Pillow Talk in Paris

A drink for two

 

A drink for two.

As we walked around a village the view through the pane glass window caught my eye. Even the simplest restaurants in France set up a tablecloth and wine glasses.

During the miles and miles of traveling the back roads in France I am reminded that France values the pleasure of dining. Chain restaurants are not the rule. 

 

 

Twilight

Twilight reflections. The play of fading sunlight on the river. Spending hours with someone in a small space gives way to reflection. Yann can spend hours in silence, which isn't something I handle well, especially when driving for days in a car.

The funny thing is I usually can detect what he is feeling, and that is a big clue as to what he is thinking.

The situation of Thierry weighs heavy. Yann is on overdrive when it comes to work, his partner, and the future. The sunlight on the water reminds me that this too will pass. Where it will lead us is unknown. Staying true to the light even when it is hard to see, is what we believe in.

 

Back road outside of paris

 

 

We drove on.

I begged Yann to take the tractor trail through the field. It wasn't on the GPS, Yann had his doubts. But my country girl insticts told me it would be worth it.

We met a farmer, the farmer of this land, we talked about the weather and of course his farm. Later I walked out into the field to listen to the wind blowing through the wheat. I love that soothing calm sound… like the sea without the crashing of the waves.

 

 

Outside of paris

 

An hour outside of Paris.

The country.

The tractor trail we drove, through a field allowed this photo.

 

 

 hotel-tribunal mortagne au perche

 

We had some work to do in Paris regarding the apartment (which finally will be underway in July and hopefully ready in September) and other things which left us little time to enjoy Paris. Nevertheless, we spent the evening with our daughter Chelsea, saw Gatsby and had dinner.

 

Sugar tablets

I love how the sugar was stacked at the restaurant.

 

After dinner: Dessert. For the last several years in France a trend that has gained more and more common ground is to have a Cafe Gourmand:

"The first "café gourmand" is believed to have appeared in restaurants in Paris around 2005.

It is a step further in a general trend, in France, to have lunches in restaurants that are quicker than in the past. Back in the 20th century it was common as a minimum to have a starter, then a main course, then a plate of cheese, then a dessert, then a cup of coffee, and then a digestif. Then the starter ceased to be the accepted norm, and the plate of cheese became scarce, and the digestif disappeared. The "café gourmand" represents a further step, as ordering the dessert and the coffee in one go gains time, avoiding the need to have to call the waiter over to order.

Apart from the gain of time, the "café gourmand" has other advantages:

 

 

 

 

Pillow talk sweet dreams Paris

 

In a shop window in Paris, sat plumped this Eiffel tower pillow. 

We camped in our Paris apartment: Air mattress, sleeping bags… When Yann asked if I brought his pillow I knew that meant he didn't and I would have to share mine.

Pillow talk.

 

 

 

 

 



Comments

23 responses to “Pillow Talk in Paris”

  1. triciacooper72@yahoo.com

    Lovely Corey~ I know what you mean when you say, “Staying true to the light even when it is hard to see, is what we believe in”. I am at a pivotal point in my life once again. Finishing my MA in Art History here in London. I will be finished in September and I am not sure what the future holds for me next! I love being so close to Europe, but England is not my cup of “tea”. California girl loves the sun and so does her boys~ We miss home too but trusting in God that the next adventure is right around the corner~ Thanking you for sharing and inspiring<3

  2. What beautiful, inspirational post, Corey! Merci beaucoup!
    I remember riding my bike as a child through wheat fields on hot summer days, when the air was still and there was a cicada-like chorus coming up from deep down in the belly of the field, and the hot air standing still, and the fragrance of ripe wheat overwhelming. I remember the precise moment when I thought that I needed to store that exact sensation in my memory bank, to remember it always. Growing up in farm country is a blessing and the memories a treasure for life, aren’t they?

  3. So much beauty around each corner.
    Marriage, and life in general (as mother of Forrest Gump said) is a bit like that Cafe Gourmand – you never know what you are going to get. Sometimes you get the pillow, sometimes you don’t.

  4. A lovely multifacetted tale, gently put.

  5. Such a lovely post though I am sorry to read of the passing of the leisurely French meal. Now that I’m older, the idea of slowing down has much appeal!
    Take all the tractor roads you can – there can be such unexpected beauty off the beaten path 🙂

  6. So glad to be following your travels. Vicarious traveling is a great way to start the day especially with my lovely cup of coffee.

  7. barbara

    oh corey…’this to shall pass’ are words that have proven true always but today i really needed to be reminded. as i go thru a very tough time they become a tape replaying in my mind over and over….the light always shines again…always!
    bv xo

  8. I am enjoying your thoughts and travels on this road trip. I do find road trips a wonderful time to sort out the thoughts running through our minds.

  9. Diogenes

    Nice post, Corey. Loved the pictures, and the Tour Eiffel pillow!

  10. what a truly remarkable life.. i think back when you shared how you met while in your mother’s antique store in willows. who knew that years later you two would share a journey through the byways of france, snapping pictures, meeting locals, and sharing your unique experiences with the world..on something called “facebook” no less.
    merci for sharing your wisdom and your world with us. what a remarkable journey and most importantly, there’s more to come!

  11. Linda R.

    the sloughing of the wind through the wheat … takes me back to my childhood. The wheat field is definitely a sea of waving grain as the wind ripples through it.

  12. Oh, the French country calls me. I’m enthralled with your images and dreaming away here!!

  13. That shot in the field was so worth your impulse! Stunning!
    Yann must realize that your grand perspectives are what make his life a joy. That, and your pillowtalk. 🙂

  14. Jeannie

    Following the path less traveled is risky but so worth the courage. Trusting that your inner guide will lead you on the path less traveled with your friend. What else can you do? He is a part of your family and you love him. Trust that this too shall pass and sunlight days are ahead. I grew up in a family where silence was abscent. There was always a din of voices. I married a man who is comfortable with silence. I treasure the quiet, the peace.

  15. Claudia

    Totally unrelated to Paris or France, here’s a link to an inspiring video. It’s sad but inspiring I think. I thought the visitors to Tongue in Cheek might appreciate it.
    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=589647741069859&set=vb.216178818416755&type=2&theater
    This is a group of men who have ALS at the VA hospital. The xylophonist is my brother. I think these men are so valiant. Most of them were very capable and active just a few years ago until ALS came into their lives. My brother was an airline pilot.
    Hope it’s okay for me to post the link here.

  16. Enjoying this vacation with you.
    Hugs from Mardog driving this Monday afternoon through Glenn County (101,degrees)

  17. Barbara in Sydney

    Ooh re Gatsby, it was made here in Sydney and they had a sale of all the props used. Some fabulous stuff and I was able to buy a pair of fantastic huge antique outdoor light fittings for my daughters new house.
    Cant wait to see the movie to see “our” lights!!!
    Am just loving sharing your adventure thank you.

  18. I too have my Hero Husband who has no problem to be quiet for hours on end —> usually his thoughts are then not with his loving wife but with his work 🙁
    I too love driving ‘cross-country’ even when not on a bike – but beware, taking an unmarked path once led me ‘dead end on’ to a stony beach in Brittany; I had NO WAY to turn my temperamental rental car round because the path became a track and even less…. so I had to dip into the sea and hope I wouldn’t drown in and with my car – and as you read this, you gather I made it – just! But what fun (afterwards…. telling the story!)
    HH had a Café Gourmand last Sunday in a lovely, lovely restaurant in Paris – the surprise factor is very important, I agree!
    Bonne continuation! Great reading, as ever. I also do pray for your friend and my thoughts travel with you all along… Be good 🙂

  19. just found another worthwhile quote:
    The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure
    (Joseph Campbell)
    regarding your sentence that staying true to the light, i was told another version:
    when you think you see the light at the end of the tunnel, it just might be an oncoming train… 🙂 THAT made me sit up – I immediately made ‘my tunnels’ NO TRAINS ALLOWED tunnels, and now I CAN see the light! LOL

  20. Lovely post – I like having a Cafe Gourmand, as it is an unknown adventure and eliminates having to decide on only one dessert choice!

  21. Corey, I appreciate your love for the one you’ve committed your heart to in marriage. It takes work to remember and live the words “love is patient and kind”. Just reading how you interpret that truth into your life inspires. Bless you and the long and winding road we who are married share. Happy backroads!

  22. love the photos + story behind them. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

  23. Sweet.

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