Well I shouted loud enough in my circle but it seems that I have to go with the small majority of quite ill informed and in some case zenophobic Brexiteers. I feel that the huge gap that has opened up in recent years between the haves and have nots and has also upset many people making them feel disenfranchised. The gains we have had from our membership have not reached them. Now I fear they will suffer more at the hands of the present government. The press have been so inflamitory and irresponsible that at times I have nearly torn out my hair. Rabble rousers like Farage have been so cynically manipulating peoples fear that I would have thought some of his pranks could have had him in court but it seems he is for some reason immune. Poor Mr Corbyn has been hounded for far less!
Anyway it seems it is done and I am horrified by the swing to the right wing fascists in Europe and in other countries all over the world .It is scary that intolerance and lack of decency seems to be
thought ok. 
It is however great to know that I am in good company in wishing we had stayed united and upholding the Human Right Act etc.
Anyway here are a few things I can peronally thank Europe for,things that have enriched my life and filled my dreams along with the inspiration I have had from my own country.
Life without the Sunflowers and the Starry night would be less wonderful.
Discovering the roads of France and the first smell and taste of garlic when I was a kid on holiday with my lovely Mum, Dad and Brother.
Almeria Spain and the man who saved me from the depths of despair after divorce.
The life and works and original thoughts of french writer George Sand who seemed like my friend and still does.
The sensual and inspiring Colette,reading Sido changed my life.
Spending time in Corfu and reading Laurence and Gerald Durrel's work. Gazing onto Homers wine dark sea!
Ha Ha! and finding the civilized bathroom bidets in French houses.!
I could go on and on,Cazanne,Monet,Matisse,Vuillard and Lorca, Yes I love what Europe has given me personally and of course I realize that not everything in the garden was rosy but it was great to feel part of the European heritage and to share all the great things we have here to offer others. Meaness and lack of hospitality are not attractive traits.
Some flowers from Gauguin to finish but what have I done, what about all that lovely food from Europe ,another post for that I suppose.
I have not posted on Bright Star for a while but I am hoping to be more prolific from now on.
I totally agree, in fact I don'y know anybody who is happy that the vote was for out.
ReplyDeleteHi Deborah,yes it is grim but I see that your new book is out ,must read it .I have never been to Portugal but I shall enjoy seeing it through your eyes.
DeleteAll the best
Angela
Beautifully said. You are not alone in your sadness. But isn't it wonderful that we have, in our minds, memory tidbits of France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium that can keep the dark despair of other's ignorant actions at bay! In the USA we are having our own version of "American Horror Story" in which the village has been razed by covert actions of the wealthy overlord: men, women and children have been stripped of possessions from their past and any hope they had for the future; then the villagers decide the way to get out of this misery is to build a wall around the village, insist that everyone buy a gun, and install the overlord as their leader.
ReplyDeletethanks for your comment and bothering to read the post. I am following you now so do feel free to follow me if you would like to. I have not posted for a while but am hoping to be more frequent again. It is nice to hear views from the Staes from thinking people like yourself. We are all in a mess at the moment. I really am concerned. all the best
DeleteAngela
Well ... you know what I think! We have to do all we can to stop this country feeling like a smaller, colder, meaner place post-'Brexit'. (Even the name is ugly.) But nice to see you back on the blog, and sharing pictures and thoughts. And a piece (or pieces) on meals - abroad or at home - would be lovely. Recipes? xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Emma I will try to do that and to check my hysterical typos and ludicous spelling fiascos.
DeleteI know how you feel. I was hoping that we wouldn't have a referendum but it happened a year earlier than was first mooted. I was so upset and angry about every aspect of it, especially the lack of positivity on the remain side and the downright scaremongering on the leave side. I voted to remain in Europe as like you I feel I belong there. I now fear a backlash against older people like me as it is thought we voted for 'leave' but most people of my age that I know voted to remain whilst I know of 30 and 40 year olds who voted to leave. All very confusing and very unsettling:)
ReplyDeleteYes it is.Peole have become so narrow. I do feel quite overwhelmed sometimes by it all and the thought of Trump as presient of the US is lke something out of Monty Python !! Thanks for droppin in on me.
ReplyDelete