Solo on Purpose

Quick Jaunt to Angoulême: Street Art, Cathedrals, and Quiet Inspiration I opened the front door, and the day looked glorious. So I headed out for a quick jaunt to Angoulême , often called the street art capital of France . One thing has become clear during my time traveling through France: every village seems to have a story. Some are defined by a charming niche, others by a tragic historical event. Either way, each place carries its own identity, and Angoulême is no exception. For me, the most fascinating points of interest were the street art and the churches, history and creativity side by side. The Street Art Capital of France Angoulême is home to 25+ massive murals , painted across buildings throughout the city. You don’t have to search hard to find them, they appear around corners, above rooftops, and along streets that feel like an open-air gallery. One mural in particular stood out: a tribute to Uderzo’s work , a reminder of how deeply comics and illustration are woven int...

Counting Blessings: Gratitude from the U.S. to Bourg I referenced many miracles in my last post, and they are all worth mentioning. But where do I even begin? The early part of this journey was filled with unexpected kindness, from loved ones back home in the U.S. to strangers I met along the way. Each one made traveling “solo” feel less solitary and far more supported than I ever could have imagined. This past week had its challenges, but even in the chaos, I was blessed. One example: I successfully found a notary who said, “Normally we’d send you to Paris and you’d wait weeks for an appointment… but we’ll do it.” Then, almost unbelievably, I managed to catch a DHL driver literally in motion, passing through at just the right time, and I was able to overnight the documents. That kind of timing feels like more than luck. It feels like grace. The Little Fiat and the Gasoline Disaster My personal favorite miracle, however, was a lesson in humility. I accidentally put “Gazole” into the “l...

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zippity-A… I Got the Jab and Went to Cognac Today The holidays are upon us, and there have been so many little miracles lately that it’s hard to recall them all. That feeling becomes even more pronounced in a foreign country, where the knee-jerk reaction to most questions seems to be: “Non.” Still, onward we go. The Booster Adventure in Jonzac Today I ventured out to see if I could get the Covid booster in Jonzac, France, not too far from where I’m staying. My new friend and amazing translator, Malcolm, helped communicate with the hospital staff about my desire to receive the shot. After discussing it with the doctor on staff, they placed me right in line for the “jab.” Given the uncertainty of holiday travel and whatever mayhem might unfold in the coming weeks, I figured it was best to get ahead of the curve. Cultural Differences, Computers, and the Hashtag That Broke France The art of cultural differences became immediately apparent during the long proc...

Bad Day: No Wi-Fi and My Wheelbarrow Got a Flat You didn’t think this journey was going to be all fine wine, cheese, baguettes, and crème brûlée, did you? Oh no. It’s all fun and games until the wheelbarrow gets a flat. That morning, I woke up in a freezing European cement-built home and immediately knew, this place needed a fire… and so did my bones. Half asleep, in pajamas, I wandered outside to fill the wheelbarrow with wood from the shed around the side of the house. I loaded it up like a champion… only to realize it wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Flat tire. Of course. This blog goes out to my sister Lena. If there’s humor to be found, giggles to share, and someone who understands me anywhere, state or country, it’s her. Protective too. No “boy” will do. Give it a rest. She wants only the best… for me. Lena. 🤍 A Joyous Morning… or So I Thought And so it goes. Up with the sunlight, reflecting cosmic-like through my bedroom window. Ah yes… “Morning has broken, like the...