We were up early on the 4th of July, and Lisa drove the two American girls to Colleville sur mer; The American Cemetary at Omaha Beach. It is just short of impossible to imagine that war happened here. There are Jersey cows grazing at the top of the cliff, next to the parking lot. The fence row has wild pink roses ambling alongside (similar to the Hansa roses I have at home). It is so quiet. As you enter the beautiful landscape, you realize you are amidst thron...

I had a stateroom on the night boat to France. At 8:00 the next morning we off-loaded in Le Havre, Normandy, and I was met by my friend, Lisa Hartley Anquetil. It has been 25ish years since I laughed with Lisa. We did what we could to make up for lost time. Imagine docking in a foreign land, making your way through immigration with just a duffle, into a concrete, industrial building--and seeing your chic, warm, brillliant artist of an old friend smiling at you ...