Today was a day for friends…old friends and new friends.
Caryl stopped by in the morning with a fresh baguette. After hearing our story of a cooking a wonderful dinner with limited spices, she showed Craig where she’s planted various herbs. We now know where we have fresh rosemary, thyme, sage and bay leaves. Hmmmm….what’s on the menu next?
We “Skyped” with our dear friends in California, Catherine & Bill. This technology never ceases to amaze me….I feel like Jane Jetson talking on her space-age monitor telephone….I have seen the future and it is now. As we were catching up on news from home, we had visitors knocking at the door.
Ray and Angela, originally from England but in France for 11 years now, stopped by for a visit. Ray’s a very interesting man….he grew up in Liverpool and used to go to the Cavern to see the Beatles (more than enough to impress an old Beatles fan like me), he’s built flour factories throughout the world (and was able to explain the cause of the noises we hear – a tornado sifter), he and Angela worked on sailboats in Italy (and recently refurbished one that’s moored along the canal) and now he’s a narrowboat mechanic here in the south of France. He’s an avid fan of American westerns and, after seeing my cast, dubbed me “Hop-a-Long Cassidy.” Angela is a devoted mom to their 15 year old son. She’s trying to get her French driving license but, even with her proficiency in the language, is having trouble passing the necessary tests. We chatted about politics, economics and medical care (they were both shocked at the cost of care in America and they’re firm believers in national health care). After a few drinks and a lot of laughs, they were off with promises of a barbeque after I’m up and about.
Felix, who sensed they might be cat people (they are), made a few appearances and finally came out for a very late dinner.
Bonne nuit.
Midi-Life Crisis 
Hi Gayleen,
I am enjoying reading your daily updates and it is really getting me excited to come over to Europe next summer! Hope your leg heals quickly so you can get out and about more.
Cathie
Such a fabulous day!!
Hi Gayleen:
Google Talk is another good tool to talk to anyone anywhere in the world. I use this and the it is great.
Yes. I am a firm believer of Health Care. I understand capitalism, but when it comes to life and death there has to be a compromise.
A country like US where they can bail out banks and auto industry and spending trillion dollars like small change on war can very easily afford Universal Health care for every American legal or otherwise.