Back home again

In the 17 days we were away from home one new resident managed to move in. We are leaving her alone for now but she will have to go when we trim the azaleas.

Paris to Atlanta

Sitting up front on Delta the service begins before the plane takes off.

THANKS MERRILL!!!!!!!!

A travelling companion.

It's okay if you get the crumbs from your croissant on your linen table cloth.

We are leaving by way of the Normandy coast.

You can always check your flight progress.

Chosing the dessert from 4 selections is difficult but we managed to live with it.

Be careful. There is another meal yet to come before we get to Atlanta.

Pavillion en Le Vesinet

Yes. There really are houses behind those 3 meter high security fences.

Getting over that security fence will only bring you face-to-face with the next level of security. His name is Twingo. He is named after the Renault Twingo because they are about the same size.

Once you get by this it is easy living.

Open air market in Le Vesinet

Cousin Agnes is a very discriminating shopper.

Oodles to pick from

"I only want the freshest ones."

"We can't eat yesterday's bread. It must be purchased fresh every day."

Oct 12 Near Charlie DeGaulle's Airport

Plane tomorrow - no internet connection since Rouen.
Highlights of visit in Le Vesinet, western suburb of Paris.: .
Beautiful lunch with FOUR French cousins -day of our arrival.

Unbelievable traffic jam, due to FLOODING in this area of France.
Pictures of Le Vesinet we’ll post later, because of the special architecture .
France’s love for the aesthetics is, I believe,so intrinsic to their culture. We’ve learned so much; enjoyed discussions during long family dinners; my head is spinning with all this language; happy to come home.

And finally a touch of the spiritual, taken from a little parish church near the house

(Translation of prayer)

To You Who Enter into This Place
You have entered this house
The house of “God-Love”
Whoever you are, He welcomes you
with your joys and your pains
with your hopes and your deceptions
Be welcome
If you are believing pray to God

If you are searching, are in doubt or troubled, ask for light.
If you suffer, if you have pain, ask for strength.
If you are joyful, spread the grace.
May your visit in this church warm your heart.
Whoever you are, know that you are loved by Jesus Christ the Resurrected.
In Him, evil does not have the last word.
May peace be with you.

Wednesday in ROUEN – wow

This rain has been very lovely, as it’s in and out, and not at all cold. Yesterday we met up with Francois & Anita’s friends, Patrique and Anny. After ANOTHER delicious lunch we strolled along the historic district to their antique shop. By chance I asked if they lived upstairs and when she showed us their residence, we were just stunned. Some photos of this 16th Century (renovated, of course) home and store – including Eddie’s little girlfriend, “Loo,” their little 4 year old granddaughter. I also walked with them to her close by school and saw the other cuties. She gave me my “bisous” (kisses on both cheeks, when we met.

Later,Francois wanted us to ride the little tourist train which meanders around the scenic lanes of the city (of Flaubert –Madame Bovary?) but the train – that day at least – was just for certain groups. Well, Francois nearly raised the roof. He returned to the tourist office and talked to no fewer than three officials. We were prepared for the second “French Revolution”, but in spite of it all, the tourist bureau won and now it’s all a bit of joke. (He’s constantly plagued by how “money rules” and that’s the same in our country.)

Monday, Oct 5. Raining

Today it’s raining and the pasture is foggy, but we played with the dogs and took some pictures from the window of our above-garage guest room. The fresh country smell is wonderful. Anita has brought in some wood for a fire, and Eddie is watching the French Vanna White in the living room.

This home is typical of historic homes of the region, with the timbered walls inside and out. Each section is a bit lower than another, so if you dropped a ball it would bounce down hill. It’s very comfortable and has all the modern stuff of life. Francois is an electrical engineer with an eye for all the newest technology. Above the fridge sits a television monitor for the gate of the premises, which opens with a “clique”! Much of what they eat is very fresh and the great bread comes daily from the” boulangerie” in the nearby village.

Wish we could share these wonderful meals and French way of life with you. Today I’m showing Francois pictures of his grandfather years ago, with my family. He was a truly kind and generous man, and Francois looks a good bit like him now.

Scenes of farm critters:

One of these was lunch today…..