Linda's Journal
December 2001

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December 5

I, for one, cannot believe that it is already December. I've had a busy week trying to get everything done before I leave for Texas for Christmas. Of course, it was made a happier time by the arrival of my new grandson, Jackson, on December 3rd. I wish I could have been there, but, at least, he will be there waiting for me when I arrive.

Last Sunday Maurice did the Paris 20K. He always doubts if he will finish, but he always does. While he was running I walked around and took some pictures. The run starts at the base of the Eiffel Tower so I took some pictures there.

As you can see, it was an overcast day

They have started repainting the tower. I saw some politician on TV start the painting in his suit with a paint brush in his hand. The name of the paint is Champagne. And the whole thing is painted by brush, not sprayers. They say it lasts longer this way. I took a picture showing the difference in colors between the new and old colors.

I think the lighter color is the new one

As Christmas is coming, the stores are starting to put up their Christmas decorations. It's really fun to walk around and look in the windows. On Place de la Madeleine, the church is lit up with red and purple lights, and one store, Hediards, is tied up with a big red bow and lit up in red.

Festive looking

Tomorrow Maurice and I leave for Prague for 3 days. That is, we hope to leave. There is a strike planned by the air traffic controllers that is supposed to really affect traveling by plane. Since our flight leaves at the ungodly hour of 6AM I am hoping we will be able to get out. Wouldn't you know it?

December 30

Here I am back from the States. We had a real whirlwind tour with 4 cities in 2 weeks. I saw an old friend, my parents, my children and grandchildren, and my newest grandson, Jackson.

Jackson with his Mom

Now I have to get back in a few months to see him again as there will be so many changes.

Brian, Liz, and my two other grandsons, Cooper and Evin, came back with us to Paris. They have been having a great time going around Paris(or Pawis, as Evin says) although it has been cold. Also, the little ones aren't used to walking so much and my son had to invest in two strollers to cart them about. I took them to Deyrolle, a place with stuffed animals(real ones) in a creaky old building.

Stuffed lion and Evin

Evin and zebra

We did a quick day trip out to Chartres to see the wonderful cathedral there. Brian and Liz missed it the last time they were in Paris as they went to the wrong train station and ended up in a town called Chartress. They did end up in a neat little town called Melun, but never got to Chartres. It is such a magnificent place. We enjoyed seeing it, having lunch, then walking around the old section of the nice little town.

Some of the famous windows in Chartres

bridge in Chartres