Life in the Languedoc

A long drive, a concert in Paris and the annual pilgrimage to Costco.

There is Paris and then there is La France Profonde.

Life is an adventure. Live it to the fullest. Especially in these, the Golden Years.

Living in France requires some adjustments, some of which are around food. It’s all part of the adventure.

I lost my mother in September and I write this blog in her honor.

Summer is drawing to a close and classes resume soon. But it’s been a good and fun-filled few months.

Retirement is great. One (finally!) is no longer accountable to anyone. Aside from normal tasks, there is no longer any great burden or responsibility. Since retiring at the end of 2018, I have relished my freedom. The move was consuming and stressful in terms of buying the house, selling off items that I either wouldn’t need or couldn’t place in my new home, arranging for …

Continue reading “SUMMER DIVERSIONS”

Being patient is sometimes challenging. But with it comes growth.

I had a great day last week presenting to middle-school children in France about the American culture

This part of France is enjoying its two-week long winter break and I’m making the most of it.

It’s time for the winter vacation in France and I am ready

Learning French is hard work. So I pulled a fast one on the participants in my workshop this past week…

I had an opportunity to be interviewed in Toulouse and then, taking advantage of being the city, visited the Christmas marché.

Between a somewhat unexpected visit from my brother, Chantal’s birthday celebration and a week in Paris with my nephew, it was a great month!

This event happened this past July. Life has been hectic, particularly with my French classes, so I’ve not had the chance to tell this story. Not that I haven’t wanted to, because it is a good one. On occasion I’m asked where I’d like to travel. My first response is “Nowhere. I’m where I want to be.” And that is true. I was fortunate over …

Continue reading “THE STORY THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE TOLD”

It’s Halloween and I’ve been having some fun.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted so here is a summary of the past few months as well as a commentary on the romantic notion of France.

The Tour de France passed through here three days ago and here are more photos and pretty spectacular video from France TV featuring Carcassonne and my village of Montréal.

The Tour de France is the world’s most prestigious bike race. It passed through my village this afternoon and it was a moment to remember.

With vaccinations available and nearing the end of our third lockdown,

Memories from Easter 2014 plus exciting potential for a program in France with my high school classmates

Bored with confinement, a long-anticipated day trip to Albi was finally in the cards. It was a day well-spent.

At the age of 61, one year ago Ronald Walker died suddenly. He had been in good health and was out riding his bike in Northern Ireland and is believed to have been hit by a car. When he didn’t return, the police were phoned and he was found on the road next to his bike. His sister Bertha, living in Carcassonne, has participated in …

Continue reading “AN IRISH WAKE”

Most of us idealize and romanticize France – and rightly so. It has an endearing culture rich with history, the arts, cuisine, wine, beautiful countryside no matter what region, all operating on the legacy of the French Revolution: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Yet, there have been brutal moments in French history where the forces of good and evil met creating great suffering.  In the 13th century there …

Continue reading “THE DARK PAST OF HISTORY – ASSASSINATION IN VICHY”

The skies were red yesterday with sand from the Sahara. It put me into a reflective and appreciative mood.

I’ve not written in over a month, but that is not to say I haven’t thought about it. All kinds of ideas came to mind, but there was a lot going on to distract me and I couldn’t formulate exactly what I wanted to say. First, there was the distraction of the tile project for the main floor of my house. I noted here and …

Continue reading “HOLIDAY SPLENDOR, A MILESTONE & THE PANDEMIC BLUES”

In every culture there are codes of interaction. As one relatively new to French society, there has been lots to navigate.

This morning I woke up to the sounds of a saw. Little did I know that it was saving me money!

Thanksgiving wasn’t what I originally planned due to a project at home. But it all worked out in the end.

Two years ago I signed some papers and bought a house in France. Was it the right thing to do?

As with life, one thing leads to another. Finding a local artist led me to a new adventure in the world of enluminures.

The world is facing its many demons. What is the future for Muslims integrating in France?

We’re in our second COVID confinement but some renovation work at home forced me out to do some welcome touring.

With climate change, we are seeing changes in weather lending uncertainty to life and the beautiful landscape.

Medieval illuminations are extraordinarily ornate works of art. I discovered a local artist and the rest is history.

When it comes to fine dining, ambience is nice but sometimes the best places are the simplest.

Lavender Is ubiquitous in France and has many uses

Sometimes you just have to ask and the Universe will provide.

When I first moved to this region, I was asked by my brother if there had been much activity here during World War II. I told him, no, I didn’t think so. But I was wrong. The French Resistance was active and strong. It doesn’t get a lot of public discussion because even though we are 75 years away from the end of the war, …

Continue reading “THE FRENCH RESISTANCE IN WW II”

It’s not every day one gets to participate in a wedding. And in France things work a bit differently…

Following the removal of the fireplace, there was room for storage

This week we experienced the loss of a neighbor whose family has been here for centuries

Twenty years ago this week marked a real adventure for the family

A weekend away to Nice and into Italy…

After nearly a year of trying to pay my property taxes, it was finally sorted out

Meeting weekly since January, I’ve been teaching a class on French. Yesterday was a special gathering.

It only took six months, but the leak has been repaired.

France is a gorgeous country in many ways. Living here is great but sometimes there are challenges that you just have to navigate.

It was a glorious summer’s day and a good one for a walk

A perfect day for this Michigander in the Languedoc

Progress!

Moving to a foreign country is daring

With rail fares priced a 1 euro, there was an incentive to get out of town…

A leisurely lunch on a beautiful day in the country

Following lockdown, my class assembled for a lovely reunion & lunch outdoors

A drawing for an original Picasso

Without a time restriction, I took a longer walk encircling my village

It’s not every day one hears a cuckoo…

The French are challenging the government’s response to COVID-19

The world is noting the passing of 75 years since D-Day and the beginning of the end of WW II. I have my own story.

One year ago today I arrived in France to live…

Many communities have small markets to promote Christmas gifts and decorative items. I did a tour of three.

Music in the genes and a stroke of luck led to a rewarding avocation and life support in time of need

I had the unique opportunity to tell my story for a House Hunters International episode that aired in the US October 2019

I moved to France in February fulfilling a long-held dream. After three months, I qualified for French health care.

The heat relents…

With the installation of new bookshelves and storage, I have finally and completely unpacked.

I woke up early to the church bells calling the monks to prayer at 7:05 AM. There are three sets of three bells 15 seconds apart.

Following a visit to Camon, Chantal and I made our way to historic Montsegur.

Chantal & I had an unforgettable walk-around in this beautiful village of flowers

It’s not every day one sees a bunch of nuns walking past the house!

A health appointment is required to validate the visa. I drove to Montpellier for mine.

When living in rural France, one needs to expect to commune with nature.

The Languedoc is a rich agricultural region known for more than simply wine

It’s not everyone who can say they have a cheese in their name…