Today I put on my red flip flops and yellow sundress that ties right at the nape of my neck, it’s tight around the waist and flows like daisy petals over my legs, comfortable cool. I stepped outside the house to feel the warm spring sun wrap its arms around face and down to my fingertips. Even my toes felt the sweet kiss of warmth. I grabbed my Red Bicycle and headed into town to the farmers market. Smelling the fresh bread, sweet cream from the cheese, the sugars from the fruit, color and life was all around me, life was all around me.
Children were playing in the fountain in the center of town dodging the little droplets as the fell from the crown of the kings, laughing and singing. Lovers held hands, friends sat and drank coffee. Street vendors peddled their vegetables, homemade jams and pickled cucumbers. The town square was alive. Life was fresh, it was beautiful and it was being lived by young and old.
With my basket in hand I found a crisp baguette, still warm from the oven, the smell was rich, like a steam oven, fresh and I had big plans for it. Julia owned the cheese market, every cheese you could imagine, Gouda, Brie, Havarti with dill, Roquefort, Charolais. There were too many too choose from, so I settled on Brie and Charolais. Julia knew, this was not going to be the last time I would see her on a beautiful spring day such as this.
As I left her shop I couldn't help but notice the small cow bell that rang on the door as I pushed it open. It’s the simple things in life that put a smile on your face.
The day was pressing on and the weather was growing a bit warmer. I stepped over to a small cart and ordered up a sweet treat of lemon ice. I did not want to spoil for what I knew was going to be an absolutely amazing afternoon of treats. This tart yet sweet and cool refreshment allowed me to stroll through the square for a little longer.
The dogs played in the park, an elderly man played Bach on a violin as two friends enjoyed a game a chess. Off in the distance I saw two young men drawing a hop scotch board on the sidewalk. As I pushed my Red Bicycle I looked up at the sun and allowed it to kiss me again, I opened my mouth, I took a deep breath in, I allowed it to fill me up, from the outside it. I felt the warmth on my bare shoulders and the swoosh in my skirt. It was a beautiful day.
Luke had the stand at the end of the block. This stand was full of the most beautiful colored jars, jars of jams, jellies and berries. My eyes were in color overload. I simply had no idea what to pick. I let him peek into my basket and with a wink of the eye, he said, I know what flavor will be perfect for your day. As he wrapped the bottle with care, I noticed his hands were dry and chaffed, I could tell that he had been doing this for years. I could not wait to taste his hard work and devotion to his art.
Next to Luke’s stand I found Renee’, Renee’ had all of the strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupes, raspberries, watermelon, if you needed fruit, Renee’ had that fruit. I told her of my plans for the day and much like Luke, she had that special look in her eye. It was almost as if everyone working in this square knew how to treat people on days like this, how to help people live their lives to their fullest and bring a peace to the day.
My last stop, was Jeans, the day would not be complete with out a collection of vibrant flowers. It didn’t matter what they were, I just went crazy, I grabbed a piece of brown butcher paper and started pulling, red, pink, yellow, white, powder blue, green all the colors I could find and I was off.
My basket was full and so was my afternoon, I peddled my way down one dirt road and up another, mile maker after mile. I listened to Johnny Cash along the way and when I got to the top of the hill over looking this small town at the very southern tip of France and unwrapped my blanket, the gust of wind that caught a hold of it was like watching God taking it in his hands and placing it on Mother Earth for me to enjoy. I spread out before me a treat a treat meant only for me, only for my heart, only for my soul, and now I offer it to you, to you my friends, so that you, so that you may someday too have a day in which you can enjoy a day that you offer yourself your own heart, your own soul and your own love.
A beautiful French baguette, the finest of French cheese, and the jam that Luke gave me, plum, what I didn't see him wrap in the jar was a small block of dark chocolate covering hazelnuts. What an amazing combination and an even better surprise. Renee' had mixed me a beautiful fruit salad of grapes, strawberries cantaloupes, blueberries and nectarines, all of my favorite things. I was now surrounded by all the beautiful flowers, colors, flavors smells and silence, the final touch, my Red Bicyclette, 2008 Pinot Noir.
Now I am sure you are all scratching your heads and wondering, um, when did Amanda go to France? Well, I didn't I have never been to France, I have never even been to the places I speak of in this amazingly beautiful day, but my friends, I invite you to drink Red Bicyclette, and if you are as impressed as I am, you will know why, why this was the only way I was able to review this wine.
Cheers!
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