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!