Suze and I wrote fewer posts in June because of travel and other obligations. We picked the pace up in July, though, so you have some interesting reading if you also have been away.

Two Weeks in France

Van Gogh’s Yellow Cafe in Arles

My husband and I spent two weeks of our June on a Viking River Cruise called “France’s Finest” that is two of their regular cruises put together. So, we have now done four VRC trips in five European countries.

Sitting on the sundeck of a Viking Longship and watching the countryside flow by is the best form of relaxation I can think of short of meditation.

I have been posting one photograph a day—only the best from our trip—on Facebook. You can see them there.

Time with the Family

Meanwhile I just finished spending a week with our daughter and her family. I don’t get to see them as often as when they lived in Massachusetts so it’s always nice just to sit and talk to my granddaughters, cook with them, walk the dog, make popcorn, go to museums, and any number of other ordinary things. I had a great time cleaning and re-organizing the kitchen cabinets with my older granddaughter, who prefers doing things with me to other more sedentary pursuits.

Now I’m back to my regular world, giving tours, writing, gardening, taking water aerobics classes every morning and reading on the porch.

Roundup of June-July 2019 Posts

Last month I decided that Suze and I had published enough posts about women in business, women’s issues and women’s challenges that the topic warranted a Category of its own. Thus, you will see a new Category on the right side called Women Challenging Change. It makes for a quick and easy way to reference on our posts on that topic.

Here’s the roundup. Grab a seat in the shade (or the AC) and catch up.

Boston and History

• Cruising Through Boston’s Back Bay — Aline
• Update: Restoration of Boston’s Lotta Fountain – Aline
• Boston’s Fountains: The Art Deco Statler Fountain – Aline
• Potions, Parking and Profits in the Back Bay – Aline
• Louis de France: The King Who Haunts Me — Aline

Business and Technology

• The Changing Face of Customer Service — Susanne

Friends and Family

• To My Husband on the Occasion of his 60^th Birthday — Susanne

Health and Safety

• Men Don’t Understand Female Anatomy — Aline

Lifestyle and Culture

• Half Washed or Half Dressed? – Aline
• Roswell and Area 51: The Truth is Out There — Aline

Movies and Television

• Report on Science Fiction Movies 1H 2019 — Aline

Spiritual

• Stillness and the Art of Sitting Still – Aline
• The Myth of Saving Time — Susanne

Travel

• Relearning the French Language: Mom Would Be Proud – Aline
• Celebrating Freedom in France – Aline
• Unexpected Discoveries in France – Aline
• Finding St. Louis de France in Europe — Aline

Women Challenging Change

• Megan Rapinoe: The New Voice for Equal Pay — Susanne
• The U.S. Soccer Pay Gap: Gender Discrimination — Aline

The Mixed Blessings of August

We enter August with mixed feelings of appreciation for another month of summer and apprehension over the imminent arrival of fall. Someone commented on the radio yesterday that August was the Sunday night of summer. I think that says it pretty well.

On the positive side, August is the month of sweet corn and ripe tomatoes—both culinary gifts that we look forward to the rest of the year. You’ll get the freshest and sweetest of both at local farm stands–much better than anything you will find in a supermarket.

With any luck, I’ll fit some lobster in there, too.