What a week in Portland and the world


Eight days ago we drove from Seattle to Portland, the last leg of our journey from France to the US. Portland will be our home now. What a change for us, it was almost 38 years ago that I moved from my hometown of Portland to Seattle for a job, married Tricia, and settled in…

Some Things About France I Would Miss


If we ever left France and returned to the USA, which would not be a bad thing since we love the PNW, there would be things I would miss. Here are just a few that come to mind. When we first moved to France we spent a lot of time visiting châteaux and old churches…

Rustic Realities


We moved to Normandie from a modern townhouse-condo in Harbour Pointe, Mukilteo, Washington. It was complete with walking paths, yard maintenance, and a two car garage. Now we live in very rural France. It has been quite a change, and we have enjoyed it. Yet, the reality of our rustic life is ever present. This…

Bonjour – So Much More Than Hello


Last week Tricia and I were walking near the lake in the park at Ceaucé. We turned a corner and just ahead there was a group of four or five kids, between six and twelve years old. They were doing what kids do, calling out to the small black sheep behind the fence. As we…

I like Europe – A Lot


I like Europe. I particularly like France. Since moving to France over sixteen months ago, we have had the opportunity to visit twelve European countries, a few of them we had already visited at least once before we moved here – that is more than I ever dreamed I would get to see. If you…