For now. 😊
Are you heading back for Cantal? Why do I think of “Canned Heat” when I read this… I guess we’ll never know! 😉 Bon Voyage, wherever you go!
Oh I can take a punt at the logic of Canned Heat I think 😉 I was in Cantal for a couple of days and thence over to Blighty to see the family. What happens next is sorted and I am happy. I’ll let you know what in a little while 😊
Cool, looking forward to it! 🙂
And here I was Osyth, ready to come with my chains for the ‘sit in’.. I’m SO disappointed – I love a good old ‘sit in’ and those pillars were very appealing…. ahh well – I’ll put the chains away for a bit longer!
I hope you get sorted with your next adventure very soon.. and in the meantime – wow – beautiful photo matched perfectly with the wonderful poem – they were meant to ‘be together’.. xx
I am SO sorry to disappoint – it would have been fun and rosé-fueled I am certain! I’m glad you like the matching and I will wave at you as I drive past Manchester on Tuesday on the way to Liverland 😉 xx
Brilliant – have a fabulous time and I’ll definitely wave back! You probably did me a favour anyway since I’m meant to be ‘cutting the alcohol’ for a while on my ‘low carb’ plan! xx
Haha … I can see that prediction in my tea leaves at the end of this week!!!! Xx
Haha!! I can see you with your gypsy rose lee scarf on too!! xx
How did you know? 😉xx
It’s all in the ‘eyes’ Osyth!! xx
A brilliant poem reminding us of beauty everywhere. The picture is so lovely like the writing:)
Thank you so much – I am so glad you enjoyed it and flattered by your comment 🙂
From a Palace to a Castle….you really are a princess…..xxkat
It’s a state of mind 😉 xx
hey I live in a tin Castle.in the desert…its superpower is to keep cell phones out of range…..LOL
Oohh Yeats…a brilliant poet…happy you reminded me of him..here’s wishing you wonderful weekend alone…bless you Osyth.😊😊😊
One of the greats. My pleasure to remind. I wish you the same peace and tranquility.
Thank you my friend … you are too kind! 💛
Well-chosen poem that I had forgotten. I hope the next act in your life drama unfolds exactly as you wish ( with a few little glitches just to keep you on your toes ) so, travelling lady of mystery and imagination, have fun and don’t keep us in suspense too long. Where next? Why? How? etc etc. 🙂
Thank you so much and I am happy to bring you an old forgotten friend to delight in. The next chapter is sorted and is not what I had planned but it will be good … I’ll keep the suspenders on for a little while longer not for any dramatic effect but because I am in Liverpool for my daughter’s graduation and a little sketchy for time!
Beautiful poem–thanks. I don’t recall ever having read before a rhyming poem in which all of the rhymes were done by repeating the same word. Being geeky, I note that sometimes, but not always, he repeats the entire noun phrase: my dreams, your feet.
It’s wonderful isn’t it? geeky it may be but I had not specifically noticed that point though I can’t imagine how many times I have read the poem. I thank you – I feel even better acquainted with a verse I feel is an old friend now 😊
Delightful poem and photo! Best wishes with your adventures, Osyth! 🙂 xo
Thank you so much Tonya … the adventure continues and I count my blessings xo
🙂🌻
I think you should chain yourself to the pillars in your ra-ra skirt! I will look forward to hearing what comes next. Be grateful you are not in Texas – hotter than hell no matter how nice the abode. 😎
Next time, Kerry (and surely there will be a next time that I live in a place with gracious pillars if I wish hard enough?), next time I implement your suggestion! I hope the heat is not melting you …. I don’t think I can possibly even imagine that sort of sizzle 😳
Wishing you all the best Osyth. Beautiful picture with amazing blend of words!
Thank you Sumith … you are always kind and generous!
That photograph is simply amazing, Osyth! The water looks like gold and the composition is wonderful! And that poem? You can´t beat Yeats, can you? He´s one of my favorite amongst favorites too. Whenever I feel in need of some beautiful and wild words, I pick up my volume of collected poems by him and so far he has never failed me 🙂
Wish you beautiful weekend, mon ami! 🙂 xxxxxxx
I hope you had a brilliant day in Liverpool and all went amazingly with enough tissues to keep eye makeup in tact? Have you found somewhere new to live yet Osyth?
I had a wonderful day …. really just perfect and I managed to keep my make-up intact which was a miracle of modern cosmetics! My mother is still talking about it and was SO proud. I do know what the next stage is but if I told you I’d have to kill you 😉 xx
Aww that’s brilliant Osyth and what a wonderful memory for you all to have shared with your mum! Thank goodness for waterproof mascara… Well I don’t fancy being ‘killed off’ just yet so you’d better keep your secret but whatever the next stage is I’m sure it will work out fabulously… xx
All will be revealed but I’m not organized yet and I like to tell a story as you know 😂 xx
And I love to read your stories Osyth.. I look forward to it and I was always taught that ‘patience is a virtue’ so I’d better become a bit more ‘virtuous’.. it’ll do me good! xx
‘I have only my dreams’!! I love the poem. The picture of Le Cantal village is endearing 🍑🍑
just looked again @ the golden lights(shades) of your pix, and they’ve reminded me of… Klimt’s paintings! <3
Now that ranks as my best ever comment …. merci infiniment chérie 😙
Beautiful writing, picture, and silken spread of dreams. Sometimes, we must move on.
Thank you … And and welcome to my moveable feast!
Interesting, phone got stuck while reading your pages
I hope that was a coincidence! Thank you for persevering ☺
Funny you were in England. I suddenly had a bout of London home sickness and have booked a month there from mid December. The renovations will have to wait as sometimes travel is a must. Looking forward to hearing about your renovation projects. We finished one wall of our barn in the rain, but luckily this morning there were no white lines of lime running down the road. It had stayed put thank goodness!
I’ve only been back once this year for a fortnight. Normally I go every 3 – 4 months. I do miss it from time to time. It’s a strange feeling …. I hope your trip is wonderful and I am happy to hear you are progressing so well with the barn. I will start posting about Marcolès again – several people have asked so I guess I should 🙂