April 2021
SEA TO SEA STORIES
Edith Piaf /France | 4.2021
(Photo-Biography.com)
Berlin Butterfly Bulletin:
“La Vie en Rose” (Life in a rosy hue or Life in pink) Edith Piaf.
This beautiful song was Ella’s adoptive parent’s love song (it also happens to be my own parent’s love song which is why I chose it for the story.) Some of Ella’s fondest memories of her parents came from when they danced to this song in their living room. Thus the importance of keeping the phonograph and her ongoing search for the record.
Edith Piaf was a cabaret singer who performed at French nightclubs in the ’40s. She became popular with the German soldiers during their occupation of France and ultimately they took her music back to their homeland with them. Piaf wrote the lyrics to La Vie en Rose in 1945 and initially offered the piece to several famous singers who refused to perform it before she sang it live in concert in 1946. The song became an instant hit amongst the survivors of World War II. They were smitten with the idea of finding true love.
When translated, you cannot help but fall in love with the lyrics, they are heartwarming and romantic. Such as…
“When he holds me in his arms
He speaks to me softly
I see life through rose-colored glasses”
and…
“He has entered into my heart
a piece of happiness
The cause of which I know.”
When Ella finally finds the record and the song is played, it may or may not come as a surprise to you whose arms she is in at the time. :)
Edith Piaf was a passionate and captivating performer
It was believed she worked for the French resistance and helped her Jewish comrades escape the Nazis.
Born Edith Giovanna Gassion December 19, 1915
Edith Piaf died in France in 1963 at the age of 47.
And still to this day she is recognized as a national treasure.
**Photographs by Maria Carrasco
CHARLOCK’S CORNER:
“Return to Charlock” release date…June 6th, 2021! Just in time to be added to your summer reading list. See the preorder link below.
A nemesis from the past, a pompous mother-in-law, and a vixen.
What could possibly go wrong?
One year after her life-changing time-travel journey back to 1878 England, Kat Shelton is swept off her feet by the handsome and wealthy Trenton Gilford III, the owner of her beloved Charlock Manor and the third great-grandson of Merritt Gilford—the 19th-century gentleman who helped Kat cope through her fiancé’s death.
While family and friends descend on the Gilford estate for a traditional ten-day house party leading up to Trenton and Kat’s wedding day, a confounding woman mysteriously appears in an antiquated gown and with an all too familiar insolence.
Ms. Margaret Abbott!
As if Kat’s archenemy from 1878 isn’t enough, her pretentious soon-to-be mother-in-law aligns with a scheming unwelcomed guest, to pursue every opportunity in driving a wedge between the idyllic couple.
Interspersed between archery arrows, horse races, and a lively game of cricket—doubt, deception, and lies emerge. Will Kat conquer her fears to attain the happy ending she desires? Or will secrets from the past crush her resolve and leave her defeated?
SECOND SURVIVOR SECTION:
Anita’s famous potato tortilla!
If you have ever been to Spain or a European eatery you have most likely come across the tapas known as Tortilla de Patatas! Though there are variations to the ingredients based on the Spanish regions, typically they include eggs, potatoes, onions, oil, and salt.
Once you have cooked this masterpiece, try your hand at tossing it upside down directly in the pan just as the experts do. It makes for a lively time in the kitchen and unfortunately, I will admit that we have dropped one or two.
And of course, once finished, settle down to enjoy this delectable feast with a good book!
Thought of the Day-
Laughter is an instant vacation. -Milton Berle
BUCKET LIST ITEM OF THE MONTH-
#165 Overcome your biggest fear.
This could be anything for any one of us. For me, it is deep water. I can snorkel with the best of them, but cannot bring myself to enter deep water over 12 feet. I have always wanted to do an underwater archaeology course near Pompei, but first must overcome this obstacle and learn to dive. This is a great challenge for me, but I hope to report to you one day that this has been accomplished.
*If you have a bucket list item you want to share, select contact me at leahmoyes.com and include your name and location and I will add it to my list. Have a great month!
*Monthly Giveaway!
*Thank you for sharing your favorite places to read a book, I believe almost every spot was covered. It was fun to see the pictures as well as hear the stories. Thank you!! If you had any trouble receiving your free ebook, please contact me.
Our next giveaway will be in the May 2021 newsletter and it will be a fun one so stay tuned!
Thank you for following my writing journey.