Monday Musings

We had a wonderful three-week trip to France, traveling all over the north, from Strasbourg in the east, to Mont Saint Michel in the west, and most points in between.  It was a challenging itinerary but I wanted to see many new places and grab hold of France while we can.

We spent time with friends outside of Strasbourg, outside the tiny village of La Petite Pierre.  Such generous and kind friends, we celebrated Easter with them and their extended family.  We traveled the area (near the German border) seeing the sites and visiting castles and other villages.  We spent a day in Strasbourg touring the old city.  It was difficult to leave such friendship and comfort, but after five nights we did.

It was a grand trip that ended up with eleven days in Paris.  One week in the apartment of a friend, and five days in a nice little hotel.  From Paris we traveled to Giverny, home of Monet.  The gardens were a marvel and so was the house.  Both completely restored after falling into ruin.  Old photographs were used to bring the property back to it's former glory.

It's only been in the last couple of days that I can feel the jet-lag disappearing.

Too many impressions and experiences to capture right here, right now.  Perhaps later.  We did what we wanted to do, and despite our poor health, we did it brilliantly.  We paced ourselves and rested when we needed to.  I have a hard time believing I climbed endless stairs on the island of Mont Saint Michel.  Those were some wicked-ass steep stairs, and we did it.  Huffing and puffing and resting at each landing, but we did it.  (A testament to motivation.) An experience of a life-time.  We stayed two glorious nights there.

photo not mine

Now we are back into the routine of this place and wondering if we were ever really gone, or was it just a dream?  I've got the photos to prove we were there.  So that settles it.

Today is my mother's 84th birthday.  She's lived for 25 years with Parkinson's and she's dependent on the family and caregivers for her every need.  But, when her mind is not foggy, she is here with us, and she likes a good laugh.  She is fading away very slowly, and it stinks.  But it's what we deal with and we're mostly doing okay.  We had dinner with her and Dad (87) and we gave her a large bouquet of yellow flowers: lilies, sunflowers and daises.   She smiled broadly.  It was a good birthday.

And so, goodnight.