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Friday, January 4, 2013

I Am Not Far Away . . .

 
 
Where have I been, you say . . .
 
Blogger has been giving me a bit
of a problem when I am trying
to upload photos to create a post.
 
So BogPress on my iPad
helped me create this post.

I have been looking forward to introducing you
to some new blogs I found in December.
~ ~
 A Small Village in France

 
is written and created by a husband and wife
who didn't wait until tomorrow to follow their dream.
Tom Vieth is known as an artist and cartoonist
 

 
and Susan Vieth
 

his wife . . . the writer. 
They set out for France to live their dream.
Their story is told vividly in Tom's art and in Susan's words.
Their blog link follows The Bells Are Ringing.
 
I found the Vieth's through
a glorious blog named,
 
Tongue In Cheek 
 
I will write more about Corey
and her blog in another post. 

* * * * *
The Bells Are Ringing.
The bells began to ring out wildly....

There will be no pictures today.
Feelings, beliefs and souls can not be captured
and shown by way of photography.

The bells began to ring out wildly.
A hush fell over the gathering of
friends and family standing outside of the church.
One could feel the weight of the deep,
resonant sound of the great bells.
A weight that we already felt in our hearts and
now was sounding out for all the world to hear.
A peel into the bright clear day of sorrow,
of remembering, and of saying goodbye.
We fell into place and entered into the church
surrounded by the embracing sound of the bells.

These bells had sounded out just like this the day before.
I had just gone into the yard to hang the laundry
when the great clanging began, washing over me on my little ridge.
One can tell these are not bells that are ringing the hour.
There is a wild insistence to the sound carrying over the village.
An announcement that we have lost a neighbor, a friend, an ancient soul.
They toll on and on and on.
I knew that these bells tolled for a friend, a special friend to all of the village.
Those bells brought me to a stand still,
a gasp as I could physically feel the grief welling up, tears brimming in my eyes.
The bells created a lovely place and time to sit with this sad feeling.
The sound of the bells washing over and up, up into the endless blue sky.
It was a private space and moment where I could reflect
in my own way the shared experiences with this friend.
I also realized that I was in communion with the entire village.
I wanted the bells to go on and on
and to get crazier and crazier
releasing all the emotion that was built up inside me.

Here in the church we were all gathered under the great sound.
The priest's voice finding the rhythm of the bells,
speaking sing song, saying something that I could not quite catch.
Then he said, “Our friend will be at the gates of heaven” - and the bells stopped.
It took my breath away. 
Suddenly there was an image that was so concrete.
I had not realized how the bells would transport my friend
to a place that I have heard of, talked about, debated,
and that was now suddenly a ‘place’ completely clear and real.
A place that rested just on the edge of where the sound could carry.
Carrying along a soul with it.

Then the bells started up again and we knew it was time to move on, let our friend go, envision him with the great wildness of the bells.
He’s free; free.

And now again our village bells carry on their daily duty of giving rhythm to our lives.
They are wonderful bells and whether heard in grief or joy
they are a part of life here in France.
Except now I envision myself hanging from the bell-pull
expressing my emotions with the swinging and clanging
of the bells radiating out to the great beyond.
 
asmallvillageinfrance.blogspot.com
Tom Vieth, artist

* * * * *
Best New Year Wishes

~ may every happiness
attend you
what kindlier greeting
can I send you ~
 
 
 
January 1, 2013,
my Hibiscus, which you may remember
I brought from the outside to the inside in October,
once again surprised me with blooms. 
In one day,
New Years Day to be exact . . .
three blooms. 



The color is a less vibrant coral red but as beautiful as ever. 
Flowers in the winter are uplifting. 
This New Year surprise was an omen indeed . . .

 
 
begin your day with a quiet heart
peace I give to you
be well my friends
love
lynne
 

19 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

love that your hibiscus bloomed for you. :)

the bells tolling was wonderfully written.

eileeninmd said...

Great post, Lynne! Thanks for sharing the the nice blogs. Your Hibiscus, we brought ours inside too and have had several blooms while inside. I wish you a happy weekend, Lynne!

Bonnie said...

Lynne, Thank you for sharing this beautiful essay. I will certainly be checking out the authors blog. The hibiscus is lovely. I brought in my geraniums, and they are blooming beautifully. Have a wonderful weekend. Bonnie

Pamela Gordon said...

Hi Lynne, I'm sorry you're having photo upload problems with blogger. I wonder what's up with that. received a notice that my photo storage is about to expire yet again. I guess I just post too many pictures. Your hibiscus is gorgeous. What a pretty colour and delight to have blooming in January. I hope you have a good weekend.

Jill said...

Your hibiscus is grogeous, Lynne!

dee dee said...

Oh so beautiful... the essay, the flower... meeting someone new!
dee dee

Lynn said...

Captivating as always, Lynne. The work “The Bells Are Ringing” by Susan Veth transported me to the special place only a good writer can achieve. Your blooming hibiscus are a treat. Something happened to my amaryllis. They kind of half bloomed and withered this year. So much for the fancy triples. Next year I want the plain old fashioned kind. The paper whites are coming along ~ tall no blooms yet. The heart of a novice gardener has hope. Happy weekend.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear you have been having problems with Blogger... wonder what's up with that. I haven't heard of anyone else with this problem... wondering if it's your provider? Hmmm....

Gail said...

For whom the bell tolls....nicely done.

LANA said...

I have always wanted a hibiscus, I think you have inspired me to buy one this spring! Hope you have a great new year in 2013!

Kerin said...

Good Morning Lynne,
Loved this post!
I'm looking forward to checking out the blogs that you've mentioned, as well.

Lovely flower.
I agree, it is so nice to see something green and growing in the cold of Winter.
I planted an Amaryllis today, and I'm looking forward to it's blossoms.

Peace and much happiness to you, my friend.

K.

This N That said...

Beautiful post Lynne..Your Hibiscus is lovely..I used to try to nurture them but they usually ended up with bugs..Now my cat precludes me from having any living thing...

Pondside said...

Gorgeous hibiscus, Lynne. I love the colour. Thank you for the reading suggestions!

Nancy said...

Your hibiscus is gorgeous -- what a wonderful surprise. :)

My name is Riet said...

What a lovely hibiscus and that color is gorgeous. I am going to look at the others.obsnow.

koralee said...

"Peace" is a great word my friend...it is what I want my heart to be filled with all year long!
Thank you for the new blogs...will take a peek at them.
Hope your year is off to a great start! xo

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Dear Lynne,
Thank you so much for introducing us to some new blogs and for such inspiring words.
Let us hope tha this new year will bring a much more peaceful world........ and thank you so much for your lovely comment today. XXXX

"Cottage By The Sea" said...

If your three blooming flowers are a sign, and I think they are, you are going to have a very good new year! Beautiful pics too.

"Cottage By The Sea" said...

If your three blooming flowers are a sign, and I think they are, you are going to have a very good new year! Beautiful pics too.