Slow Month

May is off to a quiet start with weekly holidays (May Day, which is Labor Day here last week; Armistice Day this week; religious holidays), long weekends, and a two week long school vacation, which has pretty much shut everything, or a LOT of things, down. Many restaurants are closed, my favorite auction house is closed, and the city is pretty empty, and the weather bounces back and forth between slightly warmer and seriously chilly, sunny and cloudy. It’s a good month to go away, go on vacation, or stay home and catch up on things, which is what I’ve been doing. I’ve done things like going to the vet to pick up supplies, the pet store for a new leash and harness for my ridiculously small dog (she weighs 2 pounds, is a long haired white teacup Chihuahua named Minnie Mouse, and I got her a shocking pink leash today and some new sweaters. They had a pair of pink underwater goggles that tempted me severely, but I figured she’d never forgive me, so I didn’t buy them. But I did see a poodle dyed shocking pink at the pet store (where they also do grooming).

I’ve gotten some things repaired, and refurbished, I’m looking for a new hall rug, and fixed some antique pillows. And for once, I’m not reorganizing my closets, I’m too lazy right now to even do that. Because so many people are away, and there are so many holidays, May is a good month to be lazy (which doesn’t happen to me very often). I’ve had lunch and dinner with the few friends who are in town, watched some more Downton Abbey reruns (my favorite pastime!!) and caught up on some reading. It’s nice to be running at half speed, and not racing through the days, juggling a million calls, emails, and projects. I had lunch with a friend today, dinner with other friends last night in my kitchen, and tomorrow am seeing a friend I haven’t seen in 20 years. It’s nice having the time to catch up, after a winter of going at jet speed.

I managed to get through my late son’s birthday on May 1st, and had friends over for dinner, as I always do. Those days are always hard for me and my children.

And I’m starting to think about summer, and everything I want to do.  Although I grouse about how difficult it is to have a weekly holiday here in France in the month of May, it is actually nice moving at a slower pace, catching up, and checking one’s direction. And it always feels strange to me when I’m not working. I’m so used to working all the time.

I hope you’re having fun and that the month of May is unfolding nicely for you too…..more soon, love, danielle