For Dixhuit.

Today is Bastille Day, one of Dixhuit's favorites. We celebrate it even though he is no longer with us. Partly, I suppose, in remembrance, and partly because none of us Inside really understand the apparent American dislike for the French. I see no true reason. The boyfriend said that many consider the French "cultural enemies"...this term in itself boggles the mind.

At any rate, Bastille Day was not the same without Dixhuit. We felt very little of his presence as of late. We prepared a country-style French-onion soup that was rather tasty, and complimented it with a warm baguette and baked Brie. (Brie, although lovely to the palette, is entirely too expensive, in my opinion. Perhaps it is why we eat it so infrequently.) In years past, we would have watched one of Dixhuit's movies: Le Gloire de Mon Pere or L'argent du Poche...something along those lines. However, it ws a somewhat melancholy day without him, seeing as he loved this day so much, but to not mark the occasion would have been even worse. Therefore we watched a bit of Delicatessen and let Molly watch an episode of Caillou in French. (She likes French because she has fond memories of Dixhuit. Also, Martha sent her a Tin-Tin postcard, and she has truly fallen in love with French cartoon characters. She now wants to visit Parc Asterix, outside of Paris...little does she understand that it is not a destination we can easily reach.)

We also bought Brie and a baguette for the parents. They enjoyed it, although the father did not particularly like the taste of Brie. The parents are good to us, however, and we enjoy their presence. It is good to share with those one likes.