Sheer Cocoon

I woke up in the middle of the night to find Emile completely wrapped up in the sheer curtains in the bedroom. He was rolled tight into a little ball, just like a cocoon. I pulled back a little corner to look in...Please excuse the way he looks, he was sound asleep when I surprised him in his nest.

Hike in search of boot.

Today the weather cleared for a little while so I though that I'd see if I could find my missing hiking boot. I went to the start of the trails of a few places that I go , but did not find it. Instead , we found a new trail. It was warm today, humid, nice weather for a hike. We found some beautiful flowers off the trail, rock roses, poppies, borage, onion family bulbs. It was a very pretty trail. We saw many butterflies of various colors. 

I got my first poppy shot of the year, this little beauty, posing so nicely with the blue borage around her. Is there anything more beautiful?

The First Poppy of the Season. 

Red Lily

Kukenhof.

I am nice.

I went to the post office this afternoon. Who would have known that it would be a pleasure to go to the Poste in France. I have always had a great fear of foreign post offices. I have had a few dramatic experiences. I am always so happy to see the little man behind the counter. He is really tiny, maybe 5'2. He is just so nice. We speak in French. Today, one of the other workers wanted to borrow his "scotch" ( scotch tape in French and in Italian). He only had one and was not willing to share. I completely understood. I am touchy with office supplies myself.

The Post was somewhat crowded. There was a tall wide man all in black in front of me. He was slightly disheveled with messy gray hair that needed a cut and . He had modern metal glasses. Astoundingly, a couple that I had recently met walked into the Poste and a conversation ensued. I think I am getting more social. I walked out with them and went on my way down the road to the pharmacie. It was one of those errand filled afternoons.

As I was about to enter the pharmacie, the disheveled man went to enter at the same time. We looked at each other and laughed. Had my French been better, I would have said something like..."are you following me?" He may have said just that in French. I told him the best that I could that he should go ahead of me as it will take me longer as my French is not that great....Oh no, a French gentleman, even a messy one, always defers to the lady. Merci, Merci.

I was called to the counter. I told the woman that I am English speaking but that I want to speak French, Please...She couldn't speak English anyway. I almost was able to handle the whole transaction but there was one part, I didn't want to take the chance of getting wrong....so the woman called the other woman over, she speaks some English . She had been waiting on my friend in black at a counter on the other side of the store.
There were a few woman in between, shopping. I told her that I could wait but the man insisted she help me.

and here it comes...I say loudly to the man, with a big smile, trying to use my French " I AM NICE"...I meant, YOU ARE NICE....I have heard people use this phrase in polite conversation. I did this before if you remember...I said I AM , but, I caught myself...everything came to a stop in the store and all eyes were on me....slowly, my brain realized and I quickly announced.....NO!   YOU ARE NICE!....directed at the smiling man....everyone laughed....it was very funny...and I added a quick....I AM TOO! Moi aussi.

I take this as progress.

Crocus

Lilacs

Tunafish Sandwich

I bought myself a tiny jar of mayonnaise in the specialty aisle at the supermarket. I already had tiny tins of tuna. I whipped myself up tunafish salad with mayonnaise and chopped red onion. I made the sandwich with flatbread and arugula. I was so happy to have this bit of America in France. There's nothing like a tunafish sandwich when you are craving one.

If it can be believed...

I am missing one hiking boot. I keep them in the trunk of the car. Today, I went to put them on, and there was only one. I looked back in the blog and can only guess where it might be...in the rain, for days...days and days in the rain.
I can see me taking them off after a hike, to drive, and I left one out of the car.
Sometimes I think that my attention to detail in my photography has left me with a weakened ability to deal with detail in everyday life.
My one hiking boot is missing it's partner.

Today

Tiny Yellow Roses in The Rain.

Views of The Baou and St. Jeannet

Dog at Butcher Shop

Tail awag 1

Tail awag 2

Dog's View

Today in St. Jeannet.

I was supposed to go on a hike with a bunch of ex-pats. I got up early and drove way up to St. Jeannet. It took me quiet awhile to find where the meeting spot was. St.Jeannet (1666)  is way on the top on the hills above the Riviera. There is a land formation called a Baou.
http://www.beyond.fr/villages/stjeannet.html
Here are a few shots in the rain. I took shelter under an arch.

Orange Balloons

Willem-Alexander's Birthday

I went to a yearly event for the people of Holland, celebrating the birthday of the Future King of The Netherlands. He will be crowned on April 30th. Traditionally, people wear the color orange that signifies The House of Orange and it's history. Feel free to read all about it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Orange-Nassau
The event was at a beautiful vineyard in Frejus. The weather was gloomy and it eventually rained.
The head of the Society in the area gave a speech. The crowd sang the anthem, the children set free balloons. I had a couple of traditional meatballs with mustard. It was my job to take some informal snaps...here are a few.