Stop!

I will be away for the weekend at an Episcopal church workshop. I have received strict instructions to leave all electronic things that ring, beep, chime, chirp, buzz, and all other worldly distractions that command your attention at home. I think this means I won't have computer/laptop access! So, I'll be taking a bit of a 'stop' from blogging. See you next week.

"All the Better to See You With"

Did you figure out the clue?

The  label on the mailing envelope reads "one pair of glasses and one glasses case." Postmarked Aix-en-Provence, my package is a gift from a fellow blogger, Corey, who posted about these nifty stylish reading glasses that are the brainchild of her friend, Phillipe. Corey sponsored a contest on her blog to give Phillipe the best ideas for advertising photos of his new glasses...using Corey's yummy FH (French Husband) as a model. The prize for the best ideas...these reading glasses! And I won! Okay...some other people did too, but I thought my idea to photograph FH on his sexy motorcycle was the best...it appeals to women who would love to be on the back seat clutching FH tightly around his waist and to guys who would love to be FH hitting the road on this sexy bike to adventures unknown. The glasses are very chic trifocals... the bottom part of the lens is perfect for reading, the middle part makes reading the computer screen a breeze, and the top lets you see a bit in the distance. They are perfect for me when I have my contacts in and have great distance vision, but up close...it's all a blur. No more with this snazzy little number! And I'm thinking the red will look 'hot' when my hair grows out and is silvery gray. It'll be my new old lady look!

A Clue

How good is your French? Here's a clue about tomorrow's blog post. Can you read it? Can you guess what came in my mailbox yesterday?

Searching for the Sun

I always check Jilly Bennett's blogs first thing in the morning. She blogs about Menton and Monte Carlo, both located on the sunny Mediterranean coast better known as the Cote d'Azur. I do this because I need a daily shot of sunshine; I'm a California-born girl, after all. I was raised on sunshine and outdoor living. It's difficult to find both during an Iowa winter. This morning, tho, I was disappointed. Once again France is suffering with unusual cold, snowy weather. Snow on the Mediterranean? Not very often, but there's snow there today. So, I had to take matters into my own hands and search my photo archives for a bit of summery color and warmth. Makes me feel better just to look at these beautiful flowers! How about you?

I took all these flower photos last June in the Betty Ford Gardens at Vail, Colorado.

Way of the Monk, Path of the Artist

I gave myself the Christmas gift of a 6-week online class: Way of the Monk, Path of the Artist. As a regular reader of Abbey of the Arts blog, I was intrigued when Christine announced that she would be offering this class. Since by no stretch of the imagination can I be called an artist, I emailed her and asked if 'wannabes' like me could participate. "Of course!" she replied. So, I signed up. I'm interested in spiritual practices and I love art...seems to be a good fit. Our 'community' has begun to form; we've each introduced ourselves beginning with a 6 word memoir. Mine is: Seeker of adventure, spirit, and beauty. Then we each shared a bit more about ourselves and had the opportunity to upload photos to the community album. Tomorrow is the first day of class. I have a feeling after reading about my classmates that I may be in 'way over my head. Wish me luck!

Purple is the Winner

I've decided I like the deep purple better than black....

Black Instead of Purple

I'm trying black today as my background color instead of the deep purple. Actually I thought I had picked black the first time! I'll keep it like this for a couple of days. Any thoughts??

A New Look

I've been thinking about a new look for my blog for the New Year. I don't really want to change my banner; I like the wisteria photo I took in Provence. I read a couple of blogs that are on black backgrounds...Soar-Dream-France is one. And I really like how the photos pop against the black. I'd be interested in your opinion before I set this template in stone. How do you like it?

New Rules for Technology

As you already know, I've converted from a letter-writer to a blogger. I love both writing my blog and reading others' blogs. I'm surprised that I've been seduced by this technology since I'm really not much of a technology person. But seduced I am! Along with this new-found passion, however, comes questions. Anything new that impacts our culture is bound to change the rules, and I think blogging has done this. I read several blogs almost daily. A lot of them have some sort of connection with France; almost all are illustrated with a photo or two...or more! Here's question #1: is it polite to read someone's blog and NOT make a comment? I comment only occasionally if an entry really 'speaks' to me on some level. There are blogs that I read and enjoy every day where I've never left a comment. Is this rude? Question #2: Is it okay to use photos on my blog that I DIDN'T take myself? I try to credit Google when I swipe one from there, but when it's obvious that it's not my photo, i.e. I'm telling you about a place I'd like to visit someday, do I have to disclaim that the picture isn't mine? Just an fyi...most of the photos are mine. Question #3: Is it okay to read blogs at work? My hospital has blocked blogs so you can't get to any through their server. So I take my mini-laptop to work and log onto the wireless network if I want to check any. I feel a bit guilty; doesn't stop me from doing it, though! Question #4: If you 'meet' someone by trading remarks in the blog's comment section, are they an acquaintance? How about if you establish an email correspondence with the blog author...are they, then, a friend? I'm sure folks who have friends on Facebook or MySpace could answer this question, but it puzzles me a bit. I always feel like I have to explain how I can have a friend who lives in Belgium or France, or Norway. Question #5: And what if you want to actually meet one of these friends in person, have coffee, share a meal...is this just plain weird? Please let me know if you have answers to any of these questions...I'm trying desperately to get this new technology and its rules right!

Not Such Good News

There's bad news from the blog-o-sphere. Polly Lyman, creator of one of my very favorite Paris blogs, is going home. Home to the United States, leaving Paris! Oh, say it isn't so, Polly! I am SO bummed. My guess is that Polly is more bummed than I am, though. When I read her comments on Polly-Vous Francais today, I could feel her disappointment. It seems that it's a financial thing...the dollar is so weak against the Euro, living in Paris is tres cher, and I can't help but think that perhaps the volatile stock market and the financial crisis we're in the midst of may have something to do with her decision as well. Sigh! I do hope that wherever she settles Stateside that she'll keep blogging. I love her comments of life, no matter where life finds her. I think another reason I feel so sad about this is that perhaps my dream of living in France someday is also in jeopardy. If Polly can't make it happen, can I??

One bright spot from the world of blogs, however, is a new one that I discovered today called The Bold Soul. This blog is from Paris as well written by a woman who is a writer and a life coach. She was bold enough to move to Paris to follow her dream; maybe she can inspire me to do the same.