tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post3516758696215915066..comments2024-03-27T01:07:03.944-04:00Comments on The Roses of Prose: Who Says Old Ladies Can't Travel Alone? by Vonnie Davis #EuropeanTravel #TravelingSafe #Paris #EdinburghAlison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-49622913409162481702018-08-27T12:10:46.290-04:002018-08-27T12:10:46.290-04:00As usual, my friend, you made me laugh even as I t...As usual, my friend, you made me laugh even as I teared up for the grief you worked through on that street in Cal's beloved Paris. I am so glad you went and I KNOW you charmed all who were fortunate to meet you. Love you, V.Mackenzie Crownehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14495228596521457813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-4269543438451512082018-08-13T15:53:32.453-04:002018-08-13T15:53:32.453-04:00What a wonderful experience, Vonnie. I give you lo...What a wonderful experience, Vonnie. I give you lots of credit for taking that trip. I hope that won't be your last one.Diane Burtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03754105332297068271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-60972606216508480102018-08-13T12:28:34.680-04:002018-08-13T12:28:34.680-04:00I'm sorry I'm a little late, Vonnie, but w...I'm sorry I'm a little late, Vonnie, but what a lovely post about a lovely, poignant trip. I loved your photos and shed a few tears for your loss. I hope you'll be able to go back to the highlands someday.Alison Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-56254461662961139672018-08-12T16:24:24.235-04:002018-08-12T16:24:24.235-04:00You're very welcome, Jannine. I love to share....You're very welcome, Jannine. I love to share. In the airport in Charlotte, NC I spoke to a lady in a crowded area where everyone's plane seemed delayed. I told her I'd been through the same thing a couple years ago in this airport and it spawned the beginning of a book. She bought a copy of Mr. OH from her phone while we sat there...especially after I told her it was a shade erotic. "Like 50 shades?" No, I told her. Probably 29. We laughed and another lady asked what we'd found so damn funny about this awful 3-hour delay. She ended up buying a book, too. Thank you American Airlines. LOLVonnie Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04636934830795471572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-81353565619784825782018-08-12T16:19:18.113-04:002018-08-12T16:19:18.113-04:00Margo, I didn't mean to make you cry...laugh, ...Margo, I didn't mean to make you cry...laugh, yes. You know me. Calvin always bought me an expensive leather handbag in Paris. So I kept the tradition up in a little handbag shop on the Isle of St. Louis while is next to the larger island in the center of Paris, housing the Notre Dame Cathedral. This little shop was maybe 12 X 12. The shop owner, Cherise, was passionate about her bags. I couldn't decide between 2, so she took a picture of me holding each one against me so I could get the total look. Heck, I've bought many a purse from Good Will, so this treatment always amuses me. When I told her I was a writer of hot and spicy romance, she sidled up closer. "Define hot and spicy for me, oui? French women love hot and spicy, I think." She ordered 3 of my books while I was there.Vonnie Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04636934830795471572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-44199959457782288522018-08-12T16:09:26.844-04:002018-08-12T16:09:26.844-04:00Thanks, Angela. I had a lot of experiences. Met so...Thanks, Angela. I had a lot of experiences. Met some lovely people on the day trips--a couple from Long Island, for example, and a playwright and her husband from Texas.Vonnie Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04636934830795471572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-54813142101529000902018-08-12T15:53:56.020-04:002018-08-12T15:53:56.020-04:00What a memorable trip! Very good for you, I’m sure...What a memorable trip! Very good for you, I’m sure. I really enjoyed hearing about your adventures. Thanks for sharing.Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01047728297429025804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-47988837314859446432018-08-12T14:24:58.728-04:002018-08-12T14:24:58.728-04:00Once again you had me laughing then crying. In goo...Once again you had me laughing then crying. In good ways both times. What a fabulous trip. Bittersweet, of course, but probably the only way to do it right. And, as has been said, I have a feeling Calvin would be proud of you. Plus, you made the trip and did the things as only you could do them. You’re right, this is a process for you. To do in a way that works for you. Thanks for sharing a beautiful journey.Margo Hoornstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00036077481652050799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-57291083540486970102018-08-12T13:17:34.112-04:002018-08-12T13:17:34.112-04:00I, honestly, don’t consider you an “old lady,” Von...I, honestly, don’t consider you an “old lady,” Vonnie. I know how important this trip was to you, and I’m glad you now have more memories. Thanks for sharing your post and photos. Angela Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06102308492358084929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-10937074208425751132018-08-12T11:37:31.585-04:002018-08-12T11:37:31.585-04:00I saw a lot of new sights, Rolynn. I had a good ti...I saw a lot of new sights, Rolynn. I had a good time, but I will confess to having a day in each city where I was too depressed to get out of bed. I'm so angry at myself for paying the money to go to those places and falling prey to grieving doldrums. But this is a process that will take its own course in its own time. Vonnie Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04636934830795471572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-18462753944775922942018-08-12T11:29:02.695-04:002018-08-12T11:29:02.695-04:00Brenda, I think Calvin was pleased. I'll share...Brenda, I think Calvin was pleased. I'll share a strange happening on my flight over. An older man was assigned the seat next to me and he talked before the plane took off from Newark (I'd flown from Lynchburg, VA to Charlotte, NC to Newark, NJ). He told me he was a retired teacher (like Calvin, I thought). He went on to say he'd taught English (so did Cal, what are the chances?). Living in NYC, he had an hour's commute to where he taught in Jersey (oh hell, Cal had an hour's commute, too). He told me he lived in Paris for a year (and I damn near went into hysterical freak-out mode). I couldn't speak more than "Oh?" as I held my champagne glass up for another refill (I'd been seated in first class by mistake...go figure). I was barely hanging on with all the "co-incidences" between my beloved and this strange man when the plane barreled down the runway. And he grabbed--GRABBED, mind you!!--my hand and said the exact words to me Calvin said every time we took off. "The two most dangerous times of any flight are the take-off and landing. We've got one down." I jerked my hand from his and nearly crawled out of my skin!!! I thought, "OK Calvin, if you sent this short white angel to me as one final joke, I don't think it's so funny." The man never introduced himself and I certainly didn't or couldn't. I was simply gobsmacked.<br /><br />You really should try Paris. Maybe some day when the stars are in alignment you'll have that treat. Hugs..Vonnie Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04636934830795471572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-83254063688969014882018-08-12T11:15:32.884-04:002018-08-12T11:15:32.884-04:00Oh Leah, it was a bittersweet trip. The first plac...Oh Leah, it was a bittersweet trip. The first place I walked to was Place San Michel and across the busy street with more horns honking than a symphony to the place we always ate our first meal there. Saint Severn. I ordered Onion Soup just like we always did, adding a few salty tears.Vonnie Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04636934830795471572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-39805950898700959812018-08-12T10:18:26.878-04:002018-08-12T10:18:26.878-04:00Well, I for one, have been dying to hear about you...Well, I for one, have been dying to hear about your trip, Vonnie, knowing it would be stellar. I am thrilled to hear the details of a very successful visit to Europe and a chance to stroll around Paris with Calvin one last time. I'm glad you got to Edinburgh, too...as author and tourist. What a grand city! Sounds like you returned to the U.S. refreshed...love hearing the energy in your 'voice.' Welcome home!Rolynn Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09504770204968969467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-52548131042205503032018-08-12T09:56:32.089-04:002018-08-12T09:56:32.089-04:00What a beautiful trip. And a beautiful way to help...What a beautiful trip. And a beautiful way to help find closing. Calvin would be proud. <br /><br />Years ago, I decided it was time to take a trip alone. I never had. My destination was Paris. I wanted to walk the streets Toulouse had walked, drink where he drank, and see what he painted. I felt very big and brave and excited. My husband was okay with it. Then...we both lost our jobs. If the universe didn't want me to go, they could've sent a less stressful sign. LOL Never got back to it. So, I'm glad you did it, Vonnie!Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-10662239114642544292018-08-12T09:50:46.011-04:002018-08-12T09:50:46.011-04:00Sounds like a bittersweetly (if that's a word)...Sounds like a bittersweetly (if that's a word) cathartic trip, lovely in many ways, and sad others. I'm glad you were able to fulfill that promise to Calvin. And I'm very, very glad that you made it home safely with some great memories and story ideas. Thanks for sharing with us.Leah St. Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11004006100786260893noreply@blogger.com