{Discover.Photograph.Life}

Once again at Sidsmums I get to relax and think. I read an entire book in two days. I haven’t done that in over a year. In fact, that was the first book I finished since last January.

In the last 3 days we have:

-visited one of the world’s great medieval fortresses, La Cité de Carcassonne,

-bought all our food at a thrice weekly market in Place Carnot,

-spent an entire day reading (Bill Bryson’s “The Mother Tongue” for myself and “The United States of Asparagus” or Arugula, or artichokes… or something… for Alexa),

-made new friends from Ireland, Germany, England and elsewhere,

-spent a few hours next to a lonely French river napping,

-gone for a walk through the vinyards of the Cathar region of France

-taken a few photos

-and played with Georges and Jim.

A month ago I was grading papers and worrying about where my next paycheck was coming from – that hasn’t changed, unfortunately – but it all felt so high stress. Sure, this is only 25 or so days of (expensive) freedom, but it was a much desired reprieve for both Alexa and I. Soon we will be back at the grind and this will be seen as the best break possible.

I would never, ever have given myself this kind of freedom at home, and I know Alexa is even less likely than me to do so as well.

This pace of life is something that I miss, cooking fresh, affordable food, and making time for what feels right. It makes the Wanderlust build up inside me again.

I am very thankful that Sidsmums still exists in much the same way I left it three years ago. Nine months ago I thought it would be sold off and gone forever… so I am glad I had at least one more chance to return and enjoy the pace of life here: there is always tomorrow.