Music, inspiration and a lake

My mom left early this morning out of Geneva and I was really kind of sad to see her go. It was so nice to have another voice in the house. I hadn't realized how lonely I'd become here with us being here all week without Seb. No wonder Little S doesn't speak. There is no one here for me to speak with so he doesn't hear any conversation!

Last night was interesting because some neighbors in the village invited us and several others to their apartment for a soirée musicale. We hadn't met these nighbors before because they live on an opposing street but we had always been interested in them because they have the house with the best view of all the village. Back in 1997 before the local laws were less strict about historic structures they took their third floor apartment and built a second floor onto it. Its walls are made almost entirely of glass so there is nothing but view, view, view. They have the most incredible panorama of the port and the lake from their kitchen. I loved the idea that it was their kitchen that had this view because I spend so much of my time in my kitchen and I always think it's the heart of the house and should be on display and not hidden away in an alcove. Anyway, wow! what a house. I felt like a bird up there.

The hostess played some of her own compositions on the piano, just beautiful! She claimed that all of her inspiration for composing comes from Thonon and the lake and it's port and it's only been since living here that she wanted to compose. I feel the same but maybe on a less gradiose scale, after all I'm nowhere near as talented as she is. I do find it very inspiring living here, constantly surrounded by the ever changing moods of the lake, the colorful old fishing boats and the stoney remnants of the Duke of Savioe. Since living here I have picked back up writing, painting and photography. I thought it was due to motherhood and maybe it partially is but after hearing her talk about it I really believe that this woman is right. A lot of inspiration can be found in a place, a special place, a place like here. I only hope Mexico is an inspiring place. I have the feeling it will be. It will just be a matter of uncovering it and that might take a little while.

The evening ended with the host proposing that a homeowners association be started and that each month a different person in the village host an evening centered around a theme. I thought this was a nice idea but frankly I find that a lot of the people in the village are too clicky for that and there has been too much bad blood between people who have sabotaged other's projects for one reason or another. I know we aren't particularly popular with one certain group due to the fact that we live next to (ie are constantly sued by) The Dragon Lady and half the village is related to her. Seb and I apprecreciated the effort put forth by the couple but I don't think they'll ever achieve much in the way of uniting the Savoyardes/ non Savoyardes under a common cause.

* Savoyarde=people of the departments of Savoie which used to be independent from France and definitely still considers itself to be. They are reputedly closed minded to outsiders. Unfortunately for them their departments are overrun with outsiders!