It Has Been Too Long

Pages From Jan's Travel Journal : Thursday, April 21, 2022

At last! After more than three years, we were headed once more to France. My husband and I had longed for this day, wondering when the Covid pandemic would ever allow us to travel again. Even the prospect of an 8 hour layover in Chicago didn’t dampen our enthusiasm.

We arrived in Paris around 11:00 AM. Our flight had been rather turbulent, which had made it impossible for us to sleep. Our son Desmond met us at the airport with a smile and hugs. It was so good to see him on his "home turf" and to know that we would be able to have three wonderful weeks together! We took a taxi into Montmartre, where our Airbnb was located and were pleased to learn that we would be able to check in early. Our host, Victor, was out of town but had arranged for his friend to meet us and show us around the lodging. The apartment was perfect for our needs and since it was actually the home of our host, it was filled with books, records, and many decorative touches that gave us a glimpse of the owner’s personality.

Our Airbnb was in this building in Montmartre.

After putting our luggage away, we went to lunch at Gemüse, a nearby restaurant that had been recommended by Victor. The Berlin-style kebab sandwiches were like nothing we had ever tasted! The hearty sesame bread was stuffed with flavorful chicken and so many different kinds of sautéed vegetables that we could barely pick them up. After that delightful meal, we headed toward Sacré Cœur and were soon confronted with one of the long stairways that seem to be the trademark of that area. I was forced to stop and rest several times, not because I was winded, but because of pain and tightness in my lower back. I had endured numerous procedures for back trouble for a couple of years by that time. I was determined that it would not spoil our vacation, though it might slow me down at times.

THE sandwich

A Montmartre stairway

Intriguing 3-D art beside the stairs

When we reached the area around the basilica, we were greeted with the lively notes of an accordion being played by a smiling busker. Small children were laughing and dancing around him. Everywhere we looked, there were flowers in pots or hanging baskets. Flowering trees displayed their fragrant blossoms as crowds strolled beneath them. We enjoyed the vibrant scene in Place du Tertre, where artists were busily sketching or painting, and displaying their completed wares for sale. We wandered for some time, taking in the beautiful views and the lively atmosphere which is always present there.

Sacre Coeur peeking through the trees

I enjoyed hearing the sounds
of the accordion.

We had planned to have a picnic supper in a park, but instead returned to our apartment. It was a bit of a disappointment, but my back was demanding a long rest. Desmond and Craig found a market where they picked up items for an indoor picnic. Our little supper consisted of a fresh baguette accompanied by a slab of Munster cheese, smoked cod livers, dry sausage, cherry tomatoes, fresh strawberries, and a honey almond cake. It was a fun and satisfying meal. We didn’t stay up late, as Craig and I were beginning to feel the effects of our long travel day.

Why I Have Been Silent

All of the heart went out of me on the day my youngest sister died. I thought it was horrible losing my elderly parents, but nothing could have prepared me for the pain of losing a younger sibling. Susan Kay Blaine passed away on April 28, 2021 at the age of only 63. A heart attack claimed her life and tore her family's world asunder. Susan was such a bright star. She always had a smile and never knew a stranger. Even though she had known more pain and heartache than most people could endure in several lifetimes, she maintained a positive attitude always. 

Since her death, our family has not been the same. We have only been going through the motions of day to day living, and often faking a smile just to get through the day. It has been almost 14 months now, and we are beginning to come back to life a bit. The grief now comes in waves and is still overwhelming at times. I know that this is not what Susan would have wanted. And so we try. We try to maintain a positive attitude, we try to enjoy the little things in life, we try to reach out to one another. Life goes on. We'll try to live it with the memories of good times spent together and we will never forget our sweet Suzy-Q. 

Glimmers of Hope

Here we are in January 2021 and I am looking back on the past few months. Craig and I have remained at home in our bubble, going out only to doctor appointments, a rare trip to our local supermarket, or a masked visit to Marjorie.

We have enjoyed many walks in the pretty little parks around town as we watched the leaves change color and fall from the trees. Halloween was passed by. Our street is dark and curved, so we seldom receive more than a few trick-or-treaters, which was a part of the reason we chose to ignore the traditional festivities. 

Autumn at the park

When Thanksgiving approached, we ordered a small family meal from a local independent restaurant that specializes in soul fusion cooking. I had little prep to take care of, as the turkey came seasoned and ready to pop into the oven. The sides were also ready to heat and eat. The meal was enjoyed by Craig and myself, Janey, and Jennifer. 

Sunlight through the pampas grass

We had hoped to be able to pick up Marjorie for Thanksgiving day, but she declined. Long car rides are difficult for her, and of course there was also the fear of exposure to illness. She had ordered items for a small dinner for one, but it broke our hearts to think of her dining alone. We arranged a FaceTime meet and ate "together". Marjorie showed us her table and I almost burst into tears as she scanned the room. She had placed photos of all her family members around her on the table. Once the meal began, we had a good time. There was a lot of lively conversation and laughter. 

As Christmas drew near and the Coronavirus continued to worsen and spread, we were forced to make the unhappy decision to remain at home within our bubble. Our children and grandchildren were very disappointed, but understood that this was the safest thing to do. I spent hours shopping online and making gifts to mail or drop off at their homes. Craig and I made a little road trip to the Kansas City area on a gorgeous sunny day to deliver gifts to two of our daughters and their families. We came in contact with only one person, and all three of us wore masks. We treated ourselves to our favorite burgers at DoB's in Emporia, on the way back. We simply drove through and then ate the deliciously messy burgers in the car while parked. 

On Christmas eve, Jennifer came over to spend the night. She was a huge help to me, wrapping gifts and prepping food for our Christmas dinner. I had scaled down the menu and tried to make items ahead, due to the annoying back problem I have been experiencing for months. 

Christmas day was fun, yet a bit sad. We missed having a houseful of boisterous grandchildren and their parents. The highlight of our day was a Zoom meetup with Desmond at his home in France. He joined us as we all opened gifts. Craig set up his laptop so that Desmond could see the four of us, and it was wonderful to be able to watch him as he unwrapped the gifts which had been delivered to his home. It almost felt as if he were in the room. 

Around noon, we sat down to a meal of baked ham, German rope sausage, cheesy scalloped potatoes, German green bean casserole, red-hot salad, and pecan pie. The only item not made from scratch was the pie crust, as I just couldn't handle using my rolling pin the day before. When the meal ended, Craig and I packed up double portions for Marjorie, along with a gift for her, and drove an hour to visit her. The weather was warm, so the three of us sat on the patio and we served her the meal. She thoroughly enjoyed it. Craig and I wore our masks the entire time when we were inside her home, but were able to remove them outside because we sat six feet apart.

Soon, we hope to be able to receive the Coronavirus vaccine. This deadly virus is still ravaging the world and we realize that it will be a very long time before anything becomes normal again. However, protection from Covid-19 will allow us a bit more freedom to visit our loved ones, go shopping, and perhaps return to our local gym. 

I hope that all of you will have a safe, happy, and prosperous 2021. 

Winter sunset

Lockdown Life

 Lockdown Life

Even though we are no longer on official lockdown, we are remaining at home as much as possible. Coronavirus cases are still on the rise in Kansas, though areas which follow mask mandates are showing some improvement. The start of school has been delayed until September 10. We are hesitant to allow Janey to return to school. She doesn’t care for remote learning, but we are seriously considering it for the first nine weeks. 

We will carry on with ordering groceries, eating takeout every now and then, declining invitations to parties or gatherings, and remaining safely at home.  When we feel restless, a walk or a drive helps to alleviate the boredom. Craig was able to take his mother out for a drive recently, and it was such a treat for her. 

When confinement first began, My husband was the restless one. He simply must have a project! He ordered lumber and rebuilt the play fort. We had intended to tear the old structure down, but when the grandkids got wind of it, they begged us to reconsider. When Craig finished that, he refurbished the shed. After that little project, he ordered more lumber and supplies and proceeded to completely rebuild our deck! I wasn’t much help, other than assisting with the application of sealer and ordering new cushions for our deck furniture. He did a great job, and it’s such a nice space now. 

Beginning to rebuild the fort

Much of our time is spent out here

Our spring planting was accomplished by ordering flowers and plants from a local nursery that offered curbside pick-up. We also purchased another bird feeder so that we’d have one directly in front of the living room window. It has given us hours of entertainment, especially when the squirrels attempt to get at the the food!

Chocolate-orange Black-eyed Susan

I love the vibrant color of this lily.

More recently, tragedy has befallen our family. A young relative died unexpectedly, and we are all heartbroken and grieving. Her husband and little  daughter are devastated. This was followed by a horrific accident in which our son-in-law’s foot was severed. He has months of recovery ahead of him, which includes more surgery. A daughter-in-law lost her car when it was destroyed by an electrical fire, and a niece became seriously ill with a condition unrelated to Covid. My hairdresser, who is also a friend, became ill with Coronavirus, as did her husband. She decided to retire because of the ongoing fatigue from the virus.  As for myself, I underwent cardiac ablation a couple of months ago. The surgeon is confident that the procedure went well and that I now have a perfect heart. While the operation was frightening and uncomfortable, I’m very glad I went through with it. I had lived with PSVT for over 50 years and I’m grateful for the technology which enabled me to have it corrected. 

We have become accustomed to the solitude and this new way of life, though we look forward to a time when these precautions will no longer be needed. How nice it will be to socialize with friends and family, dine out, and travel! I realize that those pleasures may be months away. They will be all the more special because of the wait. For now, we will continue to count our blessings and enjoy the little things. 

The surprise lilies are always a visual treat

May you and your loved ones be safe and well. 

I’m Still Here!

It has been over five months since Covid 19 became a threat in my little corner of the world. In all that time, I have been inside a public space only a handful of times. I wore a mask on every occasion but have been appalled to see how few people were doing the same. Those inconsiderate folks have forced me and other high-risk persons into becoming hermits. I feel resentment toward those individuals who complain that wearing a mask impinges on their freedom, because they have quite literally deprived me of MY freedom! 

When the Coronavirus first began making headlines my heart broke over the numerous victims and their loved ones. As the virus continued to spread and the news became more alarming, my husband and I realized that our planned trip to France and Belgium would have to be canceled. It was heartbreaking, but necessary. We had prepaid most of our accommodations and had purchased airfare months prior. Nearly every penny was eventually refunded to us  The only exception was one of the AirBnB apartments, which was located in Brussels. The owner flatly refused to even discuss a refund, but since we had only paid half up to that point our loss was minor. 

Meanwhile, we were alarmed at the news coming out of France regarding that country’s battle with the virus. For weeks, I had difficulty sleeping due to my concern over loved ones here and abroad who lived in what had become Covid hotspots. As the virus continued its rapid spread I became worried about myself and Craig. I was at risk due to asthma and a heart condition. Craig is healthy, but with both of us falling into the senior citizen category, there was cause for concern. 

On March 13 we decided it would be prudent to remain at home as much as possible. We ordered groceries online to be delivered, which was something I often had done anyway. We utilized the drive-through at the pharmacy. Other necessary items were ordered online or purchased locally with the option of curbside pickup. For several months, we didn’t even get takeout or meal delivery. I cooked every day. Our home was well-stocked because I had purchased many non-perishable items in February, which is something I do every spring in preparation for tornado season. 

It’s mid-August now, and I’m grateful for our comfy little home and the lovely outdoor spaces we can enjoy. Our outside space is very important to us. Craig and I love to sit on the deck, watching and listening to the many birds which inhabit our neighborhood. Lots of frisky squirrels provide entertainment with their silly antics. We’re fortunate to have access to many wide walking paths nearby, which meander through parks and alongside ponds and  streams. 

A favorite place to walk

Mornings are spent on the deck, weather permitting. We sip our coffee and catch up on the news while enjoying the early chorus of birds. A game of Scrabble is always part of our morning routine. Throughout the day, there will be more games of Scrabble. We are avid readers, and also enjoy ourselves studying French. Recently, our son has begun teaching us via Zoom. We’re making good progress and always look forward to those weekly classes Desmond is a natural teacher and has been extremely helpful in our quest to learn the most beautiful of all languages. 


Our teenage granddaughter, who is currently living with us, has been simply amazing during the course of lockdown and isolation. Janey has never rebelled against confinement, nor even whined about not being able to see her friends. Recently, we have loosened our restrictions to allow a friend to visit. We maintain distance, wash our hands frequently, and wipe down high-touch surfaces. However, most of the time, Janey busies herself with drawing, which is her passion. She also plays games online with friends and watches movies. 

We’ll carry on as long as necessary in order to protect ourselves. 

Our cozy little porch

A springtime view from the picnic table

Not Just Another New Year’s Eve

Pages from Jan’s Travel Journal: Monday, December 31, 2018

New Years Eve. I can’t say that the three of us were in a festive mood. It was our last full day in France before Craig and I flew home to face the funeral of our beloved mom, Ruby. It would be hard to leave Desmond to mourn on his own. We ate breakfast and then began packing our bags and cleaning the apartment. We left the luggage inside and headed out on a last exploration of Lyon. 

A lovely building near our apartment in Lyon

Our view crossing a bridge in Lyon on a cold winter day

Our first stop was the Cinema Museum in old Lyon, which houses over 450 movie sets and props. The main exhibition room contained many of the sets from the movie “Parfum”, which was a very creepy film. The sets were intricately detailed and quite fascinating. There were props from dozens of well-known movies which we really enjoyed viewing. We saw Harry Potter’s wand and learned that the studio had to keep making replacements because Daniel Radcliffe would nervously scratch the paint off of them. I enjoyed seeing many of the props from one of my favorite movies, Amélie. We saw Mrs Doubtfire memorabilia, costumes from Star Wars, Mary Poppins’ umbrella, and so much more! 

This is a full-sized movie set from Parfum.

Another movie set from Parfum

Props from Amélie,
one of my favorite movies

Props from the movie "Mrs Doubtfire"

There was also an exhibit of miniature interior scenes. My favorite was a restaurant, with tables no more than a couple of inches high. They were fully decorated with table linens, flowers, candles, tiny plates, cutlery, wine glasses, and even baskets of bread! I wish I would have gotten a picture of it. I did get a shot of an little apartment scene.

A very detailed scene in miniature

After that, Craig returned to the apartment for a rest. Desmond and I wandered around looking for a place to have lunch. We ate at a very crowded Italian restaurant and were lucky to find a table. Des ordered a tasty truffle ravioli and I chose a creamy chicken and mushroom pasta bowl. We did a bit of shopping after lunch, which was fun, but I was glad to return to our apartment. The temperature had dropped and the afternoon had become quite cold. 

A chilly day in Lyon, France

It was soon time to leave for the train station. We had hired an Uber, and it was a long ride to the station. I wondered if we were going to just ride all the way to Paris! The Gare de Lyon was a very open, modern looking structure, but it was absolutely freezing inside. Our train was late arriving and we endured a lengthy wait in a long line before we finally boarded. 

The train car was warm, at least. We soon settled in. Desmond contacted the host of our AirBnB to let her know we were running late and was assured that it wouldn’t be a problem. Months previously, I had made the effort to find a luxurious place with a balcony and a spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower for our New Year’s Eve celebration. (Not that we were now in any mood to celebrate.) It was to have been a special treat before Craig headed back home, while I would have returned to Orléans with Desmond for another ten days. 

We became concerned when our host did not give us the full address of the AirBnB. Each time we sent a text, it took longer and longer for her to respond. We also needed the entry code to the building, but she told us to just stand outside and wait for someone to exit the building and then just slip inside! We were unwilling to do that and still she had not told us the apartment number, but simply said that the key was under the door mat! Apparently she expected us to enter the building illegally and then start looking beneath random door mats! 

By this time, the train was nearly due to arrive at our station. Several times, we tried calling the host, but got no answer. Desmond suggested that we remain on the train, which terminated at the airport. We decided to do that and explain to the conductor our dilemma while offering to pay the additional cost. However, the conductor never came into our car to check our tickets. Meanwhile, I was on my phone reserving a triple room at the airport Ibis Hotel. 

We arrived at the station and had begun walking the short distance to our hotel when Desmond spotted a Marks and Spencer! Craig patiently waited in the hallway with our luggage while Des and I darted into the busy store. We selected items for our New Year’s Eve "dinner" and Des found us a nice bottle of champagne. 

Within minutes of settling into our room at the Ibis, we received a call from our AirBnB host. She claimed her phone had gone dead, yet we could hear that she obviously was at a party. Could she not have used another phone? She became a bit angry when we told her we were not going to stay at her apartment and that we would be requesting a refund. (The corporate office of AirBnB arbitrated the dispute and I am happy to report that we received a full refund.)

We spent the last few hours of 2018 reminiscing about mom/grandma. We shed some tears but also laughed a lot over the many happy memories of that very special woman who never allowed Alzheimer’s disease to destroy her bright smile and loving heart. Between the stories and sips of champagne with which we made a toast to mom, we munched on stuffed grape leaves, sausage, tiny sweet peppers filled with cheese, savory crackers, a baguette and some lovely cantal, with crisp Florentine cookies and spicy mince pies for dessert. 

Our midnight supper on New Year's Eve
 in the airport hotel

While it certainly wasn’t the celebration we had planned, the three of us had made the best of it and found some happiness with which to ring in the new year. Instead of a view of the Eiffel Tower, we had a view of the parking lot. But we also had each other, and hearts full of love and special memories. 

Keeping it Light

Pages From Jan's Travel Journal: Sunday, Dec. 30 2018

We slept late, and I know it was something we all needed. Desmond had rested very little the night before, but managed to slip out of the apartment and return with pastries before Craig and I were finished with our first coffee of the morning. 

The weather was damp and cold when we left the AirBnB, but we made the decision to take the double-decker bus tour of Lyon. The huge vehicle was very crowded and we had to sit on the top level which was open to the weather. It was absolutely freezing up there! I was very grateful for my warm hat and gloves. About halfway into the tour, we were able to move to the lower deck and were much more comfortable. The views of Lyon, along with the commentary, held our attention. It’s a lovely old city with many modern touches and we would love to return someday for further exploration. 

A view of Lyon, France

When we made it back to our starting point, it was lunchtime. We found a cozy restaurant where we ordered pizza. I don’t think we have ever been disappointed when ordering pizza in France, and this place was no exception. 

There really are no windows or wildcats on that building.
 It's all a mural. There are many in Lyon.

Our next stop was the automaton museum. We love just about anything quirky, and were delighted with the place! In the entrance lobby was an entire automated circus scene, complete with acrobats, jugglers, and high-wire acts. A clown was feeding seals from a bucket of fish. The figures were only about eight to ten inches high and were painted in vivid detail. As we continued into the interior of the museum, we saw many animated dioramas, most with figures twelve to eighteen inches high, recreating scenes of medieval life, art, fairy tales, and so on. 

A lively circus scene at the automaton museum in Lyon, Fr

This automaton certainly looked familiar!

The museum is on the ground floor of an ancient building in old Lyon. As we progressed through it, we were walking on a downward slope and I noticed that we were literally in a cave with the walls and arched ceiling carved out of rock. The jointed wooden people and animals created a cacophony of clicking and whirring as they picked grapes, wove silk, baked bread, and washed clothes. One huge scene depicted Nôtre Dame de Paris, complete with Quasimodo and music. Guignol, a popular puppet character in France, was also present. There was much to see and it was charmingly quaint. This would be an enchanting place for children, and since we’re just kids at heart we enjoyed it.

Quasimodo atop Notre Dame

Automatons using a loom to weave silk

I’m old enough to remember when automatons were used in advertising displays and delightful Christmas scenes in shop windows. Some are still in use today. I have seen a cobbler recently, in the window of a shoe repair shop in Orléans.

We strolled along the river for a while, where a huge outdoor market was taking place. It was tempting to linger, but we were on our way to another museum. It was all about the history of Lyon and was very interesting. It’s simply amazing to think that this area has been inhabited since the year 43 bce when the Romans established a military colony. The museum also had a huge exhibition of marionettes that was fun to view. 

Garlic at an outdoor market in Lyon, France

An enticing display of cheese at the outdoor market

We were very tired and cold from walking in the brisk winter chill. On our way home, we stopped at a lovely tea shop for a hot drink. The hot chocolate we ordered was unlike any we had ever tasted. It was made with rich bars of chocolate melted and frothed into fresh, hot milk. Before serving it, our waitress piled each of our enormous cups with whipped cream. She then slowly poured the frothy chocolate carefully over and around the billowing cream and left us to enjoy our decadent treat. We lingered for quite some time over that delicious beverage and left the shop feeling content and almost happy. Keeping ourselves busy had helped to distract us from our grief over losing mom. It had been a pretty good day, all things considered. 

Incredible chocolat chaud in Lyon, France

Desmond and Craig heading home to
our apartment up the hill in Old Lyon, France