The Elegance of the Hedgehog

The Elegance of the Hedgehog is a story rich in philosophy, humour and cultural discussion. Or is it just a story? 

Madame Renee Michel, the fify year old concierge at 7 Rue de Grenelle, with a cat named Leo (named after Leo Tolstoy). 

Paloma Josse, a 12 year old girl, youngest daughter of one of the several families at 7 Rue de Grenelle. 

7 Rue de Grenelle, a microcosm of class expectations, daily life and individual ways of ‘hiding’ in plain sight. 

Madame Michel, who believes she is ugly and knows that she is intelligent, has spent her life maintaining what she believed to be the proper place for a concierge. This involved hiding her intelligence and being properly subordinate. She has little social life outside of tea with Manuela, a Portuguese cleaner for the tenants.

Paloma Josse, who does not feel heard or cared about, prefers being alone. While in ‘hiding’, as her maman calls it, she thinks the philosophical thoughts of a 12 year old about life, death, and the intellectual short comings of her family. She keeps a diary of these 'profound' thoughts and seems to have little social life outside of attending school.

A cultured Japanese businessman, Kakuro Ozu, moves into 7 Rue de Grenelle and coaxes both Madame Michel and Paloma out of their carefully constructed shelters.

Both Madame Michel and Paloma, had intentions set for their lives from the beginning of the book. Kakuro Ozu befriends them both. How the friendships grew past class lines made The Elegance of the Hedgehog a delightful, intriguing read.

Challenge to Serenity

Good evening all,
To say that I woke with intention this morning would be a lie. I did wake up and proceeded with my morning rituals. Coffee was top of the list (almost). Reading my detective mystery by the fire with slippers and housecoat the next. As I slowly came into the morning, my intention for the day was only serenity, calm and two specific activities. My Monday morning walking group and in the afternoon, my Aquafit class. After a long four work days, with details stuffed and filed appropriately, I have been left with dregs of exhaustion that beg a lovely long set of days off.

Well, that kind of went a little bit sideways. I did go walking with the group this morning, but after coffee, wimped out for the walk back to my car. A ride from the coffee shop back to my car was much more in keeping with my flagging energy. Then, Aquafit. Always a lovely time to look forward too. Good workout in cool water in pleasant company. Well, not today. The workout was still good - if not interrupted. The water was cool. The company was pleasant - for the most part. The details have been discussed ad nauseum. Suffice it to say: children with a very assertive parent, spring break for said children, pool invaded, words heatedly exchanged.........

Part of my intention for today was to have as much calm and quiet as possible. When intention and needed actions conflict with situations beyond one’s control there is only one quotation I can use for this post:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.

The courage to change the things that I can.

And the wisdom to know the difference.”

~ Reinhold Niebuhr 

(adapted from the original)

In the Distance

Texas Hills Winery 2005

In the distance,
there was a horizon.
A trip to take
A road to travel

Intention? ~ just to travel
to see what there was to see
to meet people and visit
to learn and love and wander
nothing grand or earth shattering
merely to share the road, a meal or an evening
with new friends and old.

And in the distance,
there is a horizon.
A trip to take,
A road to travel.....

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

~ J.R.R.Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring