Skip to main content

Day Tripping

Yesterday, we made our first trip into France. One of Anna's favorite saints is Joan of Arc. Her birthplace happens to be 2 1/2 hours away. My great grandmother lived and worked in Metz until she saved enough money to come to the US. That happened to be halfway between home and Domremy, Joan's birthplace. So we planned a day excursion to see both places.

The day dawned overcast and cool. We packed accordingly and headed out. Once we left the autobahn (or whatever they call it in France), the drive was so completely breathtakingly beautiful that I could not help saying so out loud every few minutes. At one point, I called out to the kids and asked if they were enjoying the scenery. I turned to see Jack's nose planted firmly against the window. Without turning his head, he gave me a hearty thumb's up.

As we drove through a canopy of trees dressed up in their finest fall foliage, it felt almost magical or sacred. Something not to be disturbed.

I loved Joan's little village. It was so quaint and quiet, with pastures of sheep and cows, just the kind of place I want to eventually settle down in, whenever this army life comes to an end. Metz, on the other hand, made me uneasy. Everything was large, it is a big city. I do not belong in such a place. The cathedral was amazing. I cannot even fathom how they built such a thing so long ago.

Coming out of the cathedral, we walked along the pedestrian area, looking for a place to eat dinner. We found a place that specialized in potato dishes. They opened the doors for you. It was kind of intimidating, walking in there with children, though they did have a kid's menu that consisted of three choices. After finishing off dinner with some chocolate mousse, we headed back to the car, which was parked right at the cathedral. The sun had set and the cathedral was aglow in lights. The green of the roof practically glowed against the golden hue of the building itself.

We all agree that is was a great day.


methinks Tony is a tad taller than most people in the 1400's



Peter picked a flower for me


I said "Act natural"


trying out their souvenirs


in the village of Domremy






Jack passed this note to me as we were driving to Metz


had the kids run up there to give some perspective to the size of those doors


close up of the door





where we ate




Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Door Table

Once there was a store in Georgia. It is no more, but how I wish it was. I likened going in there to treasure hunting. One never knew what was going to be in there, and you had to dig through and wade through all the "other people's treasures" to find your own. I once found a set of blue and white teacups and saucers from England. I found lace handkerchiefs, a rocking chair, and an end table. But by far the best find was my kitchen table. I had stopped by one day while the kids were taking horseback lessons and the then little ones were asleep. The store was not open, but I went up to the window to see if anything new was there. And it was there. The table. And six chairs too! We were in need of a bigger table with Jack on the way. My mom had offered to give us her old one, which I was going to accept if I didn't find something I liked better. I didn't want anyone else to even see the table because I knew it was supposed to be ours, but one can never tell abo...
9 comments
Read more

Walking a New Path

 Well now. It has been quite a while, hasn't it?  I have kept silent about my struggles for the past four years, mainly because I was in the midst of something that I never imagined could happen to our family. And it wasn't just my story. It still is not.  A friend once told me I am an external processor, and I suppose she is right. I find that saying things out loud help me find the answer, if there is one. There was no good answer, as it turns out. And so, I am sad to say, that I am now divorced. A single mother, navigating a life I never imagined.  But there are some things that haven't changed. My faith, for one. I know that God is with me on this journey and that He is way smarter and wiser than I could ever be. He has held me close as I wept and grieved the end of my marriage. He held my hand as I packed up what would fit in a moving truck and drove our belongings to a new home. He has led me to new jobs and I can only trust that all will be well if only I cont...
4 comments
Read more

Fog and faith

 I stepped out into the coolness of the November morning to start the car and defog the windows, preparing to take Jack to school. Daylight had yet to appear. As we drove the many miles, the sky lightened, and we could see the mist hanging out just above the grass. We usually listen to a story together on our drive, adding commentary, exchanging a knowing glance or a shocked expression as the twists and turns unfold. I relish this time with Jack. I know that all too soon he will be preparing to leave the nest, like his sisters before him.  On the drive back, I pull my rosary from my purse and pray. By this time, the sun is just about to appear, making the sky a beautiful orange-pink on the horizon. I am pondering much as I pray, for the path I am on is once again rocky and uncertain. Such is life, whether we have faith or not. Faith makes it bearable. For the most part, the road home is a straight shot and I can see the ribbon of road laid out before me, narrowing in the dista...
3 comments
Read more