Comments on: a new book bag

By: it’s been another year | catching days

it’s been another year | catching days — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:11:29 +0000

[...] with my life-the signal-the ordinary day-it is all just shopping-send in the elves-Christmas magic-a new book bag-VCFA visuals: 1st 3 [...]

By: cynthia

cynthia — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:14:35 +0000

Hi Suzanne–so nice to hear from someone interested in Ecole Champlain! The camp was mostly for American girls–Victoria Lawford and Carol Maytag are two I remember for their famous families. Many of the counselors were from France, and Canada I think.

We did horseback riding, sailing, judo, drama, tennis, swimming with Madame Curie. “Babe” was in charge.

We ordered our “clothes”–from flannel pyjamas to blue shorts to red blazers on which various awards were sewn. I still have my red blazer in the attic. My “french day” pins were stolen several years back (I had put them in my jewelry box for safe-keeping).

On Sunday we wore white and awards were given out for the week.

It was the best of times.

I’m back home now, will be back in Vermont in July.

If you have more questions, ask away…

By: Suzanne Richard

Suzanne Richard — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:34:32 +0000

Dear Cynthia,
In my attempt to find out more about L’Ecole Champlain I found your site. I have always loved the location of Kingsland Bay State Park and have over the years picked up tid bits about Vermont history. I was was of the impression that the summer camp was for French girls who came to Vermont for the summer. There must be more to the story. If you have time, could you please share some more details with me since you attended the school for several summers before it closed?

I am also in the process of planing my first trip to Paris in April. I regret I have no language skills other than some high school French while living in the midwest and at the time not being able to imagine having use for a second language.

Are you still in Vermont for your writing program at Vermont College?

Sincerely,
Suzanne

By: cynthia

cynthia — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:11:37 +0000

Thank you all for your nice send-off! I finally have a free minute this morning and in order to avoid an onslaught of emails in your in-boxes, I will respond to everybody in one email.

Cal: Thanks, dear. Warm so far.

Emily, Linda, Robin, Karyn, Sarah, LisaG: Thank you for your congratulations and best wishes. I appreciate them all.

52 Faces: I am in the Writing Program in Fiction. I will try to post more details when I have time.

Tricia: Yes, they have a summer program. I will be back in July. And I heard in a meeting yesterday that some people take longer to complete their degree by only coming in the summer. Sounds perfect for you.

Mireille: Merci pour le poeme, le reve litteraire du poete Nelligan. J’adorais aussi la version au piano.

Dory: I do remember now noticing that you had graduated from VCFA. I appreciate knowing that you had a wonderful experience here.

Dkzody: Good point. This is all we get. Let’s do it!

Kimberly: Yes, that community does seem to be developing already. Thanks for sharing your experience. So far my socks are doing their job.

Again, thanks to everyone. Those of you with blogs, I miss my visits but hope to see what’s going on with you sometime in the next few days. Off to my first lecture in 30 minutes!

By: Kimberly Davis

Kimberly Davis — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:00:27 +0000

The best part of enrolling in an MFA program is being in a community of writers for a couple of years. It’s wonderful, and I dearly miss it since I graduated from Emerson. I envy you that you will have this going forward. Best of luck with it. Wear warm socks!

By: LisaG

LisaG — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:29:51 +0000

Congrats and have fun!

By: dkzody

dkzody — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:12:56 +0000

I am always so pleased to learn of people living out their dreams. Good for you. As I say, this is not a dress rehearsal, it’s all we get. I’m sure you will do an excellent job getting that degree.

By: Dory Adams

Dory Adams — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:56:28 +0000

Wishing you all the best, Cynthia. Vermont College is where I earned my MFA and I had a wonderful learning experience there. That program holds a very special place in my heart. It’s a true writing community, and the faculty are very talented writers and dedicated teachers/mentors.

By: Sarah Laurence

Sarah Laurence — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:35:04 +0000

How exciting – good luck and pack warm clothing!

By: Mireille Noël

Mireille Noël — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:10:56 +0000

Hiver sentimental

Loin des vitres ! clairs yeux dont je bois les liqueurs,
Et ne vous souillez pas à contempler les plèbes.
Des gels norvégiens métallisent les glèbes,
Que le froid des hivers nous réchauffe les coeurs !

Tels des guerriers pleurant les ruines de Thèbes,
Ma mie, ainsi toujours courtisons nos rancoeurs,
Et, dédaignant la vie aux chants sophistiqueurs,
Laissons le bon Trépas nous conduire aux Erèbes.

Tu nous visiteras comme un spectre de givre ;
Nous ne serons pas vieux, mais déjà las de vivre,
Mort ! que ne nous prends-tu par telle après-midi,

Languides au divan, bercés par sa guitare,
Dont les motifs rêveurs, en un rythme assourdi,
Scandent nos ennuis lourds sur la valse tartare !
Émile Nelligan. 1879-1941.

Et en musique…

Je suis ravie de te voir concrétiser un de tes rêves en te rendant au Vermont pour tes études.

Je ne sais pas quels sont tes auteurs de langue française préférés. Alors, je t’offres un rêve littéraire de ce grand poète québécois, Émile Nelligan. Il a écrit plusieurs oeuvres. Il suffit de le découvrir pour apprécier sa délicatesse.

Je t’écrirai en Français, plus souvent!

Bon voyage au Vermont!