My early life memory is strong for Autumn. Growing up in my mother’s home, as the leaves coloured, and became brittle, with the help of a northern wind, commenced to fall – I would sit on the old oak bench in the window, staring out the window at the Fraser River, farmlands, and forests of brilliant red and gold. Mom had a record of Roger Williams playing his piano, and Autumn Leaves was listened to over, and over again.

I still have this bench that was my grandfathers, and though my house in France does not boast the spectacular vista of my youth, it does look out over a portion of my garden.

Did you know that Autumn Leaves, or the original title : Les Feuilles Mortes - was written by Joesph Korma, a Hungarian French Composer ? The French Lyrics were written by Jacques Prevert, and the English by Johnny Mercer.

Today, I enjoyed a version on YouTube by Eva Cassidy, and this video clip below of Yves Montand. You could spend a whole day listening to the multitude of covers of Autumn Leaves in French, English and I imagine Swahili.

The falling leaves drift by the window

The Autumn leaves of red and gold

I see your lips, the Summer kisses

The sun-burned hands I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long

And soon I’ll hear Old Winters song

But I miss you most of all my darling

When Autumn leaves start to fall.

The French version is longer, a bit more complicated, and methinks, very sad. When I listen, and sing along, I do feel some melancholy, but I also am inspired to wrap my mind around all that must be done, and mostly in my case, this means wrapping up THE GARDEN. Oh how it craves attention as it begins its morph into Winter. But with each snip, there is a thought of Spring, when we begin again with all the knowledge gained through Autumns cleaning, and Winter’s hibernation.

Come Spring 2024, there is lots on offer here in La Charité sur Loire at Maison des Mots. I hope to see you here, and share tranquil moments in the pastoral French country-side. I often suggest that folk begin their French journey in Paris for a few whirlwind days, then come to me for a few days of relaxation, and carry on to Lyon, or Marseille, or Nice, or……. France really does have it all.

Bon journée et j’espère à bientôt.

- Barbara-jo and the ever-cuddly Minette

Maison des Mots Barbara-jo Residency