It’s 7:30 Saturday morning here in France and I want to write about my sister. But first things first; update on the hair. I did have Emily take a photo after but really, with it all pulled back in it’s usual fashion, you wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference from pre-cut. Is it a little too light, looking maybe more coloured than highlighted? Yeah, I’d say that’s the case but hopefully after a few washes it will settle down. Luckily, and I have no idea if I said this correctly or not, but when the stylist (I apologize, I don’t know her name) set the timer for 35 minutes on my tin foil covered head, I let her know that “mes cheveux apprends le couleur tres vites” so she turned it back to 20 minutes. I might have been in serious platinum trouble had I not had the courage to throw some French words together. All in all it was a quiet experience but I left with lifted hair and a healthy trim so I have to be satisfied. (Incidentally if you are wondering about cost here it was 65.50 in euro so pretty much $100. Cheap by Canadian salon standards. It would no doubt cost more in a bigger city but for better or worse, I had my hair done locally in town.)
By the time I left it was dark and I walked through town to meet Em who was picking me up on her way home with Baby Nina from a visit at the Winery. I am rarely, if ever, in town after dark so it was a different experience. Narrow roads that I am so accustomed to in daylight seemed a little more alley like in their barely lit state. And I resisted the call of both bakeries, one of which is directly across from the salon, and lit up at night looked even more appealing. I fought and won the tug to buy a suppertime croissant….. after a day punctuated with spicy nuts and Nanaimo bars I thought some restraint was in order. I was in the moment, strengthened in the knowledge that in 2 weeks I will be in summer clothes. Now that’s a good incentive although unfortunately it is not one that drives me all day long. My sugar addiction rages here; never mind the cheese and croissants that I rave about, the chocolate is absolutely so delicious. But I am way off track now so let me switch to writing about my sister.
Jo is 2 years younger than me; she retired from a career in nursing home management in Ontario a few years ago and she and her husband own a bed and breakfast in Southern Ontario (byethebaybedandbreakfast.com). She has for years encouraged me to write, with unfiltered admiration for a talent she doesn’t have (she is the energizer bunny, brave beyond belief, the latter of which I wish I had a little more. Okay, being the scaredy cat sister maybe I wish I had a LOT more of her bravery.) When I told her that in retirement I did want to write more, and with focus, and maybe even a fictionalized story based on my dad’s family with it’s cast of varied characters, she was my “Go for it!” cheerleader. I talked vaguely about trying to do something online that I could monetize. Maybe make a little money doing and she was all in. Now here I have to say that money, or the prospect of money, does not form as an incentive for me to write. I write because I constantly think in stories. I will be on my bike going to Em’s and will see the goats frolicking and play fighting- at least I think it is play fighting but really, what do I know about goats and their social interactions??- and I’ll go ‘Oh! I have to share this story.’ I can remember when some pretty tough things were going on in my life thinking ‘What a story this is going to make’ and start forming sentences and phrases around in my head. And I didn’t realize until not that many years ago that other people didn’t react to the world that way. That they maybe see the world in mathemtatical equations, or in colours, or for just what it is. But I am constantly turning words around in my mind, twisting and combining them over and over until I am satisfied with how they sound, that they accurately describe what I feeling, experiencing, thinking.
Last week when my writing direction morphed into a blog I hadn’t even told Jo I was doing this. I had a mission to get it done before leaving France so I just got on with the process. But now that it is launched she is in the background calling herself my marketing manager. 🙂 ‘Mitch, how many followers do you need to make money?’ ‘Oh, I don’t know Jo, at least a thousand I’m sure before anyone pays any attention to partnering with you.’ ‘Okay, a thousand, we can get that.’ she texted with enthusiasm and optimism and immediately started writing all of her contacts to direct them to the opportunity. And is going to tell all her B and B guests when they start arriving in the spring about my blog. And started suggested to me who I should reach out to to help (did I mention that she is the bossy one??). And no matter what happens in terms of where this writing goes, how many subscribers I attract, how many people I reach as a positive note in their day, I have to absolutely love the way my sister believes in me and wants me to be successful. And if success also includes making some money, she is going to be driving that all the way. What more wonderful feeling is it to know there is someone in your corner, championing you just because they love you? Some of you have that in your partner, and lucky you, and I encourage you to tell them how lucky you think you are, but when you navigate the world solo it is you, yourself, alone with your thoughts and fears, and goals and ambitions and dreams and what ifs. I am blessed to have Jo in my life. As is everyone who’s life she is a part of.
So on that note, I have made the subscription tab more visible, have exactly 26 registered followers and figured out how to send my first email to the group last night. (This #olddogsnewtricks stuff continues daily.) Incidentally there have been over 2400 views to my site in the first week so that’s pretty darn cool right?! I have decided that I am going to tell some of my dating stories, and there are some good ones in there!, via the newsletter, starting with the story of The Fireman. But I not going to do it until I have 200 subscribers. So if you want to hear the stories, and trust me, you do!, tell your friends about the subscription opportunity, let’s hit 200 and I promise I will start sharing.
Off I go for the day to Em’s. Francois, his parents, siblings and their spouses are out cutting wood all weekend so we have Baby Nina and a 4 year old nephew and infant niece to care for today and tomorrow. And I hear from Em that the ‘daycare’ is already in full swing so I better get myself over there to help. It’s frosty but going to be a dry sunny day so we will aim to get them all outdoors at some point. The age old way of tiring them all out in fresh air. 🙂
xo
Jo and you are both lucky to have each other!
We are and we really appreciate that what we have is special. 🙂
Look forward to hearing about your “wingman” in the dating stories……
Oh yes! You will be noted in The Australian dating saga that’s for sure! 🙂
Do tell.. a fireman story 🔥🔥
So nice that you have such great relationships with your siblings and Jo is now your Manager 🙃. Looking forward to reading again tomorrow
I’ve always wanted a sister. Even though I don’t have a biological sister, I’m blessed to have many friends who are just like sister’s and I couldn’t live my life without them. As much as I enjoy your blogs so far, I can’t wait to hear about the dating stories. Adding a little spice always improves the taste 🤣
Oh there’s spice Wendy. 🙂 and yes, friends who serve as sisters must be wonderful indeed!
Yes I just hope she doesn’t ask for a salary for a while. 😐 And you will enjoy the fireman story I am sure!
Jo is the absolute best… the Thelma to your Louise. I live the love you both share. Melissa and I share that same profound bond and I know we are all blessed to have something so rare… enjoy daycare. Xo ❤️
I couldn’t agree more Lana. 🙂
You sure so and we are so, so lucky to have this bond with a sister. And to be wise enough to appreciate it. xo
I consider you the bravest person I know Michelle! There is nothing scaredy cattish about you!
Well if you’d been with me when I was walking home in the dark from Em’s you’d appreciate why I had fear…. even thought there was never anyone else about. Or maybe that is what made it even more scary. I appreciate my landlords loaning me a bike so I “fly” home in 4 minutes!
That’s so interesting how you are always turning your experiences into a story in your mind. A true writer’s way I’m sure. It’s so wonderful that you discovered this calling and are acting upon it.
SO I am curious because I have never asked this before….. what goes through your mind when crazy things are happening Joan? I am guessing you don’t think of that as a story in the making….. It is fascinating how all of our brains work isn’t it??
You my friend are one of the bravest people I know. I hope someday you realize how much. Girl you went on a walking trek ALONE in a country you didn’t speak the language in with a backpack!!!! You packed up the life you know and sold everything for the unknown and that is just two very big things that come to my mind. Dating…hello so brave Lol. I know you are not fishing for compliments because that is not who you are but you are smart, beautiful and so strong and brave! That is you. Love your stories and that you are brave enough to share with all of us. Have I told you how brave I think you are yet!! Hugs 🤗 😘
Oh yes, but my sister sees people she doesn’t even know paragliding and she asks to join …. no worries at all about insurance, their experience etc. And hitchhikes back to her car when they realize they have not brought a key to the vehicle they left at the end of a long trek. And frees a goat from the rock wall when everyone else was ignoring the fact that the goat needed help (and I was afraid it might bite me but was so proud of her “we need to do this” attitude….. She def inspires me!
Reading your new post is now part of morning routine.
Can’t wait for those dating stories!! Although I don’t miss that stage of life. But I will live vicariously through you!!
Just reading that I am part of what you look forward to when you start your day is incentive for me to keep going and to do my best. Thank you Tabatha!
As one of your followers stated… You are one of the bravest people I know as well!!! Be proud of yourself!! You and Joanne are blessed to have such a great relationship and a true bond! Always there for each other!
Looking forward to reading more of your stories and can’t wait for the dating episodes!!😂😂 Xo
Yes Bren, Jo and I are so different but so appreciative of each other. Blessed indeed. And you are going to love the dating stories! 🙂
Can’t wait for your dating stories 😜
Oh there are some really, really good ones. I hope I can do the stories justice in writing. 🙂
So loving these “visits” with you Michelle….oops avec toi. Congrats on getting it launched. Xox
Well people like you who started mid-life new careers served as an inspiration for me so I thank you for that my friend! xo
Love reading your stories Michelle. Keep up the Great work. So excited for you and all your new adventures.
Thank you Kathy! I am happy you are part of my posse; I will try hard not to underdeliver!
You and your sister complement each other, you have to love how each of us have different skills and yet they blend so well when required. Oh by the way, I love the picture and your hair looks great. Take care my friend.
Sandra, I love how you always close off a message to me with “take care my friend”. It’s just so sweet and maternal and caring. I am so glad you are following along. And I hope you have subscribed so you get the dating stories! 🙂
Hey sis, I probably have heard the dating stories as they were happening in your previous life but I look forward to hearing them again “ in your written words “ from maybe a new more mature lens ! beginning my day with reading about your latest subject definitely starts my day off in the right direction but the dating experiences will set everyone up for a laugh 😂, or two. If your readers think the dating of a fireman will peek their interest then you need to share with them “ when you dated the man with the teeth”, sounds like something from seinfield
Oh I don’t know if I am any more mature but I am already excited to write about them, the challenge of making the stories easy to follow and accurately entertaining! xo
Ooooh…how I love those dating stories!!! Especially the handyman!
Oh my gosh, I think there are some really good ones even you don’t know yet!
Can’t wait to hear about the fireman. Woot woot lol