A Perfect late November Day

 

As chaos reigns and spreads in the US, today I take a break from fretting to try to live the whole point of being in the Dordogne - to be present in the moment and be filled with the joy and simplicity of the pleasures of every day life.  Today, I think, I did well.

I got to the Saturday market a little late, but the sun was shining and felt good and right on my face.  I picked out the few things I needed then spotted my friend and neighbor Sue, whose birthday was today.  I wished her Happy Birthday and we agreed to meet for coffee at Le Boudoir, a local hotel brought back to vibrancy by recent Parisian transplants Matthieu and Natalie, for coffee.  I got there first, happy to duck in out of the cold, and ordered a coffee and slice of lemon cake.

Sue arrived and spotted another friend, Fiona, who moved over to join us, and then we were joined by our other neighbor Anne.  We had a lovely chat and doted on Jonty, Sue's venerable long-haired dacshhund who keeps us all in line, then went our separate ways.

I put together Sue's little birthday gift of locally-made soaps and strode across the street to deliver it.  She invited me in, appreciated the gesture and then took a call from her son - I let myself out and came back to get a couple things done.  I'd zipped up to the local little grocery when she called and invited me to share champagne with her to celebrate her day,  

Of course I said OUI!

So, Sue and I spent a lovely hour or so, sipping chamgane on her terrace in the sunshine, on a late November day, enjoying each other's company and feeling gratitude.

Then it was time for us to part, and I strolled back across the street and made my way into the kitchen to gather the veggies I'd bought days ago to make stock and then soup (and then got sick), and tucked into washing and cutting and creating some food.  Turned on YouTube and watched Americans who've moved to France and Jaimie Oliver celebrate Italy while things simmered and came together.  Thought about the many, many amazing people in my life, and raised a glass to the good fortune that led to this moment in my life.

Oh, and this is how my day began:

I hope this post finds you safe, and well, and surrounded by cherished people and visions of beauty.