The Village in Winter by Aleksey Savrasov, 1800-1890 (wikiart.org)
Dear friends,
Just a word to wish you a Merry Christmas and other festivities. May the New Year bless all of you.
I thank you for the warmth you have brought me for some nine years. We create bonds with are colleagues, which I never expected.
We had a Christmas celebration last night, at one of my nephew’s home. So I may now write a post on La Comtesse d’Escarbagnas, Molière’s shortest play.
A very long time ago, my sister and I produced it. I can’t remember which role I played. Students enjoy producing plays. My sister is an award-winning actress.
Rachmaninoff— Praise the Lord
Early Spring Thaw by Savrasov, 1885 (wikiart.org)
© Micheline Walker
25 December 2019
WordPress
Micheline's Blog 
Best wishes
🎁🎄❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much love to you Luisa and a fine New Year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
💖💝💖
LikeLike
I truly appreciate this post with the Russian theme, dear Micheline, especially music by one of my favorite composers (favorite in terms of playing, when the mood hits me).
I am glad you are enjoying the holidays!
Much love,
D
LikeLiked by 1 person
Russia was an important discussion this year. Savrasov painted lyrical winter landscapes. As for Rachmaninoff, he inherited the spirituality of his motherland.
Much love,
M
LikeLiked by 1 person
Savrasov painted all kinds of lyrical landscapes, not only winter. It’s such a shame that he ended up being an alcoholic; that seems to be Russian national disease.
I agree with you about Rachmaninov, especially his c-minor concerto.
Love,
D
LikeLike
Savrasov was lovely. I don’t understand why alcoholism should be a national disease. Tanya lost her husband to alcoholism. Interestingly, the French do not have a nation alcoholism problem. A friend tells me that he cannot drink a single drop of alcohol. If he does, he will not be able to stop. With him, it’s a disease. Love my dear, M
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Micheline, more than a thousand years ago, Prince Vladimir rejected Islam as national religion because it forbade alcohol and pronounced, “The joy of Russia is drinking.” I don’t want to start discussing the reasons for it, but it’s a fact. The French drink wine to enhance the taste of food, Russians drink hard liquor to get drunk and forget reality.
Have a wonderful weekend, dear Micheline!
Much love,
D
LikeLike
As I told you, I have a friend who would be an alcoholic, if he drank a mere glass of alcoholic. It’s an illness and one sympathises. In France, drinking is as you described it.
I have been very sick since Christmas: migraines, nausea, fever, chest pain and low blood pressure. This is new to me. My doctor says that finding the cause and putting an end to this is his New Year’s project. I think the loss of my furry companion may be a factor.
My post has been written, I need only add images. Much love, dear D and a fine week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sorry to hear that you haven’t been feeling well, dear Micheline! I wish you speedy and full recovery and good health in the New Year!
Much love,
D
LikeLike
This is a nasty illness. I will see my doctor as soon as he returns to work. It started on Christmas day. I’ll see my doctor when he returns to work. By then, it will probably be a cold. Loosing Belaud may have weakened me. I was never alone. I picked up groceries, etc., but we were not otherwise separated. How strange it is that we should grow a close relationship with a loving cat. I thank you dear D for thinking of me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always thinking of you and praying for you, dear Micheline! Wishing you and speedy recovery and a happy, healthy New Year!
Much love,
D
LikeLike
Dear Friends
This illness is now turning into a a moderate migraine and a flu. I started being able to speak yesterday and, at the same time, I returned to my posts. There are two or each would be too long. So, I am floating back to the surface. Would that Belaud had been here. If something went wrong, he knew, so he became a gentleman-cat. I thank you for thinking of me and I thank others also thought of me.
Much love,
M
LikeLiked by 1 person
Once again, I wish you a full and speedy recovery, dear Micheline, and a happy and healthy New Year.
All my love and many blessings,
D
LikeLike
Thank you very much. My voice has come back, which is a good sign. At this time of year, people get sick. I’ll go back to the first post. It tells the circumtances, the dates, etc. We get to hear Monsieur Harpin. He is the jaloux who does not enter the comedy before everything has been settled. We are looking forward to two weddings. The Comtesse is lucky not to be marrying a jaloux who also counts every penny.
Much love,
M
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a delightful little play, certainly. Thank you for analyzing it, dear Micheline.
Love,
D
LikeLike
There’s more to the little play. It has to do with jealousy.
Much love,
Micheline
LikeLike
This is a nasty illness. It has kept me from doing anything since Christmas. I have severe migraines and a fever. I believe it is turning into a cold, at which point I will again be myself. I miss Belaud. He was very good to me when I wasn’t feeling well. He always knew. This may last a few more days, but I no longer run a fever, which is comforting. I am now working, but had to stop abruptly. It is very king of you to write. Winter brings these little illnesses.
Much love,
Micheline
LikeLiked by 1 person
In 2010, I saw La Comtesse d’Escarbagnas and Les Précieuses Ridicules together at Théâtre des Variétés in Paris. They were a good match; I can’t recall if the same actors appeared in both plays.
LikeLiked by 1 person
David, you’re quite right. La Comtesse is affected. The play has several links, which surprised me. One forgets. It’s a jewel. Merry Christmas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wishing you a wonderful ending of the year! Happy Holidays, Micheline!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Herman. We both shared a painful experience this year, but the Jimi is lovely. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merry Christmas to you and yours ….🎄🎅🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
And to you and yours.
LikeLike
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Christmas to a fine soldier who shares his story with us. Thank you.
LikeLike
Happy Christmas 🎄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Christmas Beth and many thanks for your wonderful posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
my pleasure )
LikeLike
My pleasure as well. Micheline
LikeLiked by 1 person
Joyeuses fêtes Micheline !
LikeLike
À vous aussi Clodoweg. De joyeuses fêtes et une année toujours “florissante”. Mes meilleurs voeux,
Micheline
LikeLike
Such a beautiful artworks in this post! Merry Xmas! 🙂
LikeLike
Savrasov and his lyrical landscapes. They are lyrical. Everything is perfect: the composition, delightfully monochromatic colouring and, inside the humble homes, families keeping warm. My best wishes for the Holidays and the New Year. Micheline
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the artwork of the genuine professional artist!
LikeLike
Savrasov was one the great artists of Russia. I admire him. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes…
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your good wishes reciprocated, Micheline. I like the paintings.
LikeLike
You are all very important to me. We are a community, which I did not could happen. My very best wishes to the two of you. I marvel at the beauty of this painting. An image can say so much. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Micheline. X
LikeLike
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!
LikeLike
My best wishes to you. Christy 💕
LikeLike