Monday, July 21, 2014

And The Beat Goes On.....


I just said av revoir to Elle and her family.

Sadness lingers.

She was a constant bubbly joy.

I loved her, my neighbors loved her, my friends loved her.

She will be greatly missed.

We had a farewell dinner last night.

 

I made a heirloom tomato salad with watermelon, Bulgarian feta, fresh mint, salt, pepper, splashes of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and garden mint.

We grilled sausages and served them with my so called French potato salad.

Then my neighbor Nelda knocked it out of the park with a peach, blueberry and raspberry cobbler with whipped cream.

Some say it with flowers, we say it with food.

The French are off on a three week adventure, getting their kicks on Rt.66, from Chicago to Santa Monica.

Then they drive to San Francisco, overeat, and fly home.

As I write this there is a moving van parked in front, moving the neighbors across the street, who had rented for a year.

I will miss their energy, soccer balls everywhere, the little boy who kept a diary, the young wild dog Rocky who would chase Lucy around the yard while she scrambled over fences and ran up trees.

So again, changes.

I try and embrace them these days.

My life has been enriched by all the different people who have filtered in and out of it.

Thanks to Elle, I could get these pictures off my new phone and put them on the blog.

I can light a grill, make a pastry crust and tie a scarf , but I still don't speak a word of French.

And to her grave disappointment, I still don't have enough "products".

The shower is empty without all her scrubs and rubs.

And our house is empty without her.

But our hearts are bigger for having known her.

Bisous Elle.









25 comments:

  1. life's only constant...change. you sound like you really are flowing with it jane. these people have really touched your life. so sweet. x

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    1. Yes they have, I feel very lucky to have these encounters several times a year. Makes my world a lot bigger.

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  2. and they all seem to be perfect for you at just the right time. lucky you. and thanks for sharing them with us. xo

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    1. Yes they have been. I'm one lucky woman. I do mention I'm a blogger.....they can't be surprised they become part of the journey, right?

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  3. You'll need an S-man and Elle reunion. Wouldn't that be rich? Wonder what's next?

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    1. I just spent time with the Colonel, the roommate before S-Man, she's back in town for 2 weeks and staying at the hotel in back of me.

      Maybe S-Man is next?

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  4. Oh I hate change! But it is true as above, it is THE constant. And the more we can not only accept it but embrace it, the better off we will be.
    Bisous a toi, Madame Jane, beaucoup de bisous de loin (from afar). Just posted a hokey-rhymey dimey ditty on your previous post.
    Comme toujours,
    D in D

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  5. And the world goes round. You're all richer for having known each other. If there's one good thing about the internet is how it brings down borders, you'll be friends forever.

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    1. Well said and so true. Maybe France is in my future.....?

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  6. I've always thought of myself as flexible, able to change with the season. The older I get the harder it is to accept. I've spent the better part of my life being the person moving in and out of other's life. Now it seems I am the one staying still, saying goodbye. It isn't as easy. Hugs! B

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  7. She was lucky to have you! And we were all lucky to get a glimpse of her joie de vivre.

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    1. She said it was the best 6 months of her life. We were a good team.

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  8. I always set aside time to read your posts with a cup of fresh-brewed coffee or chilled Prosecco.(Depending on time of day! Of course.)
    And yes, it has been a roller coaster, but what a trip!

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    1. I feel I need to polish up my posts to be worthy of such delicious attention.

      Great trip!

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  9. Hi Jane (from Vietnam), good and kind people always find you; before Elle was Superman, and before Superman was the Colonel (during the time I know you). Someone as good and kind as those three will show up at your door momentarily, I am sure of that. I miss seeing you, Betty, and Alicia. I will come by for a visit in September. Christa

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    1. Christa, there you are! We've been wondering where you've been. Enjoy and eat a lot of delicious food for me.

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  10. Another farewell, another door opening for the next interesting lodger! I wish they blogged too, though - wouldn't it be interesting to read what they make of life with you and your crew?

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    1. Oh it would be, maybe the next one....Elle would have had an interesting slant on life with the cats (and probably me).

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  11. Exactly - good people do seem to find you. Let's cross our fingers that your deserved good fortune continues. And I hope Elle and her family enjoy my city!

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    1. Fingers crossed! And we both know they will love the city by the bay.

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  12. So sorry Elle is gone - she seemed like a bright light. But you are incredibly lucky in your choie of roomies - the Colonel, Superman, now Elle. someone interesting will come along and probably soon.

    You are doing really well with change these days. proud of you. how's the shoulder coming? xoxo

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    1. Shoulder great, discharged from PT last week. Now it's up to me.

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