From my journal pretty much the way I wrote it, grammar errors and all.
Monday August 26, 2024. Just nine weeks until we go back to the US. I think I am ready but it seems so final. Since 2019 we have been planning France, then all the work of getting our visas in 2021, then living here since March of 2022. So the thought that before long this will all be history, what we “did” – no longer what we are “doing.” Thinking of it like that it all seems to have been so fast.
Tuesday August 27, 2024. Tricia is getting her hair cut – I am watching people – lots of Viking Tour groups. Place du Change is a busy place.
Wednesday August 28, 2024. Documentary reminding me of the importance of veggies and no meat.
The art store is open – new small Stillman & Birn Delta Series.
If I lived in France, not petite Angleterre, I would make friends (French friends). I hang out most afternoons at La Cave Des Pas Sages – it is primarily a locals place though a few tourists stop. Not a fancy place – vin rosé 3€, les bières 3-3.80€. I chat with people at tables – today an art student. Given time I would be the local with really bad French.
Thursday August 29, 2024. Just got J. Herbin 1670 ink – a brown ink with gold sparkles – so nice for correspondence. There was (a) Herbin Pen, very small so of course I could not resist – it writes as smooth as my more expensive pens, it was 16.80€.
Another afternoon at Pas Sages – this is as much of a local feel as I have had so far. The one thing that was absent in our French stay was immersion in the culture and the language. Here in Avignon we are surrounded. (Note: We did have three weeks in Nanterre.) Many of the people speak as much English as I do French, yet we communicate. More than that, I see the interactions of the locals. After many days at Pas Sages some regulars nod when I come in, I am becoming a regular.
Right now a man is working on his computer, a lady I have not seen is writing “French Poetry with a bit of Hip-Hop” – we talked a bit. I am sure I am the only foreigner here, I like that.
It is quite hot, 94F, and I am pretty much sitting in the sun – yet I don’t mind. My hat from Arles and the occasional breeze is just fine.
I have such a penchant for making things too complicated, France has tried to teach me to just go with the day, but I fear I have much to learn.
People of course are always interesting.
Thanks for being a part of our adventure, your comments are a part of our experience that we both enjoy. Be sure to check out Tricia’s blog for a lot of great photos and a bit of history about where we have been.
theTravelsketcher 
I read both blogs and it’s interesting to see a common story lived by two different people. And as I have said in the past, anybody who can draw is right up there in my books.
I’m looking to the Ohio stage of your travels!
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Kind of doubt Ohio, been there and not a huge Midwest fan, but Oregon should be great.
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or worse transporting you yo Ontario or Ottawa in Canada…….
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it could have been worse. I mean I knew it was an O and when you said Oregon I remember wishing you more luck than the settlers in the famous computer game. I think they have just about solved that dysentery problem. I mean at least I didn’t say Oklahoma eith the buggy and tall corn plants…..
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I remember that sense when I was getting ready to move back to Canada from Germany. I was immersed culturally though as I was working there as well. My German really took off – sadly has become rusty now. It’s a very bittersweet thing. Looking forward to going home but also knowing that there were many things I was going to miss. Lovely that you’re getting that sense of being a local.
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Wonderful journal entry! 😊
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Thanks.
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Terry–We all have much to learn. It’s all part of the journey. This posting was contemplative…and shows how much you have valued and enjoyed these years in France. The thing is—all the things you love to do: talking with people, sketching, having a glass of wine, drinking in all the beauty around you can be done anywhere you are. You are lucky because you’ve captured all your memories–not just in your mind–but in sketches. So special…
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As always you are so insightful. Thank you.
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“Some regulars nod when I come in, I am becoming a regular…” For some reason those words tug at me. You are living your dream of living in France, and now it’s co close to being over… Your French adventure is a metaphor for life, isn’t it…?
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Very philosophical, too deep for me I fear.
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