Author Archives
Bill Pearse publishes memoir, travel journals, poetry and prose, and lives in the Pacific Northwest.
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Saint Pierre des-Champs
We knew this was a small village before we got here, but assumed there would be more to do. You know it’s small when everyone looks surprised to see you, when you drive into town. They all kind of look… Read More ›
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Meltdown at Peyrepertuse
We’ve pulled some rookie moves as parents, with the kids. For starters, this is not what you would call a kid-friendly destination. The other day, we drove to the nearest supermarket and it took half an hour to get there…. Read More ›
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Gas Cap
I don’t know how to say this word in any other language, but yesterday the gas cap on our rental car nearly brought me to my knees. It must sound like I am making this up, but the first two… Read More ›
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Déviation
The French have a way of taking English words and making them sound French: they pronounce “Wi-Fi” like “we-fee,” for example. Americans have a way of doing the same with French words, too. This is the end of a very… Read More ›
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Street Smarts on the Internet
I am having a hard time with technology. One of my goals for this sabbatical was to learn more about it, because there’s never enough time to keep up, and technology moves so fast. Even now, as I am playing… Read More ›
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Last Warm Day
Gilles predicts today will be the last nice day of summer. Clouds and rain are coming in, starting tomorrow. It’s also the first day of school. Kids here only get three weeks off, in August, and then they go back… Read More ›
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Rock Star Girlfriend
We all have ours: mine are Beth Gibbons (Portishead), and Chan Marshall (Cat Power). I’m realizing now what it is about Beth I like. She has a bite, like cayenne powder in a stew. I put on the record she… Read More ›
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Zunftmarkt, Bad Wimpfen
Today we journeyed to the Zunftmarkt, to witness characters in medieval costumes simulating everyday life as craftspeople, circa 14th century. As is often the case with the changing of the seasons, autumn just showed up yesterday – so while it… Read More ›
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Der Kleiderschränk
This is slang for “giant,” or “hulk of a guy.” It also means large clothes cabinet, and that’s what my mom bought from the Hofmeister last week, which they delivered yesterday. They sent one guy to haul this thing up… Read More ›
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Disconnection Notice
It’s Tuesday (and it takes time and some discussion for each of us to confirm we’re right about the day of the week). I calculated we have about 10 weeks left here exactly, which means 12 more weeks for me… Read More ›
Bill Pearse 