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After the relaxing atmosphere of the rural Ardèche, we launched full steam ahead into Paris. Arriving at the Gare de Lyon, we got into line for a taxi and headed off to our hotel. More »
Sorry for having skipped a beat or two in relating the events of the two week junket to the Ardèche and Paris. After these weeks of Michigan’s gloomy skies, those warm days and sunshine seem further away than ever. Suffice it to say that the remaining time in the quaint hamlet of Les Monèdes passed quickly. After the Saturday at Uzès, we were ready to stay put on Sunday. In a way we did, but we were not completely inactive. More »
It doesn’t seem possible that I’ve been back in Traverse City for a couple of weeks! But then, it’s always the eternal tempus fugit! After the initial unpacking and laundry, I’ve devoted my energy to fighting a nasty head cold and a case of bronchitis. I know what they say about the dangers of airplane air and I believe it. I am putting that behind me, however, and am following through with my promise of more details of the almost two weeks in the Ardèche region of France and Paris! More »
Back and forth and back again, that’s how my life is going! I left Traverse City on the 15th of September, headed to France. This time I took two women along who were interested in traveling. Both had traveled with the larger group I took over in May 2003. Pat lives outside of Traverse City and Maggie, a Michigan transplant, now lives in Florida. More »
Friends and other readers have chastised me for neglecting my blog… duly noted! I’m not sure where the days go, but it seems as if June 1st was just yesterday! What happened to July? I promise to be more diligent as I look forward to my next trip to France while I enjoy summer in Traverse City!
It happened again…I was downtown and saw something, which immediately evoked the town of Apt, in the Luberon. More »
As I continue to enjoy my time on this side of the big pond, I’m frequently reminded of my other “home” in Provence. Oddly enough, it isn’t always the big things that trigger the reminders, but the small and seemingly insignificant ones.
Earlier this week, I was awakened to the sound of the local trash truck thumping, bumping, and beeping down the alley. Ah yes, it’s trash pick-up day. Then I thought of the system in most areas of France. There is no door-to-door pick up of trash or garbage. All household refuse is recycled, if it is recyclable. More »
When I first started this blog, I wrote about the similarities between The Grand Traverse Region and my much-loved Luberon area of the Department of the Vaucluse in the region of France known as Provence.
It is rare for a day to go by without my making some comparisons and contrasts… even now! Most recently, as I was on my way out to Empire, I noticed that the cherry trees are finally in bloom. It made me think of all of the cherry trees in the Luberon. It also made me think of the almond trees. More »
The days and weeks continue to unravel like a ball of yarn in the paws of a kitten! Where does the time go! I find myself busy each day with the tasks of caring for my two aging cats and staring at the Internet for the airfares between Traverse City and Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris!
Although I still have no firm plans for my return, a glimmer of a plan is beginning to emerge. A couple of my friends, who have traveled with me to France in the past, have indicated an interest in a short trip this autumn. I think we’ll spend a week with TC artist and friend, Jean, at her charming home and studio in the Ardèche and end with a few days in Paris. More »
The weeks are slipping by. Jet lag is gone and so, at last, is the snow.
I’ve finally managed to stop flinching each time a honkin’ big SUV pulls up next to me at a red light! I’m gradually re-adjusting to life in the land of super-size it!
I still miss a lot of the things that are part and parcel of the fabric of my life in France. Saturdays roll around and I find myself looking at the clock and imagining my friends having coffee at the Gregoire Café after completing their market purchases. More »
One month later and I’m still adjusting. Yes, it’s been a full month since my return to the land of big cars, big box stores, and bad weather!
I survived my 10-day stint taking care of the house and dog for my brother and sister-in-law. That time, however, was not without its trials! During the first four days, my computer crashed and I lost all the data, William got sick and had to go to the vet, a snowstorm dumped over a foot of snow, and the power went out just as Tiger Woods was making his move at the golf tournament I was watching on TV! As the French would say, “Zut alors!” (Loosely translated as “damnation!”) More »