The Story of Us

The Story of Us
Gold Creek at Sweet Copper

Friday, September 17, 2010

Being in Paris is Much Better than Remembering Paris???

We have been planning this trip for months. What a thrill to actually be in these places we've remembered for so long. He who shall remain nameless had been in Paris in college days. It's thirty years later, and the magic is there today. For me, 1986 was the last time I was there. Our plan was to experience Europe as a married, very much in love, couple.
The last time I experienced Paris, I was thirty-nine. It was my first journey beyond the familiar borders of America. Entering France for my first time was like stepping from the plane, right into a real life French film. Suddenly, I was captivated by all the language swirling around me. France smelled different, it definitely looked different, and it felt different too. I was so impressed by this. I was a willing participant and student. Drinking in the French Experience.
The Art of Form and Structure were used in all this sculpture and architecture. Parisians were living a more graceful way of life. The Art of Living included simple thing like eating, moving, thinking and feeling. Let me at it!

The lively Seine River flows through the heart of Paris. It seems to wind like a blue ribbon. It is carrying crowds of people on the Bateaus (boats). These light up architectural marvels on the left and right banks at night. What a thrill to slip past the Tower Eiffel, then Notre Dame Cathedral, and under each unique bridge along the way. That's my memory of riding the Bateau Mouche of Paris.

We actually took that trip in the evening this time. Somehow, while moving through the crowd, I thought of how cattle might feel as they are herded through metal gates after their last meal. (I could relate.) People were relieved of their money, and expected to move forward through rows of metal gates lining up to board the boat. I watched their faces. A mixture of joy, boredom, exhaustion, drunkenness, and just plain loud and rude folks. When I took this trip in 1986, the boat was laid out in a way one could walk through openness. And on that boat, you had a chance to change the perspective, meandering through the crowd. There was simply too many people on the boat this time. The seating was made up rows of seats all facing forward. It just wasn't tripping my trigger at all.

Now that I am in my early sixties, with both knees replaced, there were subtle changes in my experience. As we took trains, buses, and the Metro throughout Paris, how I wished it would be possible to speak to Those who govern Paris. For just five minutes, I wanted to impress on them the impossibility and hardship hundreds of steps put folks through, just to climb out of the Metro. Come on guys! I have two words for you..... (1) ELEVATORS (2) (and this is the most important one...) ESCALATORS !!! You do have millions of visitors to Paris each year. Certainly you can afford escalators. My own ankles became bloody stumps throbbing with each step in protest. So how does one celebrate such achievement? I spent the entire next day in my hotel room with feet propped up. It took nearly 36 hours for the recovery to reach a place where walking in moderation would be possible. I knew that pacing how much exertion I could experience healthfully was key. (Oh the joys of travelling when one is more than slightly out of shape, facing health issues, and sliding into their Sixties, Seventies, etc.)

I learned a few Travel Tips on this trip, wanna read 'em?:

  • Wearing polyester in Singapore during midday is a masochistic thing to do. Who knew it was so close to the equator?
  • You might experience missing your train if you show up two minutes before departure. (ideally, they want you boarded thirty minutes before departure, in a relatively sane state, without panting or frothing at the mouth)
  • People who offer directions, do not necessarily know what they are talking about. In fact, I got the distinct impression one or two of these folks got a sick kick out of watching people go in the wrong direction, luggage in tow.
  • Your feet will fall off if you walk farther than you should. And no amount of pouting will actually help. Take little breaks, and consider going to places with rickshaws next time.
  • It is very important to factor in extra time to compensate for the unexpected. No kidding. If you travel with someone who is usually cutting time too close; set their watch back an hour, or drop their mobile phone into "le toilette". If this doesn't work, tell them you just heard tourists are being abducted and held for ransom. Then pack, and hobble to the airport as fast a you can.
  • Start keeping your own list of "Things you learn along the way." (And be sure to email it to me. I usually welcome a good laugh)

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Every Child Ministries - Going in Love - to Gulu

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The journey continues

Well, so far, we have had a day in Singapore, and three nights in Paris. Not without their own "adventures".
This morning we arrived in Milan, Italy. In a couple of hours we will take a train from Milan to Lecco, which is on lake Como.
One week there will allow us to take day trips in concentric circles as we explore the vineyards and back roads of this Italian region of Umbria and Tuscany.

So, what were some of the adventures? In Singapore, he who shall remain nameless lost one of his hearing aids. We walked for a couple of hours in delightful tropical steam at the hottest part of the day. We visited a Hindu Temple there, walked through the streets with shops average people shop at. And so enjoyed the swimming pool at the Grand Roxy Mercure Hotel there. Serendipity brought a chance meeting with fellow church members Bruce and Sylvia who were also staying at that hotel on their way home from a long trip. We had a visit at the poolside catching up a bit.

In Paris, we walked for hours climbing hundreds of steps to Monmatre. I also met a lovely couple vacationing in Paris from Sydney. They were seated at the next table to me. They also will be going to Lake Como. Perhaps we will bump into each other there.

Then, he who shall remain nameless, arrived to the hotel in Paris 30 minutes late, causing us to miss our train to Milan. But in grand style, he came through with a first class sleeper compartment on a later train to Milan. Which we took on time (barely). Imagine our surprise to find the sleeper compartment we were assigned (first class remember) was to be shared with two other people. One gentlemen with no English from Asia, and another Australian woman traveling alone. It was a long, long ride, with very little space and quiet. So let's just say we will NOT be taking any more sleeper compartments on a train.

I am uploading some images from Paris soon and will get a link to you. Until then, my wishes for your health and safety are with you. Looking forward to our time together. We are on Italian time now, so figure out the time difference, and I will attempt to be on Skype soon.

God bless your life greatly,

Carole Anne

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Clair's 57th Birthday

Sunday, August 15, 2010

When God Throws a Brick



THE BRICK

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door!

He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, 'What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?'

The young boy was apologetic. 'Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do,' He pleaded. 'I threw the brick because no one else would stop...' With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. 'It's my brother,' he said, 'he rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up.'

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, 'Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me.'

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay 'Thank you and may God bless you,' the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: 'Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!'

God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, God has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen - or not.


Thoughts for the Day:

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain.
But God did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If God had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
God sends you flowers every spring, a sunrise every morning.

Face it, friend - God is crazy about you!

Now read this next line very slowly and let it sink in...

If God brings you to it, God will bring you through it.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Musings about Australia


Perhaps it is also the age we now are... and the beauty of Australia.
designrox1103added this on 29 Jun 2010
I think as one reaches their fifties and sixties; there is more time, less responsibilities. This is true with me. Time to reflect and remember what is truly important in life. For me, this includes the beauty of the world. Especially in Nature, Creation reveals the hand of God, and perhaps knowing Whose hand we rest in. Recently we passed the mark of our second year in Australia. I have to say this country has remarkable topography, wildlife, and flora. The birds here in the capitol are remarkable as well. I have seen hundreds of snowy white cockatoos graze green areas like chickens, then take to the sky together, it's breathtakingly beautiful. The parrots and galas here are multicolored, arriving mornings and afternoons to feed in the back yard, up close. We marvel at the bright colors as well. And the mystical song of the magpie awakens one softly in the morning. Australia has amazing skies, and bright light because there is little to no ozone overhead. The eucalyptus trees here are hauntingly beautiful. Many of them shed their bark in large strips and reveal smooth wood beneath. Some of these have greyish-white wood, called ghost gums. We are enjoying the people here most of all. Building friendships has been an easy thing to do.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Taking Time To Linger

Saturday is a gift. A package of time wrapped up in a leisurely silken bow, just waiting to be discovered. Saturday means laying aside anything which seeks to tear away one shred of peacefulness. So on this particular Saturday, we picked up a friend visiting from America, and sought a good Autumn memory together.

Apple orchards in Autumn make sense to me. We travelled not too far away to an organic orchard to gather some Fuji apples. Owen, the orchard-keeper was quick to walk us down to check the trees for fresh Fuji. We talked along the way about the various types of fruit grown there. No luck, all the Fuji's were picked, and some stored in the Cold Room. We might get some there.

We learned some home made preserves and relishes were available as well. After gathering some apples, Owen walked up to us with an arms filled with butternut squash.
Finally, he brought to us something which looked like a huge Bartlett pear. It was a quince. Those are not to be eaten raw, but rather poached or baked, then spooning the flesh into whatever you desire. (We'll put a pin in that and come back later)

Onto to Gold Creek, an area in the A.C.T. with many shops enticing us to meander through their space looking for "must-haves." One such place was a little eatery named "Sweet Copper" which I guess has its roots in candy and sweet making. However, after walking through the door out into the back, we found a restful spot to have some tea in the afternoon.

It is not for the tempestuous, impatient diner. However, if you enjoy the fresh Autumn air in the late afternoon; you are set. The dishes were prepared with care, very appealing and tasty indeed. Lunch will run you $15 to $30 per person.

By the time we parted, we had just enough time to hit the Belconnen Markets for some fresh veggies as well some rare types of meat (kangaroo, crocodile and the like) The sun was setting by the time we came home, a lovely time under the last bits of golden light giving way to lavender and deep purples. A good day indeed.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

OOPS! There I go again!

Hello again!

Well, it was like this. I had (and am having) "an adventure." Clair and I enjoy taking late night walks in the summer air. I am building up stamina for our trip in September to Italy. On Wednesday evening last, I took an unexpected spill while walking at a fast clip. Although the area was well lit, a tree darkened a patch of sidewalk. This concealed an upturned pad of concrete, which caught my left foot, front on, and down I went after stumbling a few steps trying to recover from the trip. When I fell, (like a huge sack of potatoes) I landed full force onto my left arm and rolled on the arm twisting it very hard.

After Clair helped me to my feet, I continued walking home. I took a shower, and noted the damage. Right hand was scraped up pretty bad mainly on the heel of the hand, scraped right forearm up to and including the elbow. I did manage to break my fall enough to keep from landing full force on my knees. My clothes were not torn. One cut under my right bra line made by my keys which I had tucked into "the vault" inside my bra. My left arm was by far the most serious injury.

After my shower, there were spasms and cramps in my upper arm. Enough so to cause me to cry out in pain. And hour later I was in tears. When I tried to lay down, I worked on getting my arm down along my side. That seemed to give relief from the upper arm spasms and cramping. So I took some Panadol OSTEO tablets for pain, and decided to see what the morning would bring.

Yesterday began with noting some serious swelling from my fingers up to my shoulder, but no bruising other than the heel of my left hand. My arm was behaving more like it was a very bad sprain more than anything. I began to evaluate what sort of movements would be most painful. I could not fully extend my arm along side my body. Rotating my forearm was painful. Bending my arm was painful as well. The upper arm continued to be swollen and cramped up. The shoulder appeared to be okay though and moved without pain. So more time will most likely cause it to improve, along with therapy. (What would my nurse friends do?)

By Friday morning, I felt improved. I spent some time, before getting out of bed, massaging some swelling away, putting BioFreeze and applying peppermint massage oil, and working on improving the movement in the fore arm and elbow, as well as the hand, fingers and wrist. I believe I was fortunate to have gotten by with no fractures, and will notice if I develop any symptoms otherwise. So at this point, no x-rays, and continued treatment at home.

Last November I celebrated my sixty-second birthday. My goal is to improve health and fitness with every year. To a point where I can walk and climb enough to be able to enjoy our vacations without having to stop every thirty minutes. My overall health is improving largely because of the food combining program I have practiced for the last year, combined with more walking activity weekly. I hope to incorporate swimming or swimmercise as well now that we are in the Summer season.

So, other than my recent "Trip". Things are progressing in the direction I would need to go to reach my goals. I also took a break from studying Italian and French over the holidays, and feel ready to pick up at my twenty-first lesson of Level One. Enjoying language very much.

Okay, your turn. What's your news? Look forward to hearing from you.