Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Do you Ever Get Mad?

Angels natacha

 

Do I ever get mad, or have a bad day, or is life truly a bowl of cherries without a single pit?

I am asked that often, well not in those exact words, but more or less, which surprises me. Though when I think about it many of you know me only from my blog, and my blog tends to be on the happy side, that out of 2380 posts give or take the few regarding the Stinky Cat, my Brother Mat and the airport chaos, French Husband and the remote control, my dad's illness, having cancer, and Madame M. they are mostly carefree, painless (if you don't count that grammatical and spelling errors) and about the brocante.

Do I ever get mad, yes.

Do I ever have a bad day, yes.

Is life a bowl of cherries without the pits, no.

As my son Sacha said to me, "You aren't honest on your blog, because you only write about the good things."

In which I replied, "My blog is my personal space were I try to look at the days that have passed and put them in perspective. Where I make it my prayer to focus on the good and not dwell on the dark side. It isn't always easy, but it is my way of putting myself upright, encouraging myself that life is beautiful and not to be wasted on the mundane and difficulties that present themselves," Then I said to him, "You know Sacha considering all the crap that can happen while going through life I consider our lives fortunate, so I'd rather being thankful, inspirational, happy, than focus on your messy room, or my ankle that is really bothering me, or that most the people I love live 22 hours away by plane."

He looked at me and said he was sorry that he hadn't thought of it that way.

Though it made me think how defensive I was when he asked me, and then I thought about my blogging style for weeks on end, Sacha made me aware that maybe I should share things that I don't like, or at least admit it when I am not peachy keen, and that I do swear alot and not under my breath…

Then my Cousin Franca Bolla sent me a link to "The Bloggress" and I laughed and laughed at this woman's wicked humor, and felt envious on how she could be so honest about things and that in doing so made it inspirational in a way that I cannot. Gee, I cannot even say the "F" word on my blog let alone write how I could chop French Husband into bite size pieces when he gets all "French" in my face.

Anyway…..

This post is to say that I am rethinking how I blog, and that I am very glad you are hear listening, and hope you stick around when I continue to look at the bright side and maybe swear a bit more in the next 2380 blog posts.

Notes:

The above photo is from Natacha (she is having fun with my camera, and a fast learner!)

Comments

94 responses to “Do you Ever Get Mad?”

  1. Kim

    Hi Corey. I’m really glad you published this post. I think many people struggle with how to present themselves publicly on their blog(s). I keep a personal blog and a cat blog and to tell you the truth, the cat blog is easier to write and it gets more traffic than my personal blog but there you go. My cat knows just how to say things in a way that I don’t.
    I have to tell you that I was relieved when I read your post. I know you’re human and so logically, I know yo have bad days. Would it sound terrible if I said, I liked having it confirmed on your blog that, YES, you DO get peeved and have bad days. But I also really appreciate your gratitude and lovingkindness and your blog has actually helped me to practice that a bit more in my life.
    As my cat, Pearl, says. That is all.
    Kim

    Reply
  2. Merisi in Vienna

    Blogress: Funny, but not you.
    You are way better just the way you are.
    Don’t think we don’t know that life is not only a bowl of cherries!

    Reply
  3. Zosia

    We all are only human. Thanks for the honesty. It’s YOUR blog, write what you feel like writing, happy or sad or mad and if you want to keep some things to yourself that’s fine too. Those that have been coming here for a while will stick around :-).

    Reply
  4. Paulita

    I’m sure we’ll love you either way. We must may have to take you down from your pedestal. I write about the disappointments I face. My teenagers are really challenging me this summer with typical American teenage behavior, my daughter became depressed at college, I’m struggling to get a book published. I try to write about them in a humorous way. But somethings are sad and serious. And some things are too personal to share with the blogging world.
    I’m interested to see where your blog turns.

    Reply
  5. meredith

    Just always be yourself! And boy, do I have a few things I could say about those French husbands…but they are my secrets 🙂

    Reply
  6. Deborah

    Do I get mad? Hopping, steaming, pitch -a-nuttie mad! Do I blog it – hardly ever. I’ve been thinking about this very topic – what “voice” do I want for my blog? While I love readingi the hysterically funny sarcastic blogs, that’s what I want to encourage in mine. I have opinions about everything and not all of them are nice, so I try not to let it rip.
    But life isn’t always a chair of bowlies, and sometimes my posts reflect that. While I ‘m struggling to find my voice, you have found yours and it seems to me the perfect blend of life’s moments, edited for public consumption!

    Reply
  7. Deborah

    Actually, perhaps a Freudian slip here! What I meant was ” that’s NOT what I want to encourage in mine”. Hmmm, maybe a bit of an unresolved conflict!!

    Reply
  8. pinar

    I was once mad about the too “cheerful” people.. they were honey cream bloggers.. never writing about unhappy or angry moments on their own blog.. and telling me a short ” it will be ok” on their comments when ever I shared a worry..
    I asked once on a blog post..if none of the readers ever wanted to curse.. hit the ground or someone right in their faces.. get mad or unhappy..
    because some bad things were happening in my life.. and I was feeling awful day after day.. and could not tell any because every one was chirpy chip .. I also felt I was a looser.. a lonely looser .. was I the only one that couldn’t take life in succesful hands..
    my readers replied that of course they were having troubles.. but their blog is the place to recreate.. to be happy.. I felt some hypocrisie taking place.. what kind of a person could write another very happy and successful birthday party “chez moi” right after they were quarreling with …. their husband.. their kid or life ..
    I was feeling lonely.. because I was feeling ashamed of being the only one wanting to write about her mis-happenings..
    I closed thad blog on an over night.. started another where I was telling everything I was thinking.. honest about my feelings.. not a depressive one though.. I am not that kind of person.. I thought if this is life there are ups and downs.. I wrote about life..
    now I am very happy in my new blog.. some readers of the older one found me.. those who I missed much..
    those were the days.. now some people have multiple blogs for each side of their lives.. family.. craft.. litterary.. voyage.. it is easier to handle..
    I am reading you for a very long time now..I believe you are writing very honestly about what happens in your life.. when your kids are going away.. growing.. when you miss them.. when you feel proud about them.. your father.. yourself.. sometimes I can read under the sentences .. sometimes you underline them yourself..
    and of course life goes on.. with its
    ups and downs.. switching so fast that we ourself forget that a moment ago we were feeling different..
    I love your style.. this is the style of a strong person.. a person who takes life in both hands..
    I believe you are writing as you live..
    you are not the kind of person who “enjoys” being depressed.. you know the art of pulling yourself together .. don’t need people worrying.. and “sorry”ing..
    each soul is different and unique.. and I love it the way you are.. you and your blog..
    ex- createacraft blogger

    Reply
  9. Carol

    Well, I for one am happy to read this post. There is no doubt you truly lead a blessed life but a little grit mixed in will make the rest of us poor jamokes feel better. When somebodies blog is overly sweet with sunshine I always want to say “Are you fucking kidding me?”. Oops…there I broke the ice for you !

    Reply
  10. pinar

    and thank you soooo much for the new blog adress.. I loved her.. and now I am in search for a five foot chicken =D

    Reply
  11. Emily McGriff

    hi Corey, Your a brave soul, we are all human and have our up and down days. Most of us just blog about the good stuff and that is a normal way to feel. If your comfortable blogging about a bad day we’ll all relate, no one is perfect. I sure had a chuckle when you talked about French Husband getting all French in your face. Yea, that would be a bad day, and I hope your American Spirit kicked in and you got right back in his………That’s not nice I know but hey I’m taking up for you.
    Your right about The Bloggress, I paid her a visit and I had tears rolling down my face. She’s a hoot and I’m hooked there now. Go have yourself a great big bowl of cherries kind of day and keep French Husband happy with a smile.
    ~Emily
    The French Hutch
    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

    Reply
  12. Gracie

    We’re human, no one is Santa Teresa,so we all have bad days and good ones. I try too to stay on the god side of life, sometime I slip on the bad one, but when I read a blog painted on all the rose shades I know that’s impossible the blogger’s life is just like that for real, so be just yourself and write about what you care the most, I know that we, your followers, will read you no matter what.

    Reply
  13. Kathie B

    Corey, we come to your blog to read you as yourself, not you imitating anyone else. “I cannot even say the ‘F’ word on my blog” — thank goodness!
    Re arguing: Farmboy Husband and I don’t have the sorts of fights like the one over towels that the other blogger describes; life is just too short. Well… except for the time long ago when I bought a hand-blown glass Klein Bottle in Underground Atlanta for $25 🙂
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Acme_klein_bottle.jpg (mine’s more gracefully proportioned, however!)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klein_Bottle
    A friend told me that a classmate of his in a long-ago Math course in Topology KNITTED a Klein Bottle for her term project! Why did I never think of that?

    Reply
  14. JudyO

    Corey, I am so glad you are human. You lead such a charmed life that I have wondered if you ever have any “bad days”. Looking at the glass half full or half empty is a choice. I choose half full and I’m happy that you do to!!! I’ll read your blog happy, sad or in between because I like your perspective on every day life and have such a way with words and photographs. Where is your book?

    Reply
  15. Shirley

    I love your blog. I have been fortunate to meet you a couple of times in person and you are just as sunny and bouncy in real life as you are on the blog. There are sad and unhappy things in life. That is just how it is. It is nice to get away for awhile. I hope you never change.
    Shirley
    Atlanta

    Reply
  16. Rhonda P.

    You are keepin’ it real, as they say. I feel your blog is personal and full of substance. Your blog has layers of life in it – and it is wonderful.

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  17. Stormy

    Very grateful for this post as while I always enjoyed your blog, I was always a bit jealous of your charmed life. It was wonderful to read something so insightful and honest.

    Reply
  18. Debra

    C – for me, your blog has been very uplifting and spiritual. Because I tend to be negative, all your positive is a wonderful infusion along with my coffee first thing in the morning. You go head and re-think it; I’ll be here reading every word!

    Reply
  19. Stacey

    I love reading everything you write.. and am looking forward to more swear words!

    Reply
  20. denise

    yes, i have those days,but have to say they don’t not very often. but, when they do show up,i get double wammy. i tend to stuff things back in my head. must let go of stuffing. not healthy,but probably carry on as usual. whatever you write, i will read. Bestest,Denise

    Reply
  21. Cheryl in Wisconsin

    There are about 5 blogs that I read daily. Yours is one of them. The Bloggess is another. They’re almost like individual columns in a newspaper. Different styles, different entertainment value. Jenny’s humor is priceless to me, she makes me laugh out loud with almost every post she does. Yours, to me, is about appreciation of art and beauty. You have a distinct gift of portraying, well, anything. You could write about a trip to China, or a simple cooking session with Annie and captivate me equally. You write about your children and your family in a way that keeps it all interesting, and that is no small feat. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have you change a thing about your approach to blogging.

    Reply
  22. Lauren

    You are free to do whatever you’d like with your blog but I think its a rare and admirable quality to look for the positive. Being cynical or sarcastic has its place and will always get laughs but I feel contentment and peace comes from looking for the good. That’s not being fake, its choosing to enjoy all of life’s pleasures even if they are “little” ones. I love your positivity and it’s one of the things that makes me read your blog over others. But like everyone else, I will keep reading because you’re GREAT! 🙂

    Reply
  23. Patti

    Anyone who thinks you don’t have bad days, get mad or fight is just silly. I’ve always felt your posts are real life, the beauty is in how you say it. You deliver it to us like cream wrapped in marshmallows covered in caramel so maybe we don’t even know we’re getting it. To me, that’s your gift.

    Reply
  24. Toni

    Dear Corey, I many not comment often but I am here every morning with my cup of coffee. I have always appreciated your easy way of sharing your life with us. Sacha is young and has not experienced the 30 years of life’s happy times and life’s woes. I thank you for keeping us up. We all know life is difficult but sharing your hope, faith and trust that most things work themselves out for the good is good enough for me and I thank you once again for honesty and truth in what really matters!

    Reply
  25. Cathy J.

    Corey, I’m liking your blog today. I think all of us forget about gratitude! I try to express my gratitude to God everyday for all the good things in my life. I’m so fortunate to have a good job and a lovely home to live in. I have family and friends that love me and I know “they’ve got my back”.
    If you had a perfect life, I’d think you were taking too much medication (happy pills). It’s how we deal with the ups and down that count. Hopefully, we try to make the best of the downside of life and not get stuck on what’s not perfect.
    I appreciate your blog and whatever direction you decide to take this blog in, I’m sure it’ll be the right one. Thank you Corey for sharing your life!

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  26. Lee

    Well said.

    Reply
  27. georgie

    Only on your blog could I read one of the comments and learn about what a Klein bottle is! A good writer is one who writes from the heart(like you have been doing). Share your bad days with us-we share ours with you. Though please avoid the F word. I tried to watch Entourage and flinched every time one of the actors used that word. There was a lot of flinching and I could only tolerate about 15 minutes of the show.

    Reply
  28. Mardog

    Bring it on when you feel the itch. Was thankful of Franca’s link to iron FB. I died laughing at some of her entries. On of her best lines I thought was ” a hug is like a strangle you haven’t finished yet”.
    Big hugs.

    Reply
  29. Jody

    Corey,
    I love your stories and will contiue to read no matter what you write!

    Reply
  30. mimi

    This was such an insightful blog day.I have been talking to friends about this very thing lately. Perhaps it is our age or the state of affairs in the world we live. There seems to be this desire of just getting real. Life happens – the good and bad. I am (finally) learning to accept the things I can not change.
    I enjoy your blog tremendously. Part of that is the honesty. Yes, I have been jealous at times. But, today you put it all in perspective. Thank you.
    P.S. Personally, I would not enjoy too much profanity. Just being honest!

    Reply
  31. Jillayne

    I think there are more of us like you than that aren’t.
    My blog is where I share what I am doing and what I am thinking but I definitely edit it as far as thinking goes – I have several posts that are drafted but not posted for the very reasons you describe.
    When I first started blogging I was surprised at how everyone was “super delighted with their amazing husbands” and began to think there was really something wrong with me – mine is great but tolerant might be a better word than supportive when it comes to my activities and antics!
    Then I realized I was raised not share everything about my life with strangers or with people I have just met – I need to know my stories and hurts are safe before telling all, but there’s even more to it than that I think. I think of people that come to my blog as guests in my house, and I want them to leave happy, entertained and lighter than when they came. Perhaps inspired too….and once in a while I throw in something a little more thought provoking, but not often.
    I have always loved your blog just the way, and you, just the way you are. You should always write about whatever you want!

    Reply
  32. Bebe

    I am so glad this topic came up, because I was also wondering the same thing about you Corey. Your blog is so amazing all of the time and even though I find it to be inspirational and upbeat; I never thought of you as someone that never felt dis ease, just some one that knew how to handle a bad or awkward situation with grace and dignity. I love knowing that you can drop the “F” bomb every once in a while like to rest of us. Thank you for being human and I think I speak for the rest of your loyal fans when I say be yourself we will love you no matter what you write.

    Reply
  33. everton terrace

    I love your blog and have for years. I will read you every day no matter the tone. Though I would love to hear more about this getting all “french” on you stuff 🙂 sounds funny.
    You have such a way and light about you that no matter the subject matter I’m certain it will resonate with us. We just like you gosh darnit!

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  34. Weaverbec

    I think we all know you are human and some days are better than others. I enjoy your writing no matter what you write about. By the way, how is your foot?

    Reply
  35. Victoria

    Corey,
    I think you should continue as you are, writing about what makes your heart fly. It’s honest.
    If you don’t write about what makes your heart sink, how is that not honest? It is sparing yourself a revisit of the negative.
    Other blogging “styles” are just that, a style, a surface.
    Besides, we need pretty pictures and thoughts in our minds; there are precious few of those around.
    Hope this is legible..computer is acting up. Trying to be negative, I guess! Ha!

    Reply
  36. pam

    Hi Corey, I have a not-so-peachy-keen life; I’m 12 years divorced, my only child (a daughter) is not speaking to me, I live in a town where I don’t know a soul, I have a degenerative crippling disease and can’t work so i am poor. If it were not for my faith I wouldn’t have much to look forward to. So I come to your blog as a sort of sanctuary where I know that you will encourage me with your sweet spirit and gift of telling a story. Your photos are superb and thought provoking alone, and sometimes I will carry the images in my mind’s eye all day long.
    I’ll admit I like to think of your life being all dreamy, though not perfect, and blessed. Yours is always the first blog I read every morning with my coffee, and often it sets the tone of my day. I do hope you will continue blogging as you always have; telling us about the good and blessed things we might miss if we are not careful. You have a gift for this very thing! It’s not that you are not being honest with us, it is that you choose to find the good, the undiscovered beauty, the valuable lesson, the meaningful moments in life and then relate them to us in a way that we can also appreciate them in our own lives. I’ve commented many times before that the thoughts you share on your blog makes me want to make a better life for myself, and create beauty where I can. I have enough negative in my life, and the world can feel like it is spiraling out of control at times, so it is always good to find someplace where you can read about the sunny side of life. I love you and your blog so you’ll always have me for a reader, but please consider what gifts you have for bringing joy into so many lives with yur positive words.

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  37. Marilyn

    Amen! I often wonder if your life is always laughing with your family and I feel bad because I know mine isn’t. But on the other hand, I also chose to blog only the positives because I knew I needed a place to focus on the good side of life. It is too easy to be negative and get down on ourselves. I come to read your blog because it makes me feel good and happy. Occasionally we do have to share a negative, but for the most part I hope you continue what you have been doing, sharing laughter and joys.

    Reply
  38. Star

    I love you (and your blog) just the way you are. Of course we all have challenges…each and every day! Continue on as you have or share with us your burdens, we will be here to rejoice with you and offer support as well.

    Reply
  39. Kathie B

    Corey, did you ever stop to consider that perhaps someone has sent the Bloggess the URL to T-I-C in hopes she’ll emulate YOUR blog?!?!?

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  40. Mardog

    I love your term “he gets all French in my face”

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  41. Lucy

    I found your blog while looking for inspiration to decorate my home (in East TX) in real French style and color. I loved your photographs. I lost your website and for a whole year I couldn’t find you. As I had mostly given up looking, I found you again and started reading your blogs instead of just looking at your photographs..We can tell by your wit and your outlook that you are trying to relay the beauty of in life. Please don’t ruin the vision and the dream by adding the profane. I can do that over here ALL BY MYSELF! You are lovely and human. I love you just the way you are and I still love your photographs.

    Reply
  42. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    Was reading the first half of this blog (“Where I make it my prayer to focus on the good and not dwell on the dark side.”) and was about to respond, “And that’s why I love reading your blog daily!
    And then I got to the “chop French Husband into bite size pieces when he gets all “French” in my face” and consideration of swearing more, and had to laugh out loud. I would SO read that too!
    I love all your readers’ thoughtful comments today, as well. Thanks, all y’all!
    Here’s text from a birthday card I recently received from a friend who almost never swears:
    Today’s your
    birthday, and
    and we should
    do special
    birthday
    things like
    eat pie
    and swear.
    PS. You were extremely real when your father was sick, and in your grief afterwards. I loved and appreciated that, and then was happy when your life lightened enough that you could go to brocantes again.

    Reply
  43. Amy Kortuem

    I’ve worried about the exact same thing on my blog, Corey. It’s not all happy sunshiney harpist and writer all the time, and I don’t always laugh (right away or even a year later) at the cruel, unusual, stupid things life throws my way. Sometimes I’m so mad and crabby I just don’t blog.
    But I say, if you’re feeling courageous, do it. I’m sure I’ll find even your not-so-shiny sides and views and moods delightful.

    Reply
  44. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    Okay, now I’ve read the Bloggess’s last few days of blogs, plus the towels/chicken post that you linked to.
    1. She’s sorta too angry for me to read on a daily basis.
    2. I do however like the idea of lightly writing random things on banana skins, to magically appear the next day.
    3. I have wanted one of those huge chickens for a long time. I wish one were on clearance where I live.
    4. I enjoy the fact that you typed her name Blogress: a bit like Ogress (female ogre) which she sort of is.

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  45. Sara

    Bravo! I’m sure I’ll enjoy whatever and however you choose to write!

    Reply
  46. Jonathan from Napa, CA

    You add sunshine to our lives and
    moments of joy and contemplation.
    Keep it up and be your true self.
    You bring something very special
    into our daily lives and we will
    be here for you when you need us.
    Peace & Health,

    Reply
  47. Massilianana

    By all means, do swear every once in a while !! Just think about your French readers (or any other international readers you might have) who would just looove to increase their vocabulary in English with some cheeky – or worse- words!
    I truly appreciate all of your posts and they are always like mood elevators, or inspiration , you see what I mean, particularly for me when I find it hard to meditate, or see the half full glass in my down moments, or put my life in perspective.But hey, I’d love to read your words of indignation, anger, surprise, questioning,…Go for it, I am impatient to read this !
    Take care !

    Reply
  48. Michelle M in KY

    Dear Corey…
    I only read half of the comments before I decided to just write my own. I will be reading and listening no matter how you decide to proceed. I agree that you should be honest and sometimes honesty requires profanity and sometimes it requires perspective. I think you will be capable of doing both eloquently. I love reading your blog and out of the thousand’s out there I still have no idea how I happened across yours, but I tend to believe it was meant to be. We are all in this together…this life and things are not always peachy keen and things are not always miserable, so moods and feelings tend to change daily. Write how you want and we will hear you.

    Reply
  49. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    And now I can’t delete the negative things I wrote here. Dang.

    Reply
  50. kajeh

    corey, i have enjoyed your blog for a very long time! let’s be real here, everyone knows that life is not all sunshine, and while sharing pain (loss of a loved one, etc) is cathartic for both writer and reader….. a random stinky cat vent is most enjoyable! i did go to visit the bloggress and i don’t see the appeal… sure there we a couple chuckles here and there, but a steady diet of her language and sarcasm would not be for me.
    one of the things that is so appealing about you is your outlook. i feel better for having shared a few minutes of my day with you.
    clearly, you have to go with your heart where it concerns your blog. but please don’t think you need to be more like anyone else!!!!

    Reply
  51. Helen

    Corey – I visit your enchanting blog every day. My days are continually enhanced because of it. Hugs.

    Reply
  52. Kathie B

    Any fool can swear. It takes an artist to express oneself eloquently without profanity, a challenge to which Corey has shown herself equal. One of the things I treasure about Corey’s work is her keen eye for telling details, exquisitely recounted in text and image.
    Follow-up to a recent post on T-I-C: Here’s the link an article about the film “The Help,” scheduled to open next week in the US:
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/the-helps-road-to-the-big-screen-started-with-a-childhood-friendship/2011/08/01/gIQA8rcQuI_story.html
    Trailer:
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movie-trailers/the-help,1175294.html

    Reply
  53. gail

    I love your blog. I feel like I know you. And of course you have bad days, but you don’t dwell on them!
    Your blog is my morning cup of coffee, you make me smile, be reflective and try to be a kinder person. I would still enjoy your blog with a F word thrown in every now and again! You have a beautiful soul!
    Let it rip, vent away if you need to, but don’t do it because you think you have to! We love you, with or without the curse words!!
    Gail – From Kansas!

    Reply
  54. Kiki

    You have a wonderful bunch of great, great, honest, down to earth, truthful and mostly quite fun-loving friends. I can easily agree with everyone of them; and all those comments confirm why I haven’t got my own blog…. There are things in my life I don’t want to give birth to on the web; discussions I want to keep within the walls of our home, thoughts I don’t even want to share with my nearest and dearest. Also, my family would probably ‘divorce’ me should I so openly discuss anything that happens within our closely knit circle.
    I DID read the Blogess and nearly cried with delight and glee; but I couldn’t read her ‘tantrums’ every day. My life is definitely too short and too precious to spend too much time with such matters, I do NOT like the cussing and swearing and I do not appreciate the slightly cynical (but oh so funny) treatment of her husband.
    You just go on as you like; I am sure we all love your words AND photos, your thoughts and if a ‘bad’ word slips in, leave it – it’s part of your being. As are the cries for prayers occasionally, the thankfulness for your life – we are not THAT naive to think that you only life the good life.
    I too have people around me who think that my life is ‘only’ enchanted, because I prefer to smile instead of crying out loud. Little do they know how many times and how many long years I have smiled so that I wouldn’t cry…. How perfectly wonderful to live a life now where I can be the person I want to be – YOU come across as equally authentic. That is what we want!
    Thank You from all my heart for every post you send and share with us.
    Lots of love, Kiki

    Reply
  55. Laura @ 52 FLEA

    Sounds like things are going to get even more interesting around here! Think I’ll stick around! 🙂

    Reply
  56. Dinahsoar

    I read the link…not impressed…your blog is awesome, hers not so much…the F-word does not impress me….why is it so ‘special’ to so many people??…as if you are only really genuine if you use it??…I never use it…I have better words.
    Whatever you choose to share here, do it because you decide, not because you are trying to measure up to others or because your young adorable son thinks you aren’t honest. He’s still a kid while you are a woman of the world with wisdom, grace and understanding and who knows the value of using discretion.

    Reply
  57. Cheri Boyer

    Love your blog today! Cheri

    Reply
  58. Christine

    Well, I bopped over to see the Blogress and frankly am exhausted and not impressed. So much energy wasted on negativity (IMHO). A long time ago, in college, I bought a small poster showing Laurel and Hardy with the saying “Talk happiness, the world is sad enough”. I’ve never forgotten it. My blog occasionally goes off on a negative tangent (a five year long divorce will do that), and I try to keep those words in mind, I also visit blogs I find uplifting…like yours for inspiration. You can toss some sourness into your blog now and then, but I think the world really is sad enough right now and I enjoy your stories just the way they are.

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  59. Jean(ne) P in MN

    I think that we love you just the way you are, thank you very much. A ray of sunshine in Provence, doing and sharing the good things in your day. And the photos, and the brocante. The “not-so-good” we willingly share and empathize as well.

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  60. Stacy

    I wanted to add my voice to the many here already. My advice is write your blog in a way that makes you happy no matter what your family, friends, readers, etc say. But I want to add that I love reading your blog because it is so upbeat and focuses on the good in life. It is my daily inspiration to do the same. And I never once thought you looked at the good because all you had was good. I’ve been reading since before your father got sick so I know better.

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  61. sue/western australia

    Corey, thankyou for your blog post today……there is a lot in there to get me thinking and, perhaps, re-assessing some of the things in my own life.
    Like so many of the other comments above, mine would usually be that I love to read your blog each day and that it brings a ray of sunshine and happpiness to what, are sometimes, very grey and bleak days indeed for me.
    But, I also, like so many others, realise that your life is actually very much like ours……not all joy, sunshine and happiness……things get in the way, Life gets in the way, and, our familes can cause us much grief.
    Thankyou Corey – I will continue to ‘enjoy my daily fix’, whatever the content…….Love and a hug.

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  62. Sugar

    While I agree with Toni, that Sacha is young and inexperienced, he does have something there to think about. It might just be that as a male, it’s in his DNA and he’ll learn to utilize critical thinking through out his life. As for you – write about whatever makes you happy and in the vein you want to. You’ve already shown us how critical thinking comes in handy when brocanting without being sarcastic. In my book that shows you have class!

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  63. Kathie B

    *clap* *clap* *clap* *clap* *clap*
    Three cheers for grown-ups! You said one of the things I was thinking, too.

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  64. Helene

    Wow. This entry caused more comments than any I have noticed yet. I love the positive tone of your blog. It is clear between the lines that some days are not perfect but it is also clear that you have tried to look for inspiration and with gratitude at all that happens. We have plenty of bad news to read about in the newspapers. I read your blog each morning here in California because I know it will present me with some beautiful photos and thoughts to begin my day with. Thank you so much for the refreshing insights and your honest effort to see the world in a gracious light.

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  65. artjournaler

    Please don’t feel pressure to change your blog! I have so always enjoyed this space and all you write. Your voice is so clear and affirmative, yet we can all read between the lines and know that you have a real life and a real family and problems just like the rest of us. Thank you for shining a light on your little corner of the world, someplace I will probably never get to see. I think you are lovely and warm and very real.

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  66. momof5

    Enjoyed what everyone else has had to say. I tend to check in with TIC each night and occaisionally can’t get to it and miss things like the What book are you reading? post. I love the way you express yourself and your beautiful photos. I too have been coming here long enough to know that your life is not all roses. I can always feel the depth of your pain each time you experience more loss whether it be missing your family in Willows or describing the loss of your first love, your father’s death or your own experience surviving cancer. I don’t see anything about your blog that is not honest, and good for Sacha for hearing your feelings about it and being able to say sorry,he never thought about it like that. But for me when I read your blog I choose to try to be more like you in my daily life. I love your sense of adventure and the way you grab hold of what each day brings. Because of your blog I believe I’ve become a better person myself. I reach out to others more in a number of different ways and try to have a more carpe diem approach to life. My own life has become more enriched. I know I’ll continue to read your blog no matter what you write as you have such a gift for expressing whatever it is you are thinking and feeling.

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  67. Helen

    Just checked in on the Blogress….will not be checking in again, ever! Corey do not follow her road to ordinariness and, as I see it, her will to be smugly distasteful. Dignity? – you have it, don’t lose it. I take my hat off to the thoughts of Pam in these comments, exactly so! On your off days, just post a photo and nothing else. We will understand. Keep shining.

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  68. Vickie H.

    I loved what Pam said…and Michelle M from Kentucky. I personally want to encourage you to continue to be your completely AUTHENTIC SELF….whatever that looks like on paper/in print. And from my OWN experience: I have NEVER once regretted NOT using a colorful swear word (and believe me I am on a first-name basis with LOTS of them) when writing or typing commentary for others to read. But there have been some times when I would have called that word BACK if I had not already hit “send”….just a thought. Love you and love your blog and am here to stay!

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  69. jody

    my friend Corey , i am number 69 in comments today, so you may have retired from reading them.
    we do not share faces nor secrets yet. though i have admired you and wondered at your sweetness of love, in the face of all pain.
    in the joy you have found in the freshness of what remains.
    i have wanted to cry on your shoulder and and ask how you continue on, so stoic, strong and brave, with so much left to share and give. as if nothing drained you, the reserves continued to grow and not diminish.
    it will not matter to learn the rest of you , we know you from what you have shared in the past. the future will not change the Corey we have known and grown to love.
    blessings, xo jody

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  70. Lisa-vet

    Your awesome!! Corey!! Can’t wait !!

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  71. Maura

    Corey, it doesn’t matter what you blog about…you’re just one of those kindhearted interesting people that a person can’t help but ‘love’. You’re human just like the rest of us and have your good days and bad. We’ll follow you no matter where you go in your blog writing!

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  72. Picnics in Provence

    This is not a jolly comment but reading Sue from Western Australia’s comment, ”families can cause us such grief” and other soul searching posts prompted me to write it.
    A girl my 13 year old daughter knows committed suicide last night. She was 14. Nobody had a clue she was so troubled. The trauma and grief for her family is palpable.
    The ‘what if’s’ and ‘why’s’ hang in the air.
    Clearly, as Sue put it, life did get in the way for this poor lass. You feel sure that if she could only have talked about it to someone, that whatever it was would have passed, blown over, time healing her wounds. It’s such a awful and truly tragic waste. It’s so sad. It is life.
    Hug your babies if you can and treasure all the good that’s in your life. There will be bad times too. That is life.

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  73. Tongue in Cheek

    Dear PP
    Know that my prayers and those who read your comment will be sending loving energy towards your daughter’s friend’s family and for your family as well.
    Such horribly sad news, I cannot imagine the pain everyone must be feeling!
    c

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  74. quiltmom anna

    Corey,
    We each have our own way of sharing the things on our blog. I love your blog because you share the things that you are thinking and feeling in your blog. I don’t think its about being dishonest – its about being comfortable sharing the things one writes in it. I regard my blog as a journal but there are things that I don’t share – they are my private thoughts and my personal business.
    I am not sure why others read my blog but some do- I appreciate that they have come and don’t want to be negative or pull others down by my post.
    I think you write a fabulous blog.
    Regards,
    Anna

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  75. Laurie in San Francisco

    Corey, so habit forming you are. You make me want to wear pink and eat creme fraiche.
    Just enrolled myself in French class. I owe that to you, thank you.

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  76. jend’isère

    How much more endearing can a person be than you are by calling yourself a “ding dong” on a blog called “Tongue in Cheek”? Conintue embracing life with the breath of fresh air you send bursting with humourous esthetic love!

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  77. Jean

    Frankly, I like your blog just as it is. We all know life is not a bowl of cherries without pits but I enjoy reading your adventures at home and traveling without having to think about life’s little nasty parts continually. Its an escape for a few minutes to peek into your life and hear how someone else lives. Even tho from these pages it looks idyllic but we all know its probably not.Add if you must…I will still be here enjoying it!

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  78. Candy

    I just love you. Love your honesty. Love your view of life. Love that you want to “enhance” your already amazing blog to be more honest and share more of your view of life. I don’t always comment but I always read and gawk at the amazing photographs. Do what you must just don’t go away.

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  79. Betty @ She’s Sew Pretty

    Of course, I knew that you had a temper and swore once in awhile. You are Portuguese after all!! I am sweet and sometimes shy but don’t get me mad. When I do get really, really mad. I say the F word but I would never use it on my blog ever. LOL I love your blog!

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  80. Violet Cadburry

    We all know you curse when appropriate, throw things at FH, drool and pick your toenails at the dinner table. Feel free to write whatever you want, we will still love you.

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  81. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    Kathie, I don’t recall the original reference in TIC to this, but thanks for posting the links! As a woman who grew up south of the Mason-Dixon line, I am really looking forward to this. Loved and appreciated the book.

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  82. Angela Vular

    Dear Corey,
    Like so many other comments, I love your blog just the way it is and if you want to write about being mad or sad I’ll still love it. Your blog is my little escape to France (my dream has always been to live in France). I am living my dream through your blog! We all know that life isn’t a bowl of cherries but why dwell on it. I enjoy reading about your travels, seeing your beautiful photographs, hearing about your family and friends. I think you are very honest and authentic in your writing. It’s easy to see how caring you are and how you feel about your children, husband, family, and friends. Keep on writing and I’ll keep reading.

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  83. Gail Gallagher

    I love your writing & your photographs. Share as much as you think. You and your family should be protected as much as you can from the gawkers. Thanks for sharing a snippet of your life to me.
    Gail

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  84. Susan

    I have read your blog for years this is my first comment.I love your blog the glimpse of life in France.Be true to yourself write what feels right to you.Thank-you for sharing your life….

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  85. Brenda, Walker, LA,USA

    I don’t get mad often, however lately, that has really been stretched and tested. I find myself wondering who I am when I’m mad, like someone looking in from the outside. I pray, then get over it, ration out things, It always works out.
    I am sure you are cute when you get angry!
    smiles…

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  86. Jojo

    I’ve been reading your blog since 2007 when you were so helpful in directing me to resources for planning a trip to southern France. Over the years as a reader I’ve enjoyed your honesty and openess in sharing sadness and grief along with happiness and joy. I rarely leave comments anymore since you don’t have time to respond to all of your many followers but I’ve always appreciated your authenticity.
    Thanks for the post on fasting too. I married to a muslim and I’ve always been amazed with the fasting during the 28 days of Ramadan. It’s not the food but the WATER that makes the fasting so hard – I can’t imagine fasting and doing hard labor. What an experience for your son.

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  87. Joanie

    It is human to feel negative emotions and get angry. And I know that some folks feel that if you don’t express all your emotions on your blog, you are one dimensional. I believe there are some things best not shared and negativity is one of them. For me, it’s ok to express your feelings but not dwell on them. There is so much negativity in the world today, we live in a state of constant chaos and I think we need a break from all of it.
    I come to your blog to get an insight into life in France, to drool over your brocante conquests and your photos! Oh, your photos are eye candy to me. And your words, always upbeat but tinged with experience that the negative times have stained. Your words are real, Corey, beautiful, faith-filled and hopeful. Your blog is a balm to cyberspace filled with negativity that is disguised as “reality”. I want to focus on happy things so that’s why I love your little spot of the ‘net. Blessed Sunday to you!

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  88. Barbara Stevens

    Hope your ankle is better soon.

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  89. Franca Bollo

    Coco,
    I’m going to stop forwarding other sites to you if they cause you to second guess yourself. They are sent solely to entertain, not to be held up for emulation. The number of posts here clearly illustrate an appreciative audience. They do not come to TIC for edgy humor. If you do want to verbally cut loose, start another blog apropos the Bloggess (Jenny) who has four.
    BTW, the chicken post has over 3,000 comments and its own Facebook page. Have you read this one? http://thebloggess.com/2011/07/would-you-like-to-buy-a-monkey/
    Copernicus: Your face looks delicious. I will chew on it while you sleep.
    Copernicus needs an FB page, too.
    Regarding Sacha’s comment: I think it’s safe to say most bloggers (and writers), exaggerate — maybe even make-up — their stories. As long as they’re not libelous, who cares? All people really want in a blog is to be entertained.

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  90. lulu

    Cory, I blog as well, well not as well as you do, but I do keep a little blog.
    Anyway what I wanted to tell you is that why I keep that blog is because I am interested in having a conversation with the world. I put my life, my real life out there and then I see what comes back. Admittedly it is not a blog that thousands read as yours , Frankly I am not interested in having fans. I write my blog fishing for my tribe, my people who I can connect with in a honest and real way. I love your blog, but I would love to know who you really are. But my boundaries are a bit wonky. And I do have a biz blog that my partner has to approve before I post to make sure that I am not pissing anyone off. My mother immigrated from France and my father from Ireland……maybe thats why it is so hard for me to play nice. L

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  91. Sharon Penney-Morrison

    ahhh, the ankle. Well it does take time to heal, then arthritis sets in. What are you going to do? Take Ibuprofen and keep walking.
    Being yourself on your blog; Sometimes I think you lead a very charmed life, but being older then you, I know you are only writing about your happy times. Humans do not escape the thorns on our journey. We need adversity. I have had enough sorrow and difficult times in my life and I am hoping to sail smoothly for a while, however I cannot put my guard down…because I don’t want to fall.
    I desire not to be a casualty in this life, so I keep on keeping on. It is hard.
    Thank God for you, the beauty of France and the ability to travel.
    Now, what was the question?? Answer; bitch a little more often! hahahaha

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  92. Stubblejumpin’ Gal (Kate)

    Corey,
    What Candy said!
    xo

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  93. Stubblejumpin’ Gal (Kate)

    And that is the problem sometimes with letting it all hang out there on the web. We can’t always get it back! LOL

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  94. Stubblejumpin’ Gal (Kate)

    And … having blogged for about umpteen years now … it is natural for what and how you write to change as you grow and change through life, right? A personal blog doesn’t remain static. That said, not everything is anyone else’s business — but we, your readers, are interested in all your business. ALL of it! LOL.
    xoxo

    Reply

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