To back up for just a minute, I was too tired to post these pics from Saumur the other day: I saw a butcher, a baker, and a cheese maker on the old streets.
How cute. The French make fun of us, and how often we say, "how cute." They mock us by saying, "Ohh, how cude." Needless to say, I learned the word for "cute" in French is mignon.
On to Paris...
We were able to see Malmasion: The estate Napoleon built for his wife, Josephine.
In the same day, we went to an Impressionist art gallery and saw Monet, Manet, and a huge exhibit by Berthe Morisot. It was very impressive. (No pictures allowed). Since I had already been to Versailles and The Louvre, this was an interesting, but more low-key version of the large estates and art galleries. It was manageable. Since this was towards the end of our trip, manageable was what we were going for.
We also saw Notre Dame.
Kids were simply playing on the monkey bars in the park next to Notre Dame, and I wondered if they knew what was really next to them. I wonder if they even thought for a second how abnormal that seems to so many other people.
We also saw the beautiful Eiffel Tower from many view points, but for some reason, this was my favorite shot.
During the days that followed, we went to Giverny where Monet lived. We saw his house, and most importantly, his gardens.
It was spectacular.
So was the drive over there... quite picturesque.
The plant called Culza was everywhere in France. It's a crop used to make cooking oil.
It's the simple things that are so beautiful there.
It's the simple things that are so beautiful at home, too. I'm glad to be back.
I swear, when I got in my car to come back to Baton Rouge, Lee Greenwood's song "Proud to be an American" came on the radio. It did. You can't make this stuff up....
And I can't say I hated it, either. It made me smile and {obviously} laugh. I was back home; I was on my way back to see my sweet husband.
I know he was glad to see me. He said the house was quiet without me. My mom said the same thing when she forgot me at after-care once. It's good to be missed, though.
Now it's back to the same-ol grind: cooking, cleaning, trying to make money, doctor's appointments. The "same ol grind", though, has a fresh perspective; an appreciation for my blessings. My American blessings.
Damn, by the sound of it, you would think I was celebrating the Fourth of July with a bunch of Navy Seals at a Toby Keith concert...
In conclusion, France was wonderful. It was such a fun trip, but I'm glad to be home. And I'm glad to be an American.
And last but not least, I'm glad to be a Southern girl.
Amen.
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