Tuesday, January 28, 2014
The New Passport
My new passport arrived in this morning's mail exactly one week from the day I sent in my application. I love it when the system works like it's supposed to! So...I'm good for another ten years. The pages in this new passport are quite pretty. Each one has a different background design. I've boosted the contrast in the photos, so you can see the images betters. This will give me something interesting to look at while I'm waiting in those long security lines at the airport. Do you think people will think I'm weird for 'reading' my passport??
Monday, January 27, 2014
Resurgence
I live in a land of river valleys separated by high cliffs and limestone plateaus. Those plateaus are dotted with caves and underground caverns, potholes large and small (called gouffres and igues) and rivers that disappear into the ground only to re-surface many kilometers away in places like this...our local resurgence. It's along the road to Cajarc about a mile from my house. That rushing water you see is part of an underground river that surfaces here through an underground cavern. It flows along a field and empties into the Lot River 100 meters away. Underwater rescue teams from fire departments all over France come here to do their underwater rescue training. I've seen groups from as far away as Paris in their scuba gear getting ready to dive. Recreational divers from all over Europe come here as well. When the water rushes like this, it's a bit dangerous. In fact, a Swedish man died here last summer when he got caught up in the underwater cavern on submerged tree branches and rocks as he dove..
The real reason I'm showing you the resurgence, though, is to draw your attention to its beautiful deep blue water. It's even more turquoise than the photo shows. Now look at the photo above that I took just minutes later of the Lot River where that beautiful blue water is going. Quite a difference, eh? We've had days of rain, and the river is running muddy brown. What's spewing out from its limestone filter, however, is clear and blue. Interesting!
The real reason I'm showing you the resurgence, though, is to draw your attention to its beautiful deep blue water. It's even more turquoise than the photo shows. Now look at the photo above that I took just minutes later of the Lot River where that beautiful blue water is going. Quite a difference, eh? We've had days of rain, and the river is running muddy brown. What's spewing out from its limestone filter, however, is clear and blue. Interesting!
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Le Baux-de-Provence
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Le Baux-de-Provence October 2013 |
Le Baux-de-Provence April 2007 |
I visited Le Baux briefly some years ago with friends. We lingered over lunch in St. Remy-de-Provence, unfortunately arrived at Le Baux in mid-afternoon. It was hot, and the village was teeming with tourists. We stayed long enough to know it would be worthwhile to return...early in the morning on a cooler day! I will definitely make a visit the next time I travel to this part of Provence.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Passport Renewal
It's hard to believe that my passport is 10 years old, but the expiration date...May 2014...tells me it is. We've had a lot of fun together, this passport and I, but it's time to trade it in on a new model. As always, there are a few extra hoops for an ex-pat to jump through. American passport photos are required to be a different size than the normal French identity photo, so a trip to a photographer was necessary. You can apply for renewal by mail, but have to purchase a certain type of French 'money order' and also an overnight delivery envelope for mailing (to the tune of almost €25!) I guess in reality all this is costing me less than actually travelling to Paris for an Embassy visit. But it's certainly not as much fun!
So, I put it all in the mail yesterday with fingers crossed that I've done everything correctly. It's kind of a 'naked' feeling, this being without a passport. I have a copy, of course, and my French carte de sejour. but it doesn't feel quite the same. Do I really exist as an American citizen without my trusty passport? Don't know the answer to that, but I will feel better when the new one arrives and is safely tucked away.
So, I put it all in the mail yesterday with fingers crossed that I've done everything correctly. It's kind of a 'naked' feeling, this being without a passport. I have a copy, of course, and my French carte de sejour. but it doesn't feel quite the same. Do I really exist as an American citizen without my trusty passport? Don't know the answer to that, but I will feel better when the new one arrives and is safely tucked away.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Living as an ex-pat in France has given me an interesting perspective on America. I love my country of birth, but living away from governmental and media 'spin' on news and culture has changed how I perceive American life. Reading and viewing French and European news sources have given me a less 'America-centric' perspective on world events, issues and crises. Answering my friends' questions about how the U.S. government works and explaining American popular culture has made me dig deep. How do you explain states rights to people who have no concept exactly what a state is? Huge food portions, 24/7 shopping options, and unlimited access to guns all mystify people here. Distance and life away have made me question a lot of things.
But that same distance has also made me cherish some of the really good things about America. It's made me appreciate those men and women who have called Americans to a higher standard, to live in peace and justice with all people. Today, my country honors such a man. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I share with you a creative interpretation of part of his "I Have a Dream" speech. Fifty years later, we still have a long way to go to make Dr. King's dream a reality for those people who continue to be marginalized by our society...black Americans, Latinos, Asian and other immigrants, the poor, our LGBT brothers and sisters...but I have hope that Americans and all the people of the world will be re-inspired by Dr. King's words and make his dream their dream.
"I Have A Dream" from SALT Project on Vimeo.
I found this video in an 'On Being' newsletter. You can access it here. 'On Being' is an NPR broadcast hosted by Krista Tippett that discusses important ideas, religion, and ethics of our time. I have to admit that NPR is one of the very few things about living in the United States that I miss! Not quite the same listening to it on my computer.
But that same distance has also made me cherish some of the really good things about America. It's made me appreciate those men and women who have called Americans to a higher standard, to live in peace and justice with all people. Today, my country honors such a man. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I share with you a creative interpretation of part of his "I Have a Dream" speech. Fifty years later, we still have a long way to go to make Dr. King's dream a reality for those people who continue to be marginalized by our society...black Americans, Latinos, Asian and other immigrants, the poor, our LGBT brothers and sisters...but I have hope that Americans and all the people of the world will be re-inspired by Dr. King's words and make his dream their dream.
"I Have A Dream" from SALT Project on Vimeo.
I found this video in an 'On Being' newsletter. You can access it here. 'On Being' is an NPR broadcast hosted by Krista Tippett that discusses important ideas, religion, and ethics of our time. I have to admit that NPR is one of the very few things about living in the United States that I miss! Not quite the same listening to it on my computer.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Numbers: 434
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Little Train House Cadrieu France |
My house is one in a series built along the railroad track in the late 1800s. A railroad employee lived in each one and was responsible for maintaining the 'level crossing' where the tracks crossed a road. (in French, a passage niveau abbreviated 'PN') They are numbered consecutively. Cadrieu has two train houses...mine (434) and my friends, Helen and Eddy's (433). Some day I'm going to drive the tracks to their end and see just how high the numbers go!
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Pomegranates
I've been thinking a lot about fruit lately. These thoughts go along with my word for 2014: RIPENING. Logical connection, I'd say. Initially, I was thinking of berries. I'm a berry-girl who would rather eat berries than any other kind of fruit....strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries...all make me salivate. But the fruit that has dominated my thoughts and which I've chosen to represent my word this year is the pomegranate. Somehow it just feels right. I sent pomegranate-themed new year's cards earlier this month. I've been reading about the symbology of pomegranates. I bought one at last Saturday's market to taste..
So, what have I learned from my reading? Pomegranates, which originated in Iran, are now primarily cultivated in the Middle East and along the Mediterranean. They were introduced by the Spanish to California in the 1700s and are now produced there and in Arizona. Being a Californian native, I guess I already knew that last part. Their name derives from the Latin for 'seeded apple.' They have graced heraldic coats of arms and have had their name attached to a weapon of warfare...hand grenades. Their symbol is found in several of the world's religions...Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism. And they were also important symbols in ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt and China representing fertility, sweetness, and prosperity. In ancient Egypt, however, the pomegranate was considered the fruit of the dead as its juices looked like running blood. Who knew??
And what has opening my own pomegranate taught me about RIPENING? One thing is that I don't always know what is ripe! My pomegranate was a little pale and wimpy-looking inside. But the seeds were sweet and tasty. So, I guess the message is you have to just put things out there and test them to see if they're ripe and ready to go. Outward appearances can be deceiving. Don't be afraid to try. And keep at it until you get it right! I'll definitely buy another with my new-found knowledge of discerning ripeness. I'll keep you posted on my pomegranate progress.
So, what have I learned from my reading? Pomegranates, which originated in Iran, are now primarily cultivated in the Middle East and along the Mediterranean. They were introduced by the Spanish to California in the 1700s and are now produced there and in Arizona. Being a Californian native, I guess I already knew that last part. Their name derives from the Latin for 'seeded apple.' They have graced heraldic coats of arms and have had their name attached to a weapon of warfare...hand grenades. Their symbol is found in several of the world's religions...Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism. And they were also important symbols in ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt and China representing fertility, sweetness, and prosperity. In ancient Egypt, however, the pomegranate was considered the fruit of the dead as its juices looked like running blood. Who knew??
And what has opening my own pomegranate taught me about RIPENING? One thing is that I don't always know what is ripe! My pomegranate was a little pale and wimpy-looking inside. But the seeds were sweet and tasty. So, I guess the message is you have to just put things out there and test them to see if they're ripe and ready to go. Outward appearances can be deceiving. Don't be afraid to try. And keep at it until you get it right! I'll definitely buy another with my new-found knowledge of discerning ripeness. I'll keep you posted on my pomegranate progress.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Friday, January 10, 2014
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Before--During--After
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Place Notre Dame |
Place Notre Dame in the heart of medieval Villefranche de Rouergue is lined with beautiful old buildings and arcades.
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Pedestrian and vehicle arcades line the Place |
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Doors of the Notre Dame church opening onto Place Notre Dame |
This large open space also hosts the weekly market drawing hundreds of local shoppers as well as tourists year 'round.
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Thursday morning is market day in Villefranche |
And the Place has been a place of confusion, construction, chaos and complaints.What...you say you don't see it? Let's back the story up just a bit...
A committee decided that this big open space would be perfect for a fountain and secured the funding to build it...over 300,000 euros, in fact. Ground was broken in early April this year with the promise that all the construction would be completed by the time the hordes of summer tourists arrived.
During
This is what the Place looked like throughout the summer...
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Photo courtesy of La Depeche |
People were not happy...not the market vendors whose stalls were pushed into the tiny ruelles of the medieval town, not the local shoppers, and certainly not the tourists. The Place was a mess all summer. Our story has a happy ending, though. The work was completed in late November, and the fountain was inaugurated in style...
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Photo courtesy La Depeche |
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Photo courtesy Aquaprism |
Clever, huh?
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
The Creche
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The Adoration of the Magi |
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Village boy playing a pipe |
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The Holy Family and Visitors |
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Monday, January 6, 2014
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Word 2014: Ripening
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Grapes Cabrerets France |
This year no sooner had I begun the word search when 'RIPENING' swept me off my feet. Of course, all those places in my life that bloomed last year are now beginning the ripening process. Much like this bunch of grapes some parts of my life feel already full and ripe; others are still becoming, still RIPENING. That's how life should be...always in the process of RIPENING, of getting fuller and lusher and sweeter.
Watch me as I ripen in 2014!
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