The Mountain Eagle
WHITESBURG WEATHER

Memories from my October trip to France




This picture of Oliver’s Bakery in Collobrieres, France, where Gwen Johnson trained as a baker was drawn by her friend Sharda, whom she met while in France.

This picture of Oliver’s Bakery in Collobrieres, France, where Gwen Johnson trained as a baker was drawn by her friend Sharda, whom she met while in France.

Go to our Facebook pages for announcements and pictures posted after each event, www.facebook.com/ pages/Hemphill-Community Center, www.facebook.com/Hemphillblacksheep.

In October 2018, I was blessed to visit France. I made many lovely acquaintances there, especially in the village of Collobrieres where I worked with one of the village bakers daily for several days. The bakery was an operation that fed 2,000 people per day with delicious breads and pastries. I keep scenes from my time there in my mind’s eye and often think of it. I am reminded of it by the smells of baking bread products at Black Sheep Bakery. We keep trying to perfect the baguette and, boy-o-boy, that is a struggle. We do, however, keep gaining knowledge. We are thankful for the basic instruction I carried back from Oliver’s Bakery. We are closer than we were to doing it to our satisfaction. Lol.

I met an artist there, a lovely woman in her thirties who had suffered from breast cancer. Her name is Sharda. She has a sweet childlike spirit about her and we were instantly friends. I saw her every day in a tiny bar/café next door to the home of my gracious host. She came to take her coffee there at 11 am each day.

She wore awesome gypsy looking clothes, which I found out came from area flea markets. One day she was particularly beautiful and upon questioning I learned that her entire ensemble, complete with boots and purse, costed $12.

She was quick to tell me she is an artist. She pointed out the village bookshop where I could view samples of her work on note cards she had placed there on consignment. I walked there and bought almost every card she had placed there. They were delightful scenes of the village. I loved them.

After returning home I kept thinking of her each day at the time she would be at the café. I looked in my journal and sure enough I had her email address. I drafted the following email . . .

Nov. 27:

Dear Sharda,

I trust you are fit and hearty! Miss hearing you talk and seeing your beautiful face. Thanks!

Love

Gwen

Nov. 27:

Hello Gwen

So happy to hear about you, but I am a little bit worry about the fact that you say nothing about the picture. Have you receive it?

I have had some difficulties to understand your writting for the mail address , its why I am happy that you write to me like this we can communicate.

Life here is nice, we have had a lot of rain and it was good for the inspiration for my painting! I do now little cards for Christmas, I have fun to do that, a kind of magic world. Hills are superb with autumn colors. The last weekend it was a famous rally car here, now the village is quiet.

Ok gwen I let you now.

Kissssss Sharda

Nov. 27:

OH my friend!!! I sent you a card. Perhaps it hasn’t made it yet.

Yes, the picture is just simply the best ever. It makes me smile every time I look at it. You did such a great job. Thank you for being so kind! You are awesome! You rock!!! I think of you real often. I want to come back and go to the monastery with you! My heart mourned because I could not go.

I need your Christmas cards.

I have an idea for a children’s book. I wonder if you could illustrate.

Great to hear from you!

Hope you have the greatest day!!!

Dec. 1:

Hello Gwen happy to communicate with you.

I still not received your card, maybe its because there is a lot of manifestations against the gouvernement in this moment and all goes slowly . Otherwise all is ok, I paint, walk and this Morning we were to the flee market for try to buy some antiquities, but it was not good; Its become more and more difficult, its why I try to do little jobs when I can, cleaning, gardening, ect . . .

Winter is very rainy this year, but its a season that I love very much . For me winter is magical.

I hope that all is ok for you and I hope that we will have the possibilty to see each other again;

Kiss

Sharda

Dec. 1:

Oh my dear Sharda,

I too love winter. Yes it is magical! Maybe I sent the card to the wrong address. Give me your address. I sent it to the address on the package you sent me.

Warm regards and hugs

Gwen

Dec. 4:

Hello Gwen. Thank you very much for your lovely card and jewellrery which is arrived. its Nice to you. Sun is shining today and we go for a coffe to thé bar now. Kiss my friend and have a lovely Day.

Sharda

A package arrived in the mail from Collobrieres and upon opening it I found a lovely colored drawing/ painting Sharda had sent me. It is a depiction of the bakery I worked in while in France. I hope you like it too.

Black Sheep Brick Oven Bakery is now taking orders for our bread products to add to all your holiday gatherings and feasts. Sharon’s School House Rolls are most requested. You can always place orders by calling (971)86SHEEP, (971)8674337, or order on messenger on the Black Sheep FB page! We can now take credit and debit cards. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover!

We have WiFi now so kids and adults are better satisfied not being cut off from their electronic devices. We also have a playground and a walking track so bring the whole family and visit us.

It’s a hate-free zone and you are invited!! Come and linger among friends!!

Weekly Quote: Bearing and nurturing, Creating but not owning, Giving without demanding, This is harmony. –Tao Te Ching

Schedule of Events:

Dec. 20: Black Sheep Bakery opens at 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 21: Black Sheep Bakery opens at 4:30 p.m.

Friday Nite Pickin’ 7:30 p.m. Cross Country Bluegrass

Dec. 22: Black Sheep Bakery opens at 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 27: Black Sheep Bakery opens at 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 28: Black Sheep Bakery opens at 4:30 p.m.

Friday Nite Pickin’ w/ The Right Fork Ramblers

Dec. 29: Black Sheep Bakery opens at 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 1: Senior Fellowship 10 a.m.

John Ng’s Martial Arts 5:30

Jan. 3: Black Sheep Bakery opens at 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 4: Black Sheep Bakery opens at 4:30 p.m.

Friday Nite Pickin’ 7:30 p.m. Will Caudill and RT 7

Jan. 5: Black Sheep Bakery opens at 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 8: Senior Fellowship 10 a.m.

John Ng’s Martial Arts 5:30

Friday Nite Pickin’: Children get in free when accompanied by an adult. Open mic at intermission. Family friendly environment.

Inclement weather policy: Check our Facebook page for cancellations. Cancellations will be posted at least two hours before any scheduled events.

For more information on events and catering: (971)-86-SHEEP, (971) 867- 4337.

Hemphill Community Center is located at the old Hemphill Grade School building at 2514 Hwy 317 Jackhorn, KY 41825

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:21-23

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