Mickey the cat

Yes! We can put photos on this thing. First things first - the recently unfurled ferns in the backyard, our home, and our cat. One more going away party, and maybe some last minute USA photos before we get to France.

Ready

I'm a list person - over the past 2 months there have been lists all over my house, my car, and my desk at work. But lately, as I get closer and closer to leaving USA, and hopefully, leading a much simpler existence in France, the lists are dwindling. I've found myself finding lists, reading them quickly, and throwing them away. I had a list of things to pack, I've stopped looking at it - everything is ready in a plastic tub for rapid transport into a carry-on suitcase. I have two small lists I carry with me; one for last minute items to purchase or complete, and one blank card for "other ideas". The card has been blank for more than a week, and I've decided it is an indication I am ready, or my mind is empty, or both. I think I'm mellowing. We hope to add some photos to the blog before we depart - Check on us.

"Don't ever wait"

We're at our favorite coffee cafe (hmmm, and I don't even drink coffee), had a great time at the party hosted by Lisa at Le Meduse - a cozy little cafe in downtown Rock Island. 7 days and counting down until we breeze into Europe. Plan to practice pack this afternoon, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! While we were chatting with some of our friends yesterday, I was also enchanted to meet two ladies who came to the cafe for a late afternoon coffee, and they stopped to chat with me prior to leaving. They indicated they were both widows, asked about the party theme at the cafe, and instructed me "no question, you go, have as much fun as possible, don't hold back, keep stretching to experience new things in new places, don't ever WAIT".
That's pretty much my theme this week.

Pop Tarts

Enjoyed a night out with the T/E.M. staff Friday - with rock climbing, laser tag, and a cart race. All that kept "racing" through my mind was LeMans, LeMans, LeMans... It was a great B-day for Dawn , but too bad Mike got the Yugo! I am looking forward to exploring new lands and a different culture in less than 2 weeks! Is it crazy to "practice pack" this early? Will I miss pop tarts, wrestling with our cat, paying for gas, setting our alarm clock, the English language, and strolling through libraries; picking up 4-5 new books along the way? Or will I be like a new sponge - my only job to absorb and work through everything that is thrown at us over the next 110 days? I'm betting on cleaning up.

Blooming

"Traveller's Joy" is a small blooming wildflower from Southern Europe/Africa. The plant is found "climbing fences and growing along roadsides", much like what we will be doing in a few weeks, and thus the title.
Currently preparing for 110 days in France, and finishing last minute details before the trip.
Posts to look forward to...
Travel - fun and challenges - looking forward to CDG airport, Paris.
Food - cheese, wine, fresh fruit and vegetables, need I go on?
Language - the one I know; English, and the languages we will be struggling with; French/Italian/Spanish, and maybe British!
ART - frequent updates of J's paintings while at the school, and maybe my sketches along the way.
Yet to meet - classmates, residents, landlords, instructors, animals, and crazy drivers.
Photos - hopefully nothing from within the walls of a French prison...

Let me know what you think, no profanity please!
M

A Traveller's Joy

Welcome to my blog - will be travelling to France soon, and am finishing last minute plans.
Please check back for frequent updates - about food (cheese!), artworks in progress, and stumbling through the culture shock that will be Europe.

As for my blog title:
"Traveller's Joy" clematis vitalba: Wildflower found throughout southwest Europe/Africa. Used for medicinal purposes and found "climbing and covering" the roadsides of Europe.