The First Day

The First Day
by Shelley Hepler

She was without form and void,

A mere whisper of smoke on the wind.

Stripped of weeds, knots, and tares,

Her heart was naked and bare.

Dark tendrils teased free,

Clumps loosed to fine soil.

Rocks gathered, tossed.

Boulders freed by much sweat and heaving.

She is without form and void.

God said, Let there be light.

And, it was so.

Lavender love

Daily Gratitude

• Sometimes trusting the process and going with the flow is difficult for me. Yes, it is. However, I am finding that bucking the system, relying on my own strength, or making up a separate set of rules doesn't always serve me well. I am actually thankful for systems and am becoming a rule follower. Fancy that! 
• Kind words, meaningful smiles. How lovely they are. And, they are free to give. Being the recipient of so many over the last couple of days has humbled me. I am greatly blessed.
• Learning is my gasoline. Travel is just one of the ways I learn. New places, new tastes, new horizons. I am getting my tank filled on this trip. Zoom! Zoom!

In the heart of lavender country

I once wrote, "Romantic pictures of fields filled with rows of lavender just thrill me. When I see them my mind soon fills with a fantasy of strolling through a European farm on a late summer afternoon, the overwhelming lavender scent on a warm breeze. The uncontainable color of amethyst is spectacular against an azure sky. I’m usually really tanned, wearing a flowing cotton skirt and a poet’s shirt. Of course I’m on the arm of a handsome French man who is carrying a basket filled with wine, cheese, baguette bread and fruit…well."

Lavender perfumes the air in Provence

Well...it was kind of like that. Sort of. Lavender is harvested in late July and early August. I visited Provence a bit too early to experience the glory of the region's lavender at its peak. However, I enjoyed every bit of it just as it is. Right now the buds are just forming.

Lavender rows with forming buds

The buds are just about ready to burst into blossoms

My friend pointed out to me fields that have wild wheat and poppies mixed in the rows of lavender. She said those fields are organic or have limited treatment for weed control.

Wild wheat and poppies indicate natural lavender fields

Even though it wasn't lavender harvest time, my friend and I visited the Les Agnels Distillery in Apt. Trucks back up to large tanks that are sunk into the ground. They dump their loads of freshly harvested lavender directly into the bins, where the distillation process occurs. 

Lavender colored distillation tanks

Working display explaining the distillation process

The lavender oil is made into a myriad of products that are sold in the region - soap, perfume, cooking products, and much more.

Handmade goat's milk and lavender cubes

Scented talc powder lines the shop shelves

An entire shop devoted to lavender products

Even the local grocery stores carry lavender products

The handmade products are lovingly made and help the local economy

A few years back I wrote a story for Mermaids of the Lake with more information about the properties of lavender and its many uses. Check out A Love Affair with Lavender for more lavender facts. 

A walk to Buoux

Daily Gratitude

• Waking in a cool, dark room was wonderful this morning. My stay in Europe has been hot and bright. No complaints. However, the morning is a welcome relief.
• Seeing a person from a different perspective can be a gift. I am grateful when a not-so-flattering first impression can be dispelled.
• Isn't technology amazing? Staying connected with friends and family while being halfway around the world is something I appreciate today!

Walking to town

Rising early, my friend fed me a healthy breakfast. As soon as the dishes were cleared, we headed out to run a few errands. Running meaning walking; walking up and down hilly roads. No need for a run!

Alters can be found at significant points on the ancient roads.

The business of the day started in the small town of Buoux, which is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.

Coming into Buoux - such a lovely little town

Buoux is a little village, having a just over a hundred residents. They are fiercely proud of the medieval historical significance of its fort, as well as the stunning cliffs that are a popular draw for rock climbing enthusiasts.

Lavender fields, punctuated with Cyprus tress, cover the valleys

The village is a cluster of municipal offices, bed-and-breakfasts, and homes. All are quaint, rustic stone buildings roofed with tile.

Vines and shady trees provide refuge from the intense heat

Water for man and beast

It is a cool place to reflect under the tiled roof

Steps and hilly byways

Continuing down the hill, the road exits Buoux

Many farm houses, large and small, have been converted to inns and bed-and-breakfasts. Tourists from around the world come to the region for an immersion in hospitality and generosity.

Incredible farm villa captures the old world charm

Wild poppies color fields and byways

Our morning in town was fascinating. So colorful, so artistic. Of course, I wanted to move in! I know that there is more coming and can hardly wait. Buoux, you're beautiful! 

A Provence dream come true

Daily Gratitude

• Dreams. They are real, they are important. For me, they are how God gets his work done. 
• Friends and family who support you are a priceless gift. There are so many that are important to me. I will mention Claudia specifically, as she's been an integral piece of my recent endeavors. I am so thankful for you!
• Thank goodness for my Eddie dog. He gives me such unadulterated love and devotion. What would I do without that beautiful boy? 

My dream becomes a reality

You know that dream. The one that you tucked away because it was the wrong time or was seemingly indulgent or was just too big. That was my Provence Dream. Since I was a girl of about 16 I had a dream of traveling to the south of France. Someday, I would say. Someday I will smell the lavender fields and the sea mist. Someday I will shop the markets and walk the winding roads. Someday I will visit the structures that have housed man and beast for hundreds of years. Someday I will nibble on glorious cheeses and sip beautiful wine. Someday I will pray in a chapel older than memory. Someday...

The rustic countryside of Provence

That someday is now! 

Through the convergence of answered prayer, a college friendship, Facebook connections, and university course work, I am in the heart of Provence. I love how it happens. Let me show you where I stayed.

Freshly mowed hay field across the valley filled with wild oak and pine trees

My friend and her husband live in Buoux located in the Luberon Parc in Provence. This is an arid region covered with lavender, hay, and wheat fields. The hills are crisscrossed with networks of twisting narrow roads. The buildings, be they hundreds of years old or newly constructed, are made of indigenous stone and plaster.

Shepherd's cottage converted to a full service gite.

The old farm house has been added to and updated numerous times over the past century

Old and new converge

Rock walls, rock pathways

The view from my French window

Beautiful cross situated on the property. A gift from the original owner to his wife

How lovely to sip a cup of coffee under the wild oak trees

Supper alfresco is always inviting

Being here feels just like I thought it would. Yet, one cannot imagine the layers of history that is filled with war, conquest, defeat, love lost, love gained until you fully immerse in a place. La belle France, I am thrilled to be here! You are a dream come to reality.

Movies I like - The Yellow Handkerchief

The Yellow Handkerchief

Independent Film. Drama. 2008. Directed by Udayan Prasad and produced by Arthur Cohn. Starring William Hurt, Maria Bello, Kristen Stewart, and Eddie Redmayne

A road trip through Louisiana transforms three strangers who were originally brought together by their respective feelings of loneliness. The movies starts a bit slow. The use of flashbacks as means to connect the story of Hanson, a newly released prison inmate portrayed by Hurt, to the present helps make sense of the odd trio. Those who aren't patient with plot and character development might be frustrated with the first 30 minutes. The common bond of emotional pain join the three in a unique pursuit of forever-love. I liked this movie. It wasn't a sappy teen love story. The Yellow Handkerchief is a film of hope and second chances.

Shine on you crazy diamond

Daily Gratitude

• This morning I've been watching a pair of robins outside of my window. They are busy! It strikes me that so much life happens without observation. Today, I observe and am grateful.
• April showers. Here's hoping for many, many May flowers! 
• My semester at school is nearing completion. I wonder at my relief, for I truly love my courses! Yet, I'm tired and ready and done...

Shine on You Crazy Diamond

Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun.

Shine on you crazy diamond.

Now there's a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky.

Shine on you crazy diamond.

You were caught on the cross fire of childhood and stardom,

Blown on the steel breeze.

Come on you target for faraway laughter, come on you stranger,

You legend, you martyr, and shine!

You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.

Shine on you crazy diamond.

Threatened by shadows at night, and exposed in the light.

Shine on you crazy diamond.

Well you wore out your welcome with random precision,

Rode on the steel breeze.

Come on you raver, you seer of visions, come on you painter,

You piper, you prisoner, and shine!

Nobody knows where you are, how near or how far.

Shine on you crazy diamond.

Pile on many more layers and i'll be joining you there.

Shine on you crazy diamond.

And we'll bask in the shadow of yesterday's triumph,

And sail on the steel breeze.

Come on you boy child, you winner and loser,

Come on you miner for truth and delusion, and shine!

by Roger Waters, Richard Wright and David Gilmour.

Shine on

Daily Gratitude

• Dreams. They show up in the strangest ways! What mysterious river do they tap into? The calling from deep within surfaces in bursts of inspiration and then again in restful repose. 
• Today my heart is peaceful, it's filled with assurance of God's ever faithful love. Trite, you say? Never!
• Oh, Spring!  I waited and yearned for your arrival. You're here and I'm thrilling in your verdant exponential creative force. 

“And like a colorful bloom of temporary lights in the sky, you will shine.” ~Chad Sugg