Another bomb.
Dust hanging in the air.
Names becoming prayers.

Then the brooms, shovels- bare hands.

Men sweeping destruction into piles.
Someone lifting fallen fruit back into a crate.
A chair turned upright.
Resilience clutched.

The killed carried away.
The wounded gathered close.
Hearts holding infliction from injustice.
The street returning to itself.

I watched in awe.

How does the heart continue after so much breaking?
How does morning still arrive inside the body?

Faith, courage, honor, belief in Palestine-
deeply sacred.
Tea poured. Floors washed. Shops re opened.
Children called home to tents before dark.

Life continuation. 

A kind of courage I do not know how to name.

To live fully while standing beside ruin.
To keep tending to ordinary things.
To sweep the ground that is home.

               

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Flowers in her hair
Petals wrap around her
Perfume traces her steps
A garden planted with her thoughts
Seeds spill
Her hand reach for the watering can

Rain gathers in her palms
Tulips bloom beside her door
The wind carries traces of tea and honey
Branches sway with her song
Pruning calls
Her hands return to the soil

Sunlight glistens on her skin
Vines curl around her wrists
Bees hum beside her ears
Puddles beneath her footsteps
Leaves fall
Her eyes follow the drifting pollen

Wildflowers dry alongside her Garden chair awaits her
Crickets echo in her thoughts
Branches reach
Her hands fold in thanksgiving.

               

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I’ve had two groups recently on French la Vie where some of the guests were looking for jewelry. Each mixes medals, chains, pendants, and rhinestones. The other searches for vintage jewelry with bling and bang.

I wear very little jewelry myself, and I can count on one hand how many times I’ve looked for jewelry at the brocante. But I’m here to tell you: after seeing so much of it lately, I realize I’ve been missing out. There is an incredible amount of jewelry at the brocantes.

And honestly, women who wear jewelry often seem so chic, so stylish — everything thoughtfully put together, so much attention paid to the details.

There’s gold and silver and pearls, collectible pieces, designer treasures like Chanel and Dior, cool funky pieces, 1980s styles, boho, avant-garde, statement jewelry… I saw it all- and we’re looking for jewelry one sees clothes and shoes and hats and purses…

One thing I learned is that if you’re a jewelry maker, you’re going to need a lot of chain — and there’s plenty of that here too.

Jewelry isn’t fragile to send, but it’s heavier than sin. Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration… but it is heavy.

I even started creating jewelry in my mind, because that’s probably as far as it’s going to go. There are plenty of techniques you need to learn, the tools you have to have, and then you either wear it or sell it. I’d definitely have to sell it — probably tied together with ribbons.

The two guests who came looking for jewelry knew exactly what they wanted, exactly what they were going to do with it, and already had the tools and clients to make it happen. It was fascinating to watch.

So if you come to France and visit the vintage or antique markets, look for jewelry. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. From every period of time, you can find so many bits and pieces just hanging around looking for a home. The prices vary, so there’s truly something for everyone.

                

Comments

• In reply to Ann of Avondale. Well come on over! I had no idea ... by Corey
• In reply to Pam. I can see why. There’s is a goldmine here. by Corey
• Oh no, I think I’ve found another passion! I’m going to ... by Ali
• Oh! It is all the rage here! Google- Made In The Deep South, a ... by Pam
• This would not be what I'd be looking for either, but wow (!) I ... by Diogenes
• I would LOVE to go shopping for jewelry at the brocante! When I ... by Ann of Avondale

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Funny how a poppy field finds me whenever I am wearing a white dress.

                

Comments

• Beautiful! Oh to be a little girl running through a poppy field. by Marilyn Miller
• In reply to Stubblejumpers Cafe. Never thought that. But ... by Corey
• In reply to Diogenes. ❤️ by Corey
• Nice legs, Corey! -Kate by Stubblejumpers Cafe
• The color! It's so vivid. Great pics of you! by Diogenes

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An Aubusson cartoon is a full-scale painted design used as the template for weaving an Aubusson tapestry. The cartoon guided weavers by showing the exact composition, colors, and details of the final textile artwork.

These cartoons were placed behind or beneath the loom so the weaver could follow the image accurately while working.

They are the “before” of a tapestry’s “after”—a glimpse into the creative soul of French craftsmanship.

Isn’t it wonderful how these cartoons hold the blueprint for such grandeur?

                

Comments

• Yes!!! Lovely! by Marilyn Miller
• Oh, how I love these! by Kathy

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