Yikes! I’ve been trying (again) to organize my digital photo files, and I seem to have a backlog of images I’d intended to post here and/or on Instagram. An abundance of summery images. . . which works out well because I did promise, last post — in which I waxed a bit elegiac about summers past and about summer passing — to dedicate some space to celebrating the pleasures of summer here and now, many of those quieter and simpler pleasures.
As it happens, last week’s episode on Clotilde Dusoulier’s podcast Change Ma Vie was a repeat (while the Change Ma Vie team takes a well-deserved summer break) of the earlier “La chasse aux trésors d’été.” Normally, I might translate this as The Summer Treasure Hunt, but in this episode it might better be understood as “the hunt for the treasures of summer.” Not only is the episode relevant to what I was thinking about last post, but it also gives me an opportunity for another in my Walking, Wearing, Listening series (otherwise known as “Walking in my neighbourhood, wearing clothes, listening to a podcast’).
Summer’s an especially good time for a Walking Wearing Listening podcast . . . and since I’m spending a week in Paris this fall (a sketchbook workshop — more on that later!) I’ve been streaming les podcasts français while I walk lately. I’ll tell you what Clotilde says about summer in the following paragraphs, and you’ll find details about What I Wore and What I Saw While Walking in the caption below each photograph. All Set? Let’s Go!
In her Change Ma Vie podcast, life coach Clotilde speaks about the space that summer occupies dans l’imaginaire collective — in our collective unconscious– (while acknowledging that this can differ depending where you live or your personal seasonal preference).
In the episode, she takes listeners through some simple exercises to determine what is it we truly want to do — regardless of what we think we should want to do in summer, regardless of what others declare essential to a happy (or “successful”) summer (swimming or camping, yachting or canoeing or picnicking in the park). She guides listeners to préciser their own goals for summer pleasures. Perhaps for some of us that might simply be taking 15 minutes daily to read in a chaise longue. For others, filling a bucket with blueberries at the local u-pick or swimming in the local public outdoor pool or getting up at dawn and having tea or coffee outside at least twice a week. . . .
I nodded in agreement with much of the podcast, grateful for the distraction, and trying not to think too much about the minor dental surgery I was walking toward. One sentence in particular caught my attention, and I made a note of when it showed up on the podcast. Back home later, I played it back several times so that I could capture it correctly.
What Clotilde says here beautifully articulates just what roused me from the slight melancholy or nostalgia I expressed in my last post, thinking of summers past, missing something of my old island lifestyle: C’est aussi l’occasion de célébrer les petits bonheurs de l’été, les détails, les petits instants, parce ce que c’est de cette poésie là que la vie est faite et une grande partie de votre capacité à vous sentir heureux ou heureuse c’est justement de savoir cueillir ces instants là.
My rough translation: It’s also the time to celebrate the little happinesses of summer, the details, the small moments, because it’s of this poetry that life is made, and a large part of your ability to feel happy is simply in knowing to collect these moments.
As she guides listeners to making a list — and making it precise — of those activities or experiences that we need or want in our summers, she clarifies that the purpose is absolutely not to generate yet another to-do list. Rather, the idea is to distil an individual formula of the most important elements of our summer happiness. Stressing that we should Keep it Playful — it’s a treasure hunt! not a To-Do list! — Clotilde uses an expression that I find useful; she suggests it be a list of what makes a “good enough” summer. Because, as I extrapolate from what she says, we’re unlikely to have a “perfect” season, but by finding plenitude (that sense of fullness, of gratitude, of satisfaction) in the “good enough” of the summer that’s right here, right now, we’re strengthening our own capacity to feel — to be — happy.
For Clotilde, a former food writer, it has to do with la cuisine de l’été. I suspect many of us would have summer foods on our lists as well. For me, a fava bean salad, cherry tomatoes eaten right from the vine or slices of beefsteak tomatoes on piece of my homemade sourdough bread, drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt, and topped with basil snipped from a pot just outside our door. Not to mention watermelon, new potatoes, gelato, peaches, gazpacho. . .
So I’ve started my own little List for a Contented, Full Enough, Good Enough Summer. You know now that it includes some seasonal produce, a few recipes that make the most sense when days are warm. And you’ve surely assumed that there will be some swimming and paddling on it. But I’m surprising myself as I pay attention to the quieter joys of June, July, August, and September. Making the list is showing me that my summer is found as much in my condo terrace garden at 6 a.m. with a cup of tea as it is on a beach or on the water.
I see my summer, also, as I go through those digital photo files and note how often my eyes insist we stop to capture a patch of blooms.
So I’m making that list, and I’ll share it with you next post. Perhaps you’ll make one too, and we can chat about our Summer Treasures.
For now, we can wind down our walk with these last few walking OOTDs (Outfits of the Day). . . and a few more summery images. . .
And for you, I mustered a smiling Selfie, helped by a cheery red-and-white windowpane check in another pocketed linen dress (I love the selvedge hems, the hand-embroidered trim at the waist). Again with those gold sandals — I’ve been breaking them in gradually, and I’m finally up to a four-kilometre walk in them, which means they’re very close to being grabbable for any excursion á pied.
So there we go. Another Walking Wearing Listening podcast for the books. I’ll be happy to read any comments you leave. Meanwhile, there’s a strawberry I’ve been watching in our rooftop garden . . . when I checked this morning, it was perfectly ripe and I decided it would be my little summer reward when I finished putting this post together. . . . A just-picked strawberry, grown right here, sunshine-warm and not yet spotted by the condo’s other resident. Mmmmm. . . .
xo,
f
More constant rain here today but I did get my brolly and have a tramp round the village. I came across some blackberries, big and fat and juicy, so picked those – delicious! August never fills me with anticipation because I don’t especially care for the splashy blooms of late summer and everyone seems to go away on holiday. Early summer for me, with the gentler flowers, the softer greens. Coffee outside in the morning, cold beer on a hot afternoon, reading in the sunshine. Simple clothes. Long evenings with birdsong, bright mornings even at 5am. I am not a fan of barbecues or watery activities (apart from a quiet swim or paddling at the beach). And I loathe the madness to do, do, do! I am like Bartleby the scrivener: I would prefer not to.
Author
I love finding a good patch of blackberries! Enjoy yours!
You’re right to divide summer up into its different moods and blooms . . . Here, it’s tomato time, and for that alone I have to applaud August, . .
Nonstop stair rod rain all day for us . We scuttled through the downpour from car park to restaurant for our wedding anniversary lunch ( 55 years – crikey ! ) Same place as last year but we were sweltering a year ago . Lovely lunch , some fizz then we quickly scuttled home . So I’m trying to think what is good about summer ? Well it’s lovely & green this year . All very lush & the wildflower meadows we walk through on our dog walks are pretty spectacular. The wild birds seem to have done wonderfully well . We are awash with baby blue tits & there are new families of Jays & Bullfinches in the garden . I like sitting out in a pub garden in soft evening sunshine but there’s not been much of that this summer , or breakfast in the garden . On the other hand I’m enjoying my new rain hats & the moisture is good for my complexion . I suppose it might improve , otherwise ….. better luck next year ?
You have some lovely frocks .
Happy Anniversary, Wendy. 55 years… you both must have been teenagers. xo
Yep , we were just kids really but didn’t realise that at the time . I can understand you feeling a little nervous about the eulogy but with your way with words you’ll be fine & remember , in that situation everyone is on your side xo
Author
Congratulations! 55 years, wow!
I never could have imagined missing rain as much as I have these last few summers. Vancouver’s long been known as the Rain City and we joke about living on the Wet Coast, but water rationing and campfire bans are summer markers these days. . .
I’m envious of your variety of birds in the garden — enjoy those, and the rain hats, and your lovely complexion 😉
Happy Anniversary,dear Wendy,and many more to to come!
Dottoressa
Many thanks D
X
I do love all your linen dresses. Just my style. One day I need to go shopping with you 😀
Summer, means spending most of my time in the garden. Creating, daydreaming. Walking along the ocean. Because of where we live, going away in the summer is not necessary. Summer dinner parties sitting outside in the garden are wonderful. There are lots of trail to hike if a bit more exercise is needed…..
If a city escape is necessary, there are my two favourite cities a ferry rides away.
Ali
Author
If you should make it over here, I know just where to meet up for some shopping. . . 😉
Island living in the summer — absolutely no need to budge — enjoy!
Summer means having breakfast on the patio in the morning, watching fireflies in the evening. Not having to layer up to go outdoors, and wondering even then if you will be warm enough. Having the windows open. A not so simple pleasure for me is going most years to Chincoteague Island for the annual pony roundup and swim. This year was the 98th year. And apparently I ended up on national TV. As my daughter, son in law and I were watching the ponies in the coral on the eve of the swim, a young woman came up to me, said I looked knowledgeable and would I mind being interviewed for a local channel. I agreed, was miked up and was questioned and videotaped. The next day my daughter told me a friend of hers in Arizona texted her that he had he had seen her mother on TV. I think even Fox picked up the segment. Certainly unexpected!
Not necessarily related to Summer but I do enjoy your outfit postings. I hope I am not too personal but often wonder where you find your clothes. Favorite on line sites, local boutiques, on your travels? Your style is so unique. Seeing your posts makes me a little less cautions in my own fashion choices. Actually while on my vacation I also bought a new pair of sandals. I had been looking for a new pair at home but was silly enough to wait until mid July to so. In this little eclectic store on an island I managed to find a pair of Naot sandals for half price.
Author
Very cool, Darby! Wonderful that your thoughts were recorded about an event that has meant so much to you for many years — If I remember correctly, you were worrying you might not be able to get there this year! Not only did you do so, but your presence was registered! Brava!
Thanks for the encouragement re my outfit postings — there’s always some hesitation/reluctance on my part, so it’s nice to know some find them useful.
As for my shopping, these last few years it’s been almost exclusively local — one neighbourhood shop in particular, one that carries a number of European lines among others. Their focus on ethically crafted garments in natural and sustainable fabrics works for me and I like shopping in my community.
Good for you with the new sandals — even better that you got them for half price!
summer treasures are everywhere, if we can only take a moment to search for them! so envious that your French is good enough to understand Clotilde’s podcast. I was a loyal follower of her blog, chocolate and zucchini, from the beginning and while I applaud her pivot to her new passion and raison d’etre, I do miss her blog………..
Author
You too? I really liked that blog — and even have a copy of her eponymous cookbook. Her podcasts were recommended in an InnerFrench podcast (these are aimed at an upper Intermediate listener working toward an Advanced level — really good!) because Clotilde’s French is so clear (although she occasionally speaks very quickly — yikes! I like her Life Coaching approach very much and am happy to get some “self-help” while practising my aural comprehension.
Lazy mornings at the beach caffe
Swimming in the blue,blue sea in the early mornings or late evenings
Lunches at the terrace with a wonderful view (Hotel Millenium restaurant)
Aperol Prosecco or a glas of wine
Fresh salads with olive oil
Gusti e sapori del Mediterraneo
Scents of cypresses and immortelle
Reading a lot…..
Or
Early walks through the wood
Figs and peaches and nectarines growing in my (ex-) vineyard
Silence
Silk or linen dresses
Sandals
Sitting on my balcony at home in a rocking chair in the evening,listening to music
Open air concerts
Reading a lot…….
Love your dresses,Frances,I have a very similar one in navy stripes ramie
Beautiful earings…and Vaadia sculptures as well
Looking forward to your summer list
I must admit that I’m actually working very hard,so,these are my dream lists (for September maybe), things I now enjoy from time to time…..
Dottoressa
Author
What a lovely list, Dottoressa — even just reading through them is calming, and I hope that time will stretch for you in September. . .
Frances, I love those earrings. And paired with the red sneakers… fabulous, darling. I seriously envy your collection of summer dresses. I now have a collection as well… three. Two mid-calf length and one slightly above the knee but which makes me feel a bit like mutton dressed as lamb even though I still love it. Ha. We are off to New Brunswick in a few days and I still haven’t been able to get pen to paper to compose Mum’s eulogy. My stomach is roiling as I write this. Jeeze. I just need to do it… I know. But it’s so hard. 🙁
Author
Aren’t they fun earrings? And I so rarely win anything, so they always make me feel lucky and happy!
As for the eulogy, I know that you will do a fine job of it and many kleenexes will be wiping at many an eye. But I know how tough it is — I did the eulogy for both my dad and my mom, and I worked harder on each of them than I ever did for any academic paper I wrote (the “research” was so much more emotional). I did find that it helped to get it written enough ahead of time that I could practice reading it aloud beforehand several times, so that the tears were mostly worked through — And if you’re going to read from a printed copy, I found it helpful to use a large font and double space . . . Like me, with all the teaching you’ve done, you’re probably good at scooping up at line’s worth of words with your eyes and then looking at your audience to speak them, and the double-spacing and large font help to recover your place when you look back down. (I may well have focused on these technical details to distract myself from dwelling on the emotional side). It also helps to know that everyone listening to your eulogy is sympathetic . . . and grateful to you for being able and willing to pay this tribute to your mother despite/through your own grief.
And as all your blog readers can testify, you’re a wonderful story-teller and wordsmith. You got this!
You’ll be brilliant,Sue! You have it all in you already
Dottoressa
Frances, what a wonderful and inspiring post. Thank you for sharing Clotilde Dusoulier’s ideas about summer (I may share them with others in a post that I am working on), Boaz Vaadia’s beautiful sculpture, your ideas, favorite summer experiences, and your outfits. I hope that you enjoyed the strawberry!
My summer favorites include fresh produce. Those warm tomatoes! Summer corn. Mmmm. Blueberries. Peaches. My mouth is watering as I type.
Ocean air. I love the briny scent. Warm sand between my toes. The feel of diving into the cool water and the salty taste of it.
Like you, I love the freedom of fewer layers of clothing. Bare legs and bare toes. I live in denim shorts. I also have favorite summer jewelry.
Those gold sandals look great with your outfits. I’m glad that you have broken them in enough that they are a regular option.
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! I’m signing off to go do the same.
I love summer. Love it. And I don’t have to be doing anything special at all, just having it around me, living in it, is plenty. More than plenty.
Our summer changed on August 1, the light…the smell…and the crickets so so loud, more than the day before.
Market day today…new potatoes and dill both part of the offerings, yes please! (Sad news: my wonderful organic food delivery is no more…that little local business closed. So I’m tiding myself over the summer with a CSA veg program at a local farmer’s market.) And I have a bunch of little cherry tomatoes waiting to be picked.
I will see Clotilde’s 15 minutes reading and raise it to one hour. No, that’s stretching the truth. One half-hour reading and one half-hour daydreaming. In a steamer chair. Under an umbrella and a big tree.
Bare toes, bare legs and if the dress is long and there’s no one much around, bare everything. After a cooling pre-dinner shower.
Oh! How could I forget…the summer playlist, the soundtrack. The pearly early morning light. The smell of hot asphalt. The birds…even the 4 am crows. The outdoor coffees and drinks. The putting on sandals and running out the door. The windows wide open.
And this is just a regular day, a day around home. Bliss. 🙂
Author
I would imagine the season has even more appeal against the background of your other three!
I’m not good with temperatures much over 25, but yes, just “living in it” is what I’m taking stock of now — We have many of the same items on our lists (too bad about the organic food delivery! we have one locally but haven’t felt up to the commitment yet — go to the farmer’s market instead).
Yes to bare everything, ’nuff said 😉 A wafty dress, perfect!
You LIKE the smell of hot asphalt?! Hmmm, maybe we can’t be friends. . . 😉
Although on blanace, similar lists — Bliss out!
An interesting and totally relatable piece of writing…I am admiring your easy breezy summer outfits particularly your gold sandals, white top and black skirt. Our weather has been perfect for linen dresses and cotton pieces. Bare legs and walking shoes.
I have contented myself with small simple joys as I had a health scare and have been reluctant to do too much too soon.
A Paris sketching week sounds marvellous!
Leslie
Hostess of The Humble Bungalow
Author
Your latest Instagram posts are a testament to this kind of easy summer and how much joy can be found in the simple things! I’ve been enjoying them, thank you!
Thank you for posting about “Change Ma Vie”. I had been on the point of contacting you for a reminder of the name of the podcast, which I had started to listen to on your recommendation and then lost the details.
Summers in Scotland are so variable that it’s impossible to have a short, fixed list of their pleasures. No ” eating outside every day, bare legs, bare feet, wafty dresses” for us! I think this summer we’ve had coffee outside a handful of times, zero eating outside, I’ve worn shorts for perhaps a week all told since June, no dresses, let alone floaty ones, and bare feet for perhaps a couple of hours. And although it’s a bit vexing to have wet and chilly days, I actually love the diversity. I could never live somewhere with day after day of blazing summer sun, each day the same. While this year’s cool summer has been low on the classic “sitting outside” type of summer pleasure, it has also brought my best ever raspberry crop, prolific blaeberries in the woods, and stonking onions – great pleasures for this gardener. And there’s now the particular pleasure of lighting a wood fire inside on a rainy August evening, noticing that the “the nights are drawing in”, and starting to turn towards autumn.
Another thing that makes it difficult to have an easy list of summer pleasures is that our summers contain such a wealth of transition within the one season. The astonishing green uprush of May and June gives way to fullness of July and the tipping into autumn of August. I could make a different list for each of the months. Every day there is a slight difference – in the trees, the wildflowers, the quality of the light. It leads one to a marvellous attunement to the seasons – and most people here notice it. Conversations with people I meet while walking by the river often include a mention of the “feel” of the day in terms of the season. I love this deep connection with the natural world.