Mid-Point

All For Carcassonne!

Today marks the midpoint of my stay here.  I arrived here at the apartment on October 11, and what an amazing three months this has been.  This trip has brought me experiences I could never have imagined.  I am trying very hard to make the most of each minute here, and to think of my glass as not only half-full, but overflowing.  

The street is a-buzz

I finished the big state report I was working on; it's submitted and error-free.  That does not mean I am off the hook; on the contrary, I found a number of glitches in the software system that I need to run to ground.  I am going into my busy reporting season as well, so I will have to be very disciplined about getting some time in every day to avoid any last minute logjams.  I think I can do this.

B B King sets a festive mood

I am tired today, but I did get myself out to the tabac, the mediatheque  and the market.  I didn't really need anything, but I did run into some people from the Protestant church.  The Saturday morning market is as much a social event as it is a place to get some onions. At the library this morning, I picked up a book entitled 1001 Books to Have Read During a Lifetime.  I can't resist a list, it seems.  It's more than just a list--it's got illustrations and reasons why the selections were chosen.  I told the lady at the checkout that I had better get busy, because I was already old.  She got my joke!  In French, no less!

Jean-Claude's headquarters

Later, I found myself in the middle of a political rally.  I can't resist seeing what all the fuss is about whenever I see a crowd.  BB King's music was coming from the speakers (maybe he is a real vote-getter), people were visiting with one another and having coffee and soda.  I'm not sure about wine, because it was before noon.  As much as the French love their wine, I don't see people having it for breakfast! It felt festive and serious at the same time. People here love their city, and I certainly do understand why.  I love it, too.