April in Paris

     A week in Paris — who could ask for anything better? Well, maybe two weeks in Paris, but never mind. A week of learning and visiting new sights and meeting new people. A week of delectable food served with flair. A week of walking on cobblestoned streets and broad boulevards, of sun and clouds but no rain. A fabulous week.
     Though this was my ninth visit to the City of Light, it was my first time seeing the original city wall in the lower floor of the Louvre. Paris long ago outgrew this boundary, but the beautiful stonework has stood for many centuries. We  walked in the moat that surrounded old Paris, and saw the pillars that had supported the drawbridge. I marveled at the expertise of those early workers in stone. Nameless, their work testifies to their skill.
     I will post some photos when I have downloaded and edited them.

Packing!

     No pressure, oh no. Just packing for the movers to come to the condo on Friday, and packing for the trip to Paris on Saturday! The packing to move is definitely more difficult. I have sent so much to Goodwill and the Mennonite used furniture store in the past weeks, an ever-increasing stream of things leaving the condo. More waits for my daughters and their trucks. I've rented a storage unit for boxes I can't deal with right now, and have made space for my big desk in my writing studio at the GoggleWorks. Giving away/farming out family treasures is hard. There's a rocker in my studio that belonged to a wonderful teacher in a school where I was the principal. Many good memories are attached to that chair. Hard to part with it. But it is time.
     And then there is Paris! She awaits with her dazzling Eiffel Tower and art museums. I expect to learn a great deal this visit, though it is my ninth. We have more structure and an expert guide this time.
     Stay tuned...