When I was a kid I could spend hours in a swimming pool. I have no recollection of what I would do. Play? Swim? Splash? Now, when I get in a pool, I’m at a loss. I feel like I should swim laps, or play a game, or float and read a book. I never … Continue reading Jardin Journale: Productivity
We moved into our house in late November, and after a full December, only got around to planting daffodil bulbs in January. I was convinced they weren't going to show up at all this year. But just like all the gardening advice columns I consulted, it looks like they're going to be late bloomers. Last … Continue reading Jardin Journale: Greet Spring
On the last day of freedom before our sheltering-in-place began, Libby and I made our way over to Mount Vernon to soak in some sunshine—both the actual rays on this first spring Saturday of the year and the sunny, yellow fields of daffodils. The farms weren't open to the public, so we had a socially … Continue reading Jardin Journale: Gardening, not cancelled
Winter is on its way out and I am counting down the days until spring blooms. Our jardin is steadily being prepped for planting seeds: I'm slowly getting rid of major weeds and an invasive ground cover plant that I hate. After I finish adding compost to the soil next weekend, we are going to … Continue reading Jardin Journale: Late winter inspiration
It's been raining nonstop for the past month. But this week was one of the worst yet. Day after day of unrelenting rainfall left me feeling like I might drown in the growing mud puddle surrounding my house. So when the clouds parted Friday afternoon and I saw blue sky for the first time in … Continue reading Jardin Journale: After the rain
If we didn't have winter, would we still feel that immeasurable joy on those first warm, spring days? My job gives me the opportunity to meet and talk with a lot of people. Just last week, I met with a rambunctious crew restoring an old houseboat, talked with a sunny flower farmer, and had lunch … Continue reading Sunny, dreamy
And other stories from my trip to Greece. I got a coffee and sat down on the boat from Athens to Aegina while trying to make peace with its rockiness. That's the problem with Adventure Lily. She has limits such as motion sickness and being bad at speaking different languages. Greek is especially hard as a … Continue reading Breakfast at Aeginitiko Archontiko
Why is it that whenever I'm in France, I'm suddenly like..... "qui suis-je?" It's happened before, I know this because I've documented it: I suddenly go from reading Cosmo to reading Literature with a Capital L, from writing haikus about eating donuts to thinking about the future of the novel and nonsense like that. Is … Continue reading Getting Whimsical In Honfleur
"What's your favorite part about France?" This is a question I've been asked many times over the last month as I've introduced myself to class after class of English-learning French high schoolers. It's an easy answer, even if it may be a fudged truth. "The food." After that comes a nod of understanding from everyone … Continue reading The Sunday Bar
Friday night Judy and I were having a slumber party. Yes, it is possible to have a slumber party with someone you already live with. Just add: face masks, wine, deep talks. Eventually we ended up sprawled on Judy's bed, reading through our old journals which were both hilarious and illuminating. Things are different since … Continue reading Truth-telling, witchcraft, bread-and-butter
