Born French

After returning from my most recent trip to France, I am convinced that I was switched at birth.  Somewhere in France there lives a fifty-something woman who is sure she ought to be American.  She and I were switched at birth.  ( I do not know how her French parents happened to be in New Orleans at the time of her birth, rather than in France....perhaps visiting some distant relatives).
There is no where else that I feel more at home than in France.  Whether it be the countryside of southern France or the hustle and bustle of Paris, I am equally content.
I had a great trip with my husband, showing him the sites and discovering some new ones too.  I don't think he fully appreciated my driving skills on the hilly back roads in our tiny standard shift  Nissan Micra, perhaps next time we'll opt for a Porsche!
In honor of all things French I happen to have a duck roasting in the oven at the moment.  Granted it is not a fresh succulent French duck, but it is duck none-the-less.  When in America, one must make compromises in the effort to live the French life.

Travel bug of Summer

Summer is just around the corner and I have the travel bug big time! I have already been up to Highlands twice, which is a direct result of the very early Spring we have enjoyed. The mountain laurel are  blooming and look beautiful with their bright fushia buds. I am leaving in a few days for Southern France! I will be there for almost a month, and believe it or not, my husband is actually going with me. This will be his first trip to Europe since our marriage 25 years ago....and that is why he is going; for our 25th anniversary. I just hope he behaves himself and I don't have to push him off the train somewhere along the French countryside! I am working on putting together a 'girl's trip' to Southern France either in the Fall or next Spring, or both. So I will be researching accommodations, day trips and restaurants for that trip and cannot wait to see what new things I discover. Will report on the France trip upon my return. Anyone interested in joining in, please email me.In the meantime, A bientot!

Hard Cold Guns

I recently spent a weekend at a gun show in Kentucky. There were all kinds of interesting sights to be seen. The particular show was an 'antique arms' show in addition to a run-of-the-mill gun show. That means that there were a lot of old guns plus a bunch of people who like old guns. Some of these people feel the need to dress up in attire that apparently relates to old guns. I could never really figure the whole thing out, but I did get a few interesting photos. Not the least of which was this woman in blue. She stood in front of my husband's table for quite awhile inspecting and admiring his display while I discreetly snapped a couple of photos. Wish I could have snapped a few more, but short of stopping someone and asking them to pose for you, it was a little difficult to take pictures in the crowded, narrow aisles.



There are so many guns you wonder how it could possibly be legal. Tables upon tables of guns. Big guns, small guns, old guns, new guns, even some red guns and blue guns.
Most of the people who go to these shows take their guns very seriously. Lots of wheeling and dealing going on. Also lots and lots of cash. Guns are bought, sold, and exchanged. Men pull out huge wads of 100 dollar bills, meticulously counting off the exact number, then stuffing the remains into a pant pocket, brief case or cloth bag. I imagine they wonder why we don't have $500 and $1000 bills. Would certainly make their life easier on gun show day. You don't see many checks exchanging hands, just hard, cold cash. Guess it goes well with the hard, cold guns.

Here's to Love

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!

Today is the perfect day to be thankful for all the love we have in our lives, from whatever the source. Some of the best love I get comes from the animals we have around the farm. The two 'outside' dogs top the list. They are always so very happy to see me and are very generous with their displays of affection, whether it be kisses, nudges, or pushing my hand for a caress.







Second on the list of animals, at least, is Coco Chanel, the donkey. She is, granted a somewhat distant second, but second none-the-less. She is very vocal and will yell to me from the field if she sees me come out the front door (of course she is hoping I have a treat for her, but she talks to me in any event - which is more than I can say for husband some days!).



I hope you all have a love-filled Valentine's Day!