tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post4164101164117001101..comments2023-10-14T18:34:30.879+02:00Comments on Lost in Arles: Comfort in comfortHeather Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-51853668486423743112014-04-10T11:54:34.881+02:002014-04-10T11:54:34.881+02:00heeheehee...or that I didn't invite myself to ...heeheehee...or that I didn't invite myself to the LPV to have YOU cook for ME! :)Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-5112143201383226662014-04-09T23:52:49.491+02:002014-04-09T23:52:49.491+02:00Looking at those photos of deliciousness, I'm ...Looking at those photos of deliciousness, I'm more than a little peeved that I never invited myself down to Arles to have you cook for me! Gosh darnit! xxSara Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06058056977783867772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-73440525808251346982014-04-03T10:06:47.754+02:002014-04-03T10:06:47.754+02:00Before we adopted Kipling, our second dog, we used...Before we adopted Kipling, our second dog, we used to go up to this tiny but wonderful cabanon in the Luberon to get away: http://lostinarles.blogspot.fr/2012/09/charming-cabanon-rental-in-luberon.html<br />The family that owns it have been lavender producers for generations and they were the first to explain to me all of the incredible properties that real lavender essence holds. No wonder that it was originally cultivated for medicinal and household purposes as much as it was for the scent!! <br /><br />Patrica Wells is a legendary figure. The first book that I ever read about France was my parents copy of her original "Food Lover's Guide to Paris" - this was before we talked about being a "foodie"... :)Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-91827138743130418372014-04-03T04:35:27.661+02:002014-04-03T04:35:27.661+02:00Pascale Molland, the florist shop owner, suggeste...Pascale Molland, the florist shop owner, suggested the lavender oil. Her family has used it after bringing home animal carcasses from hunting and I guess for removing any nasty odor...I guess we are talking about generations of family here, too. Her parents go to Manosque to get the stuff from the producteurs and they got some for me when they were there this winter. I'm grateful.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09698309386197115369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-25190588510518991762014-04-02T19:56:30.841+02:002014-04-02T19:56:30.841+02:00My aunt and uncle who had (but sold when the grand...My aunt and uncle who had (but sold when the grandkids started being produced) a 30 M2 apartment in Paris 7th arrondissement and that are my closest family laughed hard when I told them of the problem ( I probably would have never ventured into a property overseas had they not done so) and she suggested the Woody Allen similarity. I havent seen Blue Jasmine and actually wonder about the accusations made again recently against WA by Mia's daughter. My Aunt then told me about a night at the opera in Chicago when an audience member keeled over and died. They thought it was the way to go....They are still reasonably healthy but are reasonable when it comes to the fact that life (as we know it ) ends for everyone. <br /><br />I'll put Plenty on the list to view eventually. I saw Streep's last film (August Osage County) and even though she is always good, that film didn't do it for me. I am often disappointed by movies.<br /><br />There should be some work starting on the apartment so you may see some windows open.<br /><br />Thanks to you both about the blogging advice. This is totally new for me. I am learning a lot , for example I have never heard of Patricia Wells but spent some time looking at her books and history and (expensive) classes she holds....quite a "gig". I will get some of her books for sure.<br /><br />Have to get back to work.<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Mike<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09698309386197115369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-65555367704791027902014-04-01T20:28:54.631+02:002014-04-01T20:28:54.631+02:00Oh, Heather?????????? You don't find "any...Oh, Heather?????????? You don't find "any moment" in "Plenty" amusing?<br /><br />I'm sorry, but one of my favorite comic lines of-all-time occurs when she's spent an entire year trying to play the respectfully dutiful "Assistant" (this is, after all, 1950's England) for that smarmy producer with whom she's rather obviously also sleeping (mistake then, just as it is now).<br /><br />Don't you recall when the scene in which about fifty frantic people are circling around a set, trying to get some damn dog to actually EAT some of the dog food for which they're shooting an expensively-produced commercial? Some underling on the set wails (as the actess playing the happy housewife scowls) "We've tried everything...I even put steak in the bowl....the dog WON'T EAT!"<br /><br />Streep's character (who isn't known for subtlety or dpilomacy, despite being married to a diplomat) just exhales a mighty cloud of cigerette smoke, and she disgustedly/exasperatedly delccles "Well....the dog has TASTE!"<br /><br />She stomps out,as the smarmy producer clutches her wrist, announcing "I have spent over a YEAR trying to sink to the level of this enterprise. I QUIT." (there are a lot of shift-caps in this dialogue, as you'll know).<br /><br />Sorry to argue with you, Heather, but It's a terribly funny scene.....particularly in that nearly everyone has, at one point or another in his/her life, tried to hold down a job that's both utterly boring and absurdly demanding.<br /><br />Advisedly yours as ever,<br /><br />Uncle David<br />david terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009130338123162371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-19917961109049607722014-04-01T16:11:46.830+02:002014-04-01T16:11:46.830+02:00Même les enfants! Even though I do find the French...Même les enfants! Even though I do find the French New Yorkers to be more chic than their Arlesienne counter-parts - national pride goes a long way...Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-38367442321571952532014-04-01T16:10:26.219+02:002014-04-01T16:10:26.219+02:00Hopefully not "Blue Jasmine"!! :oHopefully not "Blue Jasmine"!! :oHeather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-13309342052713550342014-04-01T16:09:36.567+02:002014-04-01T16:09:36.567+02:00Mike, David is right. When writing a long tome, it...Mike, David is right. When writing a long tome, it is good to back up or feel free to publish in shorter bits too. And nope, I didn't get anything beyond what you see here. I only start to moderate comments after having a post has been published for two days, otherwise I don't interfere. <br /><br />And David, you have really been making me laugh. I loved your comments at Sharon's yesterday...Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-12655549146636112462014-04-01T16:05:48.407+02:002014-04-01T16:05:48.407+02:00David! Only you would find any moment in "Ple...David! Only you would find any moment in "Plenty" amusing! I am shaking my head in wonder over that one...<br /><br />And Mike, oh goodness, I do know well how frustrating it is to type out long, carefully considered words only for them to disappear into the ether. I apologize for being the source of such frustration but must add that even from what you wrote here, it is clear that it was a complex situation all around. <br /><br />I looked up at your place as I placed with the dogs this morning. You would never be able to imagine such a thing. And I never heard about it in the local gossip either. As for the neighbors, I know their son Alex, who is lovely. Yes, in France it can be tricky for someone to take action. I definitely have seen that here and in a way, am glad that you have learned the looseness of "amis" already. There is a saying that is current here, that people open their arms to embrace you but never close them. If that makes sense. <br /><br />That doesn't surprise me about the lavender as it is known for its anti-septic properties as well. Who suggested that to you? Fascinating. <br /><br />And I am relieved to hear that, while alone, your friend passed being exactly where he wanted to be. That is quite unique, I think.<br />Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-38331911169629740062014-04-01T11:43:44.380+02:002014-04-01T11:43:44.380+02:00P.S. Mke?.....explanation: I'm American (bor...P.S. Mke?.....explanation: I'm American (born and raised in East Tennessee, to be exact); my longtime partner is French (from Tours). So we go back and forth regularly. Folks always seem to make a big fuss over this, but It seems perfectly unremarkable to me; as I regularly tell them, "Well, when you're French, France is the sort of place you just kind of go to a lot?"<br /><br />English is Herve's third language, and he doesn't really have an indentifiable accent when he's speaking English. It's always amusing when folks ask him (as they have on many occasions) a variation on "Oh!...so you and David went to France! Did you like it? What'd you think of it????"<br /><br />----david terrydavid terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009130338123162371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-89174208860957297502014-04-01T11:36:59.491+02:002014-04-01T11:36:59.491+02:00Dear Mike,
You (and everyone else, I suppose) sho...Dear Mike,<br /><br />You (and everyone else, I suppose) should see the Meryl Streep movie "Plenty". I love this movie (it really is one of my all-time-favorites....for several reasons); it's by NO means a comedy, but there are, indeed, several piercingly (if somewhat "Dark") comedic scenes in it........including an early scene at the British embassy in Brussels, circa 1947 or so. John Gielgud (sp?) plays the inpenetrably stuffy (is he thick-headed, stunned-by-privilege, or does he just not give a damn anymore?) ambassador. Charles Dance plays the hapless, sub-attache.....and they have to deal with an obviously lying Meryl Streep who is, in fact, NOT actually married to the man who's just up&suddenly kicked the bucket in the lobby of a luxurious hotel. It's all very funny, as the three characters maintain a veneer of oh-so-proper British-ness. The final fact is that they've got a dead body on their hands (figuratively speaking), there's a an actual wife back in England who's wondering why her husband hasn't telephoned to say how his road-trip is going.<br /><br />As I said, it's sort of wince-making, but very amusing.<br /><br />---david terrydavid terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009130338123162371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-84395822938548702752014-04-01T11:19:28.149+02:002014-04-01T11:19:28.149+02:00Dear Mike, some advice from all-too-wordy-me:
1. ...Dear Mike, some advice from all-too-wordy-me:<br />1. always save what you've written in the comment-box before you hit "publish"; there are any number of reasons that the comment can go missing (particularly if, like me, you're working on/from AOL, have a very quirky&old computer, and are pretty tech-ignernt to being with. It's a triple-threat. So, I always save the comment. Often, I just put it in an email tomyself and re-send it later when the dust has settled.<br /><br />2. I live mostly in North Carolina (Hillsborough, to be exact....a tiny, colonial town that's chock-a-block with justly renowned Southern writers. It's seriously difficult to throw a dinner party in this town, since a large number of the guests are invariably off on a book tour, a speaking engagement, etcetera. The bonus, as I've delightedly learned, is that you get CREDIT for so-generously inviting people without ever having to actually feed them). I'm not kidding.....I threw a lunch for 92 year old ElizabethSpencer (google her; she just coughed up a new collection of fine short stories) last week....to which I invited about twenty people. Only nine could come, but I got thank you/you're-SO-wonderful-to-do-this (!) notes from everyone.<br /><br />----david terrydavid terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009130338123162371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-14632395562397012432014-04-01T07:10:40.427+02:002014-04-01T07:10:40.427+02:00like a Woody Allen filmlike a Woody Allen filmAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09698309386197115369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-23181644716667604642014-04-01T04:03:13.508+02:002014-04-01T04:03:13.508+02:00you took us back to walking round the corner off f...you took us back to walking round the corner off fifth avenue and seeing a long, long (polite), line of navy blue blazers and children with blousy-bows-in-neat-hair a few years ago and realizing it was the presidential elections for France. <br /><br />it could only have been French Expats. unmistakeable (and oui, tres chic). teamgloriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08322977251350140490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-85180109899103726592014-04-01T00:47:31.352+02:002014-04-01T00:47:31.352+02:00I am a PC person using a new mac; I didn't see...I am a PC person using a new mac; I didn't see how to copy and paste my deleted portion of the new reply....i'm learning....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09698309386197115369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-65002793838117473182014-04-01T00:38:08.949+02:002014-04-01T00:38:08.949+02:00there is a limit to number of characters one can w...there is a limit to number of characters one can write here...i'm learning.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09698309386197115369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-19965545323336684702014-04-01T00:35:04.786+02:002014-04-01T00:35:04.786+02:00So I wrote a long response but it is lost. It was ...So I wrote a long response but it is lost. It was enjoyable, but lost. I didn't preview and clicked publish but it disappeared. I can't resist to write again but it won't be as good or detailed. A lot more about the story in the original. So just some answers and abbreviated details. <br /><br />The man had a "Belle Mort". He was a playwright and wanted to resume where he had left off around 10 years ago, his work prior had only been performed in local theatre communities in Southern California. I left a few days after he arrived in Arles, by design, so I could show him the ins and outs of the apartment. I was thrilled to have this meticulous loner who I had met through the father of my business partner who was one of the muckily mucks at the UNLV program for continuing education for seniors. The latter was visiting a creative energy unleashing class where Stephen was talking about going to France again to write. Emails led to breakfast, to other get togethers and even a trip to Utah mountains. When I got home I had scheduled back surgery and read his plays while convalescing and communicated by emails. The emails stopped and we considered the worst but convinced ourselves that he was deeply into his work or on a voyage....He had written that he wanted to die in France. I never imagined I would have to learn so much about France this way. Shame I lost my first reply....<br /><br />I brought an industrial ozone generator over in October, but the lavender extract I put on the grout end of the february seemed to make the biggest impact on the odor. I used a syringe to apply it until 4 am one evening; the rubber stopper slipped and I was greasy with the substance....if there is lavender poisoning I had it. The original cleaning service was arranged before I arrived as soon as the police cleared the scene. I was literally taken to the cleaners and then had to find a real disinfection service. Insurance in France did not cover any of this. Policies are very precise. An attorney in Arles looked at this for me. Have had the entire place repainted as well. Stephen's sister, his sole surviving relative, wouldn't talk to me after several days when I told her how much the clean up cost. She didn't come over to France either and his body stayed in a funeral home for three weeks until she finally sent funds for cremation. I met the American counsul from Marseille; she came to pick up his affaires after I got there in June.<br /><br />We stayed in a hotel and no friends or family have visited since!<br /><br />Heather you probably know the neighbors with the terrace kitty corner, the Paccaras. Jacqueline flagged me down when we reentered and began cleaning this summer. I did not know her before and havent spoken with her since. I guess her son is a co-owner of Cuisine de Comptoir. She was on her terrace and I was in my bedroom. She felt the need to tell me that she had seen him lying on the couch, not moving for over a week and thought to herself "cet homme, il dort beaucoup". Denial?, indifference? The folks downstairs didn't smell it either. This event also sifted the good time company from the serious ones we have met thus far. Friends is a much looser term than "amis", don't you think?<br /><br /><br />Yes the apartment was purchased.<br />I wrote a lot but it was too long...explaining loss of the response. i just cut off more. I have more to express and it is lost again. I can't believe I can't remember seeing a Redhead with two beautiful dogs. I have dogs too.<br />It was a thrill seeing all your comments this morning.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09698309386197115369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-11570995514740459582014-04-01T00:23:38.297+02:002014-04-01T00:23:38.297+02:00I stopped by hoping you had some election news (to...I stopped by hoping you had some election news (to your liking). Then I fond myself copying down a recipe and drooling over a white rose....I. Never expected to be entertained by the comments section. Let me rephrase that. Someone dying is not entertaining....but Dr. Mike is so cute...and a newbie at blogging...Oh to have an apt in Provence ...Then David and his client who has an aversion to unsettled spirits.....<br />Love your blog,Janey and Co.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14263426600052174272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-25591651543827305612014-03-31T23:39:06.800+02:002014-03-31T23:39:06.800+02:00David, I'm still trying to figure out how this...David, I'm still trying to figure out how this blog works. I wonder if my response to all the comments was lost? Do you live in France or North Carolina?<br /><br />Not at all about the insensitivity. Humor always helps too.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09698309386197115369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-32693435915625518122014-03-31T22:28:50.608+02:002014-03-31T22:28:50.608+02:00Hey Mike....I hope my comment about the dead dogsi...Hey Mike....I hope my comment about the dead dogsitter didn't seem insensitive.<br /><br />Not entirely incidentally? I live in a 220 year old house. A client was here yesterday (and at this point I should emphasize that, MOST of the time, my clients are surprisingly bright and interesting folks), and, at one point when we were standing in the front hall, she said "Do you think anyone ever died here? I couldn't live anywhere somebody had died...."<br /><br />All I had to say was that, given the odds over 220 years, the number of folks who had died in the house and the number who'd been born in it were probably about equal.....and that she probably wouldn't like living in Europe. This didn't allay her misgivings.<br /><br /><br />---david terrydavid terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009130338123162371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-68874110484729809082014-03-31T21:15:04.117+02:002014-03-31T21:15:04.117+02:00I replied under your, David's and Joan's c...I replied under your, David's and Joan's comment, clicked Publish but don't see anything. Not sure how it works...was a long reply! Did you receive it?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09698309386197115369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-60909673977962885202014-03-31T17:25:07.680+02:002014-03-31T17:25:07.680+02:00You know Judith, I actually think that it could ha...You know Judith, I actually think that it could have been much, much worse. Certainly here in our region (which is an Fn stronghold). I am personally quite relieved that Arles, Avignon, Tarascon and even St Gilles didn't fall. Yes, a lot of bigger towns did but as Remi pointed out, they are often ones that don't have the balance of tourism to keep their downtown centers alive. All of this is linked to a poor economy and a hatred against "immigrants" (including ones born in France of an Arabic background). That is one of the reasons why it scares me so much. This is just one election and the problems that have created this wave of popularity of the FN aren't going anywhere, unfortunately. However, there are several towns that swung FN in the previous elections that have swung back as the towns were so badly run. (Extremist) ideology can only get you so far, apparently.Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-64935328271339939752014-03-31T17:19:32.499+02:002014-03-31T17:19:32.499+02:00When is it not the right time to make guacamole? J...When is it not the right time to make guacamole? Just go easy on the spices if you do, Mr. Laoch...Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-39187869988647391092014-03-31T17:18:54.426+02:002014-03-31T17:18:54.426+02:00Oh thank you Sister! I have been so busy reading t...Oh thank you Sister! I have been so busy reading the local press that I haven't had time to get an important, outside perspective.<br />Love you...Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.com