Life in France

Bonjour! I'm sitting at the computer of our friend, Patrick DeMuth, husband of Mary. They are hosting us for a few days in the South of France. Tonight I speak on the topic of editing for the Riviera Writers Group. We have had a wonderful time seeing the stunning scenery, overdosing on gourmet food, and more importantly seeing the work our friends are doing in this lovely but difficult (and cold temp-wise!) place. Some observations about France in general:

. Lots of people have pets here. Watch where you step.
. If you get carsick in curvy places, this might not be the destination for you.
. American multi-tasking is overrated. When one eats escargot, for example, one learns first to pinch the shell with tongs and only when that task is complete to dig for the little gem inside. If one tries to do both at once, one might find one's face turning crimson as he or she watches the unsecured shell catapulting across a fine restaurant and under an adjoining table--or perhaps into one's lap. Not that I would know from experience or anything like that....
. Middle-aged faces look normal and unstretched, suggesting that shows such as "The Swan" or "Extreme Makeover" have not caught on. (When can we move here?)
. Some people get to see snow-covered mountains while also looking at azure waters. As Napolean Dynamite says, "Lucky!" They say everything is bigger in Texas, but I suspect those who say so have never seen the Alps. Ya think?
. Americans are not always friendlier than the French. When was the last time you, as an American, greeted the shopkeeper upon entering a store?
. I have yet to see the word "tortilla" on a menu.

Yes, these are the sorts of life-changing observations you can count on me to provide. You don't even have to thank me.

Yesterday Alexandra drew sunflowers in the sand at Antibes. Tomorrow it's on to Paris. As they say in Texas, Are-a-vwar.