Monday 17 February 2020

Don't let things get in your way. Or maybe you should.



How many of us have had a great idea, only to be stopped in our tracks by an immovable object?

I think I mentioned once that when I first arrived out here, my aim had been to run a Gite for painters. Not a painting school as such, but somewhere where 'artists' could be based, use studio facilities, and maybe have a joint evening crit', with like-minded people, over a glass of wine or two before supper.

We advertised in The Times, and were soon inundated with enquiries. Unfortunately (and here's the immovable object) my advert' seemed to have been read by most of London's Psychiatrists, who wished to be shot of their most difficult patients for a week or two. We ended-up hosting a succession of extremely difficult, and odd, people; one at least of whom we considered quite dangerous. He had a large sword in his car, and was continuously asking Lady Magnon to pray with him! 

With two small children in the house, I soon reluctantly decided to abandon the business, and I took to stone cutting instead.

In fact the peace and tranquility that we gained by stopping, far outweighed any financial advantages that we might have had by continuing.

 Most things happen for the best, even if at the time it looks otherwise.


35 comments:

  1. I never know which one I prefer: Plain sailing or obstacles. The former is, well, plain - effortless by another name; the latter a challenge. And what are challenges for if not to challenge us? Still, there is a place and a time for anything. And sometimes, maybe like you decided in the end, the time is not the right time.

    What you describe was, still is, the romantic dream. France, gite, artists, hospitality, conviviality, exchange of ideas. Alas, sometimes reality doesn't match the dream. I won't reference your neighbourhood's recent addition (steel containers).

    "Praying with Lady M"? That's a new (to me) variation on an old theme. You can't but smile.

    When you say you took up stone cutting, what does that mean, involve?

    U

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We made openings for ancient stone buildings that were being restored. We made mullioned windows, huge fireplaces, local style dormer windows, etc etc. If anyone required something special for a project, we would carve it for them. Very hard work, but lots of fun.

      Delete
    2. Am so happy to share this testimony with everyone about how i got my herpes cured from Dr. Obela the godfather of herbal medicine. I had been going from one country to another for medication for 3 years just to be cured from herpes but all seems in vain, i was confused and decided to search through the Internet if i could get any news concerning herpes so i do keep searching until i visited one particular site and i saw the great testimonies from different persons testifying how Dr. Obela has cure them from herpes and other diseases and i was shock and was thinking if this is real, after a due consideration i decided to contact him with the email address I found in the posted just to give it a trial and when i contacted him he proved to me that his herbal medicine can cure me if only i believe in him, so i requested for his herbal medicine and i got it and i applied it as prescribed and after 1weeks and 3 days of application i went for a test and to my greatest shock the herpes virus has disappeared and it was just like a dream. Today I am cured from herpes am so happy and thanking God for using Dr. Obela to cure me. so if you are out there and you are suffering for herpes cure or any kind of illness kindly contact Dr. Obela through he will help you to cure that illness. you can get in touch with him via: drobelaspellhome@gmail.com or call/whatsapp him on this number +2347084171950.. Thanks very much DR. Obela

      Delete
  2. I guess ‘ pray with me ‘ makes a change from ‘ come up and see my etchings ‘ 🤣 At least you had a go even though it didn’t turn out as you’d hoped ! XXXX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He was very creepy, and worried us at nights. We didn't like to ask why he kept a huge sword in his car!!

      Delete
  3. My friend runs painting holidays. She gets some pretty mad people attending and fall outs are common.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If my experience is anything to go by.... I'm not surprised.

      Delete
  4. I always used to say "Whatever is is best." Until I read Voltaire and flirted with Nietzsche. They messed with my mind and every time I say that now I hear a friend's voice in the back of my head telling me to remember those two philosophers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I read Nietzsche when I was much younger, but I must admit that I don't remember too much.

      Delete
  5. Some times immmovable objects provide opportunities. I always used to say that I wanted to live on a hill and paint. Well, the immovable object of disability gave me the gift of time, so now I paint, and I also now live on a hill which gives me excellent north light!
    Some things are meant to be, we just don't see it for a while.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My mother always told me that 'everything happens for the best'. I'm not sure if she was right, but I like to think she was.

      Delete
    2. She was right. Always listen to your mother!

      Delete
  6. Creepy indeed. We offer B&B in our guest annexe in the summer and I prefer to try to "vet" any potential visitors at the time they enquire about booking. We have only had two unpleasant experiences so far, the result being that I now try not to accept anyone under the age of 50!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If they are self-contained, and a bit away from the house, then it's OK. In our case they were IN the house.

      Delete
  7. A salutory lesson here Cro. The photo is a brilliant accompaniment.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Most things really happen for the better, this is something I try not to forget.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too Yael. I don't know if it's always true, but I hope it is.

      Delete
  9. Things rarely turn out exactly as planned in life. But at least you tried something and adapted to find a role that was more acceptable and pleasing to you. When one doors shuts another one opens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We weren't too worried about stopping; our lives were much more peaceful afterwards.

      Delete
  10. This reminded me of Durrell's 'My family and other animals' with all of Larry's strange friends.
    Family disgraces were always sent abroad. Sounds as though you got your fair share of them. Funny now, for us who are reading about it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My father's older brother was sent off to Ceylon!

      Delete
    2. One of my father's relatives was sent out to Ceylon too. However, I think he was sent out as Chief Justice.

      Delete
    3. My uncle was sent to grow Tea.

      Delete
  11. Immovable objects are made to go around...
    But lateral thinking is required for that!
    Possibly those immovable objects are sent to teach us to think, or at least see differently

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That has certainly been my attitude in life, but on this occasions I think I was right. The world was shouting "STOP".

      Delete
  12. You have lead a very interesting life so far.
    Thank You for many ideas to think about along with you.
    parsnip

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many interesting things have come my way, not necessarily through my own doing.

      Delete
  13. I know that I would not want to share my home with a stranger. Years ago, we were innocent as to what horrors some people can be, but now with 24 hour news, we know better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, it was a bad decision that was made obvious to us through experience.

      Delete
  14. I wonder if The Times was the right place to advertise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I suppose we we hoping to attract a more literate type of painter. It didn't work!

      Delete
  15. Am so happy to share this testimony with everyone about how i got my herpes cured from Dr. Obela the godfather of herbal medicine. I had been going from one country to another for medication for 3 years just to be cured from herpes but all seems in vain, i was confused and decided to search through the Internet if i could get any news concerning herpes so i do keep searching until i visited one particular site and i saw the great testimonies from different persons testifying how Dr. Obela has cure them from herpes and other diseases and i was shock and was thinking if this is real, after a due consideration i decided to contact him with the email address I found in the posted just to give it a trial and when i contacted him he proved to me that his herbal medicine can cure me if only i believe in him, so i requested for his herbal medicine and i got it and i applied it as prescribed and after 1weeks and 3 days of application i went for a test and to my greatest shock the herpes virus has disappeared and it was just like a dream. Today I am cured from herpes am so happy and thanking God for using Dr. Obela to cure me. so if you are out there and you are suffering for herpes cure or any kind of illness kindly contact Dr. Obela through he will help you to cure that illness. you can get in touch with him via: drobelaspellhome@gmail.com or call/whatsapp him on this number +2347084171950.. Thanks very much DR. Obela

    ReplyDelete
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