L'abeille - The bee. This black lacquered sign was once posted on the door of a French store. Long a symbol of French royalty, the bee was the model for the fleur de lys. Later, Napoleon chose the bee as his personal symbol.
I purchased this sign in September at the brocante in Chatou. On November 5th - the day after the American presidential election - I will draw a reader's name, then send the sign to the winner via La Poste.
To enter your name for the giveaway, simply leave a one-sentence comment about hope, esperance, esperanza..
And this is one of the most hopeful stories I've ever read.
My hope just blew my socks straight off! He won!!! We did it!
Posted by: kelly snelling | 05 November 2008 at 07:31
"Hope is the only universal liar who never loses his reputation for veracity." Robert Ingersoll
When things don't turn out the way we wish, hope still remains until we need it the next time.
Posted by: Emily Grisham | 04 November 2008 at 06:51
Gypsy boomer chasing the next boom.
Hope springs eternal.
Posted by: Cyndy | 03 November 2008 at 05:55
Hope is a prayer in the making
God bless our troops
Posted by: Timothy Selig | 03 November 2008 at 00:00
Hope is that stirring inside that reminds me that there will be a better day tomorrow, or the day after. Or in this time of turmopil, let us HOPE for Tuesday, and TAKE ACTION in time to part of the change. Vote! Vote! Vote! I have, and I am proud!
Thanks, Tara, for your thoughts all thru this campaign.
Your fan, Joan
Posted by: Joan O'Connor | 01 November 2008 at 06:16
Hope is waking up Nov 5th to a new wave of optimism in our country.
Posted by: marsha danosky | 31 October 2008 at 20:25
Hope is realizing that there are many of us with like minds and desires for our country and our world. Hope is Obama
Posted by: Gail Lannum | 31 October 2008 at 06:36
Hope is what keeps me going!
Go Obama!
Posted by: Kristin | 31 October 2008 at 04:26
First,
What an interesting fact about the bee and fleur de lys! I had no idea.
Second,
Hope is our collective consciousness raising its voice on November 4th, 2008.
Lisa & Alfie
Posted by: lisa & Alfie at The Pickled Hutch | 31 October 2008 at 03:49
Hope is believing your family will get through the hard times and prosper in health wealth and happiness!!
Posted by: Keri | 31 October 2008 at 03:06
Hope is present whenever we truly realize that we are more alike than we are different.
Posted by: Chris | 31 October 2008 at 00:36
Oh to Bee Free of Hate and systems that promote hate; to love and to find your Beeing in a Beeing greater than me, this is the HOPE of my Beeing.
Posted by: Cherry | 30 October 2008 at 19:48
Hope=Faith=Truth=Obama
Posted by: Allegra Smith | 30 October 2008 at 19:28
When all else is sinking, hope floats ~ xo
Posted by: tinker | 30 October 2008 at 13:01
It came as a surprise to me, stopping me in my tracks as I left the post office, when I realized that my just-mailed absentee ballot had been written, sealed, and hand-delivered to the post office with as much care, determination, and hope as the numerous letters I mailed to my husband during his last deployment had been.
Michaele
Posted by: Michaele | 30 October 2008 at 00:17
Hope is an angel passing by
Posted by: Catalina | 29 October 2008 at 17:46
Each comment here added to my hope bank that I keep close to my heart to draw from when things happen as they did to the diary on your link. I didn't get to read the child's wonderful story but know what great hope we have in children who are allowed to hope for themselves. I am feeling very hopeful today~ smooches
Posted by: Leau | 29 October 2008 at 16:34
I work with addicts so I see the truth of hope every day.
( thank you for your blog-missy from the bayou)
Posted by: missy | 29 October 2008 at 16:18
Hope is what keeps us going. My favorite quotes are: "Lots to think and pray about and nothing to worry about" and the other is "Never panic too early".
Posted by: martina | 29 October 2008 at 15:58
I hope.
But, I also have already voted. As I think it's important to hope, but also to act.
Posted by: Nina | 29 October 2008 at 15:56
Hope is ALL there is.
Great post!
Willie
Posted by: willie | 29 October 2008 at 15:31
Our next president can tell you something about hope, since I have a difficult time expressing myself with words.
"We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false HOPE, but in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about HOPE." -Barack Obama
Please add my name to this BEEautiful group.
xxoo Karen
Posted by: karen cole | 29 October 2008 at 15:06
Well, you know how a feel about hope.
BO and his hope message has gotten me excited and invloved in politics for the first time in my adult life. He makes me hopeful that we can make the changes in this country we need- and I for one am hoping and praying he wins next Tuesday!
And I am HOPING that you pick my name- because I absolutely love this sign!!!!!!
Bises,
Robin
Posted by: My Mélange | 29 October 2008 at 12:52
Hope is what goes ahead then returns with the message; it is well.
Posted by: Kay | 29 October 2008 at 11:39
Hi - this is a terrific blog that makes me happy and hopeful every time I visit it. www.thepowerofnice.com. Go Obama!
Posted by: joni wheeler | 29 October 2008 at 05:34
Okay Now I feel guilty ;) I just escaped the nutiness of my world to come and say Helooo Heloooo!! And you are having a giveaway, hee hee. I promise I didn't plan this ;)
Love love love ya!! V
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | 29 October 2008 at 04:23
hope is a memory of the future.
Posted by: lucy | 29 October 2008 at 03:55
Here is one small sentence. I have nothing but hope because without hope I just have nothing.
Posted by: rachel crisman | 29 October 2008 at 03:34
OH the link, had me weepy. What a great kid. You know, you can never use your lot in life as an excuse can you? That child is an example for us all.
I have the urge to do better tomorrow.
xoxo
Posted by: Gillian | 29 October 2008 at 03:22
HOPE is a life force,it is all some have - never let it be underestimated.
Posted by: chrissie williams | 29 October 2008 at 02:17
Hope is LOVE expectant with promise.
~Gillian daSilva
xo
Posted by: Gillian | 29 October 2008 at 01:59
I HOPE Obama will win and I HOPE McCain won't and I HOPE I win this sign, because it is SO me (I hope.)
Posted by: Laura | 29 October 2008 at 01:58
I confess to having a serious bee thing -so am totally in love with that sign and hope to win it! But aside from all that - just wanted to say I've enjoyed your posts about both the candidate nominations and now the presidential race.
Last time I had lunch with my sister we were discussing the fact that the US does not have compulsory voting (unlike Australia where I live. We both agreed that as the US president is also "the leader of the free world" - those of us in the free world who are so affected by US politics should be able to cast a vote for every American who refuses to exercise their democratic right to do so. Eminently reasonable - don't you think? Also far more likely to see the right candidate elected!
Thanks also for the link you posted - it does fill me with hope for the future - to see people (kids especially) re-engaging with the political process is always a hopeful thing for democracy!
Having seen a bunch of "good ole boys" interviewed on the tv last night expressing the sound bite version of "Obama is a terrorist isn't he?" I was filled with despair. It's not that I think it's the prevailing mood or that Obama won't win - but more that anyone with at least three functioning brain cells could have fallen for that crap.
Good on you Tara - maintain the rage.
Megan
Posted by: Megan Butel | 29 October 2008 at 01:44
"Beware how you take away hope from another human being." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes
Posted by: Colette | 29 October 2008 at 01:37
HOPE~
Is Comprised by a series of special actions.
HOPE is having the ability to see the very best in people and situations!
HOPE is putting a sincere SMILE on your face each and every day!
HOPE is a feeling that surely all will all work out!
HOPE is visualizing things you wish to happen will happen.
HOPE is the starter seed of ALL things
Without HOPE
Life would mean nothing!
Thinking of you friend!
and Hoping
all is well!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | 29 October 2008 at 00:41
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. --Einstein
Posted by: Rosa | 28 October 2008 at 23:24
The night before, you swear you are ready to give up, but when morning comes, it's hope that welcomes you into another day of life.
What an incredible link you sent us to. This story was filled with love and life. Oh, how my heart filled as I read those words.
Posted by: Christina | 28 October 2008 at 23:02
I hope that we can be the very best nation and people that can be, starting here, starting now.
That story you linked to is incredible. It's the children of this country that hold all of our hope. We should not squander a drop of it.
Posted by: tangobaby | 28 October 2008 at 22:34
Have hope for the future and hope for today ...
Posted by: Forest Green | 28 October 2008 at 22:30
Hope keeps us going when all is lost.
( I read your post again and thought you didn't mean one silly sentence. You wanted something REAL ! So I came back and left it simply as I know it ....)
Posted by: Art Tea Life | 28 October 2008 at 22:12
Thank You for the giveaway.
Rochambeau sent me your link
to Hustle Me Up
She knows me and bees.
And she knows that
"I HOPE it B. Obama!"
YAY.
hopinghopinghoping
Posted by: Art Tea Life | 28 October 2008 at 22:08
This is a very emotional, hopeful time for so many of us in the US. It's almost over--and it's just beginning. Hope is really all we have left.
Posted by: RD | 28 October 2008 at 21:53
Hope for the change we need, the change that is imperative to get the world back in working order - a world of peace, tolerance and kindness - that's the hope I have for my children and the world they're growing up in. I have never felt so strongly about an election in my life, but I have high hopes for this one (and if, for some unknown reason McPalin wins - my family and I will be joining you in living in France!!)
PS - LOVE the sign!! I have bee glassware!
Posted by: Jackie | 28 October 2008 at 21:38
The children at the rally were wearing t-shirts that said,
"I may be too young to vote, but I'm not too young to hope."
Posted by: Polly-Vous Francais | 28 October 2008 at 21:31
Thank you for that article, it was wonderfully optimistic! And I'm throwing my hat into the beautiful 'bee sign' ring with this thought on hope:
I am a white, forty-something, Republican woman living in Florida. Last week, I waited in line for an hour to cast my vote during our two week early voting period. I believe this is the most important election of our lifetime. I hope that our great country will have the courage to vote for change, that the hope we see in the polls will not be snatched away from us. I hope we will have great things to celebrate next Tuesday. My heart is so full of hope (and worry) it is ready to burst.
Posted by: Suzanne | 28 October 2008 at 20:53
There is a continuation of life as the bees hope for honey as a result of their work, we can hope for peace. I have great hope for a better world.
Posted by: Marilyn | 28 October 2008 at 20:15
The power of One: we are each the change we wish to see in the world.
Posted by: debra | 28 October 2008 at 19:53
'H'onestly 'O'penings make me feel 'P'owerful and 'E'xciting.
Posted by: Nihal | 28 October 2008 at 19:50
Hope is not only the "thing with feathers," it is the only thing we have when we want to give to Chicken Littleism.
Posted by: SandyV | 28 October 2008 at 19:48
Once you choose hope, anything's possible. ~Christopher Reeve
Posted by: Mindy | 28 October 2008 at 19:45