Strikes and demonstrations

The French take their rights and responsibilities as citizens very seriously. And the rising malaise due to the economic situation, coupled with the upcoming presidental elections in May, 2012 are heating up the political environment. Demonstrations of discontent happen almost daily.

For example, we have attended (and photographed) demonstrations by retired people protesting their diminished purchasing power, firemen who are protesting revisions in their career paths, and a march condemning violence against women. Teachers are protesting increased class sizes, and even midwives have been on the march to protest the situation surrounding birth in France.

Religious extremists have also been in the news. The offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical weekly newspaper, were recently firebombed, and Christian fundamentalists are protesting a theatre piece currently showing in Paris. On Sunday, we attended a demonstration decrying these acts of violence and defending freedom of speech.

Firemen on the march


Protesting violence against women

Demonstration of retired people


The national police are always present, but most demonstrations have been peaceful.


Some people march, others just watch.

November 1st

November 1st (Toussaint or All Saints Day) is a holiday in France. It is equivalent to Memorial Day in the U.S. - a time when people visit cemeteries and remember their deceased relatives. It is also the exact date of the death of Patrice's wife Giselle in 2004 and his mother's death in 2008. Both of them died on the same date (different year) in the same room of the same hospital of the same malady - cancer.

Each year since 2004, Patrice has traveled to Nantes to place flowers on Giselle's tomb. And so, following our visit to St. Brieuc, we traveled south to Nantes to continue the tradition.




It was a solemn occasion, made happier by the fact that we are together.

Weekend in Brittany (part 1)

We spent the weekend in St. Brieuc on the north coast of Brittany. Patrice's daughter, Florence, lives in St. Brieuc and she was anxious to introduce her new love, Gérard. Gérard is from the Basque region in the south of France and he has been traveling over 750 km every other weekend to be with Florence.

On Sunday, the four of us made an excursion to the nearby Island of Bréhat. The tide was out when we arrived, leaving boats high and dry.


The island is small - just 3.5 km long and 1.5 km wide - and cars are not allowed. We passed up the bicycles and explored the island on foot. It was a pleasant way to pass the afternoon getting to know Gérard.

Here are a couple of photos of Florence and Gérard





I wish them all the happiness in the world.

Paco

It was a sad day today. Paco, Patrice's English Cocker Spaniel, had been staying with Patrice's sister-in-law while we were traveling in the U.S. We returned to find that Paco's health had declined dramatically. A visit to the vet confirmed the seriousness of Paco's health and Patrice took the painful decision to euthanize his companion of 14 years.

Dogs can go everywhere in France - even in restaurants, and Paco traveled extensively with Patrice, his late wife Giselle, and his former companion, Chantal. Here is Paco in his younger years.


Paco also accompanied Patrice and me when we visited Moret sur Loing


Patrice and Paco taking a snooze.


My condolences to Patrice and Chantal.

My talented daughter-in-law

October 18th was a big day -- my mother's 80th birthday, AND my son's wedding anniversary. Philippe and Rachel have been married for three years now. They have recently moved to Portland, Oregon where Philippe is teaching contemporary French literature at Lewis and Clark. Rachel left a busy architectural practice in Denver and has just opened an online shop featuring architecture inspired hand painted silk scarves. Here she is below, modeling some of her creations. You can check out her artistry here.

Six months

Patrice and I celebrated our six months anniversary on October 19th. We are surprisingly compatible and share similar views and interests in most areas. Nevertheless, there are a few areas where we are trying out new experiences in order to please the other. For example, Patrice riding a bicycle or climbing to the top of Angel's Landing have surprised some of his friends and family -- just as my family was surprised to see me attending Nascar races or riding on the back of a motor scooter.

Patrice's wish for our anniversary was to take my Toyota 4x4 and try out some of the dirt roads in the mountains of Colorado.

The weather was gorgeous despite some early season snow.


This trail was rated "easy" in the guidebook, but I still found myself holding my breath as we sloshed through half-frozen water holes


or wobbled through a rocky stretch.


The view from the top was spectacular.


I was quite relaxed as we headed back down the trail -- it wasn't that frightening after all. Now I suppose he'll want to try this trail next time!

Tribute to Marilyn

Today is my Mother's 80th birthday. She has spent 62 years mothering, grandmothering, and great-grandmothering. She has changed tens of thousands of diapers, cooked thousands and thousands of meals, kissed away innumberable tears, and said millions of prayers trying to keep her family safe.

She was married at 17, a mother at 18, a grandmother at 40, and a great-grandmother by the time she was 64. And in spite of life devoted to others - she says she would do it all over again.

Marilyn in high school


Mom holding me in 1950


With my dad in 1970


She came to Paris in 1975 for the birth of my son Philippe - her fifth grandchild.


Here she is today - at 80.

We love you, Mom, and wish you many more years of happiness.