Monique had to take a trip to Paris a few weeks ago. However it was the same day that I had made an appointment with a gallery in Uzes to see if they would be interested in my recent paintings. Now mind you,I was all alone. I didn't have Monique to translate for me, and my french is still less than pedestrian, but I have reached a point where it's more important to communicate than have perfect grammar. That's not to say that I have abandonned my french studies, far from it. It's just that I need to set things in motion now. After Monique returned from Paris we went back to the gallery to make sure that I got everything right. The gallery owner said that considering the amount of time that I have been in France I did very well. The following photos are the road from Nime to Uzes. Why is that important? I have no sense of direction. I thought I might use my photographs as a reference if I needed to ask some one for directions. But I did OK

We visited a brocante in a village called Anduze. A spectacular and picturesque place where the buildings seem intimidated by the rugged faces of cliff bearing hills. We made one purchase. My first cane. And I only took one photo.

Well I'm sorry. I din't look at my notes before I chose the images. The images of the soldiers are from Jompet kuswidananto of Indonesia. "Unity In Diversity" Perhaps the expression of centuries of 'Javanese Creolism.' Now follows Wong's work.

These next images are from the Biennale early this fall in Lyon that I didn't get a chance to post. Wong Hoy Cheong who lives and works in Kuala Lumpur, came to live in Lyon to produce 'Staged' photographs using different ethnic peoples which represent what he considers the modern 'French Spirit' 'of a country finally able to acknowledge it's diversity'. To accept and give value to something that one has considered negative, is very difficult spirtual bench mark to achieve. Accepting the manifold messages of modern art fall into this same spiritual category.
Kent

I missed a great opportuniy to see some more contemporary art in Toulouse, but my back was proving to be a major distraction. I didn't think I could enjoy it so I skipped it and went to see Monique earlier than we had planned. I walked into a panel discussion in which she was one of the speakers. It was cool to see her doing a professional thing.

Fall

I love the fall time. I miss my Andrew Wyeth books. Though yesterday I watch the only T.V. interview Wyeth had ever given before he died. That was on NBC 2006 with Jaime Gangel. It wasn't long enough. I don't know why but I was surprised to see the wine vines change colors. This is the advantage of living in one place for more than two weeks.
Kent

French Kiss

A Frenchman named Gilles Debunne after interviewing 18,000 people,made a map of France's cheek kissing regions. According to his map most do two. The south does three. The north east does four. What french people don't seemed to do is hug.
Kent

wood

In France wood is measure in 'steres' instead of cordes. A stere is about a 1/3 of a corde. In the photo Monique stands before 5 steres. These steres(actually it was my own bullheadedness) were responsible for me going to the doctor in Nimes. We loaded them all into my studio. I am now walking with a cane.
Kent

Nimes Auguteum

People told us it was impossible to find a parking place in Nimes. It took and hour...an hour to find a place to park. We were late for my doctors appointment. So we considered ourselves extremely lucky when we were driving by the Augusteum to find a parking space right beside the afore mentioned. Our visit there was impressive. The Augusteum in Nimes, which was a sacred place of the Gauls before the Romans developed it into a sanctuary dedicated to the emperors and their families, encompassed the spring whose waters were managed and directed, to control flooding, fresh water, and there is some indication that sewage flow was also managed. Aside from all that, the place presently is a knockout. Very inspiring.
Kent

Daniel and Meme Visit

It's really great to have such a nice space to share with our friends and family. Daniel and Meme Simone, (Monique's mom) came to visit us for a weekend some time in Octobre. Their visit coincided with the fig fete here in Vezenobres. We walked through the old village's market place where one could fine fig pastries, fig liqueurs, fig jams,fig sculptures, fig paintings and fig clothing. Have you every really seen a fig leaf? Some of them are huge. Passion flowers were still in bloom. I risked my life trying to get one for Monique. One highlight of the fair was a hilarious renaissance trop that played music and did their best to embarass people from the audience.

La veille de la Toussaint

Halloween is not the nutty affair here in France as it is in the States. However we were invited to a French Halloween party. And of course we went. The drive there was absolutely gorgeous. Fall colors the moon coming up. The party house was in the country which made it even better. We and one other person who raises bees, came dressed to party. Monique made a delicious pumpkin soup. I carved a couple of Jack-O-Lanterns. We ate and drank and were merry.
Kent

Halloween France

Last Halloween we were still in Boulder. It would be another eight months before we left for France.I went to one of the local 'health food stores' (that's what they were called during the sixties)and the cashierette asked me if I always dressed that way, or was it just for Halloween? I pride myself on being well dressed. Ricardo says "It's better to look good than to feel good." Once in the 'Trident', a guy told me it was illegal to be well dressed in Boulder.Even a woman on a horse asked me why was I dressed that way? The above photo was taken at last years Halloween, on the mall in Boulder. I wonder what would thecashierette have asked me if I had walked into the store wearing a 'Borat' costume?
Kent

We finally meet Tina

Help

Mathieu and I decided to walk about 200 yards to the main road to meet Tina who had driven. Previously we had been talking about a spooky french monster called "Loup de Garou" Filled with that spirit we made a movie. The 'still' is the last shot of the movie that goes by so quickly, yet is so perfect, I thought it worth seeing,even though it is a photo of the computer screen.
Kent

Mathieu's birthday gift to MJ

We know a lot of people born in October. At least ten. Six of which are in our combined families. Monique and I have two friends who live in Nice. Mathieu and Marie Jo. Mathieu's birthday present to Marie Jo was to treat her to a long weekend at our place. Tina who helped us celebrate on one of those days, also has a birthday in October. Here are some photos and a short movie.
Kent

New Dress

I'm always amazed at how many projects Monique has cooking in her head. Quite a feast really. Monique bought this dress before we left the states. And while she loved the style it was to short for an 'older woman'. So she had to cook up some idea on how to make it look 'age appropriate.' Here are before and after photos.
Kent

Dream houses

Their are many many dream houses in this area. So far all of them are out of our price range. That's what makes it a dream right? If you don't have a dream, how will you ever have a dream come true? I should ask Ken Wilber, "Where does the light come from that lights your dreams?" At any rate here are some photos of another dream property.
Kent

The Parisien

As I promised some weeks ago here are some photos of the Parisien.