Busy Week

My little "French" windmill, back in France at last

I have heard other retirees wonder aloud how they ever accomplished anything while they were working, and I now understand what they mean.  I always excuse the fact that the weeks pass by so quickly here by saying that the week really doesn't start until Tuesday.  So many shops and businesses here are closed on Mondays that we don't really rev up until Tuesday morning.  I sort of like that, but it makes Thursday's arrival come as a surprise more often than not.

My "essay" about retirement.  Hung by my desk

This past week's rain gave me an excuse to stay indoors and work on my nest.  I got lots of writing done and some significant time in piano practice as well.  My scatter rugs all got a bath and dried on the rack and were put back down on pristine floors.  Of course, defrosting the freezer always is accompanied by washing the kitchen floor.  Frost free seems to be an unknown concept here, at least for smaller fridge models.  My refrigerator came with a scraper.

Contents of the 48 Euro duty box.  Really?

I rearranged a few cupboards--actually I have only a few cupboards.  My last boxes of belongings are starting to arrive from the US and I now have to find places to put books and music.  I am furious with the French customs officials, as they are charging me exorbitant duty on my OWN belongings.  This has never happened before, so I am really flummoxed. They have me over a barrel--if I don't pay the duty I can't have the box.  If I send it back to Brookings for re-labeling, I will have to pay to ship it once again, which costs about the same as the duty they are charging me. My plan is to pay it, and then fight with them for a refund.  They are not supposed to be charging this on my personal household items, and believe you me, it did set my teeth on edge to be charged 48 Euros for a box containing a family photo and a 45 year old Joy of Cooking that's batter-spatterd!!!!

Family photo placed

I went to see the movie Silence.  I cannot recommend it highly enough.  It has made me think, almost non-stop, about the big issues it raised for me: the difference between religion and faith; how far to go in defending one's beliefs.  Do you have the right to cause other people to die for YOUR beliefs?  It's certainly not an evening of laughs, but is well done and gives you plenty to think about.  

I need to re-pot my plants, and found a gorgeous cachepot for at least one of them.  I spent more than I should have and certainly more than a plastic pot would have cost, but not THAT much more!  I bought a beautiful, uniquely colored primrose that the florist assured me would live very well in my windowsill.  

New pot for the jade plant

I am having some art framed, and will get my favorite watercolor re-framed.  Neither will be cheap, but you get what you pay for.  I've begun hanging some of my "art," and my home is actually starting to reflect my personality.  I like the way it feels!

Beautiful "striped" primrose