Great Expectations

Bells ring a lot in la Charite sur Loire, and on this past 31st of December, I expected a resounding outburst at midnight. Instead I heard fireworks. Not an organized display as on Bastille Day, but instead individuals enjoying their stash reserved from other celebrations.

I expected to be preparing fine meals and drinking the best of French wine and Champagne - this my first Christmas in France. Instead, I have mastered soupe du poulet as a nasty chest bug took hold and this recipe was all my distressed innards could digest.

I expected to be posting beautiful photos of La Charite sur Loire all dressed up for Christmas on my Instagram account. But alas, my mobile fell into the toilette and I lost all of my data. I did not understand you need to save your data. Sigh. This blasted new mobile is challenging me when I try to post photos. Sigh. I expect in this New Year, I will find a resolve.

I expected to be sitting by a cozy fire with Minette cuddling and purring on my lap. Hallelujah! In this matter, my expectations have been met.

As I restore by the fire, with a snifter of Armagnac (mostly always medicinal), I reflect on these past three years. What I have accomplished, and what I have left behind. JOY and SORROW. To quote Kahlil Gibran: “The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.” In these words, I believe with expectancy.

So, as I forage into a Gregorian new year, I will allow myself to expect the folly and foe, and encourage wisdom to prosper as I endeavour to gracefully embrace the certain challenges.   My greatest expectation? To whole-heartedly welcome expectant souls who desire to discover rural French living and dance under the twinkling stars in la Charite sur Loire avec moi.

Madame McIntosh
Janvier 2020

P.S. For more information about Maison des Mots email moi at 6ruedunord@gmail.com, s'il vous plait.

Maison des Mots Barbara-jo Residency

Great Expectations