tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post8324117752325127657..comments2024-03-29T13:11:25.325+01:00Comments on Living the life in Saint-Aignan: Intégration, et une mort lenteKen Broadhursthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04430899802705818716noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-87420374565321783592009-11-14T11:35:27.489+01:002009-11-14T11:35:27.489+01:00What a beautiful post. Thank you, Ken. Your closin...What a beautiful post. Thank you, Ken. Your closing reminded me of the lyrics one of my favorite songwriters, Robert Earl Keen, wrote in his song "Dreadful Selfish Crime" (the dreadful selfish crime is wasting precious time):<br /><br />"One thing I’ve found<br />there’s just two ways to go<br />it all comes down<br />to living fast or dying slow"ginnynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-15880500922880238672009-10-30T20:45:25.304+01:002009-10-30T20:45:25.304+01:00Dear Ken, you have indeed turned a corner in your ...Dear Ken, you have indeed turned a corner in your quest to make France and St. Aignan your home. And it's wonderful to see how all the energy you've invested in connecting with your community and learning the nuances of its culture are bearing fruit. I suspect that you're accepted in the community because you've accepted the community as your own. It's been a privilege to watch the transformation of a couple of American ex-pats living in France to Frenchmen. <br /><br />Lovely post.<br /><br />...Susiesusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14017788096350527796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-15508729963883719732009-10-30T19:49:21.167+01:002009-10-30T19:49:21.167+01:00I agree with Bill and the others here- this was an...I agree with Bill and the others here- this was an extraordinary post- the photos all matched. Even that apple fit in somehow with the theme, a slice of life in France.<br /><br />Jean Luc helped in your adjustment to your new retirement in France. I know you will miss him just like others in his community that you are a part of now. <br /><br />Bill, I wouldn't mind if my headstone read "BORN IN LOUISVILLE, KY, DIED IN PARIS or maybe even ST CHAMANT, FRANCE.Evelynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-26297626235404906272009-10-30T19:22:18.575+01:002009-10-30T19:22:18.575+01:00It must be reassuring to know that you are living ...It must be reassuring to know that you are living the life you really want to live,instead of the life others expect you to live.Few people get to do this because of family,job,economics.It is the simplicity of your everyday routine that appeals to me...ParisStyleAntiques https://www.blogger.com/profile/09692555461085368674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-70333883458716645542009-10-30T19:21:57.342+01:002009-10-30T19:21:57.342+01:00Starman, I agree with you that listening comprehen...Starman, I agree with you that listening comprehension is the most crucial skill. You can always make yourself understood, get your point across, but if you don't understand the French person speaking to you, you are sunk. It takes years of effort and practice. Don't give up, and listen a lot. Can you get French TV? That's easier than radio.Ken Broadhursthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04430899802705818716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-31877829541365982922009-10-30T19:08:15.132+01:002009-10-30T19:08:15.132+01:00"So much of it has to do with language"...."So much of it has to do with language". No truer words were ever "spoken". I miss so much because, although I can speak, read and write French, I simply cannot understand it when it is spoken. I haven't given up, I'm still trying, but it now seems hopeless.Starmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12386841450183061541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-4845966427196625172009-10-30T17:35:26.738+01:002009-10-30T17:35:26.738+01:00The lesson you learned during Jean-Luc's funer...The lesson you learned during Jean-Luc's funeral is that you are fully integrated and accepted. You are where you are supposed to be and make the best of it, and you do. I am sure your neighbors love you and most importantly, respect you and Walt. Your happiness shines through your daily stories, your photos. France should be happy and wish all expats should adapt, integrate the way you both did. You guys never complain about the differences between France and the US (and there are many). I can't remember of an instance of you whining or being a "victim" because you are American. Yes you must both have a great personalities, easy going, but really, it is honor that you chose France and the French should be grateful you guys did.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06031276247743743680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-51169384656414860302009-10-30T14:39:16.245+01:002009-10-30T14:39:16.245+01:00Well said, I fail to understand why anyone would w...Well said, I fail to understand why anyone would want to live in France and not want desperately to learn the language and be accepted by the local community.<br /><br />I'm sure your friendship will help S to decide what she wants to do. I imagine that if she has lived in St-Aignan for all that time then there is not much left in England for her.<br /><br />I can relate completely to your feelings about escaping the rat race and living and dying in France. We spend a lot of our time planning how we can do the same.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09726164724131916224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-56562997791592607102009-10-30T13:30:48.799+01:002009-10-30T13:30:48.799+01:00Very moving post.Very moving post.chmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-85400770407499766782009-10-30T13:27:12.041+01:002009-10-30T13:27:12.041+01:00my sentiments exactly...i keep thinking i'd be...my sentiments exactly...i keep thinking i'd better hurry up & get to france while i still have some time to enjoy it!!!!! You all are so lucky to have been able to be there......and lucky to have such welcoming neighborsmelindanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-41532495492636475662009-10-30T11:57:17.813+01:002009-10-30T11:57:17.813+01:00This is perhaps your best blog entry ever. I'...This is perhaps your best blog entry ever. I'm stunned. Both the sentiment and insight expressed and the grace of the writing are just wonderful. It really hit a nerve with me. Thank you!<br /><br />The pictures were fantastic as well...I love the Fall colors and to see them in France as beautiful as New England made me really long for life in France. French lessons here we come! <br /><br />Before my recent trip, some here told me that I couldn't do it. I told them that I wouldn't mind a headstone that read "BORN DULUTH, MINNESOTA, DIED PARIS, FRANCE". I may yet get that stone.Bill in NHnoreply@blogger.com