Our 1st Petanque Tournment, and a surprise dinner!

Our friend, Louis, and his friend, Francois, entered us into a pétanque tournament!  It was held in a small village, about 15 minutes from here.  We knew Francoise and his wife, Bette 3 years ago at Louis' birthday party.  We joined a group of people, men, women, and children in a day-long series of games.  It was just wonderful.  Of course, we were the only unknowns in the tournament, in that these people were all from the village of Matzenheim, and surrounding villages.  The town people had put up 4 tents and set out about 25 picnic tables and a few benches.  The day started out cool, but was slated to be a hot one, with sunny skies and the temperatures rising into the 90's!  

   Bruce and I were paired up and matched against older couples, young men in their late teens and little boys, none of whom speak English, but all of whom were rather interested in the people from California!  Fortunately, the game speaks for itself, but unfortunately, we are new to the game, and not very good players!  All of the players seemed pleased that we were interested in their favorite past-time, and, combined with the fact that we had the grace to loose, we felt welcomed as semi-special guests!  

   Lunch was prepared by the town butcher and several lovely young ladies.  (Ham or grilled sausages, German style potato salad, and sliced tomato salad).  Beer, wine, coffee and German pretzels were for sale the entire day.  Toddlers ran around the area, adding a lovely spectacle for all.  The day did get hot, with sun burns and sun tans appearing on every piece of exposed skin!  Hot! From 9:30 to 6:00, we played 5 games at a leisurely, French pace....a civilized break for beer or wine or water, in between games!  

  Trophies were presented and everyone celebrated the winners.  Nothing marred the day...not even a bee sting!  Everyone called our Auto Revoir to us when we left! ......So French...a day of inclusive sport, with babies, children, mamas, papas, and grandparents (into their 80's),  sunshine, food, and drink!  Humm....I think they are doing something RIGHT! 

    At the end of the day, as we sat down to have a glass of Rosé, Francois announced that he would like all of us, and Lillian,  Louis' wife, to join him and his wife, Bette, for a glass of Crémant (a fine,  Alsacian sparkling wine) at his home.  Of course, we said yes!  We thought it was only for a drink!   But no, we arrived to find that Bette must have been in on this wonderful surprise!  Their lovely apartment had a smell of fresh-baked something...Hum?   Well..... from the the Crémant we moved into a very special dinner of Raclette...a Swiss specially of cheese, sliced meats and sausages, shallots and lardon (little chunks of Canadian bacon), that you bake on the table, in individual little trays.  The melted cheese, shallots and lardon are poured over boiled potatoes.  Delicious!  More Alsacian white wine was served.  And just when you thought you were done...Bette brought out the lightest, most delicious cheesecake that we have ever tasted!  Licquors were introduced, but by that time no one was interested!  The night ended at about 11:00, with our new friends telling us that this lovely dinner in their home, came from their heart!  

The entire day was fun, and the dinner was really touching, and just plain delicious and special!  What a great experience!

Here are the trophies (that we didn't win!) .......the players.....Bruce staring down the cheese cake, and our friends, Francois and Bette, with the wonderful cheese cake!

The French as a People

Upon reflection, we came to France concerned about what we were told about the French being a bit snobbish or standoffish....and hoping that we could move past this.  We have found some interesting traits, and little snobbery or stand-offishness.

First, the French really DO believe in their motto..."Liberty, Equality and Fraternity."  This is the motto that emerged during the French Revolution, and we see actions that reflect this every day.  In the States, we believe that the INDIVIDUAL is inalienable...freedom of speech, and most actions can not be restrained.  Here, there seems to be a bit more tempered approach to speech and actions.  There is a very genuine sense of caring for others.  It is reflected in very gentile language, for example, whenever you enter a store, or greet someone at a cashier's station, they look you in the eye, and say Bon Jour!  And, when you leave, they always say Au Revoir...and often Bon Journee!  They seem like just niceties, but they are truly indicative of the culture.  If you do not respond, in kind, then you are perceived as a bit ignorant, or rude.

We have also noticed, that when we walk into a restaurant, while being seated by the hostess, we are often greeted by others sitting in the restaurant...people we have never seen before, and will never see again, and yet, they nod, or even say, Bon Jour!  Sometimes, after we are seated, when they get up to leave, they will turn to us and say: Au Revoir, or Bon Journee.  At first, we did not know what to think....but now, we just see that it is a way of acknowledging others.

French children are very well behaved...they learn, very early to always greet others with Bon Jour!...even 2 years olds....and to never be loud in a restaurant!  Restaurants in France are always a buzz with light volume levels of conversation.  We have never been in a restaurant in France where there is anyone who is loud or boisterous, and is French!  Americans, Germans, yes!..but not the French.  German children, and American children have been loud...but not the French....and if they begin to get loud, the French family will remove the child from the restaurant.  That simple!

There are many other indicators of concern or caring...not to mention the big burly truck driver who stopped his 18 wheeler on the road (perpendicular to the street where I was laying) when I broke my rib....or the car full of 4 young teenage boys who also stopped to help....or the person who lived in the house nearby who called for an ambulance, immediately!  The doctor who was in his office on a Saturday morning...

When our boulangerie closed for summer vacation for two weeks, they indicated when they would be back, and the next closest boulangerie that is still open for business!...Just so you shouldn't suffer the pains of the lack of fresh bread!

There is just a cultural attitude that says "we are all in this together, and we look out for each other!"

This is a demonstrably kind and civilized culture.

The Furballs (Part 2)

This is Easy....I'll continue my tales of our trip in France....

The scariest thing that happened to us, was that one night, in San Quentin, brother Breezy decided to take a midnight walk!  Dad took the garbage out about ten o'clock pm, when he and Mom were preparing for the big party.  The best we can figure, Breezy must have been planning a break, and took his opportunity, when Dad came back in!

I enjoyed having Mom and Dad to myself all night, but when I got up the next day, I couldn't find my brother.  Mom and Dad called and called him, ....we all looked all through the house, but NO...brother Breezy was missing!  We continued to look for him, and Dad went out, and called for him through the village, to no avail!  Mom was still hurt with her rib, so she couldn't go out.....and, of course, I didn't want to!  It's too scary out there for me!

At dinner time, people began to arrive for the party...I hid under the bed.  That's when I missed brother most...he usually comforts me when scary guests arrive.

People began to leave around eleven at night, and by midnight, Mom was in bed.  One of the ladies from the party asked what Breezy looked like, just in case they saw him.  Dad went out, one more time, looking for brother....but no...Then, at about one in the morning, someone rang our doorbell!  Well....I ran under the bed again!  No one ever rings our bell at that time!  Next thing we know, heard Dad talking with someone at the door!  Dad came up the steps with Breezy!  Evidently, about six of the people from the party had walked up to their house through the narrow stone village street.  They only live about a block away.  When they got home, they sat in the garden and talked, and all of a sudden, a nice cat came strolling into the garden.  He climbed the stairs to the house...but then, rejoined the party in the garden.  One of Mom and Dad's friends said "I think that's Irene and Bruce's cat!"...much discussion ensued...no...couldn't be....well....he sure is friendly....let's give him some milk!...Nice cat.....if it's not their cat....let's keep him....NO....It can't be their cat....NO!  I'm SURE it's their cat...they described him.  Finally, Brian, a friend of Mom and Dad's from Ireland, picked him up and brought him to our house.  Brian had some trepidation about knocking on our door at one o'clock in the morning...but he did!  And, VOILA!!!!   Breezy was home!  Mom and Dad fussed over him.  I smelled him and licked him on the head.  Mom and Dad fed him.  All was well!  He never would tell me what all he did that night!  His only reply was "what happens when I go out catting, is only for me to know!"  He slept all night without moving!  I think he was really exhausted from his 24 hour adventure!

In the morning...he went into the bathtub for a drink!...HA!  Here's a picture I took!  He fell asleep in the TUB!

                                Breezy hasn't attempted another Cat's Night Out since!

Kimmy comes to France! (Mid-August)

Well...it's a long way from California, but my friend Kimberly had never been to France....SO...I met her in Paris, and we stayed there over night.  Then we traveled back to Alsace by train!

Her visit to Paris was short, so we decided to see the sights as opposed to doing the museums....And, we did!...We walked about 5 miles one day...(a big deal for me, in that I was still dealing with my rib problem, and pain in my leg)....but it was mostly to see some sights and go to the Batarama...Tour Boat.
We took the boat from the D'Orsay to Notre Dame, and up the river to the Eiffel Tower.  Kimberly was very generous!...Lunches, Cabs,....and lots of gifts for her family!  Here's my favorite picture from our trip...taken at the cafe at the Louve!....and an early morning picture of Sacre Cour, taken from our hotel room!

Our trip also included a tour of Note Dame, more shopping, and ice cream.

One the the very striking things we did was to go into the Four Seasons Hotel.  She knew of a famous floral designer who does the flowers there, and wanted to see his work!  Jeff Latham is his name, and he was there!  He was SO charming!,,,we could take his picture, only if we would be in the picture with him....he signed his fabulous book for Kimmy...just special.  And, the flowers were over the top...OMG....gorgeous!  Bruce and I will go back each month while we are in Paris to see his work!
When we got to Strasbourg, Bruce and our friend Louis took over as tour guides!  

This is a picture of the Atrium at the Four Seasons...the purple are huge Vanda orchids!  The curtain of orchids in the middle is about 40 feet high, and 20 feet wide at the top!  The entrance is lined with orchids, as well!  I can't wait till we get to Paris to see the next set of creations!

Kimmy was so kind as to take several pictures of us, since we have few pictures of Bruce and me .together!

Our friend Louis took over as tour guide when we got to Alsace!  The rest of the days in Alsace were filled with a trip to Baden Baden, Germany  (lovely town!) a visit to a castle ruins in Germany...a special and personal tour of a wonderful Alsacian winery, a trip to a reproduction of an historic Alsacian village, a trip to Obernai and an organ concert in Obernai (our favorite little Alsacian town nearby)  a trip to an Eagle preserve, and a trip to the Strasbourg cathedral and light show, and an unbelievably great fish dinner!  I was pooped...and so was Kimmy!  Here is a picture of the three of us in little Venice, Colmar.  A lovely town!

Meet the Furballs! (Part One)

Most of you know our two fur balls!  Easy and Breezy are amazing cats!  They have been traveling with us since they were about 12 weeks old.  The first time they traveled, I took them to the Cape, in a small travel size bag that was like a large purse.  They never made a sound!  We schooled them by taking them in the car...not their favorite thing, but they don't seem to mind traveling in our van, when we take them from Cape Cod to Philadelphia!

Breezy is a REAL character!  For those of you, who know my wonderful, BOLD, brother, Roger who is a character, we think he has Roger's spirit!  My friend, Regina calls him, Mr. Mustache!  He is such a character!  Breezy is very independent, but pretty obedient!  In California, when we let him out on a leash, I taught him to come in when I clap my hands....MOST time it works!  Breezy is a COOL Kat!

Easy is very much the little lady princess!  She is NO WHERE near as Bold as her brother, and seems to prefer staying inside, except for an occasional visit to the garden to eat salad (Grass).    Easy charms us, however, with her graceful style!  Here is picture of her, practicing her Hula, on a hot afternoon!

                                AND NOW, A WORD FROM LA CHATS, Easy and Breezy !!!

Our trip to France was a bit odd!  First, Mom and Dad took us to the house at the Cape.  It was not the SAME!  Whenever we go to Cape Cod, it is weather kind of like California!  Sometimes it rains more, and sometimes it is cool, but we have NEVER been SO COLD!  My fur coat needed a fur coat!   And, our yard, usually filled with grass for me to eat, well.....it was coved with white stuff....it was the coldest thing I've ever stepped on!  Breezy went outside once, but not me!  Mama pushed me out the door, but I went out onto that white stuff, and ZIP, back into the house!  Not ten seconds! in the cold for these paws!

Breezy is quite vain!  At the Cape, I caught him looking at himself in the mirror, upstairs, and snapped this picture!  Remember the Carol King song...."He walked into the party, like he was walking onto a YACHT!"...that kind of vain!  My brother: Mr. Mustach!  He knows he is handsome!

Breezy & I are pretty famous for our exploits!  Like the time that we broke out of the bag, moving TWO zippers apart, to get out on the Airplane!  I worked and worked at it, and finally, I pushed the zippers apart so far, that I could get my head out!  I was FREE!  You should have seen Mom and Dad's face when the nasty flight attendant, gave us up and announced:"Will the person with two cats, please come to the back of the plane!"  Were they surprised!  And, I had just found a nice lap of the man across the aisle to curl up in!  He was a very nice man!  Breezy didn't make it as far as I did!  Papa pinned him to the floor, after the flight attendant ratted on us!

Well Breezy, I did succeed in getting away from Dad, in the Cleveland airport!  You were tucked away in Mom's arms!  I called for you, but you didn't come!  Dad had me in his arms, so I just crawled up his chest, and jumped off his shoulder!  I ran under the Xray scanner, but, doggone it!  Dad had put my leash on me, and JUST as I made a break for it, the Security Lady stepped on my leash!  I could've been gone!  I could have flown to Guadaloup to see friends!  I could've gone to Florida to see Uncle Roger, but NO!  Thwarted again!  But that's not my BEST escapade!  First, me show you the house in the village of Saint Quentin la Poterie in Provence, and tell you of our journey!

The journey was long...from our house in Cape Cod to the Marsailles airport, and then to Saint Quentin, by car!  UUUFFFFFFF!  We are good travelers, but Mom and Dad knew we have our limits, and this was it!

We got there, investigated every corner!...and now I can tell you about our new home......We liked our house in Saint Quentin!  There were two terraces with gardens!..we went out every day!....and we had a four story jungle-jim that was circular, and allowed us to move from floor to floor!  

Our Jungle-Jim!

When we first got here, we stuck pretty close together!...a bit unusual for us!....I like to keep my distance from my bother!

Mom and I need to nap, so, let me tell you more of my story later!...until then, keep your computer on!

Our lovely friends in Saint Quentin and Uzes (2)

They all made our trip wonderful!  They are, each and every one, interesting people, going places, and doing things, and making their way in a new world that each has created!  You, who are reading this at home in California, would like each and every one of them!  We hope you all get to meet each one!  They are invited to visit, and swap houses, and just stay in touch in every way possible!  Here are some pictures from the party that we threw at the end of our visit in the house in Saint Quentin la Poterie.

Sorry!  I don't have pictures of all the couples.  I still wanted to share these pictures with you....there is Martin and Angela are retired British couple who had worked at a University.  Martin hand makes jewelry and sculpture, and Angela hand makes books.... Diaries, and beautifully crafted books!
Ernie and Kate from Scotland.... Kate, sweet and lovely, and Ernie kept the French class laughing and light!!!  Brian, pictured with Bruce, is Irish, as is his wife, Astrid...he plays the bag pipes....Collin and Claire...British friends, of whom, I am afraid to say, I don't have a picture...We had a wonderful dinner at their home, and I learned how to make summer pudding!...Mâire and Roger, a Scottish couple who go back and forth between the home in Scotland, and Uzes...and their lovely daughter, Ellen.  They entertained us for drinks one night...we are hoping to exchange houses with them in the near future!...Not from our French class, but still wonderful and interesting are: Pam and Dan and Bill and Giselle.  We enjoyed every minute of every experience with each of them!  Thank YOU!

Kate Bell

Anglea Stanton

Bruce and Brian French

Roger Rist, at just the right moment, with a mouth full!

Ellen Rist, Mâire and Roger's charming daughter

Our lovely friends in Saint Quentin and Uzes (1)

Before I strictly write about Alsace, and our time up North, I would like to pay tribute to our friends, and the lovely way they added to our experience in Provence!

Several of our friends have asked us what we were looking forward to when we came to France, and what we enjoyed most while in Provence.  Bruce always felt he would enjoy the people that we met, but I had no idea that we would meet such wonderful folks!  Our dear friends and neighbors from Newport Beach, Regina and Larry, graciously guided us, every step of the way in planning and executing our journey.  We owe them a huge debt of gratitude for helping us to make our dream come true!  They also introduced us to many of their friends, and to an organization called AVF.  AVF is an association in France, for newcomers.  We joined, and took the French class at their behest.  How fun!
We met more wonderful people in our French class!

It seems when people are overseas, they are very open to meeting new people, and making friends with them!  We were the beneficiaries of this attitude!  After each French class, we would go for coffee, and just talk about who we are, where we are in our lives, our children, our latest experiences, and our dreams.  Nice!  Everyone shares!
Here is a great picture of Regina at her birthday party...and one of Larry at our friend Jacque's home!

Regina and Larry had introduced us to their lovely friends Jacque and Annie several years ago, and, as I have already written in a blog, Jacque is a retired French chef.  Jacque and Annie had them over to their home...and here are lovely pictures of them.  They just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary!