Viewed from Afar




It's that time of year. The time of year when the evenings draw in faster and faster. The time of year when the mornings appear darker and darker with a nip to the air and a thin veil of mist floats on the hills in the distance. The rumblings of the harvester cut through the stillness, the children have returned to college and a deathly silence pervades through the house.

Where did the summer go ? and was I any part of it ? There's a Guest Book full of happy comments, childish scribblings in coloured pen, 'I love your house' it proclaims. Guests often ask if we move back into Le Chateau and I always answer 'No' when all the while I really mean 'Yes' and I haven't quite figured out why I don't just say so. I'm currently enjoying two sitting rooms, one for the morning sun, one for the afternoon rays, two kitchens, two bedrooms, three bathrooms. Someone once rather rudely stated 'You want it all don't you'? , to which I automatically replied 'No' when all the while thinking 'Yes'. Time for some honesty once in a while.

There's something very decadent about having this all to yourself. Idea's, thoughts, dreams, are made easier to digest somehow, they don't tend to jostle together fighting for space and everything is more orderly and can be placed neatly in piles. There's a book brewing, swirling in the air and taking shape most pleasingly. Sometimes I'll allow myself a little 'dollydaydream' just like I used to do years ago. If you stop dreaming you're no longer alive.

This is a picture of the house taken some five miles away whilst sitting on a peaceful hilltop one day. It was strange to be able to see it so clearly, to be so near and yet so far. The hills of the Montagne Noir lay peacefully in the background, a slight heat haze shimmering all around.

It's sometimes very useful to take a different perspective on things that stare you in the face everyday. I hadn't realised until I had viewed the house from that particular vantage point that so many other interesting things lay within my reach too.

Comments

patsy said…
I'm a great believer in the abundance mentality Sally. Why not have it all? Exalt in it,care for it...and share it, as you so generously do.
Down with the small minded, penny pinchers, I say!
her at home said…
Here here!! The more generous one is with ones life the more generous life is with one! Well that is my do as you would be done by philosophy anyway!
bradan said…
Oh I totally agree, can't be doing with miserly ones at all, have all share all, the world would be a much better place if eveyone believed in it.
And yes, one should have dreams, I'm always dreaming of coming to visit Le Chateau and that's all it's likely to be, just a dream, but at least proves I'm still alive!
annakarenin said…
Unfortuantely all that beckons for me at the mo is a visit to the dentist. Whilst reading this and eating my soup a rather large chunk fell out of a tooth that I only had filled a couple of months ago.

Looks like I will have to have it capped after all booo hoo. Why do all dreams fall short in the reality of day to day grrh.
muddyboots said…
can't be doing with the miserable ones either, life is far too short, dream on say l
Maddie Grigg said…
Glad you telephoto lens isn't pointing towards my house. God knows what you'd see. Good luck with the book and yes, keep on dreaming.
Pondside said…
Thoughtfully expressed, Sally. I don't believe in being stingy with others or with oneself. Go for it all, share it, pass it around, revel in it. Life is short and I believe that we're meant to really live it.
elizabethm said…
Everyone has already said it! yes, have it all when and while you can and give it all away too. Fantastic thought provoking blog.
Brian said…
It is sort of nice to get all of your house back so you can enjoy all the facilities, plonk yourself exactly where you want to and not have to care a jot about pleasing anyone else. Almost worth not having the rental income for the odd week or two.

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