FRIENDS ARE THE ULTIMATE!!!

Friends really are the threads which give life its fabric. I have shared so much inspiration,have had so much fun in these last two weeks rekindling old, and wonderful friendships. Where to begin is the question, I now ask? In these photos you will see me with my best friend Lisa, her two daughters Kylie who is turning seven, and Kasey who is turning five. My favorite is the one in front of the lobster tank while we visited the Lloyd Center. Kylie is trying to escape, fearing the lobster is going to jump out of its tank and get her! Kasey is laughing, as she has no fear! We have been to the beach, animal farms, and just hung out with each other, her husband Chris, her mother Kay, who is a wonder, all the sisters, and kids, laughing, eating lobster etc. and what a time we had!

Some photos (none are in order) of my good friends Suzy and David, fun filled, creative people. We have enjoyed each others company, laughed, and enjoyed a meal together. David is the artist of the famous Hurricane Bob drawing above my couch. We all took a boat ride to the Island of Cuttyhunk with my friend Duncan, and shared cocktails on his deck overlooking the beautiful Atlantic Ocean.

You see my good friend Liz with her three rescue dogs. Liz was one of Zoey's vet techs when I lived back there. We had a great day together drinking wine, laughing, eating, and catching up on many subjects, such as relationships. I don't believe we came to any conclusions!

My good friends Rachel, (who was also one of Zoey's vet techs) and Dave are not pictured here, as I stupidly, did not bring my camera to their daughter Sam's sixth birhday, but it was awesome to spend a little time with them!

My last night I went to a concert on the bay for $5 to see Ernie and The Automatics, two members were from Beaver Brown Band, and one from Boston. Lisa, my bother Sebby, his wife Olga, Mr. O, and Maise joined us for the festivities. There is a bit more to that night, as I got quite a buzz, and Lisa had to drive me home. The next morning when Olga took me to retrieve my car we found the area locked, and I had a slight panic attack as I was leaving in the next hour. We managed to find a way out, it was quite amusing after the fact!

I am home now and looking very forward to visiting with my friends here, and sharing my adventures with them! Tomorrow is Sandys' celebration of life, so I will have to share some humourous memories from our times we spent together.

FAMILY AND HANGING OUT!

It is raining here by the gorgeous Atlantic, the sound is music to my ears, the thunder a part of the harmony, and oh the smells. We are all once again gathered together in the kitchen, and Mr. O is preparing delicious quesidillas filled with chicken, roasted red peppers, parsley, tomatoes, and a variety of cheeses for our lunch, while doing jumping jacks. He turns 9 Sunday, you would think he was way beyond this age in his infinite wisdom. Whenever you need to know anything, about where anything is, ask Owen. Maisie is the innocent 3 year old, who chants, converses constantly, says things that come from outer space, that are amazingly coherent, we can only guess where they come from. My brother, the poetic, inspiring, talented, black and white photographer, cook, farmworker, awesome father, sings a Kinks song with the kids, as he cleanes up after lunch. Olga, the beautiful, excellent mother, cook, creative, artistic, the owner of Katydid Horse Farm, where she teaches riding, does competitions, and shows the horses, in a stretch of eastern states.

They are a unique family with many things going on, they are truly busy, yet manage to juggle everything well. I am the observer at this point, getting to know each one of them individually, and truly enjoying it! Two nights ago Mr. O and I made dinner together, we spiced up a chicken and stuck the beer can up its butt. Things were going smoothly until the grill collapsed, and the chicken rolled into the dirt. As we busted up, Owen suggested we pick the chicken up, clean it, and place it in the oven. Thank god for his brilliance, but of course he was not drinking red wine like us! We then made delicious mushroom risotto, which was very time consuming, we took many turns stirring. Maybe you had to be there to feel the amusement, but for me it was a special evening that will always be a telltale memory. Mr O is amazing when it comes to his talents in the kitchen, and his compassion towards others. I am truly getting accustomed to being around him.

Off to have lobster with my best friends here tonight, last night was dinner at my cousins house, where her 19 year old daughter prepared a gourmet meal for us. Sarah has been to Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and graduated from there! She now goes to college in LA, so I hope she will be visiting this winter, and teaching me more skills. Maybe she'll be my excuse to ski more, who knows. Many more old friends to see, just taking my time not rushing, and enjoying each, and every moment!

THE LAST OF PARIS, BACK IN THE USA

My last day in Paris I spent a few hours at the Louvre, saw some more amazing art, including the Mona Lisa, but it was like a carnival, with way too many people, pushing and shoving. After that experience I was done with it! Went walking along the Seine River, and the gardens outside the Louvre, eating Toblerone chocolate, that by now looked the consistency of dog shit due to the humidity. The Champs Elysee, and the Concord plaza were full of police, (good looking ones at that) and the streets were all closed off. Finally I realized The Tour de France was arriving today. People srarted to show up in full colors of their countries, with flags etc. Did not stay for the event, as I knew it would be another circus. Instead took the open bus, where you can hop on and off, and took a tour of the outskirts of Paris. Got off at the Hard Rock Cafe, and got my fix, went back to my room and packed. Out for the last night view of the city, had a nice French meal, and walked along the river. I have to say after a while the architecture begins to blend together, after having been in quite a few cities.

The trip back was long, and I only was able to sleep for about twenty minutes, there was a crying child during the duration of the 8 and a half hr flight, and when I say crying, I mean screaming. It was a difficult trip, but upon arrival I gladly took a shuttle to my good friends house, and proceeded to relax, and enjoy myself. They had wine, and American cigarettes awaiting me. It was about a 24 hr day. Their 2 girls, 4 and 6 helped me make dinner last night. We made beer can butt chicken! I will write more about them, and send pictures. Must run to go see my brother, sister in law, and the kids, have not seen them yet, but will spend the next 2 nights there, will send pictures of them too. I will move back and forth, so no one gets tired of me! Sitting at the wifi Dunkin Doughnots watching an accident that just happened, and I just only rented a car!

TRAVELS THROUGH FRANCE, AND IN REMEMBERANCE OF MY DEAR FRIEND SANDY

It is with great difficulty, and sadness that I write this post, knowing my dear, witty, and most awe inspiring friend has passed. Did not want it to happen while I was away, or at all. Maybe I stupidly thought I could do some good, as we spoke to one another so boldly, so without risk of holding back the rude and vulgar truths. If anyone should have made it through this fight, it should have been you Sandy. Therefore I dedicate the remainder of this post to you, as I know you loved to travel, and always said things as they were. If I can just pull myself together, and put my emotions aside. I'm certain this will take me a few days to put this post into perspective.

Okay, so two days ago was the most spectacular train ride of my life. I was totally enamoured by the views of the azur ocean as the train left Antibes. From there we traveled through small rocky mountain ranges, the fields, so green and lush with vegetation of vineyards, fields of sunflowers, trees so tall, flowing in the winds. Then the farm lands appeared, with quaint little villages through the gorgeous, gracious Rhone River, castles galore, spread about the hillsides, cows and horses peacefully grazing, with the velvety clouds above. Thought I would sleep, but no way, my attention was caught in a new, and unfamiliar dimension of something unseen to my eyes. Then a fire in some distant hillside, and you could actually smell the smoke inside the train, very strange! There was lightning and rain, passing through huge ancient graveyards, and more old quaint villages. I could not take pictures, as this was a fast train, so you must visualize. Then there was Paris, where I am now, and have ventured out quite a bit already. Will tell you all about that when I return, must go again, so as not to think too much.

Ah! Paris, it is a piece of work trying to figure out how to get around, but it is day 2, and I am becoming more adept. Metros, buses, and many avenues, easily to lose yourself, especially if you drink wine like a Parisienne. Have been well behaved, pacing myself in order to make my way back safely, which is apparent, as I am again trying to get through this blog. I cannot believe the effort this toils from me, but want to keep on the positive, and share the wonders, if I didn't Sandy would give me some verbal incantation, or a kick in the ass, ah, this makes me smile!

Have been to several Musees, saw all the well known Impressionist artists, Notre Dame, Le Sacre Couer, walked, and did the batobus thing, have a cute young one I photographed, not sure if it is appropriate timing, but I hear this voice rising, "Just fucking show us you little bitch!" Anyway Paris is great, was in Le Jardin Luxemberg yesterday, a beautiful, not so little garden area, it started to rain pretty well, so I just tucked myself into a tall, wide chestnut tree, and stayed contently, and fairly dry during the duration of the storm.

I am adding many pictures, as I am unable to say much more. Only one day left, and back to MA. May stay a little longer there than planned, just to get a chance to sum up all the events in this whirlwind tour. I believe I can grieve better on my own right now. One last thing I forgot to share, is I went to the Cimetiere De Montmartre after Le Sacre Couer, had planned on that long before, as it is one of the oldest, and largest cemetaries in the world. There I met a little friend, a cat who followed me for several avenues during my visit. I do have a picture of her on one of the graves.

Goodnight, It is almost midnight my time, and I feel it! Am trying to plan eventfully for my last day in Paris tomorrow, many ideas, but it will come to me as I probably sleep, hopefully. Love all of you!

AU REVOIR ANTIBES!!

At the cafe for the last time, just what I need is a cafe au lait before I board the train, will be wired, and have to use le toilette, not good, but this time I am prepared with a bottle of red wine. Was going to go to the market to buy salami, cheese, and bread, but cannot do food in the am hours. It should take about 6 hrs. to get to Paris, am looking forward to the city and its sights, and can use a break to sit on my ass for a while.

Yesterday went to the Island San Margurite, or whatever it is called, to the Fort Royale where they kept prisoners, the man behind the Iron Mask was one who was there for 11 years, I kind of remember that movie from childhood, played by Vincent Hugo. The Musee de Mer, had pottery and glass exhibitions from shipwrecks of the Roman era, pretty interesting! They also had a Bellini exhibit, so I have downloaded one for your viewing. Have said goodbye to all my new amies, and in the process stayed out late meeting new ones, c'est la vie!

Well my friends soon, I will be back in the US to share many stories with you, and it will be like I never left, funny how time has a way of doing this! Well must go catch the train, and a new adventure. Until Le gay Paris.

BREEZY AND BEAUTIFUL

No pictures aujour dui mes amies. Not playing tourist, becoming one with the south of France. Listening to all the sounds in between breezes, and viewing all the lucious sights around me. Only two days left, and moving on to Paris, wish I could take the south along with me, but I guess I will in my heart. Today I will go for a swim in the azur blue, green ocean, and warm myself in the sun for a short time. The early morning activities awaken me at about 4:30, but even then, I lazily stay in the comfort of my cozy bed, and just listen to the french accents which surround me.

I have learned a lot about the Italians, and the French, for one thing, they are very similar in their passions. They both believe they are better than the other, but they are somehow comingled as one. I observe they are much less reserved as a culture, compared to us Americans, and show their emotions much more openly, and affectionately than we do. In the states people would frown upon the display of free love, and feelings, so easily seen at every given moment, and opportunity here.

Tonight I will go dine with my new friends at the Feeling Good Cafe in Cannes, to wish them well, and say au revoir et merci for their kindness, and friendship. I have met a young couple here in Antibes, who at the age of 28, have opened their own little Brasserie, a dream come true, yet scary, due to the competition of all the others, which have been around for much longer. My good thoughts are with them for a bright future.

Carolann, I am having dinner with Gerard on Thursday when I arrive in Paris, we have been in touch by email, and I am to call him when I arrive at my hotel. I am set with my train reservations, so hopefully it will be smooth training. If you do not hear from me for a day or two, do not worry, I will not have fallen off the face of the earth, just into it. Yet I have become addicted to writing everyday, so you may hear from me tomorrow. Must get going, the two cafe au laits have got me jittery, and ready for what awaits me today. Can't believe the time has gone by this quickly, as they say, if for just a fleeting moment. Stay well, all my friends, and yes I think of you each and everyday, and mostly while you are sleeping!

A RELAXING DAY!

The Nice jazz Fest was a lot smaller than I imagined, two small stages, tons of people. Saw five venues, two were a trio, and way too jazzy for me, but three were awesome, Alain Clark from Amsterdam was jamming! Only saw Tracy Chapman for a few minutes, due to getting back, and not have to sleep outside the train station with the undesirables. Had some time on my hands, so I thought I'd have a glass of wine, but everything was shut done except the sleezy sex shops, therefore the photo, many more cinesex etc. but I thought one would be enough for your viewing.

Lay in bed early before the sun was shining, listening to the doves sing, the high pitch shrills of parakeets high in the olive trees, smelling the salty ocean, and the vendors unloading their goods for the daily morning open market. The market is incredible, with every fruit, vegetable, herb, flower, meat, and fish you can think of. Wish I had a flat, so I could buy some of the beautiful goods, and cook for myself, would buy fresh artichokes, cauliflower, and flowers right now. Then off to The Musee Picasso, interesting, do not necessarilly love his art, but it sounds like he was a true womanizer, had many at once. My favotite exhibit was the old black and white photos of him painting, and with his women.

Not sure what I will do for the rest of the day, drinking cafe au lait right now as I sit in the internet cafe. Can you believe that, it is 2:30 pm, and no wine yet! By the way Happy Birthday Pete, when I got up you were all still celebrating with the time difference. Don't flip out about turning 50, just remember you made it there! A few more pleasant pictures of the market herbs, and one of the jazz fest.