The small painting was new, though it was on the brocanteur's (dealer's) eye appealing stand. ______ The first rule when going into a French brocante stand is to say, "Hello-Bonjour" to the dealer. The next thing you need…

  Along the stone a garden grew. Little flowers tucked in with barely enough dirt for their roots to spread. Wall flowers: Standing, waiting, hoping, blooming without knowing how beautiful they were. In harmony. Though each a beauty in its…

  The man above with a pink sweater wrapped around his shoulders is the reason I am a mother who celebrates Mother's Day in France. Last weekend was Mother's Day. Oh (!) the double advantages of being a Franco-American couple……

  You know how I dig the French brocante. You know how my brother Mat (with one "t") gives me a bad time about writing about the brocante here on my blog. You know how if any of you ever…

  Family. I am lucky,       To have one that loves me, and that I love. With my whole heart.       One where I do not have to be anything but myself, and one where they…

Cinque Terre, five hillside villages that hug the Italian riviera, fitting tightly within the rocky coastline. Colorful amongst the olive and lemon tree orchards, Fragrantly enchanting, Playful, With each vista point claiming visitors to sigh, "This is the best."  …