In South Africa, when you move into a new house, normally the neighbour comes over with a tray or drinks to bid you welcome. In France, the custom is totally different! The neighbours wait for you to invite them over to introduce yourself. This is what we did a coldish day in September 2002.
Irène stayed all by herself in a rather huge Napoleonic style house up on the hill above our property. She was direct and lively and we 'clicked' straight away. She also had an intense love for and understanding of the French language. I then asked her if she could help me with my very poor written French and so a weekly institution started. One week at her place, one week at our place.
She introduced me to wonderful authors, new and classic, and I did my 'dictations' with pure delight - her telling me lots of anecdotes about the authors or the caracters etc.
Irène on the far left next to me taken last March
We did not just meet to do French, Irène also joined us for many a meal here Aux Jardins des Thevenets and we even spent a Christmas together.When I cooked jam, she'll always have a pot or two, or a jar of chutney and she kept empty jars for me for my future cooking.
I used to mow her fields with my tractor and she could cook an amazing Cassoulet with the right beans from Tarbes.
Irène was witty and called a spade a spade. She loved reading, and travelling and nothing could get her away from her television when there was a rugby match. And she had the very sexy 'Dieux des Stades' calendar sitting on her piano! She loved music. She loved selling things at the brocantes in the summer. She loved birds and just knew a lot about everything from Greek mythology to the stories of the locals in our village. Irène loved sharing her knowledge.
Irène was not just any neighbour, she was my friend.
Irène passed away last night and I shall miss her very much in my life.
Here's to you dear teacher! You might give them hell up there!
I shall miss sharing with you
2 comments:
i'm sorry for you lynnie! i think i even met her back in 2004.
beautifully written! you observe the world and people around you so well and you value them for what they are. that's why i love you.
grand bisou
ta sofie
Always so sad to learn about someone's passing. She meant a lot to you and although I only met her twice I found her to be a very observing and intelligent woman.
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