December 7, 2004
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Vieux ou jeune ?
Old or young ?
A première vue cette voiture , une Peugeot 1894 , paraît vieille . Mais pour dire cela nous considérons 2004 comme l ' origine du temps et nous remontons vers le passé .
Mais si vous considérez la date de l ' invention des automobiles comme origine de temps , cette voiture est proche de l ' origine . Elle est donc jeune . En outre ses organes mécaniques sont les embryons de ceux que l 'on trouve sur nos voitures modernes : une preuve de jeunesse !
Donc cette voiture n ' est ni vieille ni jeune , elle ne vieillit pas .
Et qui pourrait situer l ' origine du temps ?
Si j 'ose une comparaison , notre corps peut paraître vieillir mais notre âme reste jeune à jamais .
photo taken by Michel Fauquet at the Mulhouse cars museum in July 2004 France
At first sight this car Peugeot 1894 looks old . But to say this we consider 2004 like the origin of time towards the past .
But , if you consider the date of the invention of the motor cars at the end of the XIX th century like the origin of time , this car is close of it . So it is young . Besides its mechanichal components are the embryos of those we find into our modern cars . A proof of youth !
So this car is neither old nor young , it don' t age .
And who would be able to locate the origin of time ?
If I dare a comparison , our body may have the appearance to become old but our soul remains young forever .
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I thank especially those of you who expressed their concerns about me via e.mails or comments .
Comments (94)
I've never commented first! Welcome back, Michel!
Welcome back! Great insight...
Em
P.S. Love the picture!
Allo!
I have been thinking a lot about you, glad you have returned.
Joyeux Noel! Avec une grande famille comme la tienne ca va etre vraiment joyeux.
Excuse ma grammaire, encore et toujours
Kelly
Of course you have been REALLY very much missed . I know Mum has been in touch with you . I hope you have got your Christmas card from me now
You are very much right we are forever young 
I'm so happy to see you back online! A very nice entry, as always.
I love the orginal cars like that - and you are right, some things are just ageless!! I am glad to see you back my friend, I have missed you

Beautiful automobile!
I hope you are having a wonderful time preparing for Christmas
Be well
Rosemary
Tu es l'exemple type des personnes qui resteront jeunes à jamais. Ma granny dit toujours : On a l'âge qu'on porte. (J'ignore si c'est la bonne traduction.)
Je suis si contente de t'avoir de retour parmi nous, Michel. J'espère que ça va bien la santé?
Merci pour ton amitié continue.
Clara
it is all pretty relative. it takes then to get here.
hugs to you.
it's so good to see you, Michel~!
i agree.. welcome back=)
It's wonderful to have you back. I hope things are well. Because we pay so little attention to history we actually think of something 110-years-old as "old" (we especially do this in America). But it's simply a 'tick of the clock' in human history, much less in earth or universal history.
The fact is that we have not really re-thought transportation since that Peugeot was built, and that's the mistake.
Wonderful blog Michel!! Certainly something to think about.
Bonjour monsieur!
I'm very glad you've come back to us!
Great to have you back. You make us think with your fresh young questioning mind. Thanks.
heck oui! understood like, half of it! (i'm in french 2.)
à tout à l'heure.
So good to see you back my friend. I hope that life is treating you well.
I love your comparison. Quite true.
Michel est de retour!!

Welcome back...and point taken...
Welcome back!!!! Seeing your post made me very happy today. I hope this greeting finds you in hale and hearty spirits. Soon it will be joyeaux noel?
It is very good to see you back again! In good health, I hope. I hope all is going well.
That car is truly unique - it would be fun to try driving a car that looked like that on the road nowadays!
ton blog me rappelle tellement mon livre préféré, "Einstein's Dreams" (des rêves d'Einstein) -- les réflexions sur la théorie d'Einstein de relativité.
Bienvenue en arrière, Michel!

Michael, it is so good to have you back on Xanga. I have missed you and your always interesting posts. Thank you for your encouragement. Day by day I am doing better. I will continue to only work 4 hours a day until the end of December.
As ever,
Carol Suzanne
Welcome back, my friend...
Welcome back Michel! I was very worried because you left xanga for a while! Although I didn't leave you any comments or send you emails, I left you a message in the guestmap! =)
I agree with you that our body may get old but our soul can be still young! You are a good example Michel...you are still passionate about many things in life. I hope I can be the same as I grow old!
ah, c'est vrai Michel que le cerveau ne viellit pas... c'est seulement le corps. Mais - il y a des hommes dont on parle avec l'expression "un ame vieux." Est-ce qu'on dit ca en francais? Qu'en pensez-vous?
welcome back indeed! i hope you are rested and ready for Christmas
Wow what a great entry. Made me think about it for a long time. It's a great example!
How wonderful to have you back. I have missed you so. Your post today is definitely the hilight of my day!
We have an annual parade of old cars nearly all made in Coventry
But your car at1894 is even older.
Glad your back. Ron
welcome back! hope you are feeling well!!
old or new...how about both!?!
Bon matin. J'etude le langue de Francais dans ecole mais je n'ecrit pas tres bien. Le pere de mon grandpere est ne en Normandie.
I can't believe that there is somebody older than me on Xanga! LOL. I'm 44. What you wrote about age is very true. Tres vraie. There is sometimes a broad gulf between generations which is or is not easily breached, but words in the end are the means by which we make the attempt.
Anyway, just thought I'd say hello.
Notre coeur est éternel donc sans âge ! Oui Michel !!!!!!!!!
Amitiés et A bientôt. Joyeux temps de l'Avent pour toi et toute ta gentille famille
Merci pour ton joli commentaire. C'était très beau ce thé de Noël. En fait toute la famille est musicienne, la maman joue du violon et donne des leçons; le papa est violoncelliste mais doit gagner sa vie en tant que chauffeur de taxi actuellement ... Ils viennent de Kiev et habitent Stuttgart depuis plus de 10 ans, ne veulent plus retourner dans leur pays d'orgine. Trop difficile d'élever les enfants là-bas m'ont-ils dit ... Il ont encore une fille de 20 ans qui est très douée en musique aussi mais qui pour l'instant n'en a plus l'envie ...
Samedi nous partons visiter Berlin, une semaine de vacances-promenades en compagnie de Mathias. Ensuite nous émigrerons vers la Suisse pour y fêter Noël.
I'm am so glad that you are back! I've missed you! As you know I just had a birthday a couple of weeks ago and I am beginning to understand about the body getting old while the souls remains young. Although I mentally still feel about 21 my 30 year old body is starting to creek and squeek!
Je prefere les voitures de 2004! La musique, touts electrique (les fenetres, les portes), c'est beaucoup mieux!
Welcome back, Grandpa Michel! I wish you and your family a wonder-full Christmas season... and may we all always remain young at heart.
~Paloma
I was so happy when Julie told me that you were back with us again
You have been sorely missed. I'm just hoping you are here to stay for a while - a LONG while. It's so true that we never think about ourselves as old - until we try to do things that were easy in our youth - and then Boy ! we know for sure that our body is ageing - if not our minds.
Marie
it is been a long time. But your blogs are as before : Merveilleux.
Time is a mistery.
I can say that was a surprise seeing your post today.
Bien à toi
Carlo
It's wonderful to see you back. Xanga wasn't the same without you.
The Peugeot 1894 is beautiful and ageless.
Thanks for the link.
Oh, Dear Michel, it is so good to read you again. I love your attitude.
Forever young, that's good stuff.
Looks a lot like the London to Brighton old cars run, they all look like that wonder they make it some don't .I know you said you were returning and do hope you are feeling better now, and can again go into your garden. I was lax visiting as I have not been in a good frame of mind/ I am glad to say i feel more cheerful today, and I wish you a hearty return welcome. Love Marjie

Well Michel, you know we worry about you. Glad to see you hear.
and {{{hugs}}}
I have missed you here, Michel!
This car is indeed a classic beauty, and what you've said is so very true. Welcome back! 
Guess who? I missed my friend and came by to see how he's doing.
Spiders reside in old cars, you know.
Awww Michel you show such insight. I am so glad to see you back in xanga. That old car is just lovely. I adore older vehicles. Please please take care of yourself and Janine! Love and many many hugs ! ! ! Have a great day and a wonderful tomorrow ! ! ! May you both sleep with the angels and wake up fully rested and ready for a bright new day ! ! !
Welcome back!
Oh yay! You're back! I missed you so much. I am so happy to see you return here after a long time of being on break.
So here is a long over-due hello!
I do hope that all is well with you. You are right about the human approach to that. Our souls can remain infinitely young while our body keeps aging. I think that is what makes growing old beautiful. I may be one of the weird people on this earth that does not fear getting older. With age comes wisdom...
I would love to exchange Christmas cards with you. I don't know if you are weary about giving out your address or not. It would mean a lot to me, Michel. If you would like to do that, please email me your address. Thank you.
Have a lovely evening! God bless you, my friend.


Happy Holiday Michel. I hope you have recovered and that all is going well for you and your family. Like your automobile...my body feels a bit old but the spirit is young
nancy
I must of been half asleep this morning Michel when I went to Marions blog
thats how I missed the Burke Mag
Bienvenue au retour! Je crois que c'est vrai que nous ne vieillons pas si nous ne voulons pas. Je suis très heureuse de te voir içi encore!
Ageless and very special. So special that often for those most Special Days in our lives - Weddings, Ceremonies etc - what do we do? We hire something like this as our transport for the day.
Good to see you again....I hope all is well. I liked your comparison between body and soul....so very true
Ah, so good to have you back! As always, I learn so much from your blogs. I had no idea the now-sporty Peugeot cars had been around since 1894!!! I thought they were new in the 1960's, but only because I was young then, and had just heard of them. Yesterday morning I saw a TV program about the French Riviera. It reminded me that I want to visit France very much! How far are you from the Riviera? Hugs, Claudia
Glad you're back! I would love to get a closer look at the Peugeot.
Delighted to see you back. Do share as you can. You were missed.
Welcome back, my friend. You HAVE been missed. I think our car photos on our present blogs are similar! They had one of those cars at AutoWorld in Brussels. And like all of your blogs, you give us something to ponder. Well done! Cheers, Neil
Oui, je crois que nos âmes sont à jamais jeunes. Bien, au moins sans âge. Certainement, nos âmes sont dans un procédé d'érudition éternel.
Joyeux Noël et bonne année, mon ami doux.
Salve Michel! I see that you have had a great welcome back.
True, my soul too is very young, I am always disappointed when I look in the mirror, soul and face do not correspond. Love the PEUGEOT, very romantic as well.
I so agree that our soul is timeless! It is just that the body's failings yield groans and moans from us as we attempt to move about or even doing things we took for granted in our youth!
Glad you are back.
We all have missed you.
I love your sentiments here -- glad you are back

True, my friend. Even though I'm closing in on 45, I still feel like a 27 year old. If only I could get a chassis upgrade.
DG
Glad you are back Michel! Great blog.. Received your most beautiful card today. Many blessings for a wonderful holiday season for you and your family!
That's cool car....and I love the RED.
I hope you are feeling well, Michel. That is an amazing looking car: I like what you said about the soul never aging. I believe this to be true!
Hope to talk to you again soon!
Its great to see you again. Hope all is well..
So GOOD to hear from you! Excellent comparison! Hoping the Holy Days are going well for you and yours!
my results will be release next year michel. around february. currently, i'm working at starbucks. it's been fun. i've met alot of new people and made friends. i hope you're doing good.
I am very happy you are hear and I look forward to your writing. That picture is great. I was thinking that they just don't make "tires" like they used to...giggles...I agree with you about the soul remaining young forever...I have missed you dear friend...huggs...Sassy
http://media.euniverse.com/www_castlemountains_net/images/12_2003/dec4aaa.jpg
Herez another quote for ya Michel....which i deeply believe in
"The heart that loves is always young."
ps. I will always be junjun (nickname)! Thatz my chinese name!
What a magnificent car so regal. Glad you are back with us you have been missed
Angela
It's so good to have you back
So nice to see you here. I always enjoy your posts and comments....Warmest seasons greetings! Mitzi
Another French piece today, from an article that appeared in Le Monde the other day.
Coventry Museum actually has my mother's father's first car, it was a "Bean", a firm that also made the first all-closed-in double-decker bus (for Northern Scotland where it was often raining or snowing).
How happy I am to see that you have at long last returned to Xanga! I have certainly missed your posts and ever so sweet comments. Thank you for the belated birthday, I hope you have been doing very well
<3
Bonjour, Monsieur. Comment-allez vous? Je lis "Lord Pineapple," et ca comment j'ai decouvrit votre site. Je lirai (spelling?) votre mots toujours. Je suis pris la langue francais au lycee il y a 7 ans. J'essaye encore a l'utiliser. J'espere que j'ai fait bien.
So, therefore, I'm subscribing to your site under this name and my other Xanga screen name that will stop by later. Peace, Love, and Happiness be with you always and in all ways. Beautiful antique car!
Au revoir, Monsieur Fauquet...
-Michel Eric De Lap
Comme j'ai promis: je suis ici. Je vous souhaite la paix, l'amour, et la félicité toujours et sur tout les choses. I will subscribe to your site under this name, too.
Hi,
Tried to write to your guestbook and it's closed. You asked about the use of the word creche in English. We say "Nativity" instead.
I love antiques and i try to stay young of heart.lov and hugs fancy
I'm very happy to see you back in action on xanga
Bonjour Michel! Merci pour me rapeller que tu as poster sur Xanga à nouveau. Cette photo est très intéressante et le modèl très élégant. C'est merveilleux ce que tu as écrit ici. J'ai précisément lis un passage dans un livre que AM m'a donné. Il s'agit de l'infinité. Nous sommes tous des âmes qui occupent des corps pendant une certain période dans la vie physique, mais nous ne vieillir jamais en fait, parce que l'âme n'a pas de l'âge. Et on vit toujours, dans l'éternité, ou il y a ni temps ni espace.
I'm happy to see that you are feeling better. In the months to come, I may not be able to reply to all of your comments, because we are expecting a baby! I've been waiting to let people know once I felt safe with it...and now I am. I am happy to be able to tell you now! Welcome back!
Ah... such profound observation! I agree with you. Our souls are eternal but our bodies are not. So in the light of eternity, we have extremely young souls!
First. Welcome Back. very happy to see you active on xanga again.
I looked at the picture and you know - what struck me was not how old it was but rather how well maintained it was. I completely agree though, time may pass and who we really are need not change at all
hey!!! u r back!!!
thanks for your wishes. you surprised me!:)
I would like to drive one of those! I am so glad to see you back!
Merci Michel ! C'est bien vous le romantique
D'ailleurs, cette notion du temps, c'est vrai que tout dépend de notre perspective
Cette voiture est très jeune, en effet !
Bienvenue à nouveau parmi nous !
Welcome back Michel.
Hello Michel
I see your guest book isn't working.
Our dogs name is Speedy Gonzales
A very poignant thought.
So very true. As we age, it is so surprising to see our image in a mirror and realize that our outer shell is yielding to the ravages of time. But....inwardly we are the same as we were at 20!
Comments are closed.