Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

French Brocante Markets

                      

Antiques stir my imagination! They whisper stories in my ear, when I am at the brocante market the parade of history and culture walk alongside of me. In my hand they slip notes that tell me where they have been, collecting these notes has been my passion for years, the stories of past lives wanting to be heard.

I experience déjà-vu when I am at the brocante market…the old soul of antiques breath upon my skin, opening a hidden passage, beckoning me like an old friend, they hold out their hand, and I gladly take it.

When I surrender to my passion, unchartered waters give way, nourishing my creativity.

What stirs you to go beyond yourself?

photo: A shell box, lace, old French money, & a postcard of a girl who likes over-sized hats.

Comments

24 responses to “French Brocante Markets”

  1. annie lockhart

    the ocean stirs me to go beyond myself…when i am held captive in her arms and know of her enormous power, i feel we are one and the same. i surrender…i succumb to the healing waves that awash over me…taking me back to my childhood…giving me a feeling of new beginnings…taking me under at times…cleansing, and refreshing me…thx for prompting these images up for me this beautiful sunday morning, corey…xoxo…annie

    Reply
  2. helen Sattel

    I thank you for sharing this beautiful, inspiring blog. I have become disabled less than one year now and I really enjoy your writings, pictures, poems. You have such a wonderful gift thanks for sharing it with us. Blessings 🙂

    Reply
  3. Acey

    prayer, faith and love 🙂

    Reply
  4. susan@artstream

    opening a nice big box of your treasures and thinking, ok, let’s make a beautiful display with these items my eyes have never seen! stirring up ideas here…

    Reply
  5. rel

    Corey,
    Your word images for a start.
    Before we met, and still, I’m moved by old buildings, castles, chateau, and in particular Churches. I’m always comforted when ancient ones enter and show me their secrets. Its a meditative experience for me.
    rel

    Reply
  6. cruststation

    I look forward to your finds every Sunday, that is old French money? it’s beautiful! I also love the postcard and the gorgeous linens underneath. I am excited by travelling and exploring new places, will share more next week.

    Reply
  7. paulette

    the essence of a good word or phrase, what eventually ends up being more of my poetry or prose…
    Sunday blessings to you and yours!

    Reply
  8. Mountain Mama

    I’m with you!! I love a good estate sale, where they have filled boxes with every kind of odd and end. Old floral or embroidered hankies, fans, earrings and necklaces, ancient cards and letters, buttons….you name it.
    I go home make a cup of something and sit and enjoy sorting through my treasure chest.

    Reply
  9. Ulla

    POETIC ROMANCE, AND FLOWERS THAT REMIND ME OF YESTERDAYS PERFUMES…

    Reply
  10. Star

    Let’s see–things that stir me to go beyond myself: * incongruous things, things that seem oddly paired * nature, always amazing in its beauty and wondrously wrought * seeing others in need, realizing how much I have * words – reading them, writing them, combining them in as many ways as possible * photos – both my own and others * love

    Reply
  11. Sheila

    I would have to say old churches. Hundreds of years and thousands of people have imbued the stones with their spirit, happy events, sad ones too, each seen from the perspective of the celebrant. I always wish the stones could speak to me and share their observations.

    Reply
  12. Nel

    Others needs and my passion for creativity stirs me to go beyond myself. Creating is a gift and needs to be given. And others needs, well how can I live so abundantly blessed and not reach out and share that blessing with others. It takes my mind from my own needs and wants and touches the heart of someone else, which is a blessing in itself to see. I love to make others smile and share the hope I have been given from above.

    Reply
  13. gracie

    I love the mystery of old things… it is exciting to wonder about the people who owned them. It has always fascinated me how a vase that sat on the table of my great great grandmother and is in photographs with her, can now be held by me 100yrs later even though she is gone. These things outlive us… what stories will they tell about us?

    Reply
  14. MB

    The songs whispered through the grass, the fiery slant of the sun across the land’s velvet undulations, the swirl of a flock of birds like fish swimming in the air over my head, the smell of the soil under my feet… the deep eyes of my child, the touch of my sweetie’s hands… the endless beauty of this life stirs me to step beyond myself, pulls me to become part of something much larger.

    Reply
  15. Becca

    The ruins of abbeys, castles and ancient churches stir my soul … and holy wells. But I am fascinated by the stories you have collected through old letters and postcards. What a terrific way to piece together the lives of others.

    Reply
  16. Shelley

    Corey,
    I agree with Gracie,,,the mystery of who owned my flow blue first …..did they use the platters to serve thanksgiving dinner on or were they used for everyday use,,,I love the mystery of old things and who doesn’t love a mystery!

    Reply
  17. Linda

    Travel always stimultes me. I love going to a new place I’ve never been to before. Put a camera in my hand and I’m in heaven. I have friends who stimulate me and excite me mentally so that, when I return home, I can’t wait to try something creative. I also love buying a new book looking forward to opening to the front page, going on a new adventure, traveling to a new land in my mind.

    Reply
  18. Shannon

    Writing.

    Reply
  19. Annabelle

    “To actually embrace an object of a period in time in memorable and connect to its long past. To wonder at its form curiously and totally get the unexpected. I find it intriguing to my imagination with each new piece I obtain every time I take that special trip into the past.
    The more the piece is worn and burnished by time, the more I’m smitten by its aura. Was it romance or sadness it possessed?” I just love the mystery of antiquity!!!!
    Annabelle =^..^= xo

    Reply
  20. pinar

    ooo yes antiques and remains of acertain time.. but you have to know some.. to be able to dream about..
    thus I read a lot about cultures..and history.. and dream a lot..
    enjoy..

    Reply
  21. Paris Parfait

    Like you, I adore brocantes and flea markets – the unexpected find, the untold stories, the history, the hidden treasures. I also love sailing, although haven’t had a chance to do so since I left San Francisco!

    Reply
  22. mary

    Your writing inspires me!! Ilove to hang out at flea markets, I just wish they had more of them around this area.

    Reply
  23. Julie

    Good looking boys…stir me to go beyond myself. lol If there’s none around then a really good movie, or book.

    Reply
  24. mary ann

    my dh, sisters, parents, children, kindred spirits, nature>>>these are some that stir me to go beyond myself.
    as always my dear corey, YOU manage to stir inspiration to us all!

    Reply

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