Here Comes the Sun….

You really should play this lighthearted, happy version, even if it’s snowy and cold where you are!

WHOA! The sun came out today! It’s amazing what sunshine does for your attitude, your outlook, your well-being! I’m not gloating. It’s going to rain, OF COURSE, for the next 10 days…again…but TODAY, ah, TODAY, there is SUN!

After some recent mixed feelings about the whole experience of la vie en France (to be expected), I had a lovely French moment this morning. I had my hair trimmed (by a beautiful young Filipino woman named Alex), my new white sneakers on (very chic en France), and a coffee outside in the SUN (coffee = expresso in France). One of those moments that warms you up inside.

and speaking of haircuts…and blonde hair…

We were amazed by all the blondes in Amsterdam. Darker skinned people and brunettes, to be sure, but the contrast was distinctive…

And speaking of multi-culturality (is that a word?), yesterday’s Café Day was interesting…from left to right, Texas, Sri Lanka, Greenville, India, England, France, Vietnam, Canada, Oklahoma, France, Ireland, and Virginia, and USA. Some Michelin expats, some permanently assigned to France, some non-Michelin, some Clermont born-and-bred. Quite the blend. Or jumble!

Two French people recognized me on the street by name yesterday…so I guess we really do live here now, huh?

So…a quick jaunt tomorrow with mon mari to Charroux for the famous Mustard. Brown spiced mustard, of course. “French’s Yellow Mustard” is strictly American…only Grey Poupon here! By the way, Grey Poupon originated in Dijon, France. I’m just full of fun little ‘tour-guide-y’ facts. 🙂 [For Lisa & Mike – do you know how fast that kelp grows?]

LOTS of activity coming in late April & May. A day trip to Le Puy-en-Velay soon, then a longer weekend driving to châteaus in the the Loire Valley, Vienna & Austria week of May 5, and maybe meet Tanner in Budapest over a weekend. Aye-yi-yi! Also planning France trips with Larry, Myrna & Megan, and Susan and JD, AFTER we fly to the States in July/August to be with la famille, les amis et les enfants (Oklahoma, South Carolina, & Georgia – and Florida)!

Good news for Pulsar Man – his first post-op heart echocardiogram/evaluation yesterday showed much improvement, after his two surgeries and continued daily meds. #GRATEFUL. “Come back and see us in June.”

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A year ago, we had NO IDEA of what would happen in the next 12 months. It’s somewhat overwhelming, actually! Really drives home the point that we are given THIS DAY, THIS DAY ONLY. Treasure it, regardless of your circumstances!

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Okay, trolley in hand, off to lug groceries, run errands, and get my miles in today…wish I had started a Fitbit counter when we arrived last October!