TBT: EL FIN

For those of you who have followed my FFA (Fabulous French Adventure) from last July this is el fin. Yep, the end where we fly out of Figari, Corsica's southern most airport back to Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris. 

For convenience('s) sake I had picked an airport hotel as we had spent our entire first week 'in' Paris. We would just need a place to rest our heads, eat dinner and have breakfast before our late morning overseas flight. The airport train dropped us off at our 'space' themed hotel two stops from the airport and it was like we were in Disney. You may think I'm kidding but take a look.

The hotel's exterior was super contemporary and its interior was decorated in space graphics.






Figuring out key systems had been part of our learning curve in elevators and hotel rooms...
Do you swipe/ hold or insert?

Even our beds had special moon lighting and the star galaxy bathroom wallpaper was out of this world. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)

Finished 3/4 of it and yummy pommes frites 

And I realized after 'finally' ordering Steak Tartare for dinner, the infamous raw meat dish I had never tried, the Fabulous French adventure was complete:  gastronomically, artistically, architecturally, historically, geographically, botanically, I was sated. 


So, now we've come full circle as this all started with our memorable airport  departure story. (link below)

Au revoir France and the hugest of thank you's to my Milwaukee teaching buddy Sally who was responsible for me taking this trip. It all started when she asked if  I would like to go with her to France, a trip that was never even a blip on my radar... 




Thank you Sally as these memories will forever be part of me as I continue my life back here in the End of the Rainbow  Valley...




*To see last week's TBT in Corsica: Here's the link: CORSICAN BLUES

**Beginnning of Fabulous French Adventure:COUNTDOWN

*** AIRPORT SAGA 

NURTURE OR NATURE OR BOTH?

I've been a bit overwhelmed in decision making regarding what to comment on after such an eventful couple of days.  Nurture or Nature / both?

Weather has thrown us a a 30 degree temperature difference and as we gladly left the negatives, I took back out my fall jacket. Today will be in the 40's until tomorrow when winds will blow in nasty rain/ freezing precipitation leaving icy road conditions with some snow coverage. 

Winter brings hardship for both large and small beings. Look who I found enjoying the suet meant for the birds. Both Natureman and Romeo had had a face off with this guy. Romeo's sight and hearing are less than stellar but he did pick up this guy's scent and had a nice barking session.  Of course Mr Possum didn't move and stayed most of the evening polishing off the large piece of suet. 


Speaking of chowing down, we also have a smaller guest working on something between the kitchen cupboards. He's a very noisy eater but I finally caught sight of the little fella scurrying around last night. I will have to set a trap as I don't need any wires being chewed.


There's never good timing for a snow storm but my Jazzercise class is in charge providing dinner for the homeless/needy on Thursday.  So, just in case those roads dictate otherwise I opted to make the vegetable soup a day early and bring it in town today. 

At a time when too many are hungry much less being able to afford going to the movies/cable /internet, the 75th Golden Globe Award participants  showed their support for many of today's societal issues.  It was truly heartwarming and we'll just have to see if one particular person is hungry enough to run for President...  

WINTER CASUALTIES

One winter casualty hits many women and that is the losing of an earring due to the continuous on and off of winter coats, scarves and hats. If it hasn't been you, I am sure you have been with someone who has lost an earring. In fact, just Thursday at lunch after Jazzercise our instructor bemoaned the fact she was missing a little diamond stud earring. At the very mention of losing an earring the natural instinct kicked in to reach up and assure I still had an earring in each lobe. Yep, both wire earrings were in place.

I personally had lost an earring just recently at an engagement party in the Twin Cities at a lodge and although I emailed the facility, I guess the cleaning person didn't find it as I never heard back. There was snow on the ground that evening and has snowed since so my chances aren't too good for recovery. :( 

Well, any way back to Thursday's story as I had errands to do.  First stop, TJ Maxx where I perused the entire store in addition to a bathroom break, Hallmark was next with a beeline to the annual ornaments since a friend had expressed an interest in buying some for her children's tree and the final stop before home was Savvy Consignments, a huge space with numerous cluttered rooms packed with shelving, home goods, etc...  Finally, it was time to head home as it was already mid afternoon. 

AND you know where this is going, right? Yep, as I am driving home I do a quick hair adjustment and dang, if my right earring isn't missing. I flip the visor with the mirror down and no earring. I finger comb my hair, no earring. I reach inside my purse for the last store's receipt and it's on top.  Thank heavens for handsfree calling as I verbally call that last store and describe my loss. Upon returning home, I follow up with emails and a photo besides phone calls to the other stores.

It's not that this was a super expensive pair of earrings
but unique. An upcycled inner tube rubber, snake like shape whose shape/design can be altered and a silver jump ring at its end.  See, unique, right? 

Friday morning  I awake thinking I should go back and check out my parking spaces before the consumers return. First stop, coffee house. My previous parking space was open. I scoured the white ground where if it's there, the black earring will be obvious. Despite the cold, a complete stranger joined me in the search as she knew the feeling. Inside we went as she relayed one her lost earring stories and I headed to the previous day's table, moved the chairs and table. Let me assure you, even the night sweeping doesn't get what's fallen on the floor. Yuck. But alas, no earring. 

A decision needed to be made as to head northwest/northeast for the next stop. I opted for the consignment shop. There in my parking place was a nut and bolt which may/may not be needed for a past drop off but no matter what wouldn't be great for future tires so I picked it up to leave at the cashier's desk. As I am walking towards the front door down on the sidewalk, lo and behold there I spot my earring, a little dusted with snow. I found it! What a terrific feeling. Don't you just love happy endings?





Ah, 'reunited and it feels so good...' Well, this was one winter casualty averted.

FOTO FRIDAY: FAKE NEWS? NO, JUST THAT COLD

FOTO FRIDAY: If you have been paying attention to the news you know the weather has been  getting more air time than you know who. In fact, it was so cold on Thursday in Florida that the iguanas were falling out of their trees. 

This news actually came as no surprise to us. 

Why?, you ask.

Well, to tell the truth it's so cold here that our tropical gecko fell off the stove room wall. 

Here's where George Gecko usually hangs out...

But after hearing some commotion from the stove room, here is where I found George flipped over...

Now, that's not FAKE news.

Do you have any strange weather stories? Do share. All the better if you have a photo to accompany it.

Last week's Foto Friday was: SNOW DAY and we did finish the puzzle. Who'd like it next? 

CORSICAN BLUES: SKIES,WATERS, MUSIC & GOODBYES

After breakfast the following morning we did meet up with Alain's family visiting a different beach. It was a warm walk and the Aegean waters were very refreshing to say the least. Look at all those blues... 

The fresh morning air and water left us hungry for the lovely lunch Alain had prepared for us and we enjoyed it outside on his patio accompanied by wine, mais non?


After the delicious midday meal, of course, we needed a bit of a rest and Alain had plans to drive us to the medieval town of Bonifacio later in the afternoon. 

Along the afternoon drive was our first sighting of the charred remains of the fires which had been plaguing Corsica and southern France. Some say these in Corsica were purposefully set. The lack of rainfall certainly added to the dry conditions and their spread as acres were devastated. 

We also passed a popular nudist beach.  I didn't mention earlier in the day, an Italian family from our hotel had been on the same beach with us. It was difficult not to notice the young topless mother . Not an uncommon sight on European beaches but something to which we Americans are not accustomed.


Anyhow our destination was within an hour and we were awestruck by the impressive walled city of Bonifacio, the oldest Corsican town founded as a fortress in 826. Bonifacio is both fascinating in its history and geography.



Down at the marina the view was of huge yachts of the wealthy docked with their crews cleaning up as their owners either shopped/dined at the many restaurants.

Each yacht was fancier than the next and their crews wore matching uniforms. It was a glimpse into the European version of the Rich and Famous. Yeah, it looks the same the world over.

One can walk/drive up to the top

of the town passing many old/ renovated stone buildings with shops galore en route to the Citadel.  We parked up above and enjoyed the views of the picturesque town below with its steep streets and many stairs. 
                                                



The shorn massive cliff  Mediterranean views in Bonifacio were spectacular with Sardinia across the waters on the opposite coastline. 








The above ground graves in the Cimetiere Marin de Bonifacio reminded me of New Orleans and we were greeted by the wafting melody of a vocalist either practicing/ performing in the Chapel. 


After admiring the spectacular views we meandered our way back down the steep hillside, doing a bit of window shopping before reaching the marina and enjoyed some blues music and a glass of wine before dinner. You definitely burn off the calories with those inclines. This walking day would have been interesting on the Fitbit.

Bonifacio is a great day trip. We didn't have time to visit the caves nor go on a tour of the Citadel but the sights we did experience and we also tasted the region's famous breads and infamous (salty) fish stew. It was a bittersweet end to our Corsican visit. We certainly appreciated Alain's efforts and hospitality.

The next day we would repack our bags and fly out of  Figari the small but busy airport with a full flight back to Paris bidding farewell to Alain and Jim, our ever patient tour guide extraordinaire who would stay a couple weeks more before heading back to Marseille. Au revoir Corsica, Alain and Jim ...Thanks for the memories. 

Sally, Alain and Jim

*Next TBT we will finish up the Fabulous France Adventure...

FIREWORKS & NEW YEAR EVE'S LUCK

No kidding, due to extreme cold on New Year's Eve in the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin the traditional Granddad Bluff midnight firework display would be cancelled. The Skyrockers's crew need not risk their nor others's health to exposure. 

BUT, there still would be the earlier children's 6 pm display and we, my friends, happened to time our journey unknowingly into town at that time. We had the 16 minute viewing the entire river drive into town. How lucky was that?

But our 'luck' did not end there because the night was just beginning and  as a result of team game playing I would come home with not one, but two White Elephant prizes. For those unfamiliar with the name, White Elephant gifts are items you have for which you have no use nor desire to have in your home any more. Got it?

Okay so first , I need to mention the other group prizes. One was 2 cut glass objects formerly gifts from some pharmaceutical company- a sticky pad holder, (who knew they could have such a fancy holder?)  and a 5" vase. From across the room I spied the familiar green sticker. It was Waterford. You know I googled that as soon as I got home and it was dang close to my estimation of $70.  The next 2 parter gift was a plain tall water glass used by our host at work for some 20+ years and a small wooden carved figure. Its recipient stated it was a Cambodian bottle opener. How did she know? Well, she had gifted that very same opener to the hosts 15 years ago? Let me let that sink in. That little carved opener was the definite highlight of our laughter that evening.

What could follow that?  The hostess actually had won one game but excluded herself as a prize recipient. Remember this was her White Elephant which needed to go home with somebody. Who knew luck would make me the arbitrary group recipient through a process called Horse and Hoggle whereby a winner is chosen by the group's members holding up between one and three fingers, the total added, then that total is counted off to decide the team's prize winner. AND yours truly won. Out of a big box the host pulled out a bar mitzvah gift of his from 1959. Are you ready? Drumroll, please.

Yep, a well used (duct tape binding's no longer holding it together) 1959 dictionary. An antique. The word 'internet' does not exist and a 'computer' is a person who computes. How could he let this gem go? I knew I had to do it right and give it purpose once again and not as fuel for our fireplace... The thinking cap was on. 

Meanwhile what followed is something I am not proud of because when the next group gift landed on me again, I should have passed it on to someone else. The excitement of random winning overcame me.  I never win anything but also it must be that greed which has been rampant in our country, right?  When I saw the portfolio case appear I thought maybe I was winning a sketch from our artistic hostess but no it was giant graph paper from the retired financial CEO's cache. The grandchildren would love it for their art projects when they come over.  I didn't pass it on. Me bad but hey, I have 2018 to try to be better and less greedy...

HAPPY 2018!

RESOLUTIONS,BAH HUMBUG?

A lot of people make resolutions for the New Year but if you are Jewish you've have had this opportunity a couple of months ago during the lunar Jewish New Year. We have an entire week to think about renewal, even asking forgiveness from others for wrongs we have committed. Then, the slate is cleared and we begin the New Year with hopes of being better. Whether we are letting ourselves off too easy thinking we really can erase wrongs is fodder for another day but psychologically we are given another chance.

This past year has been more brutal verbally than others. It's obvious that folks have felt like they've been giving permission to say whatever is on their mind. Eegads, it has been an eyeopener as to the racial and gender progress we have not made. Disappointing and disheartening to say the least. But alas it's a new year, another chance to be better.

One of my friends for this secular New Year suggested starting a Kindness Brigade whereby each day one consciously performs an act of kindness. I salute that intention. What can it hurt? 

No matter how many New Years we celebrate let us embrace the option to be kind on a daily basis.  I know I have more work to do, don't you?