Deborah C Linker

France – the Seduction Begins

Written by admin on May 31, 2013 · Leave a Comment

The year was 1991 and I was going to France, for the first time. Within the first month of meeting my husband, Jerry he called me from the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Eiffel tower with all the fireworks in the background. That’s when he promised to show me the country and culture he had grown to love. Now we were on our way-Paris in the Springtime for seventeen days. I had packed too many clothes, including my roller skates and now was dragging my bags through the Charles de Gaulle Airport to the metro. This was prior to the age of rolling luggage. Jerry had metro tickets left over from his previous trip, and being adventurous with decided to avoid taxis and go straight to the Jeanne d’Arc Hotel in the Maris district.

He gave me my ticket and off we went up and down stairs winding through the maze of underground tunnels to get to the correct train. Growing up in Kentucky, then living in Florida left me with little experience in underground transportation.

We arrived at the first turnstile, Jerry inserted his ticket and briskly walked through. Following close behind I did the same, except the arm at the turnstile did not budge. I inserted my ticket again, nothing. I glanced around, by this time there was a line forming behind me and Jerry had disappeared in the mass of people moving forward. Other travelers were quickly passing through other gates, some young men were jumping over, which I was considering apart from my cumbersome luggage..

I grabbed my ticket, stepped back, observed the others, and went to another turnstile. Still, the barrier did not open. So, I did what most women do when they are tired, and stressed in a foreign country with an unfamiliar language – I dropped my bags and cried.

About that time, a nicely dressed gentlemen approached, and indicated for me to step through with him using his single ticket. It worked. Jerry had retraced his tracks and finally caught up with me, just as I was wiping the tears from my face and bidding a “Merci Beaucoup” to this stranger. Gee, what were those rumors I heard about the French being rude?

The next day with fresh tickets and a current map, I vowed to conquer the Metro, and indeed I did. In just a few days, I was leading Jerry all over Paris from La Defense, to the top of Sacré-Cœur , to the Père Lachaise Cemetery where Jim Morrison was buried, and down through the creepy Catacombs. We visited three zoos, had picnics in every park we could, rented bicycles and yes, we roller skated through the Bois de Boulogne. My pink roller skates with purple shoe laces and purple wheels were a hit with the young Parisian girls, who stopped to ask where I had purchased them.

Thanks to that first trip and many more with my husband, today I am as comfortable on the Paris Metro as I am travelling on the interstate in South Florida.

(Tip: Keep your unused metro tickets stored away from your credit cards or any magnets)

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linkerwww.DeborahCLinker.com

Writer’s Retreat in France

Written by admin on May 28, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Here’s some pictures from the 2013 successful Zona Rosa Writer’s Retreat last week in Aix en Provence. After listening to the varied pieces of writing from memoir to historical literary fiction with a little poetry mixed in, I am inspired. We held our workshops in different homes and gardens of some of the Plumes members (our local writing group) and ended with a wonderful cocktail party in Liz and Pierre Chevalier’s garden attended by local artists.

On Friday, we crowded in the Book in Bar bookstore to attend the monthly Poetry Corner where I read some of my new poems as well as a few from my book, Living on the Edge.

Merci Beaucoup to all who contributed. Till next year . . . . . .

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linkerwww.DeborahCLinker.com

Last blog from Louviers

Written by admin on May 20, 2013 · Leave a Comment

This afternoon Coco Channel, the mascot of On rue tatin, decided to keep me company as she curled up on my blanket and gently snored. Class started this morning at 10:30 sharp.

I made the honey vinaigrette dressing, another student chopped chocolate, and another washed spinach as Susan sliced zucchini on the mandolin. Soon I had the rabbit livers simmering and we all helped make a quick sweet pastry for the tart.

Our rich lunch of foie gras, duck breast with a creamy apple brandy sauce, steamed spinach, grilled endive, a Roquefort and blue cheese platter with a deep chocolate tart for desert made me question if I would ever be hungry again.

After a nice stroll through Louviers watching the swans negotiate the swift ,small river that runs through the village, a nap with Coco is just what I needed.

Tomorrow, after a trip to the farmer’s market, I’ll head back home to Aix to join my friends at the Zone Rosa Writer’s Retreat.

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linker

www.DeborahCLinker.com

Second day of class: From Mackerel to Lapin

Written by admin on May 17, 2013 · Leave a Comment

As I retreated to my bedroom at 11 p.m. my hands are filled with the odors of garlic, onions, goat cheese, and fresh herbs. I have prepared and eaten mackerel,lemon meringue tarte, roasted nuts with cocoa, braised rabbit,
and rhubarb in vanilla syrup. (I forgot to mention the red pepper chutney that I overcooked.,Oops)

Susan Loomis has succeeded in presenting a variety of foods and the techniques to cook them. Today, I learned about sorrel, how to use a mandolin, how to filet a rabbit, the secret to making a quick pastry and how to layer flavors while braising.

The evening meal ended with fresh goat cheeses made with raw milk from a local producer, who explained about his goats and his process of cheese making. They were delicious.

I am so pleased that at the end of a day of chopping, eating and drinking, with tired feet and sore wrists I can just climb the two flights of stairs to my room.

Last night I slept better than I have in weeks. Could it be an ambiance hovering from the nuns who lived and slept in this very room years ago? Or effects of a new moon?

Whatever, I can’t wait for tomorrow’s lunch of magret de canard au calvados.

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linkerwww.DeborahCLinker.com

Changed Forever

Written by admin on May 17, 2013 · Leave a Comment

I am changed forever. Daily fresh baked bread, shopping in open markets, grand cafe crème, two hour lunches, and aperitif at six, not happy hour at four will be forever be ingrained in my mind. Immersing yourself in a foreign land, really integrating with the culture has been life changing for me. Someone said “Where ever you are, you aren’t.” I suppose that is so true. When I am in Florida, I will always miss parts of France, specifically Aix en Provence. Likewise, when I am in Aix I always miss the sunny warm weather and the water in Florida.

Yes, I have whined about the rain, the mistral winds, and the cold winters in Provence, but when the sun shines and the cloudless blue skies appear and I stroll along the tree lined Cours Mirabeau, with its ancient moss covered fountains, it is so wonderful. How did I know a year ago, that my life would be so influenced by the food, wine, and people of France? I have such good friends in both places. I am inspired in both continents.

How can I choose? Must I choose?. As long as my body and my mind are fit, I will travel between my two cherished homes? The best of both worlds-a dream come true.

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linkerwww.DeborahCLinker.com

First Day at “On Rue Tatin”

Written by admin on May 16, 2013 · Leave a Comment

I arrived at the VAL de Reuil train station, which was nearly empty. Checked my ticket to see if I was in the right place. Too late anyway. The train stops and in seconds it has faded from view. Finally, I see one taxi. Whew! It’s Pascal, my driver to take me on the 15 minute ride to the village of Louviers, where I will be staying with chef and author, Susan Loomis as I take cooking classes from her.

Susan, an American, who has lived over 20 years in France refurbished and converted an old convent into her home and cooking school called On Rue tatin, with a fabulous kitchen. I knew I was going to feel at home, when her cat,Coco Channel, rushed in my room to greet me.

Her huge rustic house sits in the center of town with the shadow of a twelve century church, which is right across the street, looming high above her roof top and garden.

Tonight I met the two other students as we had dinner at Susan’s in front of a fire in her living room to warm this damp cold Normandy air. (It actually hailed here today.)

Tomorrow is a busy day in the kitchen as we whisk, roast,
confit and learn to work in Bain Marie. Susan says we will have Mackerel for lunch, which we will fillet and prepare with a red pepper chutney and pesto. I am skeptical about the mackerel!

Till then, I’m snuggled under my down duvet hoping Coco will visit to keep me warm.

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linkerwww.DeborahCLinker.com

A Colorful Walk

Written by admin on May 14, 2013 · Leave a Comment

This is the France I came to visit, the one I saw in movies, books and art work. Fields of wild flowers, red poppies, yellow colza, purple irises, dandelions, olive trees, and the smell of lilac lingering in the air all set against Montagne Sainte-Victoire in the horizon. A farmer plows the edge of his vineyard, a lady trims her rose bush and waves as we pass by, dogs bark in the distance. Birds chirping, doves cooing and I thought I heard a whipporwill. At times, giant oak trees formed a canopy over the narrow path. A wonderful country walk on the perimeter of the village of Puyricard.

The yellow flowers are colza, which is akin to the rapeseed. It is harvested for bio-fuel and animal feed. In some places canola oil is produced from this beautiful yellow flower.

If you look closely clinging to the plants are the limaçon snails. Yes, they do eat these. But these poppies are purely ornamental, not the ones that produce opium. Magical moments in a wonderful environment.

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linkerwww.DeborahCLinker.com

Chocolate Milk and Captain Kangaroo

Written by admin on May 9, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Thick, sweet, smooth Hershey’s chocolate syrup. A classic in the cylinder can that mom made a puncture hole on opposite sides of the top for easy pouring. No squeeze plastic bottles with a nice lid back then. So, the sticky syrup would slowly drip down the sides of the can. The high viscosity of chocolate syrup made it appear to be real blood in the shower scene of Hitchcock’s thriller, Psycho. After seven days of shooting over seventy-eight shots of the shower scene, I wonder how Janet Leigh felt about chocolate syrup after watching it swirl down the bathtub drain.

Each morning my mother would set me in front of the television with a cold glass of milk, a tall spoon, and my very own can of Hershey’s syrup precariously placed on a popular new item, a flimsy TV tray. Lucky for me, the TV tray became popular the same year as I was born, one year before Swanson introduced the first TV dinner in 1953.

”Stir it up with a smile”, the commercial said. With joy I watched the white fluid turn darker and darker as I poured and mixed precisely as a scientist to create my very own chocolate milk. I savored every drop as I continued to stir the thick syrup that settled on the bottom of the glass. I lingered over my liquid breakfast making it last until the very end of the daily children’s show, Captain Kangaroo, my baby-sitter in those days. When he jingled his giant ring of keys, stood with Mr. Green Jeans and waved good bye to all the boys and girls as a last treat, I dug out any of the gooey scrumptious mess left in the glass and licked my spoon.

Naturally fat free, though one hundred calories in two tablespoons of this fructose corn syrup concoction, I still add it to my brownie recipe for extra chocolate flavor or swirl a bit on top of ice cream to satisfy my sugar cravings. And yes, I still think of my friend the mustached, bushy eye-browed Captain Kangaroo with his jolly, gentle smile whenever I have a delicious glass of chocolate milk.

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linkerwww.DeborahCLinker.com

Books, Books and More Books

Written by admin on May 3, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Books -our escape, an adventure to a new land, a different era, or an entirely new universe. Since I have been in France I’ve re-discovered the joy of reading. In the beginning it was out of necessity, perhaps due to discouage boredom or loneliness in a foreign country. Now, it is a passion, an addiction. When I am almost finished with my current book, I’ve already got the next one lined up – like a junkie with his next fix. The more I read, the more I want it.

This year I have read some amazing books some by new authors others by seasoned writers. The Snow Child, by Eowyn Ivey, her first novel, which was among the finalists for the 2013 Pulitzer prize in fiction, was one of my all time favorite books. Stoner, a classic novel by John Williams originally published in 1965, is a beautiful piece of literature with a story I could easily relate to. The Seamstress, by Maria Duenas took me to Morocco, Tangiers and Spain with vivid descriptions of fashion, espionage and adventures. Congratulations to my good friend, E.R. Warner’s first Kindle publication with her novella, Perdita, the Lost One. It was an inspiring story that unfolded secrets and mysteries set in a tropical island.

I just finished, Light Between the Oceans, by M. L. Stedman, her first novel. I cried as I finished the last chapter of this marvelous tale set among the sea in a small town of Western Australia and I said goodbye to the characters I had grown to love. If you are a pet owner, you will probably love the moving, light read of Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology by Caroline Paul.

Finishing a good book is bittersweet. You are eager to know what happens, but don’t want it to end. Thanks to three great book clubs I belong to in Aix en Provence, my appetite for reading has been nourished.

Of course whenever I think I have made a dent in my reading list, my friend and avid reader, Claire McAlpine emails me with a couple of more recommendations. Check out her wonderful blog Word by Word where she reviews books on: http://clairemca.wordpress.com/

Another great site for tracing books you have read and want to read and their reviews is Goodeads at: www.goodreads.com.

So, what’s next on my list: Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, Red Dust Road by Jackie Kay, Butcher’s Crossing by John Williams, Shadows and Wings by Niki Tulk and the several books by Joanne Harris, Chocolat, The Girl with No Shadow, Peaches for Father Francis, The Lollipop Shoes and Five Quarters of the Orange.

I love bookstores and turning the pages of a book, but I don’t know what I would do without my kindle during these travels.

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE

Deborah C Linkerwww.DeborahCLinker.com

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Written by admin on April 29, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Window boxes are filled with color. Purple, pink and white flowers are budding from trees. I tucked my winter sweaters in the back of the closet along with my boots and gloves. I had my toes painted for the first time in weeks since I was finally wearing sandals.

Then mother nature laughed and said, “Not yet.” A cold windy rain hit our streets for the past 5 days and brought temperatures back in the forty degree range at night. I’m thankful I still have my electric blanket to tuck my cold feet in as I go to bed. At least the rain washed away the pollen that caused so much sneezing and coughing. Change of seasons – another new adjustment for me. At times like this I click my heels and say, “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like sandy beaches and Florida sunshine.”

I say,”What a good day to play mah jongg on a gloomy day with good friends, a complex game to stimulate your mind, and a champagne apero.”

MAY ALL YOUR ROADS LEAD TO AN ADVENTURE