Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
Choose a village, any one of 52 villages structured in the circulade strategy of medieval times as the Cathars occupied the region of Languedoc Roussillon in South France.
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
I was compelled toward this region of France for reasons unknown. Perhaps because it is the region least developed along the Mediterranean of any region in France. Possibly it was nostalgia for feelings associated with my agricultural roots in California. Maybe it was because my beloved Barcelona was a mere three hours drive or train ride away, or it simply was due to my fascination with the medieval history of this region. I chose the tiny village of Saint Géniès de Fontédit which dates its founding to 1095.
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
Just down the street from the church. Of course, it is the safest street in the village!
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
The Thursday morning market provided the most fresh eggs and best cheese. It offered only the most recently harvested fruits and vegetables of the day.
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
One did not need to leave the village often, yet most did at some point.
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
A drive about the countryside was well worth an outing at any time.
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
Tractors and agricultural implements were most commonly used in the vineyards.
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
Construction work was unending, as one could imagine for a village originating in 1095. Here a construction supervisor is on the job.
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
Shopping was an easy walk from anywhere in the village.
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
Having a morning walk was common practice no matter the temperatures.
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
Friendly neighbors were eager to share. Alexa always was excited about this.
Samples of the poetic details of aging.
“Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence.
Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance.” ~ Yoko Ono
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
“The years teach us much which the days never knew.” ~Ralph Waldo Emmerson, ‘Experience’, Essays, Second Series [1803 – 1882 AD]
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
“Nothing is worth more than this day.”~ Goethe [1749 – 1842 AD]
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
“These fragments I have shored against my ruins.”
~ T.S. Eliot, [1888 – 1965 AD] The Waste Land and Other Poems
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
“All of us are creatures of a day; the rememberer and the remembered alike.” ~Marcus Aurelius [161 – 181 AD]
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
“Everyone is the age of their heart.” ~ Guatemalan Proverb
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
“Old Time, that greatest and longest established spinner of all!…. his factory is a secret place, his work is noiseless, and his hands are mutes.” ~ Charles Dickens, [1812 – 1870 AD]
Poetic Village Life, South France, Languedoc Roussillon
“Age has no reality except in the physical world. The essence of a human being is resistant to the passage of time. Our inner lives are eternal, which is to say that our spirits remain as youthful and vigorous as when we were in full bloom. Think of love as a state of grace, not the means to anything, but the alpha and omega. An end in itself.”
~ Gabriel García Márquez, [1927 – 2014 BC], Love in the Time of Cholera
As we have passed through numerous epochs of unrest, including unjust reasoning and actions, cycles continue. May times of holistic resonance, security, abundance and pure peace return to the whole of our planet. Namaste (“I bow to the divine in you”).
If you have not explored this region and it is not on your list, I’d say it’s well worth a visit. Try Le Cerisier!
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