Pleasant Thoughts and Prayers

Remember to Soar

I remember 6 years ago today,
I became hyper-aware that I am proud to be from the United States.
I am proud of those who work in jobs
in order to help and heal others,
and I am proud of everyday people.
On September 12, 2001, I remember feeling
that I needed to simplify my life,
I needed to remind people in my life
of how precious they are to others,
I felt the need to find comfort
in family, friends, and familiar things.
Today,
I am hyper-aware that I am proud to be from the United States,
and I am fascinated by other countries.
I am still proud of everyday people.
I feel the need to simplify my life - more.
I am more comfortable letting
those around me know what they mean to me.
I feel braver -
willing to spread my wings
and soar where my spirit takes me.
I feel the beauty of the human spirit.
Remember to soar.
M

New Travels

I hope Maryluz does not mind being a part of my blog -
her comment was a welcome cool breeze
in what has been a hot and humid week home from France to Illinois.

Will post more Studio Escalier alumni and instructor comments
over the next few weeks, as well as offering quick mini-trips back to
memorable places visited over the past three months.

Above, Argenton-Chateau waterfall
from which John drew inspiration for his outdoor landscape.
Below, more water scenes:
Views near the Seine River in Paris.








Below, Rena at Argenton-Chateau pool
on a day we had the whole pool to ourselves,
and a tiny river at another small town near our home in France.






Now that I have cooled off, other travel plans:
Since I was unable to return to my previous employer,
will be interviewing and experiencing a job search
for the first time since 1999.
Part of my "traveller's joy" will be describing my new adventure;
either looking for a new career - or creating my own business!

Marty

Greeting from Maryluz

This comment was left on my last blog.


Maryluz said...

Hola,
Espero que tengas algún amigo(a)español que pueda traducir esto para ti.
Sigo tu blog desde hace tres meses, lo vi por casualidad y aunque no entiendo bien el inglés, por tus fotos, he podido entender tu historia y tu experiencia en Francia. Me ha gustado ver ese lugar por medio de tus ojos.
Soy Colombiana pero hace 17 años vivo en España y puedo imaginar lo placentero que fue tu viaje a Francia.
Yo voto porque sigas con tu blog, hablando de tus experiencias actuales, de tu ciudad y de tu viajes. Un saludo, Maryluz


Hello,
I hope that you have some Spanish friend
who can translate this for you.
I have been following your blog for three months,
I saw by chance and although I do not understand English well,
by your photos, I have been able to understand your history
and your experience in France. I like to see Europe through your eyes.
I am Colombian, but for the past 17 years I have lived in Spain,
and can imagine the pleasant experience
that you enjoyed with your trip to France.
I vote you continue with your blog,
speak of your present experiences, your city and your trips.
A greeting,
Maryluz


Thank you/Gracias Maryluz
I was going to wait for a few votes, but now my decision has been made.
Iba a esperar algunos votos, pero mi decisión es fácil ahora.
I would be happy to continue to tell my story.
Me placería continuar contando mi historia.

***Please note - all translation was completed using an online language translation service, which I know does not always translate in the proper tense. - My apologies to all who speak/read Spanish better than I.


Marty

Vote Early and Vote Often

Home again, and answering a common question:
Will this blog continue? - Yes!
Would you prefer additional photos and stories
of European travel - or stories from home?
Looking for votes and viewpoints,
because I have enought photos and stories
to add at least 8-10 more European blogs,
(averaging 60-100 photos/day 18th-31st August!),
but I would be happy to keep entries
current with stories and images from my home
and traveling around my home town.
So leave a comment (yes, it can be anonymous),
and let me know what you want to know about
A Traveller's Joy.

Thanks for your help.
Marty

To Do

What would you do with your life if you knew you would not fail?
From Studio Escalier alumni; Tanza

"Paint, dance and travel around the world"





Other items of the day: (Or, To do - first full day back in the USA).

Surprises when we returned after 110 days in France?
A bridge that was not completed when we left is now completed.
Car dealership where there had been none.
Hardware store where there had been none.
Flooding.
Gas station opening at the end of our block.
Other surprises?
After being awake for 24 hours yesterday - slept fine and woke without the alarm at 5 a.m. - went out for breakfast with friends at 6:30,
lunch with friends at noon,
and considering taking in a movie (with popcorn and everything) early this evening.

Other thoughts about France/travel:
Getting used to driving/traffic in the U.S., (and yes, we do still know how to drive a clutch).
Croissants in the U.S. are not as good as French croissants,
(although maybe they were fresh this morning, and it is now 4 p.m.)
People seem to be more in a hurry; holiday weekend?
Family life/and children, seems the same here and there.

A lot of mail can pile up in 110 days.
It is almost fun to open mail for 1-2 hours.





Several hundred years of a city being a city affects the landscape;
skinny streets, winding avenues, buildings close together,
ancient reminders of other times in the stones and architecture,
and a certain historical pride in the people.




Will chat again, soon - have to catch a movie!
M

Last Night in Paris

Well this will be
"Au revoir pour maintenant -
nous retournerons bientôt",
"Goodbye for now - we will return soon".




Immediate thoughts as I think about the last 109 days in Europe?
-People are essentially good and kind - no matter what language they speak.
-300+ cheeses in one country the size of Texas is a good thing.
-Big city style & glitz, and small town comfortable & friendly is universal.
-I do not miss television.
-Crepes are not those things you eat at Village Inn.
-Italian Gellato is only slightly better than French Glace. (Ice Cream)
-The power of art and the drive to create is universal.
-Tacky souvenirs are also universal.
-There is no place like home - and it will be good to be there.

I offer some of my favorite photos - recent and from the past three months.
We will continue to chat - I travel with joy wherever I go.
M
















Flights from Europe and around USA tomorrow,
and we will stay in touch if we are near WI-FI.
M

What I Would Do If...

What would I do with my life if I knew I would not fail?

From another Studio Escalier alumni:

Anna




I guess I´m already doing everything I want,
there is nothing I can think of other than
what I'm doing right now, the problem is
I'm not 100 percent sure what I want
so I just have to go with...
but I think maybe what I want,
(first traveling and then moving to Barcelona to live and work, etc)
and hope it turns out for the best,
and that somewhere along the way
I figure out what that thing I "want" actually is!! ;)


*****Anna, I believe anything you try - you excel. I was immediately impressed with the stories of your travels, and the ease with which you engaged conversations with the residents of Argenton-Chateau. You have a strong spirit, and you care about others - do not ever let that special skill fade. And never be afraid to help others.

Good luck with all you strive to do.

Marty *****

...Of Light

Paris, and the weather is lovely... We will be in this city of light until Thursday morning, and plan to use every minute to wander its narrow, charming streets - climb the numerous steps within its museums and cathedrals, dine at its hip cafes, boulangeries, and food stalls, and peruse the limitless book and print stalls along La Seine River.








Louvre







La Seine River





Musee d'Orsay






Arc de Triomphe





Notre Dame

Travelin'

Photographs from Montpellier, including the Camargue region of marshlands, and upcoming; our last week in France - we are in Paris.

Montpellier:













Camrugue:














Paris:

Thanks Harmony...

Harmony -
Hey I have heard stories about Harmony at Studio Escalier...
Thanks for the comments on the Argenton Farmer's Market blog page - I have only been gone from that wonderful town for a few days, and today I was missing that small, friendly market with the wonderful food - every Thursday!
Marty

Cafe-Time

Traveled the last few days from western France
down along the southern regions to Montpelier;
in southeast France. As we travel to larger cities
the enjoyment level increases in my favorite
French pastime: Cafe-Time.
Buy a food/drink item or two, sit facing the street
or pedestrian area, and prepare to be entertained.
Cafe-Time worked in a small town like Argenton-Chateau,
but with only one establishment with cafe tables,
and only open a few days a week,
and most of the passer-bys are people you recognize
- some of the fun goes out of the sport.




Charmed today by a small white poodle-mix
who, although well trained and obviously aware
to stay by his owners, was also free to wander
about as far as the average 5-year-old child;
(within sight - no fighting, must share toys,
playing tag is fine, do not trip the elderly,
and look both ways before you cross the street).
He rested beneath the cafe table when he needed to,
and played or explored when he felt like it.
In fact he was better behaved than most 5 year olds.

Hope to travel to a nature reserve near Montpellier;
La Camargue - known for its flocks of pink flamingoes,
black bulls, and wild white ponies -
found in marshlands near the mediterranean coast.
Have the bus timetable and grabbed a few brochures
for boat tours of the region - may give that a try tomorrow.

Area is much different than Argenton-Chateau;
11 km from the Mediterranean Sea with sandy soil,
and wide-spread vineyards.
The temperature feels much drier and warmer here,
and I look forward to a side trip to a beach soon -
I have to dip my toes into every ocean and sea I find.
M

Final Friday in Argenton

Last morning in the studio.



Last lunch at the Tabac.




Last sunset from our balcony.




In Argenton-Chateau.