On the Doorstep of Winter

Door leading into the garden room, late October.

I have taken you on a journey from Brittany to Normandy and back to Burgundy over the last several weeks. It took me much longer to spin out the tale than it took to make the actual journey. Meanwhile the sweetness of early fall has edged closer to the quiet, dark cold of winter.

In mid-November snow arrived, even in Paris, where it visits rarely. Of course it didn’t stay long, and the cold hand retreated temporarily, leaving the impression that there may be much more to come.

Paris is very beautiful in the snow. Photo by Emily.

In the interim Rick and I have traveled to California where fall has been much more colorful than we ever remembered. We are staying in a friend’s house in the Bay Area and expect to spend the entire winter here, remaining into the spring. We are reacquainting ourselves with old friends, and falling into familiar activities from times past.

The backyard of the house where we’re living on a rainy California fall day.

We are visiting with Rick’s children and grandchildren and we are seeing James and Daniel quite frequently. We are savoring the change.

I will be putting this blog to bed for the time being. Have a lovely holiday season and find joy, hope and courage in every day.

On the way to James and Daniel’s house. The view over the Bay, especially at sunset, is gorgeous.