What Do You Do?

What do you do the day after approximately 24 inches of snow fell? Though the sun is out and it actually feels pretty warm, it is difficult to get out of the driveway because the snow plow came by and left a bid side of snow all along the side of street as well a a pile all down the center of the road--Main roads are probably just fine, but when your car is low to the ground it is not a good idea to drive over those giant lumps of snow So I clean out the refrigerator and throw away some things past their prime, roast some vegetables that are looking somewhat sad, hard boil some eggs (in case we decide to dye them for Easter), make chicken salad Try not to watch too much CNN coverage of the bombings in Brussels (see previous blog of 3/23)

Worry and Fear

Just as I was expressing delight and pleasure in the fact that my granddaughter is studying abroad for a semester as well as traveling in Europe getting to visit many different countries, comes the news of the airport and Metro bombings by terrorists in Brussels--Not only is my granddaughter in Europe, but her parents (my daughter and her husband) just arrived in Italy, taking the opportunity to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and visit with their daughter--I was concerned when my granddaughter first went abroad as the attacks in Paris happened shortly before her long planned for trip, but she went and has been enjoying visiting Scotland, England and Paris as well as many places in Italy all the while using public transportation  I began to relax and feel happiness that she is able to make these memories--Now most of my family is in Europe and the US State Department has issue a warning about travel to and in Europe, to stay away from public transportation, public places, sporting events, etc Sitting here at home I am fearful and worried about them all and dismayed that this situation will affect what may be a "once in a lifetime" opportunity--The President and other "experts" espousing opinions tell us not to give in to fear, not to curtail our activities, etc So since I am confined to home due to at least 12 inches of snow and blizzard winds, I will sit and monitor news coverage and think of my family

Coffee and a Post Card from Paris

Today was a sweetly pleasant day--it started with a cup of Chai tea and a piece of toast while reading a book--In the afternoon a friend and I stopped at Caribou Coffee for a wonderful cup of coffee mixed with dark chocolate  We sat in front of a fireplace-- which was not burning since it was a very warm day-- in two comfortable leather chairs and chatted about everything from grandchildren to books--

After dropping my friend off at home, I returned home to finish some laundry and think about what to have for dinner--When the mail came I was pleased to find a post card from my oldest granddaughter who is spending a semester abroad studying in Italy--her post card was mailed from Paris where she was spending time during her "spring break"--She knows that I have dreamed about going to France and Paris for a while-
The front of the post card contained various images of Paris Landmarks

Arch de triumph

Notre Dame

Sacre-Coeur  Basilica 

Black Cat  Cabaret Poster

1889 Paris Expedition

She wrote that she was sitting on the grass in front of the Eiffel Tower eating colorful macaroons:

She related that there were bookstores and cafes on almost every corner--"a city meant for you" she said! She hoped that someday I would get the chance to experience its beauty myself! She was lucky enough to have a friend who was once a foreign exchange student who stayed with her family who lives in Paris in an apartment overlooking the Seine and Notre Dame! Her closing words were "I wish you were here to share it with me" which of course brought tears to my eyes!