French la Vie

 

Do the French have a specific retirement age? Will you and Yann ever formally "retire"?

"In France, the general rule is that you must retire at age 67 and you can retire from age 62, as long as you have worked 41 years. According to a 2008-law, which was strongly opposed by the Left, you are now permitted to retire later (until age 70), but only if you wish." Via Understanding France. 

Regarding whether Yann and I will ever formally retire… at first I thought we would retire early, and travel. But life had a way of showing us other possibilities. We both love what we do, and as we work on our own we are lucky to choose when and where we work. So I suppose the answer is we will see, but I think not.

 

 

 

Will, you ever share your time at the monastery with us?

That time in my life is sacred. I was nineteen years old and stayed until I was nearly twenty-three years old. Living in the monastery in Pecos New Mexico was extraordinary, deeply profound, affirming, happy… I met and lived with people I still hold close to heart. As I was one of the youngest members in the community many of those who were in the monastery when I was there have passed away. I keep in touch with a few, but my heart holds gratitude, love, a large space for everyone I shared life with back then.

Talking about my experience of the monastery is challenging as it is hard to put into words something that was spiritual, something that was heartfelt, something that was woven into the fabric of my being without sounding trite or less meaningful than it was. I have never found the right words. When I do I will write. But in the meantime, I can say that I have the fondest memories of my time in the monastery. 

 

 

Have you seriously considered writing a book about your experiences in France?

 

No, not really. I am not a writer, I am a verbal storyteller. There are plenty of things I would love to share, but writing them down seems to be one of the last things I think if I were a writer I would be writing instead of talking. If you know me you do not have ears, because I have talked them off. My mother says I am a hoarder and talk too much, she loves me and knows me well. Honestly, writing a book takes discipline and far better grammar than I have.

 

 

 

Was your husband a student when you met him at a dance in the U.S.?

Yann had completed his studies and decided to travel for a year, as he could not have a visa for a year to go to Australia he decided to go to the USA where he could have a visa. I am his big souvenir.

 

 

 

 

Are you a shoe lover? Is so what is your favorite pair?

No not in the sense of the word. I would rather go to the brocante than shop for anything else. I would rather buy something old, falling apart, rusty, torn, broken, faded, stapled, hanging together on a thread than buy shoes. 

I use to only to wears heels until my feet screamed OUCH. Now I wear whatever is comfortable and they kind of look like the mismatched shoes above.

 

 

 

 

What is your favorite flower-oh and one more your favorite season?

 

My favorite flower, violets, calla lilies, old fashion scented roses, lily of the valley almost any flower is a favorite. I love scented flowers. My favorite season Spring and Autumn for the colors and because it is not too hot, not too cold. In France, I love May, June, September, October best. And February in Cassis.

 

 

 

What did you decide to do about your hair color and length?

I am stuck, like a broken record. Every three weeks when my white roots start to appear like a skunk line I think I should let my hair grow out white. Then I freak out thinking what if I look eighty years old as if that is the end of the world and chicken out and dye my hair. But I have been following this hairstylist on Instagram, Jack Martin a genius in hair coloring he makes the hair coloring transition seamless well seamless is a ten hour plus process and I am guessing $$$$. I am tempted to ask him to do mine

I wrote about it here.

 

 

 

Do you expect to babysit A LOT this year? How long is French Maternity Leave?

 

I hope so. I will do whatever I can to help, my family in France is small and it is the most important part of my life. So if I am needed I will do my best to help. Chelsea will have a long maternity leave as she will take all her work vacation, eight weeks, plus her maternity leave the baby is due in June. Chelsea will be off work from May until January.

I plan to go to Paris as often as I can.

"Maternity leave in France and paternity leave in France. It is mandatory to take at least eight weeks'maternity leave in France, although women are allowed up to 16 weeks of maternity leave in France(congé maternité), usually six weeks prior to the expected date of delivery and 10 weeks after."

 

 

 What do you do for just you, for rest?

I walk. Fortunately, I live in the countryside, at the base of Saint Baume, where there are miles of trails. I love to walk. Or watch a movie.

 

Can the tiny house and the house next door to you be rented?

 

Yes, both the Tiny House and the House Next Door can be rented. Just let me know by email and I will send you the details. Both can be rented 500 Euros a week or 1300 Euros for the month. 

 

 

Where is your favorite flea market?

 

 My favorite brocantes: Porte Vanves in Paris on Saturday mornings, Beausset in the Var on Easter Monday, the International Fairs for Professionals in Avignon, Beziers, Lyon, & Montpellier, Sommiers, Villeneuve les Avignon on Saturday morning, Carpentras, St Tropez, and Florence,

 

 

 

 

Thank you for all the questions, I will answer more of them tomorrow.