Ah, 2010, magical year, perhaps even crazier than others. New Year’s Eve – Expats seem to be bent on cross-dress parties; leave your homeland and you can establish an entirely new identity. Shhhhh, no one will ever know. This time Darrell gave up Egypt for France. Almost losing his head he became Marie Antoinette. Keeping the faith, Ron started out religiously as a nun and then on the stroke of midnight got out of the habit and became a naughty cop. The rest of January was a bust, as it were.
There are never French school vacations in February so that’s when we ski. Andorra had plenty of snow and the lift tickets are free for those of us who have survived 70+ years. Our skiing buddy broke her shoulder, but that did not dampen our spirits; mainly Guillotines: gin, Campari, Martini Bianco and Schweppes Indian tonic. Try it, but not while skiing.
During March people came out from winter hibernation so those weeks were filled with dinner parties and visits from friends from Oregon. Restoring the two gazebos, readying the pool, and filling the fountain are activities which always lift the spirit. By mid-April we were already having our daily morning swim, the basil was potted, and the tomato plants were already growing on those terrific “trainers.” We had our first fruit the last week of June.
May is always heavy duty gardening as everything bursts into flower. Weed whacking, lawn mowing, hedge trimming, planting, digging, and getting in touch with our inner dirt knowing that we will finish each day with a short drink and a long dip in the pool. Most of the work this year fell on Darrell’s shoulders because Ron spent most of the month getting ready for another art exhibition, this time in a real city and in a real gallery.
He sold seven paintings and several photographs, made some fine connections with local artists and two collectors one of whom suggested that he have an exhibition at her gallery in Marrakesh. He was also lucky enough to get and complete a commission.
June started off with a bang and even more luck; Ron won almost 3,000 Euros on the lottery. The next day he found only a couple of hundred Euros still in the account; his wise financial advisor having moved most of the winnings into the bank where it would be "safe". The rest of the month the dynamic duo was busy entertaining guests from Amsterdam, London, and Paris, attending concerts, visiting local galleries, finishing house projects, gardening, and being entertained by local friends.
Though always rather intense, no time of the year is quite as social as July and August. Celebrations include dinner and fireworks the 4th and the 14th. Aside from a calendar fully booked with out of town visitors we also hosted a group of four former educators and two others from Corvallis who deservedly left their husbands at home and came to discover La Boissière and the surrounding sites. We were also pleased to be able to welcome John Stauss who took a break from his duties overseeing the remodel of the Four Seasons on Hyde Park in London and made his way across the channel for a long weekend.
Every Sunday during July and August a group of us attends the farm producers’ market where fresh foods are prepared on the spot making for delicious luncheons, great wines, and beautiful views from the promontory. We ended July at a Picnic Chic, haute cuisine, and dress-up, followed by a concert of Bach’s music in a medieval church.
In August we also had a superb visit to the secondary home of Parisian friends in Provence. A beautiful hilltop home on several levels with breathtaking views, delectable meals, exceptional Rhône Valley wines, captivating guests, an arts festival, and a street dance all made for a remarkable five day getaway vacation. Travel by train made the trip easy, comfortable, fast, and economical.
Upon our return home we hosted a friend from D.C. whom we’ve known all her life. Aside from being family and helping out around the house and in the kitchen she inspired some great fashion shots in gold lamé bikinis.
September brought more guests this time from Seattle and Corvallis. Both groups were just ideal; they pitched in, worked around the house and garden, and helped cook and clean. Friends Gil & Ted brought us and installed a stunning pennant poolside which has become a physical symbol of our place. We also spent a leisurely afternoon canoeing down the wild Dordogne where Darrell was able to put his canoeing merit badge back to work. Another couple (a former student of Darrell's and his wife) helped us build a concrete platform for the pool’s new heat pump (acquired with the saved lottery winnings) thereby extending our swim time by two months.
October brought a visit from friends from California whom we hadn’t seen in 20 years; a truly fine reunion proving that time and distance disappear in the face of friendship. We also joined our group of British friends to help with this year’s grape harvest which is really just another venue for fine food and lots of terrific Bordeaux wines. We ended the month at yet another crazy British “fancy-dress”, as they call it, Halloween party. This time Ron was a bit more royal as Marie’s escort.
Five birthday parties, a Guy Fawkes celebration, a visit from dear friends from Boston who brought us our 12 week old “niece,” a four day trip to Paris where we had the Marais apartment of friends who had gone off to Brazil, the Andrée Putman exhibit at the Hôtel de Ville, and four trips to Bordeaux for cataract surgery and new lens implant were the highlights of November. New vision for Ron. What more could one ask? The former "good eye" is not looking so good by comparison.
December, now quickly winding down, has already brought us yet another all night 50th birthday party, more visits from out of town friends, several “sit-down” (private joke) dinners, and a couple of mind stimulating game nights. Currently we’re helping a friend plan her black-tie New Year’s Eve party. For once the end of the year won’t be a drag.
Ron is doing translation/interpreting work for some friends, teaching French, painting and tap dancing once again (not at the same time), and Darrell is doing computer work, managing the summer/holiday rentals of two properties in the area, as well as finding time to do some scultping projects. He also does the bulk of the heavier house duties and has been a terrific sous-chef for our increasingly interesting and challenging dinner creations.
As for the state of our mind and soul, we grow more and more connected to Europe and France, in particular, even with all of her problems, such as crooked politicians and all that ridiculous accordion music. Though the French complain about it, we feel grateful to know a place where people actually strike and take to the streets for the cause in which they believe. Sometimes there are no results, sometimes things change, but at least there is proof once again that human beings can work together for a common cause. Creating solidarity seems to be a public responsibility and socialism is not a dirty word.
For five days this last week, mainly because we had French visitors, we almost never spoke a word of English. We continue to marvel at how blessed we are to be living the life we lead and to be living where we live. Never a day goes by without feeling gratitude to the powers that brought us here. We never tire of the view, the light-play, the vegetation; often we just stop what we’re doing, look out, stand there in silence and let the peace, the quiet, and the beauty fill us with awe.
Yet, nothing gives us quite the same joy as sharing our world with friends who come to us from afar. Couple this spirit of La Boissière with a light drink and a 15 minute soak in the hot tub, and you will find it therapeutic, rejuvenating, and inspirational.
If that isn’t enough, and you need some exercise, just take a 20 minute stroll, a jog or a bike ride down to the Buddhist center at Plum Village; (http://www.plumvillage.org/) it will put you in a different state of being. So if you receive this message you can safely assume that you are invited to join us whenever you can. Just give us a little heads-up and your cottage will be readied for your arrival.
We hope that all of you dear ones are thriving, healthy, and happy. We wish you a merry holiday season and a joyous year ahead with many magical moments and the peace of knowing that you are loved.
Ron and Darrell & the VV Cats
There are never French school vacations in February so that’s when we ski. Andorra had plenty of snow and the lift tickets are free for those of us who have survived 70+ years. Our skiing buddy broke her shoulder, but that did not dampen our spirits; mainly Guillotines: gin, Campari, Martini Bianco and Schweppes Indian tonic. Try it, but not while skiing.During March people came out from winter hibernation so those weeks were filled with dinner parties and visits from friends from Oregon. Restoring the two gazebos, readying the pool, and filling the fountain are activities which always lift the spirit. By mid-April we were already having our daily morning swim, the basil was potted, and the tomato plants were already growing on those terrific “trainers.” We had our first fruit the last week of June.
May is always heavy duty gardening as everything bursts into flower. Weed whacking, lawn mowing, hedge trimming, planting, digging, and getting in touch with our inner dirt knowing that we will finish each day with a short drink and a long dip in the pool. Most of the work this year fell on Darrell’s shoulders because Ron spent most of the month getting ready for another art exhibition, this time in a real city and in a real gallery.
He sold seven paintings and several photographs, made some fine connections with local artists and two collectors one of whom suggested that he have an exhibition at her gallery in Marrakesh. He was also lucky enough to get and complete a commission.
June started off with a bang and even more luck; Ron won almost 3,000 Euros on the lottery. The next day he found only a couple of hundred Euros still in the account; his wise financial advisor having moved most of the winnings into the bank where it would be "safe". The rest of the month the dynamic duo was busy entertaining guests from Amsterdam, London, and Paris, attending concerts, visiting local galleries, finishing house projects, gardening, and being entertained by local friends.
Though always rather intense, no time of the year is quite as social as July and August. Celebrations include dinner and fireworks the 4th and the 14th. Aside from a calendar fully booked with out of town visitors we also hosted a group of four former educators and two others from Corvallis who deservedly left their husbands at home and came to discover La Boissière and the surrounding sites. We were also pleased to be able to welcome John Stauss who took a break from his duties overseeing the remodel of the Four Seasons on Hyde Park in London and made his way across the channel for a long weekend.Every Sunday during July and August a group of us attends the farm producers’ market where fresh foods are prepared on the spot making for delicious luncheons, great wines, and beautiful views from the promontory. We ended July at a Picnic Chic, haute cuisine, and dress-up, followed by a concert of Bach’s music in a medieval church.
In August we also had a superb visit to the secondary home of Parisian friends in Provence. A beautiful hilltop home on several levels with breathtaking views, delectable meals, exceptional Rhône Valley wines, captivating guests, an arts festival, and a street dance all made for a remarkable five day getaway vacation. Travel by train made the trip easy, comfortable, fast, and economical.Upon our return home we hosted a friend from D.C. whom we’ve known all her life. Aside from being family and helping out around the house and in the kitchen she inspired some great fashion shots in gold lamé bikinis.
October brought a visit from friends from California whom we hadn’t seen in 20 years; a truly fine reunion proving that time and distance disappear in the face of friendship. We also joined our group of British friends to help with this year’s grape harvest which is really just another venue for fine food and lots of terrific Bordeaux wines. We ended the month at yet another crazy British “fancy-dress”, as they call it, Halloween party. This time Ron was a bit more royal as Marie’s escort.Five birthday parties, a Guy Fawkes celebration, a visit from dear friends from Boston who brought us our 12 week old “niece,” a four day trip to Paris where we had the Marais apartment of friends who had gone off to Brazil, the Andrée Putman exhibit at the Hôtel de Ville, and four trips to Bordeaux for cataract surgery and new lens implant were the highlights of November. New vision for Ron. What more could one ask? The former "good eye" is not looking so good by comparison.
December, now quickly winding down, has already brought us yet another all night 50th birthday party, more visits from out of town friends, several “sit-down” (private joke) dinners, and a couple of mind stimulating game nights. Currently we’re helping a friend plan her black-tie New Year’s Eve party. For once the end of the year won’t be a drag.
Ron is doing translation/interpreting work for some friends, teaching French, painting and tap dancing once again (not at the same time), and Darrell is doing computer work, managing the summer/holiday rentals of two properties in the area, as well as finding time to do some scultping projects. He also does the bulk of the heavier house duties and has been a terrific sous-chef for our increasingly interesting and challenging dinner creations.
As for the state of our mind and soul, we grow more and more connected to Europe and France, in particular, even with all of her problems, such as crooked politicians and all that ridiculous accordion music. Though the French complain about it, we feel grateful to know a place where people actually strike and take to the streets for the cause in which they believe. Sometimes there are no results, sometimes things change, but at least there is proof once again that human beings can work together for a common cause. Creating solidarity seems to be a public responsibility and socialism is not a dirty word.
For five days this last week, mainly because we had French visitors, we almost never spoke a word of English. We continue to marvel at how blessed we are to be living the life we lead and to be living where we live. Never a day goes by without feeling gratitude to the powers that brought us here. We never tire of the view, the light-play, the vegetation; often we just stop what we’re doing, look out, stand there in silence and let the peace, the quiet, and the beauty fill us with awe.Yet, nothing gives us quite the same joy as sharing our world with friends who come to us from afar. Couple this spirit of La Boissière with a light drink and a 15 minute soak in the hot tub, and you will find it therapeutic, rejuvenating, and inspirational.
If that isn’t enough, and you need some exercise, just take a 20 minute stroll, a jog or a bike ride down to the Buddhist center at Plum Village; (http://www.plumvillage.org/) it will put you in a different state of being. So if you receive this message you can safely assume that you are invited to join us whenever you can. Just give us a little heads-up and your cottage will be readied for your arrival.
Ron and Darrell & the VV Cats
