Tuesday, July 13, 2010

A song of France and Ohio State University on 14 July


Tomorrow is the 14th of July, or le 14 Juillet, which is France National Holiday (called Bastille’s Day in Anglophone countries.) One of my blogging friends was remarking how it felt odd to be in a foreign land for the 4th July, American’s Independence Day, where it is just another day and no one paid attention to the meaning of the day. It was the same for me when I came to the USA where July 14th was not celebrated at all. Now I am used to it but I still feel a bit nostalgic about being in France on the eve of the 14th when the celebration starts. I also miss the pretty fireworks.



When I was little we would go to the country where my cousins lived and we would take part in the walking parade (le défilé.) There were at most 8 musicians in the marching band, and everyone would follow them in the streets of the little town. The children had “lampions” - lighted paper lanterns on poles – and as we walked people would shoot up flares and light fire crackers. In the painting below you can see the two boys in the front of the scene with the type of lampions we held. I wrote a long post on the 14th July last year, you can see it here.


La Marseillaise 1880, Jean Béraud, French 1849-1935

This is one of the rare times flags can be seen on people’s houses in France. Last November when in France I tried to find flags that I could photograph for future posts but only found two in front of the old city hall of Marseille.


Click on any photograph to enlarge them

This does not mean that French people are not patriotic – they show it in different ways. My grandfather was very patriotic. Because of his health he had not been accepted for the military service in France. During the First World War he was not on the front. This saved his life really because he was tall, 6 ft 4 (1m 95.) I read that most tall men were killed in the fields as their heads would tower above the trenches (and I also read that it is why later generations of French men were short.) He did take part in the war effort by managing an armament factory, but I think he always regretted not having been in the trenches.


Photo of my grandfather taken before the second World War

I was born during the Second World War while my father was fighting in the war. My mother had to work so my grandparents took care of me for several years. At that time they had left Paris and lived in a small town in the south of France, in Provence, called Vaison la Romaine.




It is an historical town with roman ruins.




I was very little but I still remember running in those ruins, or in the lavender fields. My grandfather would usually be there with me.




If I hurt myself he would take me in his arms and always sing the same tune – a military marching song. I heard it a zillion times and it is etched in my memory. Either in his arms, or on his knees, he would rock me to the rhythm of “Le Régiment de Sambre et Meuse.” This patriotic song was composed as a tribute to the Republican armies of France. The French Revolutionary armies, made up mostly of volunteers, successfully fought in 1792 against a European coalition which was trying to restore royalty in France. In 1797 they fought against Austrian troops, at the battle of Neuwied, and were victorious.


Bataille de Neuwied, Armée de Sambre et Meuse, Victor Adam, French, 1801-1886

The song retells the tribute paid the soldiers by Général Bonaparte, then commander-in-chief of the Army of Italy. He said: “You are naked and hungry, without shoes nor clothes, having almost no bread to eat and your shops all empty while those of the enemy abound in everything, it’s up to you to conquer them. You have the will, you have the might, let’s surge on!"


Général Bonaparte - La Bataille de Rivoli 1797, Paul Philippoteaux, French, 1846-1923

This is the first chorus of the march:

Le régiment de Sambre et Meuse

Tous ces fiers enfants de la Gaule
Allaient sans trêve et sans repos
Avec leurs fusils sur l'épaule,
Courage au coeur et sac au dos.
La gloire était leur nourriture,
Ils étaient sans pain, sans souliers,
La nuit ils couchaient sur la dure
Avec leur sac pour oreiller.

Refrain

Le régiment de Sambre et Meuse
Marchait toujours au cri de "liberté!"
Cherchant la route glorieuse
Qui l'a conduit à l'immortalité.


Translation -

All these proud children of Gaul
Marching without respite or ease,
With their rifles on their shoulders.
Courage in their hearts and sacks on their backs,
Glory was their food
They were without bread, without shoes
They slept on the hard ground
With their sacs beneath their heads.

The regiment from Sambre et Meuse
Always marched to the call of “freedom”
Seeking the path of glory
That led them to immortality





Le régiment de Sambre et Meuse is one of the most popular French marches. The music was composed by Robert Planquette in 1879 from a poem written by Paul Cézano.




I don’t know why my grand dad liked this marching song so much. He was originally from Alsace, which is in the east of France, not too far from the river Sambre and the river Meuse.




When I found the clip music for this march, my husband who was near me said: “this is the Ohio State University Buckeyes marching song when they do their famous “script Ohio” march.” “ Really?” I replied, “What is the script Ohio?” He explained that before their football games the marching band does a maneuver where they “script” the word “Ohio” with their musicians. They execute this while playing the French “Le régiment de Sambre et Meuse” - the fans love it my husband said. He would know as he is a fan since he attended Ohio State University as did his father and nephew. His sister was an English professor there and both our younger daughter and her husband are finishing this year their residency at Ohio State University Hospital. I was curious about this “script Ohio” and found it on You Tube.





I watched it, but I won’t watch it again because I get too choked up remembering my grandfather singing this march to me as a child so many times. I wonder if all the Ohio fans in this stadium know that it is a French march written to the glory of the French Revolutionary army? And why did they choose this march I wonder. Well I found out the reason here. It seems that the director of the Ohio State University Marching Band in 1929-39 had played in a Navy band during the First World War and heard the popular march. He brought it back to Ohio to add to the band’s repertoire.




I am not in France for the 14th July holiday this year but I have a French flag with me, of sorts. One of my daughter Céline’s best friends is the parent of a new baby. I offered to knit or crochet a blanket for the new baby as I like to keep my hands occupied as I watch the Tour de France live on TV for three weeks. Jack, the parent of the baby said that since I was watching the Tour, why not make the blanket blue white and red like a French flag. I started the blanket during the second stage of the Tour, last Sunday and I am already finishing the red color.



The Tour de France is known all over the world. I wrote a post last year explaining the Tour (see it here.) This year it started on 3rd of July and will finish on the Champs-Elysées in Paris on Sunday July 25th. The riders will cover 2,221 miles (3,574 kms) – roughly the distance between New York and Salt Lake City. It is an international race; flags from many countries can be seen along the roads.


The above were taken from my television, so they are not very crisp

Every morning I get ready to watch the current stage of Le Tour by looking at the route profile.



Then while I sip on a strong cup of French roast coffee I keep knitting my little baby blanket. I have knitted or crocheted a baby blanket during the Tour for the last several years, this is my 12th blanket.



Tomorrow, 14th of July, will be stage no. 10 in the Southern Alps, another tough mountain ride.




The helicopters will show us beautiful views of the ride, the mountains and the valleys, and my little blanket will be close to being finished.




This post is dedicated to my late grandfather François Laurent (named Franz Lorenz at birth when Alsace was German territory - Laurent is Lawrence in English.)




It is also dedicated to my husband, a Buckeye fan, as well as all the Ohio State University Buckeye fans everywhere.


65 comments:

Rosaria Williams said...

Wow! Happy 14th of July, Vagabonde! This was chock full of information and very touching too. You wove memoir pieces with this anniversary. You must write these memories down so your children will have them to refer to. Are you having a celebration of sorts?

""°o.O Nancy O.o°"" said...

*** Bonne fête nationale Vagabonde et merci pour ce post ! GROS BISOUS !!!!! :o) ***

Dutchbaby said...

Ah, it's so good to sit down and read another one of your epic posts. I remember having to learn how to celebrate the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. In Holland we have Koninginnedag, Queen's Day, on April 30th.

I love the picture of your handsome tall grandfather. I am intrigued by the explanation why Frenchmen became shorter. The lovely images paired with the music in your first video clip are a treat. The Script Ohio is quite a fancy maneuver; it must take many rehearsals to get it right.

islandgirl4ever2 said...

FATASTIQUE post!! This brought some tears to my eyes because as I type- I'm watching the parade on tv .. and it's just FABULOUS and AMAZING! I would like to go up to Paris for the parade one year.... It would be especially wonderful to go up there to celebrate when I obtain my French citizenship-- what a grand way to celebrate!!!

Happy 14th to you... Bonne Fête de 14 juillet.
I loved all of your pics and I'm sending my friends your way to check it out...
Ciao,
Leesa

Jack said...

Thank you for this wonderful post and I'm thrilled to see the blanket. It looks incredible and I can't wait for you to see Edward wrapped up in it. I also agree with lakeviewer, Celine and Jessica are lucky to have these memories captured here.
I'll toast you tonight with champagane as I celebrate 14th juillet. Allons enfant de la patrie...

DJan said...

Your posts always leave me more educated about something in the world. I knew of Bastille Day, in Boulder we would have a party because of a friend who had been in Paris once on July 14 and felt it was important to celebrate it in the US, too.

I love your blanket, and although I don't watch the Tour, I am thinking of getting my knitting back on track. Lovely and very sensitive post today, my friend. Thank you.

✿France✿ said...

Merci pour ces photos c'est superbe
Je regarde le tour et j'adore le vélo.
Et je viens de voir le feu chez toi
Merci j'en suis ravie

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on a fine post. I really enjoyed it being a Buckeye all my life.

Your photos are magnificent.

You could share a recipe on my blog about recipes. It is getting some magazine coverage I am not at liberty to talk about just yet.

Do you have a homemade recipe you would share with our readers? No, you don't have to be fat to share them.

Fat Lady Recipes

Darlene said...

Happy 14th of July, Vagabonde. Hooray for the red, white and blue.

I am including the URL from another blog that has a video from the BBC on the celebration in front of the Arch de Triumph. You may want to watch it.

http://www.birdsonawireblog.com/index.html

I would love to be in Paris today.

Elaine said...

You have woven together many memories in this post. It is intriguing that the march that was so important for your grandfather also played a part in your husband's family. The U.S. has always had connections to many other countries because of all of the immigrants who populated our country, and we often don't realize where some of our traditions have come from.

Enjoy Le Tour and the memories that it will bring to you of your home country.

Vicki Lane said...

Such a wealth of information and precious memories! I hope that you passed a pleasant 14 juillet!

Linda Reeder said...

I always know about July 14th because I too watch the Tour de France! Since I live on the west coast, I record it and watch it later in the day, zooming through commercials and uneventful parts of each stage, but I always check out the scenery. Today's was amazing.
I learned of your blog through DJan.
I have had the privilecge of visiting your homeland. I spent 8 days on a river boat on the Seine and another five days in Paris. It was wonderful!

Marguerite said...

Such a lovely post, filled with so many interesting things. Loved the pic of you and your grandfather.
Enjoyed all of your wonderful photos and clips, too! "Long Live the French"! Cheers, cher!

Ruth said...

I am so touched by this post, Vagabonde. It felt effortless the way you made the connections between your grandfather, your father, the music, Bastille Day, France, patriotism, school spirit, devotion to a person, a country, a university. These things that shape our lives are deep in us. And I felt that here, with how this song conjures your grandfather. What memories you have, and such rich family heritage. I always enjoy how you share your love of France with us on this side of the pond. You have a vast wealth of personal experience, history and knowledge, and I appreciate it very, very much. Yes, and beautiful photos, as always.

Thank you. And Vive le France! (or Vive le Lance! :)

Avo said...

Comme à l'acoutumée, un excellent billet fleuve.
J'adore tes transitions transparentes entre les parties autobiographiques, les parties historiques et les parties fait-divers.
Chez moi, nous sommes un peu déracinés point de vue patries du coup on ne célèbre ni le 14 ni le 4 juillet... Mais je te souhaite, post-facto, un excellent 14 juillet!

Zuzana said...

What an absolutely delightful post! So many issues depicted here, tying nicely the US with France.;)
I relished in reading the recollection of your childhood so well complemented by stunning images. You come from the most beautiful part of Europe, I have traveled through there many times. I can imagine you must miss it a lot, particularly around the 14th...
I had it the same, I guess the other way around, when I left the US, it was so odd that there was no celebration on the 4th.;))
Enjoy the Tour, I used to be a great fan but after all the doping scandals I stopped watching it. Particularly that year when the Dane that was almost wining was thrown out of the competition a few days before reaching Paris.
xoxo

Friko said...

A post covering many subjects beautifully, you have roamed far and wide.
I hope that you were able to celebrate your National Day suitably, if only with a decent drop of French wine.

So you and I both have ancestors from Alsace/Elsass.
Small world once again.

Fennie said...

I always get pleasure from your blogs, Vagabonde and in the film saw something that I have never seen before and certainly won't forget. What practice must that all take!

Happy 14th July to you too.

(Incidentally - something for your research - you probably know that the Tricolour ceased to be the flag of France between 1815 and 1831. I have a theory that the success of the campaign for its restoration was due in no small part to Talleyrand who is reputed to be the father of Eugene Delacroix who painted that famous picture of the 1831 revolution 'Liberty Leading the People.' Now the painting was the result of a private anonymous commission from someone unknown. Talleyrand? He had the wealth and he disliked the restored Bourbons who kept him out of power. And Delacroix kept getting a number of commissions from anonymous donors.
Talleyrand is badly regarded in France when in fact he did a very great deal to achieve a soft landing for the country after the Napoleonic wars.

Fenniexx

claude said...

Ah oui ! Merci pour ce beau post qui fait connaître ce qu'est le 14 Juillet aux Américains.
Je pense que les Français, enfin certains, dont bien moins patriotes que les Américains.
Mon Arrière Grand Père a fait la bataille de Verdun.
Je n'ai rien suivi du 14 Juillet cette année. Ma petite Maman est venue déjeuner et j'étais en pleine popotte pendant le défilé avec la télé dans le dos.
L'après midi, j'ai fait du jus de cerises avec celles qu'elle m'a apportées.
Super la petite couverture bleue blanche rouge.
Quant au Tour de France, je ne le suis plus depuis qu'un certain Richard Virenque s'est assis sur une seringue sans le faire exprès.
A bientôt !

Jeanie said...

Well, I am SO glad to be back from vacation just so I can catch up on your blog! And this post is so rich! We have much in common -- watching the Tour like obsessed people as we knit every day. (I'm working on my first pair of socks. I think a blanket would go much faster -- and I love the pattern you are using!)

I never knew about the Ohio/march connection.

Hearing about how Bastille Day is celebrated in France and how you celebrated as a child both enchants and delights me. And seeing the wonderful photos of your grandfather make me smile. He was a handsome man.

Thank you so very much! (And do you have a tour fave? I've always been fond of the Schleck boys, so it's good to see Andy up front and center, at least for now! And Levi L. is a favorite, too.

lunarossa said...

Beautiful post, thanks. Strangely enough I was thinking yesterday about the fact the here in the uk they make a lot of fuss remembering the 4th July but they never talk about the 14th July and France is our next neighbour! (for me in Italy too). I like marches a lot and La Marseillaise is my favourite national anthem. And I'm not even French. Au revoir. A.

Linda said...

Do you remember Life magazine? I used to love that publication. It was full of surprises and wonderful pictures of places that were familiar and those I may never see. The writing was superb.

You are my Life Magazine. I never know what I'm going to find, but I know before I open the page that I will like it.

What a wonderful image of your family - a grandfather that sang Le Regiment to you after you ran through Roman ruins and lavender fields.

I wonder if you could order paper lampions for next July 14'th? You could hang them on your deck and have your own Bastille'e Day.

The knit pattern is intriguing. Did you combine different panels of some favorite stitches?

Jean said...

Quel article extraordinaire !
Votre grand père serait heureux de le lire !
J'ai beaucoup aimé le tableau "La marseillaise " en 1880 .
Les débuts difficiles de la Troisième République .
Bonapartistes , Royalistes très puissants et Républicains cherchaient le pouvoir .
La République a mis longtemps avant de gagner vraiment .
Chanter la "Marseillaise " à ce moment là , avait une grande valeur .

Reader Wil said...

Very entertaining post, Vagabonde.A great tribute to your grandfather too. I liked the march and also Script Ohio, which looked like a kind of ballet. The Quatorze Juillet was the beginning of a very violent period in history, at least for us. I read many books about the French Revolution.May be Napoleon was necessary for Europe, but it was good that this period came to an end, and peace came at last. His brother Louis was our first king. He was said to be a kind man. After we were liberated from the French soldiers, we got a Dutch king of the House of Orange, which is still our ruling royalty.

Yes the Tour the France started in Rotterdam, which was great for the Dutch fans. A pity that it started to rain. The radio is playing French chansons all day, which I like. France is a very popular country for many Dutch people, including my daughters.They have French ancestors and so have I.

Reader Wil said...

Thank you also for your visit to Zadkine. I can understand that your mum got tears in her eyes when she witnessed the ruins in Normandy. I wish that Europe will never experience a war and that all European countries work together as friends.
I like the flag you are making! We have the same colours, only in horizontal stripes: red on top, white in the middle and blue at the bottom. We had that flag since we became independent from Spain in 1648. Come to think of it: we have been at war with almost every other country in west Europe. Not something to be proud of, eh?

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

What an incredible, lovely story. I am hungry to read back through your previous blogs having just "discovered you."

There are many of us watching le Tour daily, catching the replays if we miss the live broadcast. I would love to see the riders streak by and catch the blur of color in a photo.

Thank you for your visit to my new Paris blog -- I hope you will visit often.

Deborah said...

What a funny, not-so-little coincidence about the march! I enjoyed this quite a lot, Vagabonde, and discover that you grew up not so far from where I live now, in the Var. I love the Luberon, and have visited there several times in the last few years.

On July 14 we took our garden chairs to the local aerodrome field for a fireworks display. The canton had decided two years ago to do one big event
instead of each village doing their own, and the show they put on rivals anything I've ever seen.
We had no défilé and although I lived near Paris for 7 years I never went to the Champs Elysés on July 14, unfortunately. However, we were close enough to the city to see the the patrouille de France flying over our house several times, which was a huge thrill for me!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

That French March is very very "Spirited".....and how amazing that Ohio uses this for their Script March. The connections are so amazing, aren't they? Your Grandfather sounds like he was a very very dear man.
A Belated Happy July 14th to you, my dear.

Virginia said...

Oh I was so very very blessed to have celebrated 14 juilliet last year on a bridge with Peter as we both delighted in shooting as many photos as we possibly could of the fireworks at la Tour Eiffel. Sadly, this year I found myself back home but went and bought a fine French flag and proudly displayed in front of my home this whole week.

Your recollections of France and Bastille Day and your family were very special. Thank you for sharing this with us. I"m sure that spending this special day away from your home country was not easy.
Best,
V

Betsy Brock said...

Hi! Thanks so much for visting my blog! I lived in Columbus, Ohio for 12 years! I've sent that script Ohio live a few times! So fun!

Louis la Vache said...

«Louis» had his coffee roaster make a special "Bastille Blend" avec chicorie this year and «Louis» decorated his tables at the farmers markets with French flags. Here is the Bastille Day celebration at his café last year.

Don said...

Thanks for the visit! I'm enjoying exploring your blog.

""°o.O Nancy O.o°"" said...

*** Chère Vagabonde, je viens te souhaiter un très agréable début de semaine ! :o) GROSSES BISES à toi !!!! :o) ***

Ginnie Hart said...

You are an amazing woman, Vagabonde! With every post I learn something new about you and all your talents. Add knitting to the list! I think you are a bottomless reservoir of energy! Do you ever sleep, I wonder!

I will forgive you any mention of Ohio State University (did I really write that out), my nemesis, as an alumna of the University of Michigan. It took you to tell me where that tune/march came from, so I just got my education. And even I have to admit it's quite a university marching feat, which even I can't resist that one time every year I see it.

Your history and memory of it astound me. You are an amazing woman. And I must say, after our week in France, I can see a bit more from whence you have come. You can be proud of your country. It, too, can be proud of YOU!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

How fascinating the connection of the Ohio State marching song with the French revolution. I loved the story of your childhood and your grandfather. Thanks so much for sharing.
Sam

Linda said...

There is a blog that I think you would really enjoy.
www.bibliodyessy.blogspot.com
It is an eclectic booklover's site of old illustrations.
On July 18, the post "Nos Enfants" shows art from a book entitled "Filles et Garcons" with chromolithographs of watercolour sketches. It reminded me of your wonderful old books.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I'm back because I remembered something. Vaison la Romaine is where Patricia Wells' has her famous cooking school. She writes about her village and the people there quite a bit in two of her cookbooks - The Provence Cookbook and Patricia Wells At Home in Provence.
Sam

Vagabonde said...

Lakeviewer – thank you for stopping by. I had the first six months of my blog printed already – this will be for my grandchildren – if they ever wish to read it when they grow up!

Vagabonde said...

Nancy – Merci pour tous tes gentils mots. Hier en cuisinant j’écoutais mon CD de Orchestra Baobab de Dakar. Tu les connais? Tu les a vu à Dakar? J’adore cette musique. Aussi j’ai trouvé ton magazine sur le Net – car ici ils ne vendent pas de magazines en français. Voila le lien: http://www.magazine-avantages.fr/. Bises VB

Vagabonde said...

Dutchbaby – I like that “epic posts” – it does sound like they are long…. Ah well, I place many pictures for people who don’t have time to read them. Thanks for the comment.

Vagabonde said...

Leesa – thank you for your sweet comment. I wish I could have seen the parade on TV. I would have liked to see the African armies going down the Champs-Elysées as I understand they were invited for their 50 year independence from France. I’ll go and visit your blog this week.

Vagabonde said...

Jack – in case your read this reply – I finished the blanket yesterday and I started another one, a small one to be used in the car, around the car seat.

Vagabonde said...

DJan – Thanks for visiting my blog. A 14 of July party in Boulder ? That sounds fun. I have never been to Colorado and would enjoy going there.

Vagabonde said...

France – toujours super sympa de te lire. Merci pour le com.

Vagabonde said...

Abraham Lincoln. I looked at your recipe blog – there are some good ones there. I can’t think of a recipe right now because I usually improvise and rarely write the recipe down. But, next time, I’ll try. Thanks for your kind words.

Vagabonde said...

Darlene – Thanks for the clip on the BBC. I looked at it – it was short but nice and I enjoyed it. Thanks again.

Vagabonde said...

Elaine and Vicki Lane – thanks for commenting. As always, I appreciate your kind visits.,

Dutchbaby said...

"Epic" is a compliment of the highest order in my book.

French-Kissed said...

Thanks for your visit to FK and for your insights on the Berlin spoon. I am delighted to meet you and to discover your wonderful site. At 19, my daughter did the reverse of you and moved to Paris to attend univeristy and is now newly graduated and has secured a position there with an advertising firm. I have greatly enjoyed my first visit here and will most definitely return seeking French authenticity. I will tell my daughter about your site...she also has her own blog Bardot in Blue.

~jermaine~

""°o.O Nancy O.o°"" said...

*** Un gros bisou à toi en passant Gentille Vagabonde ! :o) Passe une bonne journée ! Merci pour ton message chez moi et pour le lien concernant le magazine, tu es adorable Vagabonde !!!! :o) ***

sablonneuse said...

Another fascinating post, Vagabonde. I loved the music. The French version is very stirring and a much better tempo than the American one - but, WOW, that marching band is amazing!!
My husband is glued to TV for the Tour de France. He doesn't understand what's going on but he loves the scenery.
July 14th was celebrated well in our village. There was the procession with lampions and a disco with fireworks at 23.00 and then music until the early hours. On Wednesday morning quite a few turned up for the ceremony at the Monument and then there was the Vin d'Honneur at the Mairie. We love living in France.

Pame Recetas said...

All of your posts are amazing and I love reading you, but this time I'm just about to cry. There is so much history and so much love in it, which take me back to the history of so many children who were kept by their grandparents or in farms during the II W.W. Your grandfather was a great man, and he surely regretted not going to the front, but instead he took care of you, I'm sure he did a better job . I hadn't heard about taller Frenchmen dissapearing in the trenches which sounds pretty obvious. Thanks for a great history class!

Anonymous said...

I was in France for Bastille Day (2010) and made it a point to watch the festivities for Independence Day. Later that day, I attended a ceremony for French veterans at the Arc de Triomphe. As the festivities were proceeding in both places, I heard a strange march that I recognized immediately as being "Script Ohio". It was an unmistakable tune, having gone to Ohio State for my undergraduate degree. I turned to my wife and said, "The French are playing Script Ohio without attribution." Later, when I read your blog and found out that it was really the other way around, I was disappointed that Ohio State had allowed a fiction to continue for all these years, the fiction being that the song was an original piece specifically written for the Ohio State Marching Band. Thanks for setting the record straight, and my apologies to the French for thinking that they would revert to borrowing marching songs from a college marching band.

Angela said...

Such an interesting post again, and all those lovely comments to read is a treat, too! Your memories always stir up my own - my grandfather fought in Verdun, on the other side (for Germany). And today we can be friends.

Elisa said...

J´adore tes images, surtout celles du drapeau et des feux d´artifice
Amitiés
Elisa

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It must be difficult to be an ex-pat on a national holiday. I agree that you should have your own celebration and perhaps order some lampions and fireworks for use then?

I enjoyed hearing “Le régiment de Sambre et Meuse” and its present interesting connection to Ohio State. The Script March was done with much precision.


The baby blanket you are making is very patriotic! I'm sure the parents will be thrilled to receive it.

I would like to make a blog full of family memories to pass on to my grandchildren one day in book form. You have inspired me to begin one!

Paty said...

loved this post and the last one too (incredible pictures!). it´s always very nice to read about your history in France, it´s very interesting. I loved visiting France and it´s always good to read about this country.
Happy 14th of july! (a little late...)

Anonymous said...

It has taken me a few days to visit, so I missed 14 juillet. I did think of it on the day. I wish I could have enjoyed it while visiting you here.
I love the picture of you playing in the ruins. Life comes back.
My husband's family came from the Alsace/Lorraine area as well. There are still relatives in the area with the same last name (not a common one in the US).
There were not nearly as many flags flying in the US until after 9/11. Now almost everyone flies a flag, espcially on a national holiday.
I love the parade you described as well. So much more fun than the huge commercial extravanza of so many parades. Do they sell the lanterns for people to use at home? I like that idea.
I feel as though I have been on a short vacation, led by a wonderful tourguide who obviously loves the subject. Thank you so much!

""°o.O Nancy O.o°"" said...

*** Coucou Vagabonde !!!!! :o) Comment vas-tu ce matin ? C'est samedi, le week-end donc on prend un peu plus le temps de vivre n'est-ce pas ? GROS BISOUS et BON WEEK END à toi Vagabonde ! :o) ***

Lifecruiser Travel Blog said...

That was a very personal celebration post of the national day. I love it. You have a way of writing that is so refreshing and captivating.

Oh, I'd love to be in France one time to see their celebrations!

Hubby would especially want to see the fireworks, he loves fireworks almost more than me. No, not really. *giggles*

Malyss said...

je trouve fascinant que , partant d'une nostalgie d'un 14 juillet dans un pays étranger, tu nous offres tout un pan de l'histoire de France, la petite et la grande , a travers des recherches, des souvenirs d'enfance, et d'amusantes coincidences; Post fascinant , interessant, instructif et passionnant!

Vagabonde said...

Chers amis – je voulais répondre à chaque commentaire individuellement, mais malheureusement avec le Tour de France et la préparation de mon post je n’ai pas eu le temps. Je vais essayer de visiter vos blogs cette semaine. Merci d’avoir laissé un mot.

Vagabonde said...

Dear friends – I meant to reply to each of your comments but, unfortunately, because of watching the Tour de France and taking the time to prepare a new post, I just did not have the time. I read them though and I’ll try to visit each of your blog this week. Thanks for coming by and leaving a note.

s said...

What a lovely, informative, interesting and thoughtful post. It is a strange feeling having loyalties in more than one country: my mother was Scandinavian and English, my father Scottish and Irish, I lived in France for some time as a little girl and have close relatives in Sweden who are half Chinese! My parents only spoke French and Swedish to me as a little girl, and our family customs were partly English and partly Swedish. So I feel at home in three different countries, France, Sweden and England, but actually never totally at home, as if something is always missing from one or the other!

Anonymous said...

I never actually went to a défilé, I was in my grand-parents' small village on the coast usually for Bastille Day. We did have nice fireworks and it was quite a show on the beach. I'm glad I got to be there again this year for le 14 juillet!

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