Papa Duck, Momma Duck and Baby Duck

When Rachel and the children came to visit us last year in Roanoke, upon their return to France we all slept for 24 hours. I wonder how much sleep we will need after our two month visit? The birthday celebration for Rachel was a big hit. Ludo made a treasure map and Rachel had to search the house and garden for her gifts. We sang en français et aussi en englais.

The last gift, a pottery bowl made by a

famous Canadian potter was found

in a small house inthe garden.

Of course the children wanted to hurry through to the dessert, the main part of the meal.

Later that night Rachel et moi, we went to the Café Jehanne D'arc to listen to Nathalie, a friend of Rachel's sing for the first time with a group of musicians. I was Nathalie's English consult for some of the English songs. After their group finished a group of four men sang for an hour and their harmony was exquisite. Believe it or not, smoking is no longer aloud in bars and yet their were several patrons smoking; the french don't care, says Rachel.

Ludo, Rachel and I drove part way

to Metz and then walked through

a lovely, large park by the river toward Centre Ville.

Here we met

Papa Canard Mamma Cane et Baby Caneton

I was a bit concerned when Ludo started feeding the ducks from

our baguette, a fresh, french baguette folks,can you imagine.

The lesson of the day? The French display their patisserie as delicately as they display their lingerie, and both are lovely. We walked through an indoor market munching on our baguette. The butcher here truly cuts the heads off rabbits, ducks and a whole assortment of animals while you wait. Though the animals sont mort nothing is left to the imagination as to exactly what one is eating.