Footnotes to a Conversation, December 19, 2022
Hello, Rabbit,” he said, “Is that you?” “Let’s pretend it isn’t,” said Rabbit, “And see what happens.” – Winnie the Pooh
Provence – sunshine, olives, lavender, and wine. For many of us, Provence is the part of France we most long to visit. But I’ve just finished reading My Four Seasons in France: A Year of the Good Life by Janine Marsh, and I think I’ll head northeast instead of south – if for nothing else, to visit the bakeries. The book is a delightful account of a British couple who buy a run-down house and take up a rural lifestyle complete with evil roosters, fecund ducks, and a freak hailstorm.
I had second thoughts after writing the first paragraph. Would I/we have enjoyed the book so much if it had been the story of a refugee family from a different religion, having problems finding employment, with children who weren’t fitting in easily at school? Janine Marsh and her husband had the social, technical, and language skills to fit in and become part of their community. They chose to move and weren’t forced into it due to war or politics.
Do we pick and choose who we allow to immigrate to our country, or do we accept those whose need is greatest? How do we as a community and as a country accommodate differences? And does my choice of reading matter simply indicate a preference for happy endings?
Court of Love
It may be myth. It may be historical fact, but I’m intrigued by the notion of a Court of Love presided over by Eleanor of Aquitaine where lovers presented their dilemmas and the court’s noblewomen deliberated among themselves to arrive at a solution. How would a female-dominated court of this kind change the balance of power between men and women? [JSTOR Daily]
Microwave Magic
Some of you make abundant use of a microwave, some of you don’t. But do take a look at what chefs recommend using the microwave for. It surprised me. [The Guardian]
I’m taking a break over the holidays. Footnotes to a Conversation will be back again on January 9, 2023.
Footnotes to a Conversation is a weekly Monday feature covering an assortment of topics that I’ve come across in the preceding week – books, art, travel, food, and whatever else strikes my fancy. I also post occasional articles on other dates, including frequent book reviews and travel tales.
If you share my love of nature, check out EcoFriendly West, an online publication encouraging environmental initiatives in Western Canada, and Nature Companion, a free nature app for Canada’s four western provinces.