Delightful visit from dear friend & former work son, Daniel & Company

 May 3, 2025

I woke this morning to find my ankle much improved though still not normal of course - but I was/am encouraged nonetheless.  Daniel, husband Ben and niece Reagan are in Paris for a short visit making their way from their hotel to our apartment.  I had given Daniel the code to the building door and was looking out the window only to see him enter the code at the door across the street and enter into the other building!  (We now know the two buildings have the same entry code.) Meanwhile Ed had gone down to meet them but they had disappeared into the courtyard.  My attempts to contact Daniel failed but in a few minutes they reappeared just feet from Ed, neither party seeing the other while I’m shouting from the 6th floor and pointing - a comedy of errors indeed.

We made our way to a very nearby restaurant for brunch and enjoyed exchanging stories for a couple hours.  They then left to do some sightseeing while Ed and I made our way back to our apartment so I could ice and elevate my ankle.  I’m pleased to say that with my air cast in place, walking seems pretty good!

Speaking of ice there was a huge rainstorm yesterday with marble sized hail. Ed was investigating an 800 year old church near us and as he was leaving there was a huge thunder clap which sent him right back in! Good thing he did as not only did it rain but large hail fell.   Streets were flooded, hail accumulated  and leaves were ripped from the trees.  Pretty impressive. 

 

We met Daniel, Ben and Reagan later for dinner, which involved walking to the metro, going down a few flights of stairs (the metro is not handicap-friendly), riding one line, more stairs, walking to a second line, walking up a few flights of stairs to exit and then several blocks to the restaurant.  I was able to do all this with very little pain thank heavens. I did appreciate the cane for descending all those stairs, using it as instructed by my loyal physical therapist who messaged me how to use the cane without damaging my still healing post-op shoulder. Because of course I need the cane on the bad shoulder side.  Such a gimp I am!

I must point out how polite the French are to older folks and the impaired.  As soon as we entered the train car, a young person would give up their seat and point to me.  So nice.  Want to guarantee a seat on the metro?  Carry a cane and wear a visible splint!

Our dinner with Daniel et al.  was delightful though we somehow forgot to take a picture. Oh well.  We have this pic from Daniel instead to remember this lovely evening.

Today we return to the church for a tour (on even ground, I should be OK) and an organ recital.