When I was nineteen I entered a Benedictine monastery in Pecos New Mexico. I stayed a few years. Most women who enter a monastery want to become a nun. I wanted to become a priest.
My desire to be a priest, and life in the monastery is another story.
While at the monastery I met another young woman named Cheryl, she was from Australia. We became fast friends and have remained so throughout the years.
Cheryl returned to Australia, married and had a family. Most of you know my story, I left the monastery... and eventually met and married a French man and moved to France.
Cheryl has come to visit me and I have visited her.
This week her oldest daugher is staying with us.
I met Alice when she was two or three. She looked like Sacha, they both had blonde curlier than curly hair, rosy cheeks and were "pickle peppers". Adorable, sleepless, beautiful babies. Alice admired Chelsea and wanted to wear only her clothes. Chelsea didn't mind.
Alice has a fashion sense, she still loves clothes. When Annie met her yesterday she said, "Alice dresses like a French girl. Chic et classe."
When went to Arles today, we were in Cassis yesterday. Provence looks and feels very different in the winter. We have Provence to ourselves.
As we walked around I clicked a few photos of Alice under the pretense that I had to for mother's sake. French Husband knows me well, he sighed, "Alice I am glad you are taking my place usually she takes photos of me."
I confessed, "I like to have a subject. The subject matters."
Chocolat chaud matters especially mid afternoon to take the chill off.
The Arles arena is a lovely subject.
Especially against a backdrop with wispy clouds.
We walked along.
Taking random side streets.
Talking about this and that.
Admiring the facades, the doorways, the faded wonder of Arles.
Bottle caps ornaments hung in a shop window,
they caught my attention,
though Alice's reflection in the window mattered more.
She didn't even know I was taking her photo.
The subject matters whether past, present or future.
"Seriously who wants photos of my shoes?" I asked.
The sweet subject matters.
Dear Cheryl,
Thank you for sending Alice, I am going to keep her.
Love Corey
Your title prepared me for conjugasion of French verbs & voila a sort of conjugasion in a spiritual way!
Posted by: jend'isére | 15 January 2014 at 11:23 PM
Hi Corey
I live in Australia - wheredoes your friend Cheryl live? What areas did you visit when you came to Australia.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy Woods | 15 January 2014 at 11:27 PM
Hi Kathy
My friend lives in Adelaide. I stayed with my friend when there.
Posted by: French la Vie | 15 January 2014 at 11:31 PM
Alice looks like a breath of fresh air. Fresh & lovely. Ah youth.
Posted by: nancy w | 15 January 2014 at 11:58 PM
Happy to see the return of Dartagnan's pony tail! Tell him WR said so.
Posted by: WR | 16 January 2014 at 12:29 AM
She's lovely. I always get the sense that you enjoy playing travel guide and imagine that means a lot to your guests too. Win win all around.
Posted by: carol | 16 January 2014 at 03:11 AM
Adelaide? I saw on the news tonight that the temperature there is forecast to be 46° -- but that's in Celsius, so = 115°F. I realize it's summer there, but... Zut alors!!!
Posted by: Kathie B | 16 January 2014 at 03:43 AM
catching up on past posts...it's been awhile..I have been in blog limbo....wow...you have been through some stuff...but your life is full of so many adventures, ups and downs...makes for some interesting stories for us to read that's for sure...
all the very best in 2014
Posted by: Beatnheart | 16 January 2014 at 04:27 AM
catching up with old posts...it's been awhile...I have been in blog limbo...
all the very best in the new year Corey...
Posted by: Beatnheart | 16 January 2014 at 04:30 AM
Dear friendships so precious and to be treasured as you do. Now caring for your friends daughter and a new friendship there. She is very pretty and looks like she belongs right where she is in your photos.
Posted by: Marilyn Miller | 16 January 2014 at 05:11 AM
Beautiful as always.
Enjoy your visit.
Love Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | 16 January 2014 at 10:59 AM
When I was a student in France on a summer program, I attended a cocarde at the Arles Arena. One of the young men was injured by the bull and had to be rushed to the hospital an
Llater there was an announcement asking for a certain blood type.
Posted by: Amelia | 16 January 2014 at 12:18 PM
You photograph magic, Corey.
Posted by: Robin | 16 January 2014 at 12:51 PM
I adore the last line…………YOU will keep her!
Posted by: La Contessa | 16 January 2014 at 04:11 PM
I love the Austrailian accent ~ I love other accents period, something about the charm of them ~ pretty pictures, look at those red shutters, never seen that in the US much, love it and Provencial blue is another fav of mine ~ amazing, summer in Austriala & winter here, the glory of the universe ~ I'm keeping my dream of France ~ ;-))) xo
Posted by: suzanna | 16 January 2014 at 05:38 PM
she is beautiful + glad you got to take her around + aren't old friends the best? xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Posted by: Peggy Braswell | 16 January 2014 at 05:43 PM
They re wonderful photos -- and she is so lovely! I can see why you might like to keep her! Good private investigator-sneakiness on that reflection photo!
Posted by: jeanie | 17 January 2014 at 12:00 AM
Three years in a monastery. So many adventures, so many tales. Lovely pictures and I LIKE the picture of your shoes. :)
Posted by: Jan | 17 January 2014 at 11:49 AM
How absolutely marvelous in every way.
Posted by: Shelley Noble | 18 January 2014 at 06:31 PM