...If You Knew You Would Not Fail...

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

From Charlene (USA)

What would do with my life if I knew I would not fail. I would have to do something that dealt with people. I love to talk to people, all their different situations and their happiness and their not so happy times, which everyone goes through. I would have to deal with not only the rich, but also the poor.

I have always like retail, so I would like to open the old Jewel/Osco store with a variety of clothes all different quality and prices. It is big enough you could have 3 or 4, maybe even 5 different stores in it.

But if I was 40 years young, and couldn't fail, I would love to meet a wonderful man and have 12 beautiful children that I knew couldn't fail and be the best mother I could with a very supportive father who would always be their to help. I have had enough disappointments in my life for a life time, I would just like to see how nice it would feel to relax and enjoy the good times.

*****
Thanks Charlene - (Things I never knew when I was working alongside someone for almost 10 years... Hmmmm.)

M

Studio Escalier: Mercia

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

From Mercia-

"Very good question: Be an artist, an actress, write a book,
climb Everest just for the hell of it, travel around the world
and learn all the languages.
It's quite fun to fantasize about and see
where your imagination could take you.
But in the end, taking a risk is a huge part
of the satisfaction of success.
If there is no risk of failure,
there is no real joy in success.
They say in life that we must enjoy the path,
not the destination. Life would be so dull,
if we knew exactly how the journey would go
and where we would end up.
So I'd rather enjoy the risk as well as success
along the way"

Happiness

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."

— Mahatma Gandhi

"I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers. "

— Claude Monet

Studio Escalier - Ellie

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



From Ellie:

i would win the lottery and make more money than god so then i could give it all away to people and causes i deem worthy. like starving children. or stemcell research. or art schools in france. or baking. baking is a very good cause. maybe turn that old wash room into a pizza place?




Please note: Ellie just knitted that sweater - finished it yesterday.

M

Studio Escalier Students: Robert & Betsy

Question to those affiliated with Studio Escalier:

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


I would be doing exactly what I am doing.....
I rarely think about failing....
-Robert


-From Betsy:
It is hard to answer that because I feel like everyday is new
and my answer changes daily
so I searched for a constant .....
what is and always will be with me in life.....?
so....
What would I do with my life if I knew I would not fail?

Globally, organize all the great knowledge from
yesterday with the minds of those from today and
tomorrow to form a solution for peace and harmony in
our world.

Personally, create beauty by mastering, to the best of
my ability, drawing, oil painting, photography,
sculpture.....and any other art form that finds it's
way into my life.

Spiritually, appreciate the gift of nature and love,
in all forms of life;
raise my children to be balanced, self-fulfilled
contributers to the betterment of our world; remain
open to the moment.



Thanks you two - more to quickly follow...
M

The Most

"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you."

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

No matter what you do, even if you are unsure that what you are trying for is the proper plan, the idea of making the most of yourself is a tough thought to hold consistently. In my experience (both in France and at home in the USA), the effort is always worth it.



Quick field trip to Paris yesterday, (comparable to traveling from Quad Cities -Illinois/Iowa border - to St. Louis, Missouri - and back in one day...), and only shot one photo at Musee Jacquemart-Andre, letting my eyes do the rest of the work.




High-speed TGV train to/from, and high-speed visits to Musee Jacquemart -Andre, and the Louvre. Once again I was amused at the rules/lack thereof at the largest museum in Paris. Xrays of all bags brought into the location, but no one was stopped (hmmmm; I know our party had some of these items - which ones? Swiss army knife, paintball gun, x-acto knife, water, soda, candy, camera, permanent marker, etc...etc...), and many inside the museum were drinking water out of bottles without a peep of complaint from the employees. But bring 13 people into the museum and have two instructors try to give mini-lectures while touring and the museum gestapo swoops down and warns to cease and desist! "Permit required!"

M

Stairway to Heaven

From a trip a few days ago to Thouars - a local church offers space for modern art. This spiral staircase is a free-standing sculpture, inviting one individual at a time up approximately 40 - 50 feet in the air. After climbing the first 10 steps, the sculpture moves and sways; gently at first, then with moderate intensity once you reach the peak. The docent was kind enough to comment in English, "It is free, and you are welcome to climb - you do not have vertigo - yes?" Happy to confirm, (at the top) - no, I do not have vertigo. Artist: Vincent Lamouroux, Title of work: "La Perspective Incline'e (Helioscope)".






There's a lady who's sure
All that glitters is gold
And she's buying a stairway to heaven.
When she gets there she knows
If the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for.
Ooh, ooh, and she's buying a stairway to heaven.

There's a sign on the wall
But she wants to be sure
'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings.
In a tree by the brook
There's a songbird who sings,
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven.
Ooh, it makes me wonder,
Ooh, it makes me wonder.

There's a feeling I get
When I look to the west,
And my spirit is crying for leaving.
In my thoughts I have seen
Rings of smoke through the trees,
And the voices of those who stand looking.
Ooh, it makes me wonder,
Ooh, it really makes me wonder.



And it's whispered that soon
If we all call the tune
Then the piper will lead us to reason.
And a new day will dawn
For those who stand long
And the forests will echo with laughter.

If there's a bustle in your hedgerow
Don't be alarmed now,
It's just a spring clean for the May queen.
Yes, there are two paths you can go by
But in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on.
And it makes me wonder.

Your head is humming and it won't go
In case you don't know,
The piper's calling you to join him,
Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow,
And did you know
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind.

And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our soul.
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How ev'rything still turns to gold.
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last.
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll.

And she's buying a stairway to heaven.
-Led Zeppelin



Fieldtrip with John's class today to Paris, we will talk again soon. M

Winners

First, the Contest Winner: The winner of the computer monster clock contest is.....
K.K. with her winning entry of "Pink Floyd"! K may plan on perusing the complete contents of this blog from the first photo (from early May 2007), to the last day posted for France (Which will be 30th August , 2007), to decide on her three 5x7" photo prints from any posted here.
Congratulations to K and to all who entered - and in conferring with the other judges (OK, so just John...), we have agreed that all who entered this contest will be able to contact us after 1st September for their own copy of a photo of their choice. (Probably only one photo per person, but check and see; we may feel generous...)

I noted that yesterday was the three week countdown for returning to US soil, so I wanted to share some thoughts:


After next week, will be on the road in France
for the last two weeks of our 2007 Europe Tour
and I have a few things to mention before
our blog suffers from motion sickness.

Looking forward to the last three weeks of our 110 days in France.

I feel that I have accomplished much:
- Learned how to navigate through a laptop computer.
- Learned “blogging” is another term for a glorified
journal or diary - just no little lock to keep people out.
- Learned (and remembered), I love to write.
- Learned I should have switched all our bills to auto-pay
a long time ago, and do not miss writing checks.
- Learned it is possible and satisfying to complete
an online course from anywhere, including France.
- Learned all about “Internationally Published”
text books, and how much I save by purchasing.
- Learned how to co-exist with eight “strangers”
in an apartment setting for 3 months.
- Learned much of each person I met
associated with this session of Studio Escalier.
- Learned that after three months strangers
are no longer strangers; but friends.
- Learned that email and comments on my blog
are almost as good as snail mail and packages.
- Learned that three months of sharing every meal
between sunrise and sunset with the man of my dreams
for the past 20 years…Has been great.
- Learned that I am more than a name on my business cards at home.
- Learned that taking a “Personal Leave of Absence” may just
change our lives.
- Learned no job position is ever guaranteed.




Learned it is OK to:
- lay on the ground and stare at the clouds for hours.
- read fiction for fun.
- eat rich dark chocolate and feel happy about it.
- “butcher” the French language on a regular basis.
- not have to go out to eat more than once a week.
- use one dresser drawer for all clothing needed - 110 days!
- let “things” go.
- dream about the future.
- appreciate who my friends are - thanks everyone…
-M

...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

Pool is Cool ('Cause Nothing Rhymes With Billiards)

Cool, wet day activity today.

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

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.

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!