I am back home. My suitcase arrived today having decided to stay in Paris a couple of extra days. It was obviously having even more fun than me!

The challenge is, Customs obviously opened it, and, because my daughter had stuffed a few extra things in it and laid on top of it to close it, Customs simply put it in a big plastic bag. Three plastic bags actually, one on top of the other to keep everything together. I’m grateful for their consideration!

It’s nice to have it home. Though now I really do have to unpack and do the laundry!

From almost forgetting my purse when I left (I’d left it at home and didn’t realize it until after my husband dropped me off at the ferry and I was waiting to board. Fortunately, I’d called him right away and he brought it to me before the next ferry left! Losing my bag at the end is just a small end note to an amazing trip. A friend asked me yesterday what was the highlight. I didn’t have to think about it – the time with my daughter. Pure delight. The sights and sounds and experiences were amazing. But… laughing and chatting, sharing meals and talking for hours — so much grace and gratitude.

This morning, Beaumont and I walked along the shoreline, the wind whispered its secrets of far away places into the branches of the trees stretched out above us. The waves lapped along the rocks beguiling them with tales are the depths below and seagulls cawed and cussed as they dive bombed waves lapping against the shore.

And the muse stirred… and I listened.

Dancing with Shadows
by Louise Gallagher

The shadow stretches 
body thrown across 
freshly mown 
lawn, 
shorn short, prickling
its dark expanse 
searching
for separation 
yearning 
for freedom 
beyond 
the tree trunk standing firm
holding it 
close 
to its roots
until night 
stealthily descends
steeling away
the day
separating
light and shadow 
slipping
silently 
into oblivion.