A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

Since I have been doing nothing exciting to write about, this will be mainly a photo blog.

The heat and humidity here in southern France have been too much for me.  Fortunately, my apartment building has a TDF (to die for) pool.  I swim and do my pool rehabilitation exercises every morning, then spend the rest of the day in the comfort of my air-conditioned apartment. It gets monotonous.

At 9 a.m. I am often the only one in the pool. Heaven!

Not just the heat, but the crowds also keep me home bound. I live in a vacation paradise.  The beaches are packed.  Finding a parking place is as challenging as finding a contact lens in the sea. A tranquilizer is required to negotiate the traffic.

Everyone is at the beach.

It is in the French DNA to take vacation in July or August, with August being the preferable month.  This applies to all – not just families with children which is understandable.

A bachelor lawyer I know has closed shop for all of August.  Friend Karen bought an apartment in the spring. She is having it renovated, but all work stopped in mid July and will not continue until September. Vacation time.

My physical therapist is “en vacance “ for the entire month. (The French get five weeks of paid vacation per year, plus lots of holidays.). It’s best not to get sick in France in August.   Your doctor will likely be on the golf course or beach somewhere far off.   Your favorite pharmacy, bakery, butcher shop – likely closed until September.  

Fortunately, the “rentree” ( when kids go back to school) is around the corner. Life will return to normal soon.

Following are random photos retrieved from the innards of my computer. Most are from fascinating trips husband Bob and I had the fortune to enjoy. We loved to explore far off lands, learn about different cultures, and meet the locals. It was all fun and enriching.

Before long I hope the beach will be like this.
Sri Lanka hills at sunset
Fort gunnery platform, Nizwa, Oman
Daisies – and bees
Peillon, France. I went there on July 9 to commemorate the 1 year anniversary my beloved Bob’s death. We had been there many, many years ago.
Geraniums in Grimentz, Swizerland
Name this bird. Seen in Sri Lanka.
Muscat, Oman, at daybreak.
Mountain goat in Oman mountains
In the medieval garden at the Chateau of St. Agnes, France
Maldives
Wildlife in Sri Lanka
Memories
Beauty in the canton of Valais, Switzerland
On safari in Rajasthan, India.
Classy mansion in Cap Martin, France.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman
Dalmatian coast, Croatia

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20 thoughts on “A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words”


  1. Leah, I’m so sorry to hear ab the loss of your brother, but glad you had a wonderful relationship with him. I lost my sister a few weeks ago and there’s a hole in my heart.I do hope you continue to heal, regain your strength. You have places to visit and people to meet! xo

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  3. Wonderful photos, Leah. Especially loved the bird, perfectly captured. In August we had a great time in Ohio staying with Anne. She said you were in California. Hope you have an enjoyable time.

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  8. wonderful photos. I assume the “bird” is some type of stork.

    it looks like you’ve reached the stage where the happy memories are no longer painful.

    I hope your rehab is successful and you are able to explore the world again.

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    1. The memories /photos are bittersweet. Sometimes it’s still hard to believe he’s gone. But, we had an enriching life and nothing Iasts forever. I too hope to do more world exploring, but with my limited walking it will be difficult. I can still hope for more improvement. You are amazing. Trip after trip. Good for you.

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  9. Love all the photos Leah, you two had some many great memories together!! We miss Dad and certainly understand your feelings but our memories will forever allow us to carry him in our hearts. Thank for sharing just a few of moments you two made along the way!

    Good to hear from you, Rob. Yes, we had some memorable adventures. I miss him too, and the adventures.

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