Leaving for the South of France tomorrow and taking with me this book...

[CTyankee]

"The Stones of Florence" by Mary McCarthy.

What, no books on Provence or Marseille? Well, no. I'm back to researching my beloved Florence, which will figure largely in some upcoming art essays here in GD. I will lose myself in the joy of the early Italian Renaissance. It's not the worst thing I could do...

Trying to fend off my darkest fears about this election. I voted absentee ballot so that's done and I've done canvassing and calling for Dan Malloy (please god). I'll be going down the Rhone river when the election is held. I'll be checking in via IPad on the elections news. Hope it's good.

More when I get back but pray we won't be subject to an onslaught...

[BeyondGeography]

1. Hey there, I hope you make a stop in Aix

Just because I love it so.

Good for you. Have a great, safe trip.

[uppityperson]

2. I hope you have a great trip, finding all sorts of neat stuff, eating wonderful food.

[MerryBlooms]

3. Safe travels and have a grand time!

[seabeyond]

4. have an absolutely terrific time.... nt

[CTyankee]

16. Oh, sea, I will think of you and all you do and have done for women and the cause of feminism...

thank you again and again for your good wishes. Never give up and I know you won't, you dear heart who tries so hard all the time!

Love to all, especially in my feminist community!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Relax, enjoy, revel in your trip and all your adventures!

It's a grand opportunity to have the best time seeing new things...

I hope you come home with your batteries recharged and lots of new pictures and stories for us!

Don't worry about the election.......Whatever happens, happens. You've done your bit and now it's time to look to the Old World for relaxation!

[CTyankee]

11. Yeah, I really look forward to a bit of pampering...

I know it sounds bad to say that, but it is true...I made the decision to do this during a health crisis last summer and now I have to laugh...I'm OK and I found out the reason for my health crisis which is fixable, but at the time I thought to myself "I can't die before I see Provence!"

Thanks Peggy. I want to get my batteries re-charged. Always a good thing to do!

[malthaussen]

6. Ever read "A Song for Arbonne" by Guy Gavriel Kay?

It is a romantic fantasy novel in which Kay -- a very lyrical writer -- evokes the zeitgeist of the Provence of the troubadours. Just a lovely book.

-- Mal

[CTyankee]

18. I'll bookmark this to look up that book after I get back! Thanks!

[malaise]

7. Have a great time

[KingCharlemagne]

8. Bon voyage! Where in the south of France will you be travelling?

[CTyankee]

10. down the Rhone river, starting in Dijon and going down to Chalon sur Saone, Tournus, Macon.

Lyon and Avignon, ending up in Marseille. I travel to Europe every year but disregarded this kind of cruise before. Now I am willing to try it. Why not?

[KingCharlemagne]

12. Sounds like at least a portion of your trip (from Dijon to Lyon) will be on the

Saone. IIRC, the Rhone joins the Saone at Lyon to points further south.

I taught English in Beaune's lycee in 1985-86 and a lot of these names brought back some great memories. (If you get a chance, be sure to sample some of the wines in Beaune, capital of the wine region of Bourgogne\Burgundy).

[CTyankee]

13. Yes, I know that the Saone is at the head...I oversimplified...I look forward to seeing how

these rivers mesh.

Thanks for the heads up about Beaune. Will definitively try those wines! It will probably be on th e tour anyway.

[mnhtnbb]

9. Enjoy!

We have friends in Aix--an artist and her husband, a retired architect--and
an ex-pat friend from MO living in Lyon. Beautiful country.

[CTyankee]

14. Lucky people to retire in Lyon...gotta be a great place to be...

[mnhtnbb]

19. Actually the friend in Lyon is working--as a teacher--at an international school.

The friends in Aix are French--my husband met them when she was exhibiting
work in Japan many years ago--and we recently had a chance to visit with them
when we were in Europe last spring.

This is her studio: http://ateliersdusoleil.free.fr/Peindre_en_Provence/Faillard_artiste_peintre_EN.html

[CTyankee]

20. That is lovely. How nice! I read it with great joy...

[KoKo]

15. It's a wonderful Read! She was a good story teller.

Best to you on your trip to Florence!

[CTyankee]

17. well, not going to florence again (been twice) but reading the book just for a refresher...

I loved it the first time I read it. She was acerbic but right on point. She sure had her own ideas!

It's an old book, back in the 1950s. I found a paperback on Amazon but w/o the illustrations. Text only. So I'm guessing the actual book is pretty much gone. But she is a good writer and I like her rather acerbic comments on art and art criticism!

[dilby]

21. You voted already right?

Enjoy France and your book but don't leave till you vote.

[CTyankee]

22. Way ahead of you...voted a couple of weeks ago. I would not leave without voting.

Also got my flu shot, just in case.

All caught up...thank goddess...

keeping my fingers crossed for news on my Ipad about the election results...hoping...