August 09, 2007

...Of Starry Skies...

She walks in beauty...France has among the best "starry skies", millions and billions of stars light up the midnight sky, just home from our "France Versus the World Billiard Tournament". Not sure who the winner was, as it is after 1 a.m. - and the tourney has not yet ended. Zarahn and Sam were still in the running as we wandered home in the dark. Streetlights (and I mean every light) are out at midnight, so no distractions to view the stars.





I will let you know who won at billiards - and the Monster Clock contest later today.
Weather will probably be foggy again at sunrise, and so will I.



She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

-Lord Byron

August 08, 2007

August 05, 2007

Home Plans

To answer a few questions about our living arrangements in France: The village of Argenton-Chateau has a population of about 1,100 residents, and in researching further, approximately 3,000 people live within a 7 km radius of here.




We share an 1800's apartment building owned by the instructors at Studio Escalier, and enjoy a large apartment with a shared kitchen/bath. We have a full-sized gas stove and small electric oven, and enjoy our dishwasher, although I only tend to use it after entertaining a large groups. Our apartment is usually reserved for additional instructors, so it is larger than most apartments for the school. The windows from our bedroom/study, our bathroom, and our kitchen overlook the back garden area, which is accessed via a lovely double semi-spiral staircase. The garden overlooks the northern valley, and the community pool in the distance.




Two upstairs apartments are 2-bedroom with shared kitchens/baths, and there is one studio apartment with private kitchen/bath on our level. The only window coverings on the north side of the building are wooden shutters; which must be closed every evening to keep early sunrise from waking us too early. Lizards of about 4-5" long like to play in the sunlight near the shutters, when the north side warms up at midday. Other things that are different? No screens on the windows and no A/C, but thick masonry walls keep (at least first floor) pretty cool in warm weather. There is a small building attached to our building which houses two large carved stone tubs/vats which were used for a laundry, and a large brick bread oven - this structure is no longer in use, but I could imagine a great pizza restaurant, with outdoor garden cafe seating.



The Studio Escalier website also has a link to a famous resident: Fripon the donkey. He likes pears, but carrots seem to be his favorite. At other regions in this area, I have enjoyed the sight of dogs and their owners in all types of business establishments; the Tabac here usually has one or two patrons with a dog at their side (on or off leash), and the cafe I frequent in Thouars has two cats who seem as relaxed and at ease as the owner.



We do not have a TV, and the clock/radio has limited reception - more talk programs than music. The apartment building is set up with wireless internet, which is our main source of world news. Living here for three months has given us a greater understanding of what "stuff" we need and do not need when we return home. Our TV at home may be moved out, or least to our spare room. Drying clothes on a clothesline would not be out of the question now. Walking and riding bikes for nearby errands and work, would be better for us and for our bank account. Purchasing locally produced food and produce would help to support our small struggling farmers, and would be better for our health. And striving to maintain a more leisurely pace (although our employers may not agree to a two-hour lunch break), may help to establish fuller happiness and contentment in our busy lives.

M

August 03, 2007

Cafe Cats

Another 22 km bike ride to Thouars,
another visit with a different cat at the same cafe,
and another ride home again.
This cat was not willing to wake up to join me
for a free Coca-Cola, though.
Yes, his tail is only 3 inches long. I did not ask.



More entries to add for THE Question:
What would you do with your life
if you knew you would not fail?
From Scott:
Ack.
Do I have to say
"broker a lasting peace in the Middle East"?
I would sell fabulous antiques
in a chic little shop somewhere.
I'd befamous the world over
with those "in the know".
I'd be interviewed by ultra fab magazines
like Town and Country.
I'd sell to Mr. Beckham and Posh Spice.
I'd have a place in Morocco.
Younger men would want to date me.
I guess I'll settle for selling stuff online here and there.





From Lisa:
If I won the lottery,
I'd form a foundation and have fun giving money away.
(But I'd save some for my travel habit.) whee!



From Anonymous:
I would be fit and at a healthy weight.

August 02, 2007

Clock Contest Update

Judges have picked the top 10 entries (so far), but it is not too late to submit what could be the winner. Pick a name for my laptop's monster clock; winner receives three 5x7" photos of their choice from any posted on my blog. Entries must be submitted before 14:00 USA (CST) or 21:00 France time, 10th August, 2007. Good Luck!

Market Day






















July 31, 2007

If You Would Not Fail... #2


What would you do with your life if you knew you would not fail?
From Kim: (USA)
Okay. Tough question. I think I would start another small business...a corner drive thru coffee shop. I would also invest money into the stock market. (Not doing that yet and not sure how). I would like to start up a new ministry at my church. But at the same time I would learn to swim and play in a golf league every week. Maybe I would go to massage therapy school and do massages on the side. Who knows. I guess the possibilities are endless. But with the guarantee of succeeding, I am not sure everything means as much. I think that enjoyment in life is not always in succeeding in everything but in the process of trying, learning, and trying again. I am not sure I would want to succeed at everything.


And from Lisa: (USA)
Travel the world, meet interesting people, write about it and publish, either articles or books. So many places to go . . . and there's a story in every one.




From Jason and Jenn: (USA)

Professionally: Go back to Perdue, combined with my Graphics degree I would then be able to get into Pro/Engineer Mechanical Design. Personally: Continue air-brushing and move into canvas eventually. Jenn would probably start her own business, most likely a bookstore/coffee shop... and would like to start writing books. Both of us: Buy a home with acreage, have kids...


July 30, 2007

What friends would do...#1

What would you do with your life if you knew you would not fail?

From Joe: (USA)
There's so much I'd try to do. There just wouldn't be time enough to do them all.

Mark Twain said a lot in two of his quotes; "“Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.” And "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

I do try to incorporate them both in my life. The second one is perhaps a bit harder to incorporate into my life than the first one but so much more gratifying, exciting, and rewarding in the long run.



From Dee: (USA)
Travel the world meeting people and documenting daily life in words and photographs.





From Kathy: (USA)
If I knew that I wouldn't fail, I think that I would want to be an actress. Or maybe a rock star. but probably an actress as it does not involve so much touring. Or a personal assistant to somebody cool.






From Ruth: (USA)
M, if I had your talent for photography and writing, I'd do what you're doing and publish a book for others who love to travel "close to the ground." That means experiencing the people and culture, not just viewing them.




From Harriet: (USA)
Hhhmmmm.....personally - have more children - maybe write a children's book.
Professionally - design and open my own free standing outpatient aquatic physical therapy clinics (more than one).




This is more interesting than the clock contest. Keep 'em coming! M

July 29, 2007

What Would You Do?

What would you do with your life if you knew you would not fail?

July 27, 2007

Yep

Coco Puffs.

July 26, 2007

Fine French Cuisine

Guess what I had for fine French cuisine tonight...
Sorry, no prizes offered, just curious if anyone can figure out what this food was...
M

July 24, 2007

Happy Mail



Emails are almost as nice as letters. They take time to compose, and you can add little surprises, like photos for a full effect. Heard from friends I have not seen in more than 5 years - are doing well, and added some photos of their family and their adventures. Communicating on a more frequent level has also been wonderful. Long chats that were not possible with people out of town, discussing the future with friends; when in the past we would have been distracted by the daily crush of our busy schedules. Listening to suggestions and hints for future plans with "no strings attached". Slowing our pace, and now our friends have been forced to slow their comments, suggestions and replies. They seem comfortable taking their time, composing their thoughts, and discussing their dreams.




Friendship truly can surround the world like a warm blanket, and a comfortable chair. Thanks to our family and friends out there. M

July 22, 2007

Flowers of the Sun


A two students offered a quick car ride to "capture a sunflower" near Montreuil Bellay, a town 30 km from here.



Stopped at nearby ruins of Chateau de l'Ebaupinay, and although signs posted in French warned "Enter at your own risk", wandered inside this 15th century structure, marveling at the solid construction of what is left after a 19th Century fire.


Third car ride John has taken in two and a half months, fifth for me.




In France; walking is good for you... M