Dear Friends,
It’s been one of those days when the list of tasks seemed endless, not at all like a Sunday should be – sprawled in a deckchair with a good book!
Before getting going in the morning, there were animals to be fed, contact breakers to be reconnected, doors to be unlocked. This morning Leaf made a vague reference to not being able to go into certain rooms – the larder, the back kitchen and the studio – and told me it could be because of the lockdown! ‘Must be,’ I murmured and changed the subject.
MONTY IN HARNESS WAITING FOR YET ANOTHER WALK!
After breakfast and three short walks with Monty, he agreed to give me a hand tidying in the garden. It went off okay because I was there directing the show. He would have been incapable otherwise.
I always have to come up with things he can do; he can’t be idle or he wanders around in a haze of confusion looking for something. If asked what, he simply doesn’t know. Ironic really, I’m usually the one searching – for things he’s lost or household necessities which he’s moved to inappropriate places.
JARDIN ANTIN
It was a blessed sunny day today which helped to cheer us up. It will come as no surprise that the exhibition has had to be postponed. Even if the Mairie hadn’t phone to say we couldn’t go ahead, I would’ve cancelled. It’s a blow but at least I’ve done loads of prep ready for the day when we can re-schedule. If it’s in the summer it could attract second-home owners over for the hols and other visitors. Anyway, we’re taking a stand at the JARDIN ANTIN summer open days at the beginning of June. The property is owned by a German couple, Gertrud and Hannes Reimers, who have taken a large area of wild hillside and turned it into a wonderful natural garden which has been officially designated a Jardin de France.
Antin is about 30km from here but we have another local garden to visit and enjoy. LE JARDIN DES CLOGS has been created by an English couple, Adrienne and David Child. We often go to admire the trees and flowers bordering a winding walkway. They’re also creating a tea room and are buying several of Leaf’s paintings to go on the walls. He’s very happy about that!
LE JARDIN DES CLOGS
I have to keep telling him the paintings are his. He has it in his head that I’ve done some of them! When I assure him they’re his work, he’s surprised and pleased.
Our new stove is installed, up and running. I’m getting used to the controls and it certainly belts out the heat. The supplier of pellets lives ten minutes away and sells high-quality BioForest ‘organic’ pellets. Our neighbours use them too. I’m told it’s very important to use quality product for the good of the stove. That makes sense.
Tonight I had a brainwave – say it myself! I asked Leaf if he would like me to read to him, a chapter a day, from Volume 2 of his autobiography ‘LEAF by LEAF’. I thought it would be great to re-awaken the memories of his life from the early 80’s to 2007. He is no longer able to read books himself so it seemed a good solution. Chapter One, which I read after supper, had tears rolling down both our cheeks!
ALL HIS OWN WORK!
Talking of awakening memories, Leaf had a good long chat with an old friend in England. He sounded completely normal and responded well. They reminisced about life in the 60’s and 70’s. When he came off the phone, Leaf was glowing. I will get him to talk to more old friends, it obviously does him good. Unlimited calls to the UK are included in our Internet package so we can initiate them. I know there are those who are reluctant to ring France from the UK because it’s costly. Others, I think, might be reluctant to call not quite knowing how we are and whether Leaf can manage the phone. I’m very happy to say he can and it does him good hearing familiar, friendly voices.
I have mentioned TED talks before (I think). We’re addicts and watch at least one most evenings, with a glass of beer or wine and a bowl of crisps. One of life’s little pleasures. HOW MENOPAUSE AFFECTS THE BRAIN is an interesting and relevant talk we heard last week.
EVENING TIPPLE
I highly recommend subscribing to TED, they only ask for your email address and it’s free. You get an email a day with info on the day’s talks. We’ve watched loads on a wide variety of subjects. They last anywhere between six to twenty minutes. Do look in – they’re a huge improvement on the TV news! Mind you, anything has to be these days.
We’re more or less self-isolating as they call it during this Pandemic, also as they call it. How it will be resolved, heaven knows. We can be sure lots of unscrupulous people will make money out of the economic downturn, buying low then waiting to sell high. Totally immoral of course, but then what is there in the world of finance that isn’t morally questionable if not downright criminal? If I had my say, investing in a company should be a commitment for at least five years. After all, aren’t investors saying they have confidence in that company, believing it will do well. So hang on in and help them do just that. I may be naïve and know precious little about the subject, but I do know moral from immoral.
FOR THOSE WHO PLAY
To close on a high note, we’ve been awarded an extra five and a half hours a week home help and I can employ who I like as long as they’re in the Franch system. I get to choose the hours knowing the State will pay a good proportion. It’s great news.
One last thing, I’m cutting back on my DOODAH posts because I get rather tired. I will do at least one substantial post a month along with ‘bulletins’ about Leaf. It’s a good way to keep old and new friends in the picture. Telling all on the phone is long-winded and difficult – he’s usually right behind me.
Time to lock doors, turn off at the junction box and go to bed.
Well, I did call this post rambling and I have rambled. After all, letters are often like that.
Keep well and away from crowded places and I hope any travel plans won’t be horribly disrupted.
Sending positive energy to you all,
Sue
ps another of Leaf’s paintings –
RAISING CANE
doodahtwo.home.blog 
great leaf has had a stimulating conversation telephonically. going through old photos alongside readings of his earlier days must all stimulate his brain which is brilliant. Still all very difficult and tiring I appreciate. another lovely colourful masterpiece. Everyones plans that have had to be changed can all be rebooked. Its the restaurants, bars and cafes that will suffer as they wont be able to recover lost business. A time to think of how there are plenty of people in dire situations due to the virus. A time to think out of the box and see what we can do to help others. liz xx
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I agree reading Leaf’s book is a very good way of giving him pleasure and stimulate his memories. Dipping into his extraordinary travel stories is fun for me too, even though I know them inside-out.
It is indeed awful for so many businesses that we’re going into hibernation and there are those who may well be ‘stuck’ abroad somewhere too.
I’m entirely happy to do shopping for people. We should all be asking around to see if one can’t do the job for several, in rotation maybe. In fact, an idea would be to print up some slips and pop them through doors offering this service, if we can. As for other support, it’s important to keep in contact with each other.
Whoops! We’re all over 70! That might preclude us. xx
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Hi Sue
I love this rambling blog ! Your sense of humour can’t help but make me smile while reading about your life chez vous .
Thanks for the info regarding TED talks . I will definitely subscribe.
I didn’t know thatLeaf wrote a second book ! So I would like to read that too !
It’s really good to hear that he can chat to a friend on the phone and not only enjoy it but benefit from reminiscing.
We went to the garden in Antin last year and really enjoyed the visit . I think it will be a perfect place to show Leaf’s paintings . In the meantime he can create some more !
Great news re more home help . Also I am glad to hear the new pellet stove is now up and running and I hope Leaf is feeling the benefit in his new « centrally heated « house !
Think I am now rambling on so adios amigo !!
Keep well xx
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Glad you liked my letter, Gail! i just sat down and went into freefloww. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the TED talks.
With the shutdowns, we’re hoping Antin will be able to go ahead in June. We’ll see. The news from UK seems rather extreme but maybe it isn’t.
Re. the stove, I have yet to master the controls completely even though they aren’t complicated. It’s certainly toasty and it’s lovely to lounge in the lounge as well as snuggle in the snug!!!
Good to ramble, isn’t it?! You keep well too. xx
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Just a comment for Gail about Leaf’s second book, I bought it fairly recently, and still reading it. Brilliant. It seems to be available only on Feedaread.com That’s where I got it for 8.95 plus postage to Spain, where I live.. It is also shown on Amazon but seems to cost 214 pounds!
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Hi Max,
Feed-a-Read is the best bet. We’ve both used them for our sequels. Part of the deal is that the books go up on Amazon but I think we’re supposed to pay annually for that privilege. As we didn’t get reminders, we forgot to chase it up ourselves. We’re not that concerned though I suppose we should be! Thanks for passing that on. xx
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Another great post Sue, thanks and love xxk
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Thanks Kippy. As you know, I always was a rambler! xx
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A heartening bulletin in the midst of all this turmoil. Sad regarding the exhibition, we also had to cancel our small AGM repas. I suspect the streets will be very different this week, a massive change in less than 24 hours. The B word has been replaced by the C word.
Great idea to read Leaf’s own story, something you can enjoy together. Also the memories of the distant past are free from the turmoil of the present situation. As you know, with advancing age the past memories are so fascinating and comforting , and hopefully interesting to others aswell!
I will miss my Monday inbox regular but keep safe and warm .
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Hi Jenny, the response to my ‘letter’ has made me think I should do them occasionally too. It’s a lot easier to just get it all down and publish with a few pics. However, there are the serious subjects to tackle and present as well as I can.
Indeed the turmoils of the past that stick with us the most were personal ones and, when we look back at them in third-party mode, we can congratulate ourselves that we came through them with manageable scars – presuming we did!!! Life is full of learning curves and for that we must be as grateful as we are for the happy memories.
We will certainly keep warm and, I trust, reasonably safe. Nonetheless some food shopping is necessary. Look after yourself too.
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Hello Sue,
I’m very sorry to hear that you have been forced to postpone Leaf’s exhibition. We were so looking forward to it.
Thank you for kind words about our garden. It will open on 28th March but it seems unlikely people will be rushing to see it! However the plants are doing their wonderful things regardless of the chaos the world is in.
It is great to hear that Antin Garden will be having Leaf’s paintings on display during the Rendez-vous aux Jardins weekend.
It is also very good news that you will be getting more help. I really hope this will ease the strain for you.
I hope we will see you in the not too distant future.
Lots of love to you and Leaf
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Hi Adrienne, Yes, it is a shame about the expo, but the summer might be a better time, assuming we’re not all behind closed doors. But I mustn’t be pessimistic.
We will be visiting your garden, we love to see the blossomings.
Take care and love to you all.
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Hi Sue,
It’s a shame about the exhibition but as you say, all the prep is done for a later date. Good you’ve been given extra help, that must relieve the burden on you somewhat – but you never have time off in this situation. And agree 100% about investor “commitment” – like the idea of a 5 year commitment.
Thinking of you both
bises Lesley
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Thanks for commenting, Lesley. You’re right, no time off, so extra help will be very welcome.
So glad you like my 5-year commitment idea!
Bises back to you.
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