The South of France

Yesterday--Let's see....yesterday I pretty much did nothing all day. The night before we had dinner w/ Jim and Dominique's neighbors. I think I had a little too much wine (so did Dominique) and we woke up w/ headaches. I just lounged by the beautiful, crystal blue pool, read my book, took an afternoon nap for 3 hrs and hung out in the yard with the flowers.

Accomodations--So Jim and Dominique had a huge home for their bed and breakfast. They got tired of the business bc it can be quite taxing and sold their home. The man who bought it, Alvin, sold his business back in the states for 300 million dollars. Yeah, so Alvin, his girlfriend Liz live here 6-7 months during the year, just closed on the house in March. Now Alvin has 3 daughters from a previous marriage, and two of them are visiting at the same time I am here. They are a bit younger than I and one has a 15 month old. In addition to that, one of the daughter's girlfriend came and brought her son as well. So, it's one big get-2-gether. Now let me explain Liz. I have never met anyone like her. She is 45, keeps track of all of the celebrities from People magazine. She is very Hollywood, shops alot, loves clothes, loves Botox, lip injections, the boobs...the works. But, the interesting part about Liz is that she was in a rock and roll band for 15 years, wrote all of her own music, plays guitar, is an AMAZING artist too. Think Picasso meets a bit of Salvador Dali. Her art has very vibrant colors and are mostly of faces and a bit abstract. I was very interested in her explanations of how each one came to be. Then, during dinner she stands up and belts out "Son of a Preacher Man" along w/ the music! I was highly entertained...She loves Valium and is very vocal about it, I thought it was a downer type of drug, but for Liz, I think it is an upper!! She is originally from Texas and loves the F word!! She interests me bc I don't know what is coming out next and for some reason she has taken a liking to me. Maybe it's bc I am a good audience for her. She made Jim and Dominique wear funny sunglasses and take pictures, then we all had to go up to her room to lay on her new bed. She is a riot!! She showed us her shoe collection and we are close in foot size, she made me try on a $1500 pair of shoes. I'm like "Liz, you can't even walk in these." she replies, "Honey....those shoes were made to be in the air!"

I am staying at a different neighbor's house across the street. Jean-Pierre, and his daughter Maia. Jean-Pierre is out of town, his 95 yr old mother passed away, so Maia (26) are there alone. She is in school and I pretty much stay in my room or w/ Jim and Dominique. That family has been so generous to allow me to stay there so I am near Jim and Dominique, I try to tread lightly and make as if I am not there. I don't want to impose. They have a beautiful, cozy home....so basically I am living amoungst the locals.

Music--An Irish band, The Koors, I think is popular. The lead singer is the sister to Enya, but different type of music, more rock and hip.

Calvin--When I was floating in the pool yesterday, I found this little snail hanging under the lip of the pool deck. I gently peeled him off and set him on the side bc I thought the pool chemicals would kill him. Instantly, he came out of his shell, stretched looked around, started movin'....I have never seen a snail come out before and I was eye level w/ this little guy so it was interesting me. I took lots of pictures and he was modeling for me in these different poses, leaning towards me, picking up his tail, recoiling his antannea and then pushing them back out, rolling up in a ball and then stretched back out. We had this little photo shoot going and I named him Calvin,,,,for Calvin Klein bc I thought he needed a model's name. Then I let him go to the grass.

Recipe for Green Bean Salad:
Dominique made this for dinner and it was a hit!!
Steam fresh green beans until Aldente, not soft or mushy
1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
2 Tablespoons Vinegar....mix these together first.

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Fresh chopped parsley
Fresh chopped garlic

Voila!

Today--Jim and I drove about an hour north to another town where they have a large market. We met up w/ Dominique for lunch. He is leading 3 ladies from LA on a tour of a couple of towns today and tomorrow. Jim drives a convertible rabbit so it's great weather for a drive like that.

Got some shopping done, drove back through the vineyards and farm country. Got to see the fixer upper new house they will be building for their next residence. Lots of old houses and look out towers, all made of stone and covered in Ivy. Lavender is a big product for this region too.

Came home, went swimming w the kids and the girls and Jim. Going to dinner tonight w/ Jim, Dominique, Alvin, Liz and Leslie--his youngest daughter...we have hit it off and I really like her.

Province--France is made up of Provinces similar to Canada. I am in a province called PROVENCE. Half hour from the Mediterannean Sea. I will be renting a car on Friday and driving to Nice to spend 2 nights. My plane to Australia leaves from Nice instead of Marsailles.