It’s been 20 years since I’ve seen the Alps.  I don’t know why I let so much time pass, because they are just… Well, you’ll understand why I feel the way I do about the Alps in a few minutes. On the strong suggestion from some friends (thanks again, Jamie and Ralph!) we made sure … Continue reading Adventure of a Lifetime →

It’s hot here in Aix-en-Provence.  Nothing like what our friends at home had to suffer through very recently, but compared to the mild weather we had in Paris it’s hot.  The temp topped 90 degrees today, and though I’m normally a cooler-weather type of guy, I didn’t mind it.  The humidity here seems to be … Continue reading Two Weeks in Annecy →

Author’s Note: If you follow this blog regularly you know that it’s been about two weeks since my last post, and I normally try to post every 2-4 days.  We arrived in Annecy on a Sunday, I started writing on a Monday, got sick on Tuesday, and discovered shortly afterwards that our internet connection was positively … Continue reading The Island Abbey, and Lake Life →

The Blew family is on the move again.  A few days ago we left our comfortable apartment in Paris and headed west in our rental car to Normandy, where we’re spending the next few days visiting the D-Day beaches and Mont Saint Michel. As I write this we’re in a very homey little “gite” in the tiny town … Continue reading Normandy →

Full disclosure:  for all of you who have been following me on Facebook and Instagram, you’re probably sick to death of hearing me talk about Rodin and The Gates of Hell.  If so you should just skip this post, or maybe just read “Interview With A 4-Year-Old” below. Because we went to the Rodin museum and … Continue reading Interview With A Toddler →

We’re down to our last few days in Paris and we’re trying to decide which sights on our remaining list we’re going to see and which will have to wait for our next visit to this lovely city.  In, like, 20 years, because our list of places we’re going to visit is insanely long. What’s … Continue reading Everyday Errands, Van Gogh, and Where the Hell is My Ice Cream?!? →

I’m sitting at my desk in our little apartment and the strains of guitar music are wafting through the large open windows.  Juliann is relaxing and the boy is in bed, reading a Berenstain Bears book by booklight. Oh, and I have a nice glass of Beaujolais in hand.  I just returned from the local wine … Continue reading Stained Glass and Christopher Cross →