17 January 2020

2010






That's deux mille dix. It was 10 years ago — to the day. I think the reality of what we'd done had dawned on us. We had picked up and moved to France. And we had done it almost on a whim. We were that desperate to leave the world of work stress and freeway commuting. In 2010 we had been here for seven years. Now, in deux mille vingt, it's been 17 years.




When I read blog posts from that time, I realize all the patterns life follows. On January 17, 2010, we saw the sun for the first time in weeks. It was cold and wet, and the house was cold too. We realized we needed more space, and more creature comforts.



We had survived the 2003 heat wave. We had started a vegetable garden in 2004. We had both started blogging in 2005. Our dog Collette had departed in 2006. Her successor, Callie, arrived in 2007. Back then, I had my desk down in the entryway of the house, which is not very well heated. In wintertime, I would sit down there in front of my computer with fingers stiffened by the cold.

The U.S. dollar was low against the euro, but we still had funds from the sale of our house in San Francisco. Let's invest them, we said to each other. And the only investment we thought was worth it was the house. We decided to have our big empty attic, with its high ceiling, transformed — aménagé — into a pleasant living space. The job went smoothly and didn't take very long, thanks to an English friend who put us in contact with a group of reliable local contractors.



As usual, when you make house improvements you tell yourself that you are adding value and that you'll get the money back when you eventually sell the place. But we had no such plan. We just needed more space and comfort. At the time, we talked about having the seven-year itch. We needed to make changes.




Now that was 10 years ago, and we are still here. We've never regretted choosing this house. It's all about the location — close, but not too close, to neighbors. Close, but not too close, to town. And therefore not too far from markets, supermarkets, and other services and amenities. Besides, it's on the edge of, almost surrounded by, a vineyard. The photos here are some I took on January 17, 2010, when the light was getting brighter.

12 comments:

  1. Beautiful skies as well as beautiful photos.

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    1. Thanks, CHM. I haven't been taking many photos outdoors recently. Too rainy.

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    2. I think I forgot to mention that I took these sky photos with the Panasonic TZ3 camera.

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  2. So glad you followed your whim - enjoying being a "hitch hiker" on your journey!

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    1. The whim was the timing and the suddenness. In fact, we had talked for years about moving to France when we went into retirement. It happened early.

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  3. "when you make house improvements you tell yourself that you are adding value and that you'll get the money back when you eventually sell the place. But we had no such plan."
    I like that approach. We've had a fair amount of work done on our house here over 13 years, and the impetus has always been to make it more livable and enjoyable. If it increases its value, that's great, but it's not something we worry about.

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  4. I remember that whim of yours well. It seems more like yesterday than 17 years ago now. Your photos make me think that maybe whims come from the heavens. It is a blessing to live comfortably as we age.

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  5. My goodness, it was that long ago that you decided to do the loft space!? Seems so much more recent. But, then, everything seems that way, eh? I remember when you were still working on the projects of finishing up wallpaper removal, and painting the kitchen.
    We're all so fortunate that you share your life with us--I appreciate the contact with you, and the glimpse into everyday life in France,as well.

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  6. I am not sure when I began reading your blog, nor how I stumbled upon it, but I remember reading about the turning the loft space into another floor of your home. It seems like a very wise decision. And it does not seem all that long ago, either. So glad you and Walt decided to begin blogging.

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  7. The light in these photos is wonderful. Seems like the dollar is now the strongest it has been since 2000. Whatever happened with your neighbor C and the sale of the house?

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    1. I remember that the euro was worth 1.06 US dollars when we paid the down paynent on our house in early 2003. By 2007 or '08, the euro was worth as much as $1.60. The GW Bush adninistration kept the dollar low. Those were scary times for us. At 1.00€ = $1.06, you get about 94 eurocents per dollar. At 1.60, you get only about 65 eurocents. Today's exchange rate is 1 euro = $1.11, which is 90 eurocents per US dollar..

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    2. About C. and her house sale, all has been very quiet for the past couple of weeks. I need to call her and ask her how it's going.

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