tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post2951490219818662165..comments2023-10-14T18:34:30.879+02:00Comments on Lost in Arles: A walk around Arles, Part OneHeather Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-31271476531503018132011-06-16T20:50:36.429+02:002011-06-16T20:50:36.429+02:00Truly David? I had to get up and walk away from th...Truly David? I had to get up and walk away from the computer, I was so...well, see? I still haven't digested it...delighted, surprised?...by what you wrote. Thank you most, most kindly. <br /><br />No, I haven't done a thing to try and put this blog out there more. It was Remi actually, who pushed me to start it--undoubtedly tired of me complaining about not having assignments! Herve might be able to confirm for you that travel writing in France is NOT personal. I could maybe get away with a "we" did this or felt that at best. So, I am trying to work towards writing differently here. Funnily enough, I am going from backwards to forwards. Not always arriving but trying.<br /><br />The biggest gift has, of course, been those of you that check in and write regularly. That is why I don't dare to ask for anything "more" because I being in contact with such a truly, frankly amazing group of people is already such a huge gift. But I will think about it and again, thank you.<br /><br />As for your coming with Herve to Provence!! !!! !!!!! Just let me know when. And September here is positively glorious. All the same, sending my best for those that are healing, my goodness.<br /><br />Ps. The Hippos. I love that photo and think it exceptional. Yes, they really were so squished and it was rather stinky but we couldn't take our eyes off them...Please send me off to the Serengetti, right now!Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-6729350019736927202011-06-16T17:06:01.180+02:002011-06-16T17:06:01.180+02:00thanks for the compliment, Heather.
Now, for a de...thanks for the compliment, Heather.<br /><br />Now, for a deep and dark secret of mine?....<br /><br />I think that, if you sign on to someone's blog and start making comments?.....you need to act as though you were invited to some lady's party, and your job is to try to make it more fun for everyone.<br /><br />I have no idea why you don't have hundreds of blog-followers (I think you need to connect with Salon.com; have you tried to do so?). It's good to read that you are widely-published. I forward your posts to Herve when they arrive, and he reads them at lunch. He agrees with me that yours is an extremely well-written, engagingly sincere, and plain-fun "blog".<br /><br />We'll take you and Remi (we want to see the work in person, so to speak, and I want the hippo-swarm pitcher) out to lunch when we're next in Provence. We were to have been there this month, but too many old-lady friends and relatives have had strokes. So, we'll be here to settle & help with matters... and the usual, long June trip will happen in September (to be immediately followed by the French in-laws' annual THREE-week visit in October).<br /><br />Am I a patient man, or what?....<br /><br />A New Fan of Your Writings and Remi's photographs,<br /><br />David Terrydavid terryhttp://www.davidterryart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-85797239572341271252011-06-16T14:55:58.815+02:002011-06-16T14:55:58.815+02:00Chin up, Mr. Terry! For if not a Pulitzer, you hav...Chin up, Mr. Terry! For if not a Pulitzer, you have been awarded the "Most likely to make me Laugh outloud" Award. And for that, I thank you.Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-61857709960352250612011-06-16T14:51:18.154+02:002011-06-16T14:51:18.154+02:00Dear Heather, I know, I know....
Given my remark...Dear Heather, I know, I know....<br /><br />Given my remarks about Taschen's books, I might as well tune into the QVC channel and then begin disingenuously complaining to anyone-who'll-listen "I hate this channel! They're just trying to SELL you something! They don't fool me one BIT!"<br /><br />Duhh. I probably won't be awarded a Pulitzer for in-depth, investigative online-journalism anytime soon.<br /><br />dispiritedly yours as ever,<br /><br />david Terrydavid terryhttp://www.davidterryart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-62726518439577089112011-06-16T10:32:39.033+02:002011-06-16T10:32:39.033+02:00Good morning Mr. Terry. Well, I am not going to tu...Good morning Mr. Terry. Well, I am not going to tumble (or dive) into the pitfalls of your last question. Namely as I have not yet embided enough coffee to give you a deservingly witty response. 'Expectations' is a verrry dangerous word.<br /><br />I think that Taschen's editorial line is often about allowing folks to dream or fantasize (they offer an entire category called "sexy books" ). There you have it. Their success says a lot about what people are looking for these days...Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-87780091627027017562011-06-16T01:21:00.500+02:002011-06-16T01:21:00.500+02:00Oh, Miss Heather..... I wouldn't pay too much ...Oh, Miss Heather..... I wouldn't pay too much attention to my opinions if I were you. Like all too many other academics who've spent years lecturing captive audiences of folks under the age of 25?... I probably don't spend enough time wondering whether anyone ASKED for my literary opinions.<br /> <br />In any case, I just came in for lunch and, thinking that I might have been more than usually a complete bitch in my assessment of Angelika Taschen's "Living in Tuscany", did a quick tally of the book's contents. Turns out that the contents comprise 9 actual homes, four sorta/maybe-homes (designer showcases, I gather), and six official hotels/b&b's.<br /> <br />So, it's close to an even split between folks who "live" there and folks who will gladly SELL you something if you come there with a lot of money. duhh.<br /><br /> Still, the book would have been more accurately named if the title were "Provence Interiors", "Decorating in Provence", "How to Spend a Buttload of Your/Someone's Cash in Provence", etcetera.<br /> <br />Since getting that book, I've stuck with Flammarion editions. They meet my expectations, which all I ask of the world these days. That's not too much, don't you agree?<br />Level Best as Ever,<br /><br />David Terry<br />www.davidterryart.comdavid terryhttp://www.davidterryart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-56952348568558520902011-06-15T16:34:53.699+02:002011-06-15T16:34:53.699+02:00Whew, thanks for the warning, David. Well-heeded! ...Whew, thanks for the warning, David. Well-heeded! I will definitely look into the purchase of the former and avoid the latter. I DO have Taschen's Provence Interiors which has a well-written forward by Christian Lacroix. <br /><br />And Q, yes, I wish I had known you then. Sunday in Arles is verry tricky. All the more reason to come back. :)Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-8135985285198868272011-06-15T16:30:21.405+02:002011-06-15T16:30:21.405+02:00Thank you Greet! There is more to show and you are...Thank you Greet! There is more to show and you are definitely welcome in Arles when you want. Not far at all for you! :)<br /><br />I am so excited to hear about your upcoming visitor and can't wait to hear all about it...<br /><br />Bisous,<br />H.Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-124876430120725842011-06-15T15:13:40.882+02:002011-06-15T15:13:40.882+02:00What a lovely tour of Arles!! Oohhh I wish I could...What a lovely tour of Arles!! Oohhh I wish I could visit you right away!!! Looks so beautiful!! Love the front doors you posted!! <br />Thank you for sharing my dear!<br />xx<br />GreetGreet Lefèvrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01417048594754414357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-87670617372024271682011-06-15T13:29:27.002+02:002011-06-15T13:29:27.002+02:00Dear Heather,
Louisa Jones's "Provence: ...Dear Heather,<br /><br />Louisa Jones's "Provence: A Country Almanac" is readily available through Amazon USA. go to:<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Provence-Country-Almanac-JONES/dp/B000IOF10M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1308136210&sr=8-1<br /><br />I have two copies...one for myself and one for the guest house (it's a perfect "dip into" book). Bascially, it's a collection of short "travelogue" essays, with something in it to accomodate all interests. Jones obviously knows her food, art, architecture, gardens, and history. It's quite worth the read and is THE book I give to folks who want to visit or just know about Provence.<br /><br />Blessedly, it's not another of those silly "lifestyle" books, nor does it discuss Provence as though the region (and its customs/attributes) were some sort of wildly unique (Provence isn't, finally) dry-terrarium.<br /><br />Have you ever seen a copy of Taschen's "Living in Provence"? It's the most irritating book I've read in a very long while (which is too bad, since not one, but THREE, friends have given me copies for inexplicable reasons). The whole, pretentious book would be fine, I suppose, if it were something you were supposed to take from your room after staying some deluxe hotel. Flipping through the entries, one quickly realizes that practically every "home" is, actually, an actual hotel or For-Rent...or a showcase for one or another high-end interior decorator. It does have entries for the houses of Cezanne and Mistral....but, however great they were as artists, they don't exactly count as "living" in my own book, so to speak. All in all, a big bore...and irritating in its transparency.<br /><br />So, there you have it...my favorite book on Provence AND my most-loathed.<br /><br />Now, you can proceed safely....<br /><br />Level Best as Ever,<br /><br />David Terry<br />www.davidterryart.comdavid terryhttp://www.davidterryart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-14752925575450374452011-06-14T18:31:53.279+02:002011-06-14T18:31:53.279+02:00Oh Heather- I wish I had known you before my visit...Oh Heather- I wish I had known you before my visit to Arles 2-1/2 years ago. You could have been my tour guide. As it was we enjoyed the beauty of the city but it was Sunday and much was closed. Clearly I need a revisit to Provence!!quintessencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14484326999396839391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-43211881988753539722011-06-13T16:15:48.138+02:002011-06-13T16:15:48.138+02:00Oh my! Look at all of these wonderful comments! Fi...Oh my! Look at all of these wonderful comments! First off though, Helen Tilston, my apologies for not see your comment sooner. And yes, I just got back from a wonderful lunch and walk with them. I am over the moon.<br /><br />Clare--make it happen! I missed out on Viola and it kills me.<br /><br />Sister, there is ALWAYS ROOM FOR YOU! :)<br /><br />Hello Vicki, I love to hear that you appreciate Arles. It has such a different ambiance than St. Remy. My friend Sonny says that Arles is already Spanish while St. Remy is Provence. I think she is right.<br /><br />Mr. Terry, of course this all made me laugh! Because it is true! There is SO much that is wrong with Arles but that is what makes it all the more endearing. It is unique and uniquely beautiful. Now, I will be on the hunt for the Louisa Jones book, which I have never heard of. Many thanks for the recommendation. Jim Harrison, who is not as appreciated in the States as he is here, wrote swimmingly of Arles in his memoir: "Off to the Side". Also a great read.Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-89895728468186847622011-06-13T15:22:00.396+02:002011-06-13T15:22:00.396+02:00Dear Heather,
Thanks for the engaging post.
One ...Dear Heather,<br /><br />Thanks for the engaging post.<br /><br />One of Louisa Jones's most admirably restrained comments concerned the Hotel Nord Pinus in Arles:<br /><br />"Their main contribution seems to have been a name that never ceases to puzzle and amuse American patrons".<br /><br />Of course, Henry James wrote (in the 1880's) of Arles's main square: "ill proportioned...not at all monumental, and given over to puddles, and to shabby cafes."....adding that there were only "two shabby cafes" both of which were so awful that, whichever one you chose, you were bound to wish that you'd gone to the other one.<br /><br />Vincent Van Gogh also (as youmight know) complained mightily and lengthily about the food in Arles in letters to his brother, Theo.<br /><br />I gather your opinion differs from theirs; but, then, this wouldn't be the first time your writings have indicated that you're neither a pompous, Anglophilic novelist nor a lunatic Dutchman.<br /><br />Oh...don't forget....<br /><br />The poets, Frederic Mistral and Alphonse Daudet, also deigned to grace Arles (and, in particular, the Hotel Nord-Pinus) with their patronage. they hated it (particularly the waiter), cl;aiming that it served "ridiculous" food meant for "traveling salesmen".<br /><br />In the 1970's, damned old, bile-filled, self-indulgent (if famous as a food writer) M.F.K Fisher also visited....and was crushingly disappointed to find that practically nothing and nobody managed to even approach living up to her expectations/standards.<br /><br />Not that I would want to spend an evening anywhere with any of the above-mentioned folks.<br /><br />Louisa Jones's marvellously entertaining and informative (if underservedly obscure) book "Provence: A Country Almanac" has three wonderul entries concerning Arles and the Hotel Nord-Pinus's "story".<br /><br />I should emphasize that I scarcely learned all of these facts while growing up in East Tennessee. I give full-credit to the very funny (I think) Ms. Jones and her good books.<br /><br />sincerely,<br /><br />David Terry<br />www.davidterryart.comdavid terryhttp://www.davidterryart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-3584887933332598232011-06-13T13:30:27.214+02:002011-06-13T13:30:27.214+02:00One of my favourite towns of all....lovely shots, ...One of my favourite towns of all....lovely shots, xv.vicki archerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07847183975086900816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-73496537910865176122011-06-13T13:29:11.048+02:002011-06-13T13:29:11.048+02:00Yep, that's how I remember it, with teeth chat...Yep, that's how I remember it, with teeth chattering in the December mistral - brrrr!! Next time I have to come in beautiful weather; do you have room for me in your new apt? Thanks for the elegant tour, mon soeur!robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04238181152648216554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-40455521891299068472011-06-13T08:50:16.988+02:002011-06-13T08:50:16.988+02:00Thanks for this lovely tour of Arles! Wish I was t...Thanks for this lovely tour of Arles! Wish I was there.... sigh... Looking forward to part 2.<br /><br />~ Clare x<br /><br />PS: Jealous that you got to play Ophelia haha! I hope to play her one day soon before it's too late - eek!Soulful Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12191037713466087670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-22453851468009508252011-06-13T00:17:38.531+02:002011-06-13T00:17:38.531+02:00Good evening Debra, come on over! :) Well, it is i...Good evening Debra, come on over! :) Well, it is interesting here as Arles is the largest commune (town zone) in all of France because of the Camargue to the South--it is far larger than Paris in terms of acreage though far less populated, of course. The Historical Center of town has only about 52,000 residents. So that means that there is always room for another family (especially with another golden)!<br /><br />I am glad you appreciated the start of my little tour. The town itself is quite something as you have well seen...I never take it for granted.<br /><br />Bon soirée...Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-5199315780877636252011-06-12T23:00:31.383+02:002011-06-12T23:00:31.383+02:00I just love your town Heather and you describe it ...I just love your town Heather and you describe it so well. Funny but your town has gargoyles standing guard and I have gargoyles in my studio guarding my textiles, I have this thing for gargoyles. I'm especially drawn to the stunning architecture on the buildings and the doors are fabulous! May I ask how many people live in your town? You make me want to jump on a plane and visit Arles, if only……. <br /><br />Have a wonderful Sunday evening Heather!<br />Hug DebraAcquired Objectshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08065566296202199461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-59408485386980059922011-06-12T05:48:22.255+02:002011-06-12T05:48:22.255+02:00You have made visiting Arles very tempting. Thank ...You have made visiting Arles very tempting. Thank you for the educational tour. It is always much more meaningful to view a town through the eyes of a resident.<br />Wishing you a pleasant visit with our guests.<br />Helenhelen tilstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02791882664528962799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-14863665882768753372011-06-11T21:49:18.120+02:002011-06-11T21:49:18.120+02:00Jane and Lance, Beauvoisin! That is a half an hour...Jane and Lance, Beauvoisin! That is a half an hours drive from my door! Maximum! Really, what on earth are you waiting for? Actually, hold that. I have dear friends that I haven't seen in over ten years coming tomorrow (!) but other than that, please think about it. Although, having an idea of what could be your preferences, I would highly suggest that you wait until September. After this week, when the weather is at its finest, the crowds come rushing in and it is no fun at all. And yes, we will be soon moving but! Something to think about and I am so glad that you both enjoyed the beginning of my little "tour". I know that this is a rather gimmicky post but if it brings friends from around the world to my door, all the better!<br /><br />And so Trace, yes, that also means you. But I know that I certainly don't have the means to hop on a plane to Cali otherwise I would have already been tempted to do so. And no, NO, you can't swing out Twain for any So-Cal morning, girly. Tsk-tsk, you have been living under the palm trees for too long!Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-39457842985488428732011-06-11T16:24:51.073+02:002011-06-11T16:24:51.073+02:00Were I as ambitious/close? as Jane and Lance I mig...Were I as ambitious/close? as Jane and Lance I might be inspired to do the same, and what a house party you would have inflicted upon you! but as it is, I was inspired to google some of the many things you know that i do not, once again, given the gift of your life experience and more impressively, I was inspired to roust myself from under the down comforter on a California morning that might have inspired Twains "coldest winter" comment in order to take a walk of my own with a dog of my own and I'm doing it right now or I'd stay in bed all morning bouncing around Arles virtually speaking. xo traceTracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07039958476924555517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-36890981405104529012011-06-11T14:43:09.707+02:002011-06-11T14:43:09.707+02:00Hello Heather:
As we sit here in our Morning Room,...Hello Heather:<br />As we sit here in our Morning Room, glasses of chilled Cotes de Provence rosé [ another dinner guest gift] in hand, we have strolled with you through these most delightful mises en scenes of Arles which you have so beautifully presented us with today.<br /><br />Such drama of the Arena, such well-heeled splendour in the Rue des Arenes, such ancient foundations and such modern style. It all speaks of a thriving community, holding on to what is good of its past whilst also being unafraid to face the future. A quality of life to be admired and enjoyed. How fortunate you are to live amongst all of this.<br /><br />We have knowledge of Nice and the Cote d' Azur but, in spite of repeated invitations from friends in Beauvoisin have yet to explore Provence. Even after Part One, we feel that we are inspired to book the train to Zurich [gateway to Provence from Budapest] this very day.Jane and Lance Hattatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16831890261259302647noreply@blogger.com