Yesterday, we spent the morning at a peony farm and wine tasting. (I know, right?) Well, that was pretty spectacular. Where else but in France can one taste wines from the terroire they’re standing on in an ancient barn at ten o’clock in the morning, and purchase said Chablis and Pinot Noir for twelve euros a bottle? No additives, just pure heaven. I didn’t spit but I only sipped a teeny bit of each of the six wines. That was enough to make me very happy.
I was just as taken by the irises scattered among the surprisingly un-fragrant peonies.
Then driving back through vast stretches of gently rolling fields of wheat, barley, and mustard, one is allowed to remember for these precious moments that the world is also good. We pass Chateaux, petits villages, and grazing cows, and are transported even as we drive.
Once back, it’s time to get back to work. Gratitude fills me for all that is my life. That I have this time and glorious space in which to dedicate myself to a single project. That places such as this exist. That there are peonies and wine and stunning artists that share this space.
Here is a taste:
This past week Odarley Palomes and Ellen Sawiki shared their process and their art with their artist talks in their respective studios.
And Marija Krtolica blew everyone away with her moving performance.
After another week in this idyllic town of ancient stone, art, music, and genial inhabitants (650), I’m proud to say that I’ve finally got some wheels under my story. I’d been going over and over and over the first fifty pages, finding so many inconsistencies and as always, way too much flowery (ha ha) language. (I get carried away with the way words sound.) I’m especially proud since as you can see the week has been full, and therefore quite challenging to stay the course.
Tomorrow, it’s my turn. After listening to these remarkable artists in their artist talks, I have to admit I’m more than a little intimidated. I’m glad that the Amherst Writers’ method speaks for itself. (The old boring imposter syndrome rearing its head and all.) I plan to talk a little about my circuitous literary route, read the first few pages of my forthcoming novel, introduce the method, do a little guided meditation, and then offer some prompts. They all seem to be quite keen, so fingers crossed that I don’t fall flat on my face.
With the extra ten days I’ve been offered, I just may have a manuscript ready for my editor. But the weather is so nice and the flowers are in bloom…
Oh, and one more thing… Spain this past April was so divine at Molino del Rey, I’ve booked a week in 2025.
Wonderful post I would love a Barbara friendly date if at all possible. Good luck with the MS.
How wonderful for you. Nothing like hard work eh? Enjoy.