Les Bulbes — A Close Circle of Friends
There were three of us—married women, ‘G’, ‘J’ and me. In those early days, we were calm, serene and almost Gatsbyesque in our nonchalance: laughter and the clinking of glasses drifting through a haze of mauve-and-pink memories.
That was before the ‘hatching’ began. We met once a week to wine, lunch and catch up while burping babies, ignoring toddlers and becoming increasingly overwhelmed as their numbers grew.
Our lunches became a sacred weekly date, and woe betide anyone who tried to hijack our time. Our husbands were soon well trained and affectionately called us ‘The Bulb Society’—‘potting’ being our slang for enjoying a glass of wine.
La Société des Bulbes — A Close Circle of Friends
La Société Du Bulbes
‘Ladies Who Lunch and Wine Together’
Among us was a dash of rivalry, an abundance of love and a great deal of laughter.
Look closely and you will see that each lady has a ‘potted bulb’ at the foot of the table, positioned in line with her competitor. ‘G’ stands on the left, proudly in first place; I occupy the middle in third; and ‘J’ is on the right in second. This became a familiar pattern, although ‘G’ and ‘J’ occasionally exchanged honours.
The painting invites you to laugh—and perhaps recognise a little of yourself in it. The book titles on the shelf and the wine labels on the table add their own quiet jokes.
Nothing is taken too seriously except friendship, love and protecting our precious time together.
With every new month, year, experience or baby came more love, more sharing and more care. The bond simply grew deeper.
Time whispered past, life moving as though someone had pressed fast-forward—and suddenly there were small humans all over again.
The rivalry, the laughter and the love remain forever present. How lucky we are.
Les Bubles en Concert
‘Ladies Who Play Together, Wine Together’
‘J’ was always known as a consummate violinist. She understated her many talents then—and still does.
‘G’, however, proved to be something of a dark horse, suddenly appearing with a saxophone and perfectly passable technique. Together, the violin and saxophone found an unexpected harmony. I, on the other hand, had been entrusted with a triangle—but without the little beater required to make it jingle.
This did not trouble me in the least. I drank the wine and provided comic interjections to keep the mood light and the performance entertaining.
Once again, the potted bulbs found their way into the competition. Our positions remained unchanged: I was still in third place, a position with which I had become quite comfortable and found increasingly amusing.
More books and bottles of wine appear in this painting, their titles altered to suit the musical occasion.
Nothing is taken too seriously except friendship, love and thoroughly enjoying our time together.
LesBulbes dans Le Cuisiner
‘Ladies Who Cook Together Drink Together’
The three Bulbes converge in the kitchen, determined to cook up a storm. Tasks are allocated—although not necessarily according to ability.
Chief Bulbe ‘G’ takes charge of the main course. ‘J’, who has always been in a league of her own, creates a delicious black cherry and brandy pudding. I am entrusted with melon balls soaked in vodka—presumably because there is nothing to burn and, really, who can have too much vodka?
The painting was created during Covid, so naturally the vodka used for my melon balls is labelled ‘Vacine Vodka’. It may not have offered much medical protection, but it certainly improved morale in the kitchen.
The Bulbes have also brought their prize-winning potted bulbs, firmly establishing the familiar pecking order. The books on the shelves and the wonderfully questionable bottle labels add more jokes to the story.
The rivalry, laughter and love remain forever present. How lucky we are.
Les Bulbes en Vacances
‘Ladies Who Beach and Wine Together’
At last, the Bulbes escape for a day at the beach.
It is a day of relaxation—with just a hint of effort, naturally. Coordinated outfits have been selected for the grand occasion, creating the perfect opportunity for a little healthy rivalry. Each of us has made an effort to look elegant, current and perhaps even fashionable.
There is something marvellous about dressing for an occasion: you immediately feel confident, powerful and ready for whatever the day may bring.
‘G’, on the left, has brought a splendid red-and-white parasol that stands proudly tall and straight. ‘J’, in the middle, displays something a little more restrained: closed, composed and extremely elegant. My parasol, on the right, has chosen to bend directly across ‘J’s’ head, showing a decided lack of elegance—or even basic beach etiquette.
The prize-winning potted bulbs have not been forgotten. They have travelled with us to celebrate their continued ‘growing’ success and, of course, to ensure that nobody forgets the pecking order.
With its bright, joyful colours, this painting would feel perfectly at home on a verandah or near a window overlooking a beautiful view.
It celebrates love, laughter and irreplaceable memories. How lucky we are.
