The Tapestry

Often, what you imagine of a place drives how you fit into that dream. But dreams are for when you your subconscious is synthesizing what cannot be fathomed. Romantic ideals, or bitter experiences, can blind how things are seen, translated and understood.

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When Iris first imagined the land of the Fleur de Lys, her namesake, it was based on a romantic scene of a world designed on a tapestry at her grandmother’s. Her Grandma explained, “It's called Taste. The Lady, Lion and Unicorn is an allegory. Each character is part of a setting and are symbols for something more. When King Edward III of England sought to claim the French crown, he controlled England, whose heraldry symbol is the strong courageous lion, and Scotland that uses the fierce, selfless solitary unicorn that can sense evil, and whose horn could purify poisons. Edward added the Fleur-de-lys, a stylized three petalled iris. The yellow iris fills the banks along the river Lys. It represents the divine, purity and right to rule of French royalty.

Lily had noted, “Normally lions would usually fight unicorns, but they seem to be working to protect the lady and her servant and the animals. But many of the animals, like the monkey and parakeet come from far-away places.

Her grandma responded, “Clever girl. Some people say the monkey stole a sweet. But if he is indeed an invited guest, it was offered to him. He was already displaced and exploited for amusement. The princess and the servant may be symbols of innocence, and subjugation to cultural standards, but they are the centre of the scene of peaceful co-existence that the lion and unicorn protect.”

Grandma had always explained things as they were, and dispelled sugar-coated romantic version of reality. She had been lured to the Old Country, along with many others who had been drawn to live in rural France, where now, 3 million houses lay empty. The romantic appeal of France, baguettes, wine, cheese, charcuteries, and butter drew many. Living the dream of being the lord and lady of a reasonably priced manor had increased during COVID, when housing was no longer affordable in their homeland. . Many had moved to France with a false confidence believing they could pick up French through osmosis. Most did not understand what they were getting into. Luckily, her grandma was not one of these. She had beat the rush and moved with her eyes open. She had learned the language and was part of athe expat and local French communities.

Iris had enjoyed many summers with her grandma. Now she was returning to spread her ashes and deal with the estate she had inherited. Thankfully, she too knew the French language and had a sense of the culture and dear friends amongst the locals who would help her.

Upon arriving in the quaint commune, Iris visited her friend Lily, who owned the local pub where Brits met at least once a week. Iris greeted her saying, “You can take the Brit away from England, but not the pub culture.”

Lily was delighted to see Iris. Within minutes Lily and Iris were immersed in conversation in French, knowing it was a secret language to the others.

Lily started a rant “The Brits clump together in small towns. Most turn their noses at a blue steak or tartare. We say nothing. Most villages now have local restaurants that serve traditional Sunday supper of overcooked roast beef, mashed, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. Actually, we are curious and thankful for the boost to the economy. With the young people moving to large cities, we need the presence of the newcomers. Most are harmless, but there are some like Sue, who don’t belong here.”

Iris had met Sue. She was retired but determined to forge her presence in the community. She was a vigilante, following her calling as a self-appointed missionary.

Sue had once explained to Iris, “ I noticed that a Victorian Christmas was not being celebrated. I found my niche. We expats organized and hosted a Victorian Christmas party. The locals did not know what to think."

Iris bit her tongue thinking to herself. “What did you expect? You cannot speak French and most of the members of the commune cannot speak English. Plus, why do you think they would need your teaching them how to celebrate Xmas.”

Sue had droned on. “There was a poor turnout, but we have faith that the good spirit of British traditions will let the spirit of Santa Claus rise to the occasion next year. Word will get out that we have mulled wine and Calvados for the parents and gifts for the children. We will make sure these poor rural folks will have a taste of what a real Christmas really means."

Sharing traditions is different from trying to change them.

Lily recounted her version of the story of what happened last Xmas. They laughed. “The towns people are keenly aware of the traditional feasts of the dark seasons. We are trying to preserve local family and community social gatherings and religious celebrations. The Anglais arrive, blind to our traditions. They move here, for cheap homes and the French culture, but then want to change it into what they know. It is unnerving that Sue believes she is the hero our town needs. She lacks sensitivity. ”

Iris chuckled while reminiscing about when she was seven and visited her grandma for December. “ I remember my first feast of Saint Nicolas. We visited you and you explained how this was a tribute to a real person, named Nicholas of Myra, born in Turkey. This benevolent, generous and good-natured bishop protected children, widows and the weakest people. We polished shoes and put them by the front door then left Nick and his donkey a glass of milk and carrots by the fireplace. I was so glad I was a good kid and still remember the joy of the chocolates, apples, candies, dried fruits, gingerbread. Poor Etienne was naughty. We were scared when Père Fouettard dressed in black and with his long black beard used small branches as a whip, and gave him coal, onions and potatoes.”

Lily added, “Most foreigners do not know of him. They choose Father Christmas or any excuse for the commercialization of Christmas. The remind me of when missionaries came in to try to educate the ignorant savages and refused their traditions. People like Sue are poison to the cultural norms.

"We villagers try to accept new arrivals with grace, because they hold potential for improving the dying outlying towns. We are suffering as the young are moving out to the large cities. But really, can they not recognize their own ignorance?”

Lily added, “In truth, I feel bad for foreigners investing in their mansions who do not comprehend how death taxes work in France. Speaking of which, have you decided what to do with the house of your Grandmere?”

Iris mused, “I would like to talk about moving here with you.”

Lily smiled, “With pleasure. Some people like the Sue’s, do not belong. You do. Perhaps you can educate those who make themselves intolerable with their need to change France into their ideal instead of fitting in.”

Iris said, “Memento mori (meaning "remember you must die" ). Within 20 or 30 years, these refurbished homes will appeal to the aging native French. Perhaps they will move back to the quiet rural areas.

Lily nodded, “I do hope so. The government benefits from the newcomers. Many countries only allow their own citizens to purchase land. I wonder if that might happen in France?”

Iris sighed, “The way the world is going, it will likely be a matter of who has the money. The Sue’s of the world will not go away, but perhaps there can be a shift, increasing awareness of their arrogance and sense of entitlement because of money.”

Lily replied, “I doubt if you can teach how to know and respect a culture."

Iris shrugged, “Sharing cultures is challenging. Not all expats are like Sue. I feel like I have tasted what the lion and unicorn are willing to defend and the maid, servant and monkey are allowed to indulge inof the ideals of the land of millefleurs and Fleur de Lys."

Lily laughed, “ You are part of the tapestry. You know, in herbal medicine, the Iris is an anti-inflammatory, a laxative and diuretic but it must be used carefully or it can cause human poisoning.”

Iris added, " Who knows. Maybe I can help offset the effect of pests that try to destroy the tapestry."