Bon 1er Mai ! In France today it is La Fête du Muguet, the Festival of Lily of the Valley. It is also Labor Day in France and much of the world.

The French tradition began when, in the 16th century, the French King Charles IX received a sprig of Lily of the Valley as a token of good luck, bonne chance. He liked the gesture so much that he began giving sprigs to the ladies of the court on the first of May every year. The tradition caught on.

Today it is customary to give small bouquets of Lily of the Valley to friends, family, even strangers, sending messages of good luck, happiness and the hope that spring brings. In France it is a day of flowers, and parades. We could use such a tradition here.

Today, in the USA, it is also a day of protest with many folks avoiding spending anything at shops, businesses, etc. to emphasize the untenable income gaps between the 1% and the rest of the country. So it is a good day to sit with a cup of Lapsang Souchong tea and write this post.

Our departure for Europe is just 11 days away, we are so ready. We have done all the planning and reserving, which, as I have said before, is part of the enjoyment for us. We also watch travel videos, both for ideas and enticement. While watching one on Montenegro I did a sketch.

Then of course Paris came to mind so I started an oil.

We live within a couple of blocks of three parks, last Sunday it was bright and warm, the newly renovated Fields Park drew many to its wide grassy field.

Fields Park was first opened on May 6, 2013. It is built on land that was once a rail-yard, Union Station is after all just a few blocks away. Over the years it has hosted part of the Portland Film Festival with outdoor movies, the Portland Brew Fest, concerts, and more. It houses a dog park and a wonderful enclosed children’s playground. If you visit be sure to check out the snail sculptures done by Christine Bourdette, a local artist.

The grassy field was under renovation when we moved here 15 months ago, but it just reopened in the last couple of weeks. Last Sunday it was bright and warm, many folks took advantage of the day.

Last Friday we had a “Sea and Land” lunch. Alaska wild salmon, and grass-fed New York strip. They were accompanied by salads, mine was blue-cheese and pecans, Tricia’s was with parmesan and pecans. Some would call it surf and turf, but salmon are more deep water, so I changed the name.

For Sunday Lunch Tricia made another of the favorites of mine/ours – Gratin de chou-fleur. I love that first crispy bite.

So I hope your week is going well, take a moment today wish someone bonne chance, as I wish for you all.