The New Reality of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

I have a more sentimental approach to Christmas than my husband. While he has a take it or leave it attitude, part of me still hearkens back to childhood Christmasess. It makes a difference when you have kids. They get so excited and it’s the big event of the year. For all my childhood pangs, our grown-up Christmas is nice, but not an Event in our yearly calendar.

Christmas carols come on the radio or are played in the supermarket and it sets the scene. A surprising amount of English language music is played in our local French market and carols are no exception.

For holiday-lovers, Covid has dampened the possibility of a get-together. We are having virtual drinks with my dear in-laws on Christmas Eve but that’s about the size of it.

So this is the year of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Like it says in the song, we'll just have to muddle through somehow.

But we can step up. If 2020 has taught us anything it’s how to be resilient and proactive. I recommend to everyone that we show at least one kind gesture over the holiday break: knock on your neighbor’s door and say hello, or check in with a friend or relative that you haven’t see for a while. In these lockdown circumstances a little goes a long way.

And here’s to the new dawn of 2021. Happy holidays everyone!

Plein Aire Bliss & Unexpected Treats

Here in Brittany there is an organization called Couleurs de Bretagne. During the warmer months they organize painting competitions in towns around the area. Artists descend on the chosen village and literally paint the town. We compete to be part of the big show at the end of the season. It’s free to the artists and very friendly and dedicated volunteers run the show.

I have participated over the years but these days I tend to go along with my friends for an arty day out in a beautiful town but not bother with the competing part. It can be a wonderful experience although the Breton weather is not predictable. Pouring rain is not unusual.

Last weekend we went to Pontrieux, a beautiful town on the water, with a cobbled center and traditional french, grand houses lining the riverway. My friend Ann found this spot along the river which managed to encompass some of my favorite things: lush foliage, lovely architecture, reflecting water, boats, and of course old stone houses.

In typical Brittany style the morning started out damp, gray and chilly with an uncomfortable cold breeze. As the day progressed the sun burst out in spectacular fashion and made our plein aire crouching much more pleasant. I was inordinately pleased with my painting. Perhaps the sunshine and lack of stress from not participating in the competition made it all more relaxed.

There was also a scantily clad young man going through his weekend warm ups off to the side. A useful distraction for those inevitable moments of frustration.

The afternoon finished off when a classic car club turned up unexpectedly and gave us a splendid parade of old Jaguars, Harleys, and Daimlers. The oddest things turn up here.