“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” ― William Faulkner
That quote speaks to me. Maybe because Faulkner said it. Losing sight of the shore is scary. I read Facebook and feel guilty I’m not marching in the streets with a sign of some sort. My co-workers, my family, my friends are carrying the torch without me. But for now, I’m simply trying to get back up on the horse. Steve died five months ago, leaving a big hole in my heart. It knocked the wind out of my sails. I am having to practice living.
My French classes were great. I completed A1.1 of the Intensive, and will do Al.2 later. Wonderful being back in class. However, a wicked flu – la grippe – is going around Nice. I caught it. No problem. Gave me time to re-group, get rest, and look at a couple of condos. My owner/landlord is selling this place and wants me out at the end of my lease (September 30, 2017). Ugh.
SO, this afternoon, at 4:00 p.m., my owner’s real estate agents are coming to see this condo. She listed it with a trendy real estate company, located at the Port of Nice. She wants to show it for eight months! What!!!! I decided to cooperate. I want to know whether it is going to sell sooner or later. Maybe the new owner wants a lovely, reliable tenant who takes care of the property. You never know. Many people buy properties in Nice as investments. And, a side note to my lawyer friend Fran, French real estate law is on the side of the tenant!! That works. The plot thickens.
SO, this morning, I decided to get up, put on a business suit, put the suit jacket on the back of my home office chair, and go to work. Practice living. OK, so work is writing this blog, it is a start. I paid my California Bar dues. I am a member of CAALA (Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles – Empowering Plaintiff Attorneys to Achieve Justice). I can work in the U.S. from here. U.S. clients. No French clients. But, U.S. paying clients – yes. From my U.S. home office that happens to be in France. I have several computers (2 of mine and Steve’s Mac), an online U.S. fax number, two printers (my lazer Brother MFC and Steve’s HP inkjet), a scanner, a phone. Paper. Pens. Staples. Paper clips. Why not? I have an Entertainment Law client in the States and am considering signing a Real Estate Law client who wants to purchase a home in France. Besides, I like to work. Always have. I guess I am still holding on to the shore. Or, maybe these are new horizons with the same shore. Or maybe this quote doesn’t apply.
Energy remains a challenge. I am hoping that is temporary. Or will get better with time and exercise and healthy eating and a better attitude. The Featured Image of this post was Steve’s favorite photo. He called it my “$1,000-a-night shot”. It was taken ten years ago – after we were married – by my favorite photographer of all time – Joan Lauren (http://www.joanlauren.com/). The art work was done by my friend Larry Mccrea, a wonderful photographer.
JAYSPEAK 