25-MAY- 2009
I needed a break....
I have become basically sedentary at my elderly age; nevertheless, every now and then I break my own rules to please a friend, who is so kind to insist to invite me.
I have had a rather hectic time lately, since I became chairlady and general manager of “Frimpong’s project”.
My Staff is composed of very qualified people, but they need my constant supervision to be fully productive and to optimize their activity.
Anyway all was settled and I realized that age is a burden for an energetic Bear lady like me.
I felt exhausted, mentally and physically.
Exactly at that very moment I got a phone call from my old good friend Tom....
“Violet dear, we have not met each other for ages...”
“Time passes for both of us, Tommy...”
“Never for you, ma belle....
Why don’t you join me for a little while...sun, sea, songs, relaxation...and good drinks, of course...Does it appeal you?”
So here I am in my friend Tom’s villa on this lovely Italian island.
The only way to enjoy a holiday at the seaside is to get there when it’s not high season yet...It’s still rather calm now and really I feel perfectly well.
By the way, Tom told me he feels like composing another song for me. He had already dedicated one of his most famous songs to me some years ago...but I don’t dare to tell you the title...
I let you guess.
Now I must leave you, because my ice-cream is melting....
The beginning of a new career....
I have not kept up with my diary lately, but I have really been very busy.
Actually I've decided to start a new career, always to help my beloved nephew Frimpong.
I’m proud to inform you that now I’m chairlady and general manager of the world famous “Frimpong’s Project”.
I had already noticed that the members of the Staff who work for my nephew Frimpong are full of good will, but sometimes not perfectly efficient.
It’s not their fault, they are humans...but under the direction of an energetic lady bear their efficiency will surely improve.
So I’m now engaged in coordinating all that is related with Frimpong’s travels.
I’m very determined and I’m sure that the whole organization will become more modern and reliable.
Denis, Isabel, Máire, Rob and Marisa, must be veery careful...
Here you can see me in my new office that I have just finished decorating at my home.
17-FEB-2009
The unique charm of the Orient-Express
I’m basically a very sedentary old lady now, but when I was younger I used to travel quite regularly.
We all evolve even though we remain ourselves. With age I've learnt to appreciate the less evident flavour of little daily pleasures, rather than running abroad after presumed exciting novelties.
Anyway, when I need to go anywhere out of my beloved Bearshire, the only bearable means of transport for me is a train.
I find this mode of transportation very comfortable.
Railway stations are still full of old fashioned charm, while airports are always too busy, too gloomy, too noisy.
Waiting for a flight in an international airport is infinitely tiring for me. I have the impression of being in a no-man’s land, where the usual life has stopped, but the trip hasn't started yet.
Trains are different, at least if one can choose a comfortable one.
Time gets another dimension. All follows the rhythm of the wheels on the rails and it’s nice to slow down everything, including thoughts, to spend time on a book page or dream a little looking through the window as the landscape slides by.
After all the confusion of the Venice Carnival, my trip back home by train was really relaxing.
Here you can see a photo of me taken in the dining-car.
Immediately after that, I noticed that a very dear old friend of mine was sitting behind me; I didn’t know he would have been on the same train.
So we could enjoy each oth's company and the trip was even more pleasant.
18-FEB-2009
It’s so infinitely good to be back home!
As Oscar Bearwilde used to say, “Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.”
From this point of view, let’s say that my trip to Venice for the Carnival was an “experience”.
Anyway I took the opportunity to go shopping as well...How do you like my red Murano vase?
You cannot imagine how hard was travelling back with the vase and the painting of Orsetta Bear. I wonder if it would not have been better to be mailed in a cardboard box like my nephew.
I’m joking...of course I came back by train, the Orient Express, obviously.
I travel rarely, but always with class.
Now, as you can see, I have to catch up with my mail. Then I’ll show you, if you like, a photo I took on the Orient Express.
It’s always a pleasure to sit in my armchair, relaxed in front of a fireplace, in the quiet and cosy atmosphere of Bearshire.
I missed my slippers so much as well...Those high-heeled shoes were a real "bear" to wear! My paws are aching!
16-FEB-2009
It's charming when there's no crowd around....
Behind the mask...a bit of creeping boredom!
You know what? I’m getting really bored with this tedious ritual of carnival...
I wore my second costume (all masks must have at least two costumes...) and I went out for a walk, before the daily invasions of merry tourists.
Up and down up and down...all the steps of every little bridge, all my old bones are aching....
You cannot imagine how busy and hectic Venice is in these daysl; it’s full of photographers and visitors and they all push each other in the narrow ancient alleys as people on London Underground trains in the rush hours...
I am deeply missing my little cottage in my beloved Bearshire...
I want to put my slippers on instead of these uncomfortable high-heeled shoes. I want a little peace and silence around me. I want my kitchen. I want my books!
Did you know that Carnival had been quite neglected in Venice for a few centuries?
Only in 1980 did it start enjoying a revival...
In my humble opinion, now it’s a big business, but what is not a big business nowadays, after all?
Next time I’ll write another page of my diary it will be from home.
I leave you now, I have to go to pack up my baggage!
14-FEB-2009
Oh my! The lost portrait of Orsetta Bear!!!!
You’ll forgive me for receiving you informally, wearing a dressing-gown...
I’m here in Venice and this photo shows me in my friends' guest room with the wonderful and unexpected surprise I got from them.
Last night's ball was wonderful, but a bit tiring for a lady of my age.
When I decided it was time to stop dancing and go to sleep, I went to my room, opened the door and.....
The only portrait of my ancestor Orsetta was there!
In my family we have often spoken of her and her exciting and adventurous life, and we believed that this portrait of her must have been lost in the dust of centuries.
Miraculously, my Italian friends found this precious painting on a wooden table in an antique shop and bought it for me!
The sight of this treasure made me speechless (and you can guess it’s not easy to get me speechless!)
In our family we keep the manuscript of the memories of Orsetta Clorinda Bear and I can assure you that she was really a brave lady!
She was a...hummmm..close friend of a famous Venetian knight who you can see in her company in this portrait.
When he was imprisoned in the infamous prison “I Piombi”, he managed to escape in an extraordinary way. No one knew exactly how he did that, but we know from Orsetta’s memories that she had been the organizer of his flight, and without her clever tricks, the knight would have ended his days in a cell....
I cannot reveal what Orsetta did...it’s a family secret.
13-FEB-2009
I'm attending Carnival in Venice...
I’m aware I have neglected my diary for a while,
but it doesn’t mean I haven't thought of all of you with my usual affection.
You know with age I've become a very sedentary lady,
even though once I used to run a much more lively life,
but there are always exceptions...
I can reveal you now what has kept me so busy during the last weeks....
I had to create and sew my carnival costume!
Actually I decided to break my daily routine and go to take part in the Venetian Carnival.
Many friends had insisted for several years that I join them...
This time I decided to accept their invitation.....
I’m not writing these lines from my abode in my beloved Bearshire;
I’m arriving in Venice right now.
The carnival will officially start tomorrow,
but this evening there is a very special ball in a Venetian Palace, to which I'm invited.
I cannot share any details, since it’s a very private party.
I can only tell you that I feel so well in Venice,
a town very dear to my heart...
After all, one of my ancestors, Orsetta Clorinda Bear
was Venetian and had an important influence on very famous characters of that time, in particular a very handsome knight called Giacomo...
But this is, of course, another story....
22-JAN-2009
Come to taste my cake, my dear, it's for you!
Birthdays are the only celebration I like, because they are personal.
Besides that we are logically happy that our dear ones were born, so there is an excellent reason to celebrate their birthdays to thank them for being with us.
Tomorrow it will be the birthday of a dear friend of the Bear family, so I baked a special cake for her and I uncorked one of the best bottles in my cellar in her honour.
One of my late American friends, Ralph Waldo, used to tell me:
“Violet, the only reward of virtue is virtue;
the only way to have a friend is to be one.
A friend is a person with whom you may be sincere.
Before him you may think aloud.”
Ralph Waldo knew what he was talking about...
According to my experience I’d add that:
A true friend is one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your success.
Mrs. Máire Uí Mhaicín is not only a sincere friend of the Bear family (and we feel honoured for that), she’s also a precious person for all the people who are lucky enough to have her in their life.
“Whatever with the past has gone,
The best is always yet to come”
I’m infinitely older than you, as you know, so I dare to reveal you a secret to be always young.
Old people are fond of giving good advice; it consoles them for no longer being capable of setting a bad example. Keep on being gently nonconformist and give bad examples, without preaching. You’ll never get old!
Ah, by the way, if you feel like looking at
Máire's photo-galleries and - why not?- wishing her "Happy Birthday" too, click
HERE
10-JAN-2009
"Won't you Charleston with Me?"
Oh, dancing! It’s really a good way to keep fit!
As you might remember, I had started to give winter sports a try and, even though I had not performed too badly, after a while I realized that indoor activities are more suitable for a lady of my age.
First of all, I’d like to thank the kind Irish lady who called Professor McLivet to rescue yesterday.
I feel much better today and I think it’s time for my little dance exercise.
I’m here in the music room of my little abode; through the window you can see Professor McLivet's cottage.
The Charleston is a dance I’m very familiar with.
You might click
HERE to read a former page of my diary, so you’ll understand who had taught me how to dance Charleston as well.
09-JAN-2009
To do the splits is the most risky thing...
As you surely know, every performance of real French BearCanCan must end with splits.
So, following what I had learnt from my granny, Suzette Bear, I did that...
But I’m not the slender and flexible child I was when she taught me how to dance...
So, I don’t know how to tell it to you, but...uhm...I’m stuck!!!!
Please, is there anyone of you who could kindly call my neighbour, Professor McLivet, to ask him to come over to help lift me up again?
09-JAN-2009
The Real Bear CanCan
I didn’t expect to feel still energetic enough to dance like that.
But maybe it’s because this dance - the world famous BearCanCan - was invented by my granny, Suzanne Bear, so it must be in my genes.
Granny Suzanne had spent many years in Paris and I remember her telling me about “le petit Henri” the short Henri who had asked her to pose for his paintings many times.
Please, click
HERE to see the page of my diary dedicated to this episode of the Bear family.
07-JAN-2009
Irish dance is no secret to me...
One of my faithful visitors suggested I practise a little Irish dance if I want to remain lively and fit.
Excellent idea!
After all, one of my Irish ancestors, Máirebear Ó Mathúna,
a lady of very artistic temperament, was a great dancer
and I think I have inherited from her a certain natural predisposition for traditional Irish dancing.
I can give you one or two effective clues, if you want to try by yourselves.
First of all forget you have arms.
They are quite useless for Irish dance, You must pretend to have paralysed arms along your sides and it will be fine.
Opposite to that, you have to move your legs frantically, jumping as high as you can and striking your feet (or paws, it depends on whom you are) loudly on the floor.
I train in the basement, or else my neighbour,
Professor McLivet, would come running and shouting that there is earthquake....
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce myself to you.
