January 23, 2007

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                             Deux jours émouvants .
    Two moving days .


     


     


                             English version below the pictures


     


     


     


                               Dimanche denier je suis allé avec Janine rendre visite à son père, Louis , qui vit dans un hôpital long séjour dans sa ville , RUE à 75 km d’ Amiens , près de l’ estuaire de la Somme . Janine et sa sœur vont le voir 2 fois par semaine. Il a 94 ans et souffre de bronchite mais en ce moment il va mieux . Il est toujours heureux de voir ses enfants et petits – enfants.Il ne se sent pas abandonné ,. J’ avoue que j’ avais le cœur serré de voir cet homme , physiquement  si diminué . 
      
    Quand nous l’ avons quitté j’ avais le besoin de respirer un peu . Nous sommes donc allés en baie de Somme au Crotoy . Il était 5 h 30 du soir . C’ était déjà le crépuscule  Il faisait froid , presque désert . Quelques courageux  marcheurs promenaient leurs chiens sur le sable humide , à marée presque basse On se sent si petit devant cette immensité , ciel , mer , sable  et dans le même temps on a le vif sentiment d’ exister . Un sentiment de durée aussi . C’ était apaisant bien que j’ en frissonnais .


     


                    Le Crotty Janv 07Le Crotty Janv 07Le Crotty Janv 07
    baie de Somme      bay of river Somme 21th of january 2007 17 h 30       Click to enlarge


     


     


           Last Sunday I went with Janine to visit her father Louis who lives in a nursing home in his town  called RUE , 75 km far from Amiens near le bay of the river Somme .( northern France ) . Janine and her sister visit him twice by week . He is 94 and is suffering of a chronic bronchitis but at this moment he is better but frail . He always is happy to have his children and grandchildren and he does not feel  left behind  . But I confess I was heavy – hearted to see this man physically so down .


     


       When we left  I needed to have a good breath . We went to the bay of the river Somme at Le Crotoy . It was 5 h and half p.m . I already was the twilight . It was cold and the place was almost desert . Some courageous people walked their dogs on the wet sand . The tide was half low .
      We feel ourselves so little in front of this immensity : sky , sea , sand and in the same time we have the deep feeling to be . It was appeasing even If I was shivering


     


     


     


                                                        Et quand nous sommes rentrés à la maison vers 19 h30 le dernier croissant de lune remarqué par Janine était là pour nous accueillir


     


    lune 07
    Photo M. fauquet januray 21 2007 7h30 pm
    Click to enlarge and see better the crescent !


     


     


    And when we came back home Sunday around 7 h and half pm Janine noticed we can see the last crescent of the moon .  It welcomed us !


     



     


     


      Je ne voudrais pas terminer cette entrée sans parler de la mort Dimanche dans la nuit , de l’ abbé Pierre , un réel grand homme ..Il avait 94 ans .
    Ce prêtre fut, un héros de la lutte pour les plus faibles abandonnés dans les rues sans logis , les persécutés , depuis la guerre où il abritait dans son presbytère  les Juifs poursuivis par les Allemands , et devient un résistant .
    Après la guerre jusqu ‘ à sa mort il mena une lutte sans faille pour les pauvres et les sans logis . Il fonda la communauté Emmaüs devenue internationale . Ces gens qui étaient des exclus récupèrent tout ce qui est jeté , réparent , revendent et ils vivent en hommes .  L’ Abbé Pierre est admiré par tous les Français , jeunes et vieux . Ses funérailles auront lieu en la cathédrale de Paris Vendredi prochain . Elles seront un hommage national .


     


     


     


    jAbbé Pierre 22 Janv07


    Janine watching the news about Abbé Pierre at the TV yesterday Monday


      Janine regardant les infos à la télé à propos de l ' abbé Pierre , hier 22/01/ 07


     


     


     


         I cannot end this entry without say a word about the Abbé Pierre death , last Sunday too in the night . He was really a grand man . He was 94 .
     This priest was a hero , defender of the people abandonned in the streets without home , defender of the persecuted such those Jews sheltered in his presbytery during the war II and he became himself a Resistant against the Germans .


         Since the war to his death he continued his struggle for poor and homeless people  . He founded the Community Emmaus become international .  The members are poors who pick up scraps , transform or repair  and re- sell . They live like true men ( or women ) . The abbé Pierre is honoured by the totality of French people , old and young . His funerals will be in the Cathedral Notre Dame in Paris next Friday . They will be a national homage .


     



     


     

Comments (115)

  • Lives lived well and remembered deeply, and the wonders of God's universe, with its ability to sooth, all so beautiful M. Fauquet.

  • You description of the ocean is wonderful.

  • Avec amitie, mon amie......

  • Have you ever noticed the crescent moon looks like a smile?  The heavens were smiling on you and Janine, for your compassion and love of those in need.  The picture of the bay of the river Somme is breathtaking.  As you went there to get some fresh air, I would lose it, just looking at the scene. 

  • what a beautiful picture of the bay...

  • Une vie qui a vécu bien avec le but et profondément le sens - nous en avons si peu d'exemples ces jours-ci. Je n'avais pas entendu de la mort d'Abbé Pierre - nous avons été pas au courant avec les nouvelles ici d'en retard avec l'occupant du Muffin et du chagrin de coeur de Sarah sur la maladie de son chiot. Je ne compare pas la vie d'Abbé Pierre avec ce de Muffin mais on ne peut pas s'empêcher de penser aux vies et comment ils ont été vécus. Avoir un tel but et un sens en tout que nous faisons...

    xoxo Cat

  • It is difficult to see those we love diminished by age. How wonderful that you and your lovely Janine spend time with her dad when you can.

    I am sorry to hear of the death of Abbé Pierre. He certainly left a great legacy of service to mankind.

  • I would have felt heavy – hearted to see a man physically so down, too.  That must have been hard.  So sorry for your country's loss of such a charitable man!    I love your pic of the moon. 

  • I'm sorry to hear of the passing of Abbe Pierre. He will be missed by many.
    Blessings!!

    Marguerite

  • thanks for sharing, michel

  • You take wonderful photographs Michel!

    <3,

    Aubrey

  • I love the pictures!  Very emotional times indeed!

  • Sorry to hear that your father in law is not well and also of the passing of Abbe Pierre.
    Your Janine sits in a straight chair to watch television? Here we must have our Lazy Boy recliners and couches to watch TV.

  • Oh a crescent moon seems like just the perfect thing to see after the visit you'd had. Doesn't that moon remind you of Louis? Fragile and beautiful, but far too close to disappearing.

    Wonderful pictures and sentiments as always. Hope you have a wonderful week.

  • Hi Michel:  The picture is beautiful, looks cold on the beach but very peaceful.  Cold here, hope Spring arrives early this year.  Shirley

  • I heard on the news about the death of Abbe Pierre, of course I had heard of him before as he was well kniwn here too. There is a saying here that " only the good die young " not true in his case or even that of Mother Teresa. The photos are beautiful, winter has it's own beauty doesn't it ???  Gone cold here now after weeks of warm weather - maybe the cold will kill off all the nasty germs that are causing coughs and colds. Let's hope so. Marie

  • Beautiful pictures! And what a blessing it must be to have such an elderly parent around.

  • Such beautiful pictures. What a good life for  Abbe Pierre.  The people of the French Resistance were so very brave.  He must be in the process of being welcomed with open arms now and enjoys true liberty.  A truly godly man.

    votre amie,

    Francoise,

  • You were a young boy in 1940-41.  How much do you remember of that time?

  • My grandmother is 93 years old, and I feel terribly guilty that I do not see her very often.  I visit her every time I am in Melbourne, but it is a long way from Sydney (~900 km) and so I usually only see her 2 or 3 times a year (I see my other grandmother even less because she is even further away).  I saw her a couple of weeks ago and she is quite sad because she is lonely.  I wish I could do more for her.

  • i like the ocean. when you feel sad or stressed it reminds us that the world and life itself is so much bigger and beautiful and it makes your problems seem less important. lovely photos.

  • What a peaceful place to go for a walk. 

  • sorry to hear about abbe pierre. but nice to know he was truly loved and will be remembered. beautiful pictures. i love the ocean....makes me miss living in california which is where we will most likely return to someday....
    that's lovely that janine and her sis go to see him twice a week. that's lovely. :) angela

  • what a wonderful tribute to two important people to your and your wife. their stories live on through their actions and their impact on our lives. namaste.

  • What wonderful pictures Michel. It is hard sometimes seeing the elderly be so sick. Judi

  • Very beautiful pictures. Being surrounded by nature like that is so calming and soothing, and we can feel God's presence even nearer.

    I hope your father-in-law continues to improve. I'm sure you feel blessed that he is still very much a part of your lives.

  • Ahh the people in their 90's have seen so much. Similarily I poste a blog about the oldest blogger in the world who is also in her 90's.

    Wow a national homage to a man dedicated to the people without homes. Abbe Pierre must have been a national treasure. France should mourn the loss of people like that and treasure the good people that are living and doing the selfless jobs that would make God smile. He was more than just a bonne homme. Avoir mon ami...PPhilippe

  • We take the time to visit when our parents or grandparents have gone to the retirement community, and find that often times we are disrupting their plans for the day. I stopped going to see my grandmother when she no long recognized me, and would be upset, when I told her my name. Dementia is one disease that is difficulty to say how far it has progressed...  ~Midge 

  • have courage!! the crescent is so small

  • It is so nice that you and Janine get to take the time to "smell the roses", to savor and enjoy life to the fullest and appreciate what time God has given you together. The pictures you put on your site never fail to inspire me one way or another! The crescent moon here is beautiful, too. Some people, such as Abbe Pierre, are put on earth to be of service to the Master, the Christ. Their examples are awe-inspiring and mean to jog us into our own service to mankind! Have a joyous day, Michel!

  • I too have been on the coast at Le Havre in January   Very very cold and foggy Ugh.   And in Paris too, again  icy cold much worse than the UK   Ron

  • We are but dust, here for such a little time - and then in Eternity?
    We will walk on golden beaches and not feel the cold.

  • a gentle deep blog about life.  your photo from the beach is lovely and i am sure that it was a wonderful way to end a visit with Janine's Dad.  The infinite nature of life, we are so small and yet we can do so much - some of us quietly and some like Abbe Pierre in a much larger way. -g

  • You summed up the immensity of the bay. I felt that when visiting the lighthouses in Oregon last year, but couldn't put it in words.

    The Community of Emmaus sounds so worthy. In our religion there is a Walk to Emmaus but that is more of bringing the person to a closeness with God and each other.  I've never gone on one.

  • I never new him, but it was sweet of you to post about him and let us know about him.

  • I read about the abbé, he was indeed a hero. I will watch the news for his service at Notre Dame. The picture is lovely, Michel. I love water and a good beach to walk along. I remember my father talking about the Somme in regard to the first world war. Some fierce battles were fought there!

    I remember my sister struggling to breathe and my heart hurt watching her. She had emphesema from smoking. One day I told her that I would like to take her place , but only for a minute for I didn't think I could stand more than that, and she smiled, pleased that I understood. Thankfully, she died in her sleep. I hope the same for Janine's father!

  • Your father in law is so blessed to have his daughters come and see him, so many times it is not possible to see our parents because of long distance. And what a blessing to have her father live so long and be close enough to visit. Janine is a lucky woman.

    Abbe Pierre, a truly heroic worker for God.

  • It really is disturbing to watch as those you care about begin to faulter healthwise. You are a wonderful friend to have.

    Today, I've asked a fun question of my xanga readers. I hope you can breeze by and tell me your favorite answer. It is fun to dream a little ...

  • I understand very well about your feelings seeing a man loosing his forces.
    Janine is very brave to visit him twice a week.
    The name of "La Somme" bring in me always thoughts a horrible war. Suffering and death for so many people. Your photo reminds me that la Somme is also a beautiful river and the beauty of nature must not be reduced by what the people have done.
    Thank you for this lesson. You keep teaching.

    Amitié

    Carlo

  • Those pictures are beautiful!

  • I have done some nursing home visiting.  For family and some not.  It always leaves me needing to recuperate in the air.  No matter how nice or kept up, there is a stifling feeling in the air and an atmosphere that allows you to know most of those who live here will never go back home.  I have lots of personal views per this existence.

    I felt encouraged hearing about Abbé Pierre .  It's always a gift to hear good things about someone.  It allows you to realize some lives are truly lived to help benefit others, more and more a rarity.    

  • I am sorry to hear of Abbe Pierre's death. Your picture is quite beautiful! Thank you for the birthday greeting for my daughter, yes, her name is Trisha Katrina!

  • May I subscribe to your site? I have longed to visit France since I was a child. Your pictures remind me of that longing.

  • So sad Michel,  but we all are terminal from the moment of conception.    I guess some of the sadness is because a particular person's story is about over,  at least here on earth..

    I'll be 86  in April,  Heather is four years younger,  we often notice the extra care our kids give us,  a hand ready to steady us - - - coming by the house here and doing work that would be so very tiring for us to do.   The love is there and it is precious.     Kudos to Janine and her sibling.

    In friendship

  • you take magnificent pictures Michel!  I can really "feel" what you describe through your pictures!

    praying for Janine's father and for all of you

    Take care and God bless you both and your families (((HUGS))) 

  • He must have been a wonderful human being with enormous compassion.

  • It is very hard to see those we love grow frail.  I think of my mother, now 101 years old (last August 10th), and see how little she can do.  Her mind is still quite good, but her body is worn out.  Yet she lives on with a strong spirit.  I then wonder at the purpose of God, when a person is able to do so very little. 

    One like Abbe Pierre is a great national treasure, whose influence has gone beyond the borders of France.  It is only right and proper that he is honored by his country.  Earth's loss is heaven's gain when such a one dies. 

    As ever,

    Carol Suzanne

  • Janine is very lucky to have her father still!   94 is a grand age, and I'm sure he very much looks forward to his family visits. This is also a wonderful tribute to another elderly man as you have written, Michel. He was indeed a great and caring person.

  • Good news: My French niece or nephew will be born in May!

    The picture of the moon is beautiful (as is your writing)

  • thank you for your post. it made me think of my grandmother who is now alone since my grandfather left us earlier. i will call her.
    take care.

  • Do you bring your camera with you most of the time. You've captured a lovely picture of the seaside.
    About Abbe Pierre, I hope the young French will learn about him... the younger generation needs heroes/inspiration/role models like him!

  • Cher Michel,
    Bonne Annee! Tu me manques! J'ai ete tres malade entre Noel et le premiere semaine de Janvier. J'ai dort tous le temps sur tout! Maintenant, je me sens tres forte et je suis desolee de Abbe Pierre. Il etais un bon homme (est-ce que c'est correcte?)
    J'ai connais quelqu'un, presque de l'age de ma grandmere et elle est tres, tres fachee contre tout sa famille. Elle pense que personne faire des choses pour elle, et quand quelqu'un de sa famille a fait des choses (comme aller au restau, faire des courses avec elle) pour elle, elle toujours a dit des mal choses. Maintenant, personne veut pas lui visiter. Qu'est ce qu tu pense de ca?

    Amities,
    Clementine

  • Michele, your posts are always so heartfelt. Your trip to the resthome for your wife's father was something that I'm sure he enjoyed. Yet, you managed to capture some beauty, in spite of the cold.

  • Beautiful picture of the seashore!

  • I understand very well, my friend, the call of the ocean.  It somehow makes us feel one with the world and calms us when we need it most.  In Michigan we have the "Great Lakes".  It is one of my favorite things to do - to go and find a huge rock to sit on and just soak in the sounds of the wind and the waves.  I think of all of those who would love to "escape" to the ocean, but who are "tied" to where they are at because of circumstances.  This also reminds me of my last visit to Belgium.  We went up to Oostende and took in the beaches, the markets on the water, the restaurants, and all the sights and sounds.  It was lovely!  At the time it was very cold and brisk, but breath-taking!  Just thinking about it makes me want to go back soon! - Rachel

  • Your TV looks like a computer screen. 

  • Thanks - interesting about the TV screen - does it work for the computer as well? 

  • really - I heard they were starting to make screens to do both. 

  • a peaceful slice of life. i enjoy the way that you appreciate the moments. and sharing your loss of a man that you consider a hero, a man who reached out and helped the common man. well, it says alot about you. thank you.

  • Hi Michel,

    The beach always has the calming effect whenever you're down. Its a good catharsis.

    I have a new blog http://winderigedagen.typepad.com/, I was formerly known as lusciousmooj, here on xanga.

  • The bay is beautiful!  The sky has amazing colors at that time of day.

  • For me success is having faith and peace of mind and I have that most of the time now. It is so different than it used to be for me. I lived a life of crisis. Judi

  • quelle photo magnifique de la lune!  Michel, je suis de retour...

  • That first picture looks so peaceful.  I can understand why you enjoyed it so much.  That is a big river!

    I haven't been paying a lot of attention to the news, and didn't hear about Abbe Pierre.  It is sad to see someone who was so loved leave us. 

    It has been so cloudy here, we haven't seen the moon in a long time.  It looks like you still have some green leaves on your plants.

  • Yes, I can understand what you mean by us feeling so small when we are in the midst of God's creation -- nature. There was once I was on a coach driving up the Rocky Mountains in the US and as I looked at the huge mountains beside me, I realised how small and perhaps insignificant we were, compared to the majesty of God's creation. Yet in God's eyes, we are neither small nor insignificant.

  • ryc, yes they still have double deckers but now they have these long double buses instead of double deckers. i hate those long buses. they are just trouble and annoying. i found out how to m ake emoticons! hehehe hope you are well. hope you and your family are happy also. :wink:

  • 94 is a great and long age. Janine's father continues to live, however weak, to see his beautiful children and grand children. I am so happy that he has his daughters to visit him two times a week... this is a time for the best memories for family. I hope that he is feeling better with the
    bronchitis, so wearing and exhausting.

    I love the photos that you have captured here. I love the ocean, the beautiful edge of land, looking out into the water. lovely.

    I hope you have a lovely week-end. today is perhaps the funeral of the Abbe Pierre and I know it is an emotion filled day. He was a great man. Those who do so much for the less fortunate, in anyway they can, they ARE blessed and loved for their service. He will be remembered and honored now, by others that will follow his loving way of living.

    Thank you for calling on me and visiting. Yes, I have been busy and a little bit tired.
    Thank you for thinking about me, Michel.
    (((hughughugs))) to you and Janine.

    *I will tell Elizabeth hello from you

  • "sea girl eyes"

    I love that!!!

  • Such great men are inspirations to all Love to you and Janine

  • I enjoyed your pictures saw the crescent.  I liked them ,all also of Janine watching the television, once upon a time television wouldn't come up on a camera these days it does ;I do not know why this is so. I think the saying the good die young is not so in the case of the Abbe who died at 94, about your FIL I have no idea but I don't expect to live to that Grande age, Hope you are keeping well you look so in photos, I have seen. I will be posting your poetry book next time I go out ,as I never understood whether you said yea or nom but expect it will take a couple of weeks ro get there. Love Marjie

  • Death is always sad, even after a long life well-lived.

  • Merci beaucoup for your concern; I decided to start blogging less as it wasn't giving me enough time to do housework and other things. Dialup is very slow! Much love to you!

  • There is nothing like walking on the beach to put one's life into perspective, is there? I have spent many a day walking the shores of the Pacific over the past year ... questioning, thinking, dreaming, wondering ... and I feel the time spent there has helped tremendously in my recovery. The peace I find there is unique and so comforting. I was sad to hear of the death of Abbe Pierre; such a wonderful man; too good for this earth, as my grandmere used to say. God bless, my friend.  

  • The town that I live in is called Irondequoit. It is an Indian name that means "where the land meets the water". Our town is bordered on one side by the Genesee River, on the other by the Erie Canal, and to the north by one of the Great Lakes...Lake Ontario. I grew up in Niagara Falls. Living near water, or being able to travel to see it, ironically, "grounds me". Thank you for your beautiful photos. They were very welcomed tonight after hearing more bad news...I'll be OK, though. Marchon!

  • cher Michel, j'ai remarqué le même fin croissant de lune l'autre jour (nuit) à HK :)

    oui c'est éprouvant parfois de cotoyer la vieillesse
    ma maman n'a que 87 ans mais elle ne mange plus beaucoup et d'une personne forte elle est devenue toute menue et quand l'été dernier nous l'avons revue après une année ... c'était une surprise .. mais voilà cela n'est que l'enveloppe, son coeur est en or comme celui du père de Janine

    et puis une pensée pour l'Abbé Pierre qui a fait de son mieux tout au long de sa longue vie
    il a même vendangé la plus petite vigne du monde, celle de Farinet en Valais, 3 ceps je crois ;) http://www.saillon.ch/fr/tourisme_vigne.html

    amitiés
    demain c'est l'anniversaire de Louisa et elle nous invite sur un bateau :)
    santé à Louisa donc :)
    AM

    et mercis toujours bien sûr pour tous tes gentils messages

  • Janine est toujours bien coiffée :) Compliments !

  • I was sure I did comment on this a couple of days ago,and now I don't see it. Somehow it did not go.It is like the post in Belgie.
    The beach on a cold day is nice and different from the busy beach on hot summer days.
    Janine is very brave and full of love. It must be difficult for her (and for you) to visit so often.
    I understand the feelings seeing how age takles down a strong man and reduces him to nothing.
    Some light is still there and the hope stays.
    I did not see the skating games. What they ask the skaters to do is very difficult and they takes to many risks to win or just to get a good classement. I think is a shame to ask so much of them.

    Amitié

    Carlo

  • Peace is a lovely word and that is what this ocean scene, the crescent moon and the death of a great man who gave his life for others symbolize. Moments of synchronization can be lovely, serene and a little sad all at the same time.

    Love, Brenda

  • Hola, Michel!  Me gusta sus photos, y que bella es su esposa!  Bueno suerte con el papa Louis!  Abrazos, Lowie

  • France is simple breataking, I visit there often.

  • Glad you have such a wonderful family Michel, Love to you, Judi

  • It is hard to see someone you care about suffering. I hope your wife's father feels better and regains his strength.

  • Je pense que l'abbé Pierre est plus connu en France, mais car mon école est catholique, on lui sait aussi. C'est dommage qu'il est mort

    J'aime vos photos, Michel! Tu es un bon photog Peut etre je dois effacer mon blog de hier. Je veux pas que la police militaire m'arrete pour mes infos secrèts!

    C'est les temps des examens encore.... j'ai déjà fait deux examens (l'anglais et la comptabilité) et j'ai deux autres lundi (les maths et la religion). J'espère que ca va mieux que l'année passé!

    As-tu eu une bonne fin-semaine (enfin, un bon samedi), Michel?

    <3 L'amitié

    ~Anne

  • Yes, thank you for your words. I always try to remember the Albert Scweitzer quote: "My knowledge is pessimistic, but by hope is opitimistic."

  • Michel,

    Thanks for stopping by and commenting on any regrets in your life. I think all of us, as parents, may have a few regrets about how we raised our children. I remember the picture of your family that you posted in your blog not so long ago. Such a nice-looking family.

    If you had the opportunity to raise your children all over again, do you know what you might have done differently??

    I think I would have given my daughter a little greater freedom when she was a bit younger.

    Michel, it's always great to hear from you.

    I understand you live in France.. Can I ask you a question?? Do the French people hate Americans?? And, if so, why do you think that is?? I'd appreciate anything you could say as it worries me at times.

    Thanks again.

    Christy

  • thank you for your entries, michel
    i always have a lot to think over when i've read them

    xo
    m

  • It is hard to see are love ones hurting and frail. I will be praying for father- inlaw. Wow what a good man Abbe Pierre was. He left a amazing legacy.

  • thenarrator said it better than I.

  • Hi Michel, yes, I am half spanish-half italian, although I don't speak italian..when I was in Rome last fall, I thought my spanish would translate, but it didn't!  I am sick and bored today...hope your weekend is going better than mine!  Luv, Lowie

  • Hi! I saw your comment on another site. I was impressed by your long marriage and you used a word I have never seen before: volonty. I still haven't found what the word means, but I was excited to see that you are in France and that you write in your xanga in English also! I have been married for 26 years, so I agreed with your comments about marriage. Then I had to say hello when I saw that your wife's name is Janine. My real name is spelled Jeanine, but I often go by Janine so that it will be pronounced correctly. I know the name is French. My father named me after a World War I silent movie called, "Jeannine, I Dream of Lilac Time." My father is 89. So many things in your post touched me that I just had to say hello!

  • Thank you for stopping by I love hearing from you I love your picture. I will pray for your father inlaw to inprove in his health poor dear. It is always sad when a good person who has given so much to others passes I only pray his work will go on and God Bless those loved ones left behind. Blessings to you and yours.

    ((((CLICK HERE))))

  • It's hard to see our loved ones grow old, and yet, we learn how to grow old ourselves by seeing their courage. When I regret things I can't do anymore, I call on my memory of my grandmother, whose hands were always busy. When she was unable to do the work she once had done, she found something else to do. She went from sewing and quilting to crocheting, and from crocheting to knitting, and finally, the only thing she could do was knit squares and sew them together to make seat pads for the kitchen chairs, but she always found something useful to do. This would have seemed like small adjustments to her, but it's big in my memory, and something to try to do as well and as uncomplainingly as she did.
    Thank you again for the lovely pictures, Michel!
    I loved the little moon! (To me, it is a Baby Moon.) I wonder how many times I have looked at a night sky and not even noticed the crescent!
    You must certainly have pride for living in the same country with Abbe Pierre!
    Joy

  • i hope everything is going well

    thats a great picture, the first one

  • Spending my days with people who are ill, reminds me to take good care of myself. Much of their illness is because they made really poor choices. I have a great deal of empathy for there but for the grace of God go I. Judi

  • Mon Cher Michel,
    Merci beaucoup pour ton message. Tu me manques, trop. L'autre soir, j'y vais au restau, mais je suis en retard. Ce restau a demande que tu DOIS etre sur le RSVP liste, ou tu devrais "au revoir" par le Maitre'd. Je ne suis pas le Reguliere de cette restau, mais mon ami est un bon reguliere. C'est le premier fois que j'y vais, et j'ai dit a M. Claude, << je suis ici pour la partie de M. Zebra>> OH MON DIEU!!! Les autres personnes qui sont attendent pour ses tables sont TRES TRES FACHEES AVEC MOI!!! J'ai deja arrivee et tout de suite, je me suis assies dans le table...j'ai pense que j'ai de la chance. Pour le premier fois, j'ai un petit peu de la chance! Mais, comme tu lis, dans me blog, je suis tres nerveuse de mon rendez-vous a demain. Souhaites moi de TRES TRES BONNE CHANCE!

    Amities,
    Clementine

  • Your photos are so nice.  The ocean always restores my soul.  Oh, that we could all minister to the poor as Abbe Pierre.

  • RYC:  Thanks & we're having a lot of fun. 

  • I will probably never make a trip to France, but when I visit your Xanga blog, I feel like I'm enjoying France with an old friend. Thank you for being a wonderful host. Be well Michel.

  • The pictures are gorgeous.  I saw the "volonty" new word of yours and was fascinated.  I didn't know if it was an iteration of a French word or not, but I loved what I saw it to represent.  Turns out I was right.  I love your tales of your life here.  The photo of the grass is perfect, somehow.  Kindred spirits

  • Thank you my friend for your supportive comment!  1933 was a difficult year since we were involved in a depression and things were brewing in your area....

    Yes, we all survived to meet new challenges.

    I really like being able to speak to my French friend and....the same age as my brother.  That makes it even more special.

    I remember seeing pictures of Janine's father.  I think she resembles him ....good looking people!  Some people age very well.

  • Beautiful pictures!  I have said it before and I say it again now, you are a grea photographer Michel! 

    Abbe' Pierre sounds like he was a wonderful man.  I'm sure he will be missed but not forgotten!

  • thanks for the tip! papa g's surgery went well and he's already at home recuperating!!! yea to that!!!! i hope you and your family are well. how's marina? angela

  • beautiful pictures michel.

    ryc:

    I agree. many great traditions have been lost over time.. and not just time. those such as what you quoted.. materialism, etc.

    the Christian believes there is a life afterward.. and the deterioration and degradation of this age was meant to be. if not meant to be, then it has come to pass by our own means.

    tell me, michel -- I think i read before that you fought in a war. what was that like? and what were the lessons you learned from it?

  • Abbé Pierre is in heaven and is getting his wonderful reward.

    As for the older man in the nursing home.. I think that it is often very sad to see someone who is in a nursing home, away from friends and family. At their mercy to come and visit him.  It almost has US thinking that we, too , could one day be in a nursing home. Very sobering.

    Take care, Michel.

    Have a good week!

  • Michel,

    Thanks for your comments about French/USA relations. I have always thought that we were mistaken to go into Iraq. Sadly, it is very apparent that I was right. Iraq is now a mess! It is so sad.

    I hope that the people of France do not think badly of the ppl in the USA.. I always enjoy talking to you. Thank you.

    Christy

  • The pictures are wonderful, but the one of the cresent moon is awesome.

  • yes many Good Christians have come and gone. we know their stories.. but its better for a Christian to be admonished in the light of his faith, than to just revere saints. that is what has happened to christianity today. we revere a lot of people, but we dont practice what they did.. or follow who they followed, who was Christ.

    take care my friend. God bless

    ren

    p.s war is always useless. It is seen as a means to accomplish something, while it accomplishes nothing.

  • ^^^ sentencecompleted aka drawyoursocks( ren)

  • Yes, painting and children.

  •   A sombre & thoughtful entry.Abbe Pierre was a wonderful man, if everyone did even a small amount of what he did, the world would be a better place. He was Christianity in action.

       I hope your father-in-law gets better. It's good of you to visit him. And what a beautiful place to go to afterwards. That's a spectacular photo. Wow!

  • I share your love of books.  Our treasured family books are still at my Mom's house, but I purchase classics now and then of all sorts.  I do some shopping at Amazon.com and have been pleased with my purchases.  I usually buy used books.  Many are out of print.   My sympathy to you and your countrymen at the loss of such a beloved individual, Abbe Pierre.   A good work happens though, when the news media gives testimony of a good person's life.  People contemplate such things and turn their thoughts toward their own works of charity or lack of.   You've given me a reason to post!  It was good to visit with you today ;)   I haven't been on the computer very much and so have not visited my blogging friends.

  • Magnifiques photos!  Cette plage ressemble beaucoup a celle qui est pres de chez moi, de l'autre cote de "ton" Atlantique...

    C'est si triste que l'Abbe Pierre ne soit plus...

    Il a fait tellement pour les Pauvres en France...

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