Vergennes French Heritage Day

"French Heritage Day"  Watercolor and Gouache by Linda Hampton Smith

A sizeable part of Vermont's population has Québécois heritage.  This hearkens to the mid 1800's when the  province of Québec suffered widespread crop failure. Political clashes between the British and the French worsened. Many French Canadians sought employment and refuge from discrimination by traveling south.  They found work in the mill towns of Vermont and throughout New England.  Life was no paradis, however.  Wages were low and spoken French was forbidden in the classroom.  Sadly, many children felt ashamed of their heritage and the French language soon languished.

In a redemptive move at righting such wrongs, many Franco-Americans are casting a compassionate eye on their heritage.  French Heritage Festivals are springing up everywhere.   Here in Vermont, Vergennes hosts "French Heritage Day."  This year's fête will be held on July 9th and 10th on the city's beautiful town green, in the Opera House and along the streets of this charming ville.  A parisian-style waiter race is among the days events! 

I will be exhibiting and selling my artwork along with other artistes, pâtissiers, boulangers, chanteurs...
I get to revel in pure Francophilia and chat in French toute la journée!  LOVE it.  If you're in the area,  je vous invite! 

Along with this groundswell of Franco-American pride comes a growing number of musical groups who perform traditional Québécois songs.  "Va et Vient", a local band, has samples on their website. Écoutez and Enjoy!

Dreaming in French

Dreaming in French.  Watercolor & Gouache by Linda Hampton Smith

From time to time, I dream in French.  I love when I do because I'm quite fluent in my dreams.  Not so in real life.  I speak a decent French.  I can get by in a Francophone country.  But if someone responds to me in "bullet-speed" French, forget it.  Je suis perdue!

The following dream may point to my insecurities on the matter.  (Or deeper insecurites, perhaps!)  Any takers on interpretations?...... 

I was in a train station and about to depart for France.  I could not find my ticket.  I stood in line at a ticket booth.  I approached the ticket master and still hadn't found it.  I was pulling wads of papers out of my purse and going through them one by one.  I apologized profusely in French to the ticket master.  At this point, there was a long line of impatient people in back of me.  I turned around and apologized en français to them as well.  My ability to speak French wasn't winning me any sympathy! 

The ticketmaster finally said, "You have one hour to find your ticket.  Otherwise you can't go."  At that very moment, I found the ticket.  I had tucked it away in a little pouch in my wallet.  The ticket had a picture of three little pigs (!?) printed on it.  I was elated.  I turned around for one last time and apologized to the crowd-  "Désolée,"  I said.

     

Vue Panoramique

Along the highways and byways of France, there are road signs that always catch our attention.  They read:  Vue Panoramique.  Printed on arrows,  they point this way or that.  Who could resist?

"Argenton" by Linda Hampton Smith.  Watercolor on Paper  

In the petite village of Argenton, we get out of the car, explore the interior of a church and exit by way of a huge oak door adorned with fanciful hinges.  We stand in a courtyard and admire the sweeping view.  Ah, deep and lovely breaths of French air and the satisfaction of, well, magnificence. We've never been disappointed with  la promesse of panorama.  Except for one occasion.   We dutifully followed yet another sign, walking and panting our way up the hills.  We came across a field of sheep who stopped munching on sweet French grass and  blankly stared at us.  Then we stumbled upon an abandoned hamlet. This really excited our imagination.  We walked past miles, it seemed, of woodland.  Utterly exhausted, we finally turned around in search of (please, God!) flat ground.  We never found the elusive "view" and wondered if it was someone's idea of a joke.  Yet that never-ending hike gave us an intimacy with le paysage that we would have otherwise missed out on. 

                             

Nothing beats a good walk in France, vue ou non.

Le Tournesol

"In the Woods" by Linda Hampton Smith.  Acrylic and Gouache on Paper

Although the trees limbs are still bare and there's a chill in the air, the soil has finally softened.   I've been happily working away dans le jardin - edging my garden beds with stones I collect from the woods.  The effect pleases me.  This will be a special summer.   We recently cut down many trees due to having become, over the years, overgrown by moss.  I anticipate for the very first time in this home setting:  La lumière du soleil.  And a ton of sunshine-friendly flowers to follow!

"L'amour de la Fleur" by Linda Hampton Smith.  Watercolor on Paper

Which brings to mind: Le Tournesol.  I've never,  jamais, ever been able to grow sunflowers because of the shade.  Now here's my chance!  I've been studying seed packets in the stores.  La variété est grande.

I'm envisioning Provence in my own backyard!

Enfin Le Printemps....presque

Here in the north, Springtime's a tease.  One day I'm tilling the soft warm soil.  The next day it's frozen solid.  The shovel lays beside the garden until the earth softens up again.  In the meantime, I "virtual garden" on one of my absolute favorite sites: L'atelier Vert

                                                                              

Still, True Spring is not far off.  With great anticipation, my arbor lays in wait.  Soon climbing roses will cover, no, smother it with a fragrant and lush embrasse.

                                                                               

Un très bon printemps à tout le monde....

I'd send you a chocolate bunny if I could.  Certainement, one of our more joyous and delicious symbols of Spring!

Bleu et Blanc

Those blue and white Parisian street signs evoke much delight.  To the Francophile, moi!, these utilitarian signposts symbolize such bons souvenirs de France.   I'm not the only one.  They have a cult following, it appears.   A bit of online research yields a dizzying amount of trade surrounding the ubiquitous bleu et blanc.  Companies like Emaillerie Normande will customize them with any message you want. Or you could choose from their own selection:  LAPIN LUNATIQUE or HAMSTER MALICIEUX or ENFANT TERRIBLE.    Drôle.

       

I may just order the ENTRÉE DES ARTISTES for my studio door.

                 And these nifty cufflinks as well -- Is that going too far? 

                 I think not.

                                                                         

According to Eric Tenin of Paris Daily Photo, Napolean decreed in 1806 that street names no longer be engraved on the walls.  Rather, they were to be painted.  In 1847, authorities chose the enamel plaque. Could they have envisioned what a hot commodity they'd become? 

     

                                                                          

                                                                            

                                                                                    

Je t'adore

 

This little sketch really gets to the heart of me. I've always loved deer and the romance of the deep woods.  As a child, I pored over the magnificent  illustrations of Adrienne Ségur.  She often depicted magical forests.  

I now live in one.   It is a true gift when deer quietly step into our yard.   They are so lovely.

I have a friend who is of Ojibwa descent.  She recently told me that if you find yourself particularly attracted to a certain animal, then that is your totem animal.  C'est ça.  I knew it.

                                              

                                                            

"Penser, c'est chercher des clairières dans la forêt.     
-Jules Renard