colis

Remember the story (click here) about Tessa and our walk throught the deserted town of Séguret? Here's that tea shop with the Christmas decorations still hanging. Remember the name for those little half-curtains? Les brise-bise. Aren't they sweet? Here's another picture, a little less lacy.

Good news! Chief Grape will be in OAKLAND, CA on March 21st! Check out some of the other cities he is visiting, click here.

LE COLIS  (ko-lee)

    : packet, package

. 

A Day in a French Life... by Kristin Espinasse

Le Remerciement de Gus
(Gus's Thank-you Note)

I received a very kind remerciement from Gus Elison, who won the key in the "French Antique Giveaway". I thought you might enjoy the photos that Gus sent, and the captions that go along with them. Enjoy! 

Gus writes:

From France to Jacksonville... The key has arrived!....

LIKE A FIRST VALENTINE, THE PACKAGE ARRIVED ON 5 MARCH.

 

THE KEY IS GRAND.  THE MOST THOUGHTFUL THING WAS THE WAY IT WAS ENCLOSED.  

 

TRUE GENTEELNESS AND IMAGINATION WITH THE OLD PAGES AND THE DELICATED BLUE RIBBON WAS THE FINAL TOUCH.  YOUR INNER BEAUTY SHINES THROUGH.

THE "KEY", PAULETTE AND GUS.  A REAL FRENCH BEAUTY RAISED ON A FARM DURING THE GERMAN OCCUPATION.  WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR VISIT TO SEE FAMILY AND FRANCE.

 I WILL TREASURE THE KEY AND YOUR PERSONAL ATTENTION ALL THE DAYS I HAVE LEFT.  THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR GIFT OF  FRENCH WORD A DAY. 

 

Kristin: Life's rough isn't it, Smokey?

Smokey: Walways me! Walways me!

Mama Braise: Son, what are you talking about?

Smokey: Life is rough. Walways me, walways me!

Mama Braise: Son, we need to work on your grammar! The expression is "Woe is me", and not Walways me!"

Smokey:  Wow is me! Wow is me! I like it, Mom!

Mama Braise: Oh, Woe is we! 

Kristin: ...or would that be "Woe is us"?

(Braise and Smokey look suspicious and clueless, respectively)

Kristin: Just sayin'...

 

Comments

[Fleur from Paris]

Could you send me Gus and his wife through the post? I want them to be my grandparents. Man, if only there were more people like Gus in the world. Bless his cotton socks.

[Judi Miller, Lake Balboa, CA]

Gus est tres beau! A better winner de la cle could not have been found! Just seeing his smiling, open face makes me want to know him, and his "French Beauty." Gus, have a wonder vacation in France - you're a dear!

[Edie]

I love when connections like this happen!
There must be a french saying for this!!

xoedie

[Lisa @ Tarte du Jour]

I love Gus!! What a wonderful soul who gets such enjoyment out of life!!

[mhwebb in NM, USA]

I giggled when I read Fleur's comment, "Bless his cotton socks!" Bless everybody connected with this event. Thank you, Gus and Paulette and whoever took photos of you, for taking and sending the photos to share with all of us.

About the half curtains - I attended an estate sale where they were selling sets of lace curtains in bundles for less than $10 each. I bought two bundles, washed the curtains to remove the dust of the years, and made some repairs. I hung them between rooms where there are no doors and over parts of bookcases. I don't know if they make the house look French, but they certainly soften the lines of our petite maison way out West. Merci beaucoup because your photos of all those windows in France inspired me, Kristin!

Blessings, Mary

[Michele Fraser]

Soooooooooooooooo lovely to see the key in it's new home with such lovely people.

[Suzanne]

Merci, Gus for taking the time to photograph the arrival of votre colis! The same care that Kristin spent sending the key to you. I hope you have a wonderful trip to France with many hours visiting with your family. You and Paulette look very happy indeed! I will be visiting the Luberon in September (and dropping by to visit with Kristi and Jean-Marc). For now, I dream of that trip from my home in Monroe Township, New Jersey.

[Sue J.]

A post that touched this heart in Naperville, Illinois.

[JULES GREER - PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO]

DARLING GUS,

YOU ARE AN AMAZING GUY - YOU HAVE ENTERED INTO ALL OF OUR LIVES BECAUSE YOU WROTE THE WORDS THAT TOUCHED MY HEART WHEN YOU ENTERED KRISTI'S CONTEST...JUST AS YOU HAVE GONE ON TO TOUCH EVERYONE HERE IN THE COMMENTS BOX WITH YOUR WITH YOUR PURE HEART AND LOVE OF LIFE.

THANKS FOR INTRODUCING US TO YOUR 'BEAUTIFUL PAULETTE, NO WONDER YOU ARE SUCH A HAPPY FELLOW.

I IMAGINE I WON'T BE THE ONLY ONE RUNNING DOWN TO THE POST OFFICE TODAY TO SEND YOU A POST CARD FROM MY FAR-AWAY NEST IN THE JUNGLE OF PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO.

I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH KRISTI'S CARE IN WRAPPING UP YOUR BEAUTIFUL KEY - I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN IF YOU HADN'T TAKEN THE TIME TO SHARE YOUR PRECIOUS PHOTO'S WITH US. THANKS FOR SHARING THIS SPECIAL MOMENT OF CONNECTION WITH ME...YOU HAVE MADE MY DAY VERY HAPPY.

XOXO

JULES

[Cynthia Baita]

Dear Gus and Paulette,
How wonderful for you to receive your package before your trip back to France. And how beautifully wrapped.
Thank you for sharing it with us, and such a proud looking couple you two are!
I wish you a safe, blessed, fun filled trip from Cynthia, in Vero Beach, Fl.

[Gail S. in Istanbul]

Such a heartwarming story! Truly Gus, Paulette and Kristin are Good Will ambassadors of the very nicest sort for our Human Race. Thank you for reminding us how caring people can be.

[Barbara Lynch]

How very beautiful and touching! Barbara - Birmingham, Al

[Joan Zehm Maine USA]

If not me,then I am glad it is you.Love Joan

[Jackie, Halifax Nova Scotia]

How wonderful this whole story was and Gus you look so happy. Kristin is truly French now with the presentation of this gift. The French are masters of presentation in food, and in gifts. One only has to stand in a line to purchase something in a French shop to know that they do not hurry, and take the time to wrap the simpliest of things so that the wrapping is often more beautiful than the gift inside!!!!
Enjoy France, it is truly a lovely country.

[Jeanne of Maumee, OH]

You couldn't have picked a better winner!!

[Jeanne of Maumee, OH]

I just looked back at the photos and noticed the French flag behing them!! Wonderful

[Kristin Espinasse]

Thank you for these delightful notes! I am so thankful to my mom, JULES, for picking Gus. She sure knows how to pick em! 

[Jackie]

Beautiful pictures that tell a story with or without words. If Gus doesn't scrapbook now is the time for him to start. Lovely.

[Matilda Cosgrove]

There must be a beautiful story of how Gus and Paulette met. Their picture in front of the French flag makes for a curiosity and also very heart touching.Your stories are wonderful Kristin. Though I don't often comment I'm a faithful reader and admirer.Matilda of Superstition Mt.AZ

[LC]

I don't know what started the contest but am so glad that Gus won. I clicked on my "French...." email and saw this beautiful man who you touched so deeply. How lovely!

[Bettye Dew]

Thanks to Gus, Paulette, and Kristin for letting us share the happy moments sparked by the arrival of le colis. We were all winners in this contest.

Bettye in Florida-like St. Louis

[Jan in Monument, Colorado]

There's little I can add to the previous comments--all very well stated--except my own appreciation of the warmth and caring always on display in FWAD. From Jules for her appreciation of Gus' entry, on to Kristen for the painstaking wrapping, then to Gus for the photos. As one reader mentioned, inquiring minds want to know more about Gus and Paulette. How did you meet? Tell us your story, please! Thanks for this entry, Kristin. What a great way to start the day!

[Susan Sutton]

Dear Gus and Paulette,
Thank you so very much for sharing the receipt of your gift with us! From the appearance of the package in your mailbox to the lovely photo of the two of you holding the antique key with its sweet blue ribbon, you have allowed us to share your moment of joy! Merci!
You appear to be very much in love and I imagine you are best friends, as well. It warms my heart to see such love and congratulations to the two of you for your lifelong commitment to each other.
Enjoy your trip to France and with family! I wish you safe travels, much joy and laughter and precious memories as you go. Bon voyage!
Sending you blessings, joy and love from Marcola, Oregon!

[mimi (cigalechanta)]

Gus, with your winning smile, you deserved to win.
mimi taylor aka, cigalechanta in Cambridge, Ma.

[alicia brown]

a lovely little moment in someone's day that carried itself to others upon reading.
Thank you for sharing!

[Diane Young]

Gus, please come visit our Alliance Francaise chapter in Jacksonville. We are meeting for lunch Wednesday, March 14, at
1 p.m. at JJ's Bistro on Gate Parkway. We do this the second Wednesday of the month. Please come and bring Paulette. We would so like to meet you both and see the key. There are natives of France there as well as we Americans who are francophiles/francophones.

[judith dunn]

What a happy couple! They will be able to share the 'joie de vivre' the obviously have together in France! What a fun time for them and thank you Kristin for once again bringing such a special happiness into someone's life...as you bring it into ours with your wonderful tales of life in France... a devoted reader and all time Francophile.. Judi in Tallahassee...

[Mechelle]

Gus looks like a little boy on Christmas with that smile holding his key.What a great story and so glad it brought so much joy to someone who appreciated it so.!! It makes not winning it myself way ok now. ;) What a sweet couple too.I hope my husband and I get as many years together as these 2 must have.We're working on it,and its 30 yrs in May,so far,for us. :) I love seeing that people make it even further,yet are still in love too.Its inspiring.Just like this whole story has been.Thanks!
Mechelle in Neuilly-sur-Seine <3

[Melanie]

great pictures Gus! meilleurs voeux!

[Millie]

Gus lives in Jacksonville. I could have crossed path with him and Paulette. I was there, visiting with friend, il y a quelques mois.
Gus, c'est un très bel homme! He's also so gracious and caring by taking photos to share with us, from mail box to the unwrapping to reveal the care thoughtful Kristin had also taken in presenting the prize to him. Wise Jules, you've made a wonderful choice.
Paulette et Gus, vous êtes beaux ensemble. your story must have been une belle histoire d'amour! Share it with us, s'il vous plaît!

[Faye Stampe, Gleneden Beach, OR]

What a lovely story. Thank you Gus, Paulette & Kristin for sharing!

[valiart]

Great photo's of the happy couple, I enjoy very much Kristin's stories, I will be visiting Agde in Languedoc in the summer, and am trying to pick up a few french phrases from the "French Word a Day". Thanks Val in Jacksonville, Florida

[Cynthia Lewis in Salisbury, Eastern Shore of Maryland]

Gus, did you ever think that your engaging photos would have such an impact on all of us in the "comments corner"? Thank you for being so thoughtful.....my thanks to Kristin and Jules,too. Best wishes for all.

[Jeannette from Boston]

Gus,

I'm so glad that you received the key!
You look like a person who is full of joy and kindness.
Have a wonderful day!

[Betty Rosbottom]

What great photos! Gus, you're the best, and I hope you and your wife have a wonderful visit to France! Betty from Amherst,Ma

[Lorna Peterson]

How sweet! What an adorable couple, so happy for them,
have a beautiful trip to France!!
Lorna from Portland, Or.

[Denise]

Could not be more endearing!

[KERRIN-gai Hofstrand Sydney Australia]

What a great way for the key to end its journey.....sympa.....I hope it is happy in it's new home so far away from its origin.....well done Gus

[Stacy ~ Sweet Life Farm ~ Applegate, Oregon]

Many THANKS to Gus, Paulette and Kristi, for this most heart warming and touching post! I just adore these photos revealing Gus’s happiness and love of life. Yes, Jules sure knows how to pick a winner! Thank you for brightening my week!

Love the tea shop photo too. I just read Friday’s scary story. I do hope Braise is healing nicely and staying home!

May we all find reason to reach out so kindly and to smile so brightly as Gus this week!

[Natalia]

God bless Gus and Paulette! What a wonderful couple!
What a beautiful story!
And God bless our dear Kristin (and her family,bien sur) for sharing this with us.
What a fortunate family FWAD readers are!
Is there any better way to begin a week than this??
THANK YOU!!! XO

[edith schmidt]

Kristin:
Tres charmant!
I was hoping you put a photo of Gus on your
blog.
Loved seeing the pictures of la clef and packaging as well as sweet story from Gus and photos of him and his wife.

Edie from Savannah

[Joy Steele]

What a touching story! What a sweet, sweet man who was clearly touched by your gift. And it WAS packaged perfectly, in French paper and with a ribbon! I think you've made a friend for life, Kristen ~ p.s. I always love your posts and have gotten my two sisters to subscribe - I live in Woodbridge, Va (for your dad!) Joy

[Audrey Richter]

Writing from Boston, but originally from Oakland! I can't believe we'll miss Chief Grape in our stomping grounds of Northern California!!! Bless you, Gus & Paulette! And of course, Kristin!

[Julia]

How beautiful! This is so sweet, it made my day.

[Betty]

Another wonderful story from Kristin. Blessings to Gus & Paulette.

[Karen from Phoenix]

What wonderful pictures. Thank you Gus for sharing your delight with us. You and your beautiful wife have an amazing time in France.

xoxo

[Bill Facker - Kauai]

Krisin, look what your giving heart has created .. the "discovery" of that beautiful spirit named Gus is no accident. BRAVO, KRISTIN, BRAVO!

[Debbie Ambrous]

Gus, you made my day! How delightful to see you and your wife. I live in Florida also and share this love of France and Kristin's wonderful way of giving us glimpses into French life and big doses of love for her friends on the web. I hope that key opens the trip to France.
Coconut Grove, Florida

[Lori Di Betta in windy, partially overcast, Medford, OR]

Hi there, Gus! It was so nice to meet you today, and have a face to put with the name! Thank you for sending the photos in to FWAD, AND, Kristi, thanks so much for sharing them!

[Julie - Milwaukee]

We need more GOOD NEWS stories like this one. Thanks to Kristin, Gus and Paulette for your beautiful, positive story and bringing the sun to a rainy day in Milwaukee, WI. Merci beaucoup!

[Gretel]

A "key" to open up hearts! Gus, both you and your beautiful wife Paulette have opened ours as well...thank you for sharing your treasure!

[Pat, Roanoke, VA]

I could not be happier if I had won the key myself!! J'aime beaucoup les photos de Gus et Paulette! Sooo happy for you Gus! This is just wonderful! Thank you, chere Kristin, for this joyous day! C'est si bon!!
Toujours, Pat

[Elaine Moulden]

The embodiement of "La Joie de Vie" ~ what a delightful story of an antique key that opened hearts, unlocked joy and brought tears to my eyes! Mille Mercis, Kristin, for the joy your sharing brings to so many! ~~ and another mille mercis to Gus (and Paulette!) for the photos that enabled us to visualize with whom we were falling in love! Wishing you many more healthy, happy years abundant in blessings......
Elaine in Anaheim, Ca (65ish today ~ hoping for rain this weekend!!)
p.s. My husband and I will be at Jean-Marc's tasting at Hi Times in Costa Mesa the 20th!!

[Trish from a Spring-like New York City]

What enormous grace and elegance you've displayed, Gus, in having written such an affecting letter of thanks; and what enormous creativity in having thought to take and include those charming photos. Same holds for our Kristin whose grace, elegance and creativity are displayed not only in her glorious gift-wrapping, but also- and always- in her delightful blog. Thank you both (as well as Mme. Paulette) for having brought such joy to what otherwise would have been just another mundane Monday!

[GUS ELISON]

TO BRING THIS STORY UP TO DATE. PAULETTE AN I ARE NOT MARRIED. WE HAVE KNOW EACH OTHER FOR FIFTY YEARS. WE BELONG TO THE SAME CHURCH. OUR CHILDREN WENT TO THE SAME SCHOOL. HER HUSBAND AND I PLAYED GOLF TOGETHER FOR YEARS.WE WERE BOTH NAVY MEN. HER HUSBAND DIED AND A FEW YEARS LATER MY WIFE OF SIXTY TWO YEARS ALSO PASSED AWAY. MONTHS LATER DURING SUNDAY MASS I WAS SEATED NEXT TO PAULETTE. WE HAVE A PRACTICE IN OUR CHURCH THAT CALLS FOR REACHING OUT AND HOLDING HANDS WITH THE PERSON NEXT TO YOU DURING THE RECITATION OF THE OUR FATHER. WHEN OUR HANDS TOUCHED, THE LORD MUST HAVE GIVEN A SIGNAL AND WE HAVE NOT STOPPED HOLDING HANDS. THE SONG, THE SECOND TIME AROUND, HAS GREAT MEANINGS.

[Andrea A]

Quelle une belle histoire! Gus, merci beaucoup for sharing it with all Kristin's 'famille de blog'.

God bless you both,

Andrea Tasmania, Australia

[Martine NYC]

WAY too moving! Just crying away after Gus' post. Lovely. Thank you all, and bon voyage to Gus and Paulette.

[Trish from a Spring-like New York City]

GUS, I think you ought to start your own blog. You've led an incredible life and you have a real writer's voice. We could all benefit from the beauty of your prose and the power of your perspective. (And I bet Kristin would give you lots of pointers on getting started!)

[Bernadette]

Aloha nui loa from Honolulu, Hawaii, Gus and Paulette. Thank you for the photos and wonderful story. The key was indeed meant for you,
and you have opened many hearts.

[A Hopwood]

Gus et Paulette,
Thank you for telling "the rest of the story". Your pictures say a thousand words. I agree with Jules, we never would have known the love that went into the packaging had you not shared with us. What a beautiful human connection.
Amber in Illinois

[Carolyn Dahm, Sharon, MA]

Oh Kristin, I was so utterly touched by Gus' words and his pictures. Thank you for sharing them with us and for sending Gus and Paulette some joy in the mail!

And thank you Gus for so eloquently expressing the thoughts that are always in my mind when I think of Kristin and French Word-A-Day. I hope to be a part of this circle of friends for a many years to come. I hope you and Paulette have a wonderful time in France and that you're able to meet Kristin and her family. Thank you also for sharing the beautiful story of how you began holding hands in church and have been ever since then. You have a wonderful way with words. May you have many more years together. Be well and safe travels.

Thanks, Kristin, for the cute dialogue between Smokey and Braise. I love it when you write those. I'm always imagining and saying aloud what I think my dogs, Lady and Rory, would be saying in a particular situation. Glad I'm not alone!

Have a wonderful day and I hope Max is doing well with driving and

[Carolyn Dahm, Sharon, MA]

Ooops, I forgot to finish my sentence...

I meant to say, I hope Max is doing well with driving and that Jacki is enjoying her crazy biking jumps!

[JULES GREER - PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO]

DEAREST GUS & PAULETTE,

I KNOW I HAVE TOLD THIS STORY BEFORE - BUT THAT IS THE JOY OF A GREAT STORY, IT HAS THE POWER TO BE RETOLD OVER AND OVER.

WHEN KRISTI BEGAN THIS 'CONTEST' I VOLUNTEERED TO TAKE THE STRESS OFF OF HER BY PICKING THE WINNER. ALL OF YOU KNOW KRISTI WELL ENOUGH NOW TO KNOW THAT SHE WOULD HAVE WORRIED AND OBSESSED OVER THIS DECISION WANTING TO MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY AND WINNERS.

LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT THERE WOULD BE OVER 15OO - MAYBE EVEN 1700 REPLIES - WE HAVE LOST COUNT BETWEEN THE COMMENTS BOX AND PRIVATE EMAILS.

THE POST MUST HAVE COME OUT ON A WEDNESDAY - BY THURSDAY EVENING MY EYES WERE BURING AND THE STORIES WERE BLURRING.

THURSDAY NIGHT WHEN I WENT TO BED I HAD THIS FEELING IT HAD TO BE GUS, I HAD RETURNED OVER AND OVER TO HIS WORDS AND FELT SUCH A CONNECTION OF PURITY IN HIS WORDS - HIS NOTE WAS A MASTERPIECE IN IT'S SIMPLICITY AND POWER TO DISPLAY HIS FEELINGS OF WHAT KRISTI'S WORK HAS DONE FOR HIM.

ALMOST AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT I WOKE UP THINKING OF GUS.

I MUST INTERJECT HERE AND CONFESS THAT EVEN THOUGH I HAD OFFERED TO TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF OF KRISTI - SHE WAS HAVING A HARD TIME LETTING GO OF HER RESPONSIBILITY TO PICK THE WINNER AND WAS CONTEMPLATING LETTING THE COMPUTER PICK A RANDOM WINNER.

AROUND 6 A.M. THAT FATEFUL FRIDAY MORNING I BLASTED OFF AN EMAIL TO KRISTI INFORMING HER THAT GUS WAS ON MY MIND AGAIN WHEN I WOKE UP....SHE JUST HAD TO LET ME PICK GUS.

NOW WE HAVE ALL RE-LEARNED HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO FOLLOW YOUR HEART - JUST AS GUS CONTINUES TO SHOW US THE WAY.

ALL THIS TO SAY - SINCE GUS HAS POSTED HIS ADDRESS SEVERAL TIMES, ONCE IN THE COMMENTS BOX TO LET KRISTI KNOW WHERE TO SENT THE 'PRIZE' AND THEN IN THE PHOTO'S OF KRISTI'S GIFT -

I THINK IT WOULD REALLY BE FUN IF WE ALL STARTED SENDING GUS AND PAULETTE NOTES, LETTERS, POSTCARDS, AND MAYBE EVEN A FEW BOXES OF CANDY FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

XOXO

JULES

[Mary Gotz]

Dear Jules & Kristi,

Gus is my Father and Paulette,for now,is a
beautiful Lady who has put a smile on my Fathers face,and a twinkle in his eyes.

My father is a remarkable man,and you have given him much joy with your site,thank you.When we talk after he and Paulette come back from the casinos,"He never wins anything, he's just not lucky". I can now think of 3 things.1. THE KEY.
2. Jules, Kristi, and all of you have commented with such "warm fuzzies" and last
but not least 3..................can any of you guess (hint) Her name begins with a P.

Thank you again Kristi, and Jules look
forward to more posts.

[Herm in Phoenix, AZ]

Gus and Paulette

I thought you might like this poem I wrote to go with the picture of you two holding the key......Enjoy

In the autumn of their fruitful life
After many years of struggle and strife

A charming couple stands holding a key
A picture-perfect scene of mutual harmony

The key’s so special, they hold in their hand
For it came as a gift from a far away land

It could be the key to their true love and trust
As life together, which they agree, is a must

More than just a piece of old hardware
It has future memories for them to share

They’ll always remember the package in the mail
And cherish this key, IT’S NOT FOR SALE!

[GUS ELISON]

HERM, YOU HAVE TWO ADMIRERS OF YOUR WORK. IT IS VERY TOUCHING. WHAT A GIFT YOU HAVE.

[Kristin Espinasse]

Just read Guss note to Herm. I think the notes in this comments corner are definitely best of.

[Cassie Alexandrou in Dallas, TX]

What a sweet and touching story. Wonderful to "meet" Gus and his lovely wife. Just looking at their photos, I could feel their kindness. I know Gus will treasure the key all the days he has left -- and I hope and pray those days will be many!

[Rebecca Mummert]

I am so blessed by these comments today! Gus, thank you for taking time to write a lovely note of thanks to Kristin, as it has been a note of happiness for everyone reading. Your comment about your life and Paulette has left me brimming with tears of happiness for you. Thank you for sharing, and thank you for your service to the country. I agree with other commenters - you need to write the story of your life!
Rebecca in sunny NYC

[Eileen deCamp, Charlottesville, VA]

Hi Kristin,
I enjoyed the pictures of Gus, Paulette and the key! I also loved Mary's note! How sweet!
Gus, you must be Catholic, because we also hold hands during the Our Father at our church. What a wonderful and heartwarming story!

[Nancy]

I will be winding down my day with a lot of joy, and a smile on my face. Had already thought I'd join you in addressing a post card to Gus, Jules when you mentioned the address in the first posting...what fun!

And for those of you who can get to Jean Marc's tastings, you are in for a treat! Please get there if you can!
Cambridge

[june furey]

Gus, I am sending this from Auckland N.Z. wishing you a wonderful birthday celebration. I am an 83 year old senior lady and have been travelling to France for the last 10 years to paint in the sytle of my favourite artist Monet. Today I am visiting an old friend who is celebrating his 90th birthday.Heis a NZ veteran from Casino campaign,in Italy so hope you will have many hapy healthy years ahead.
June, Auckland New Zealand Sat.5th Jan 2013

[Gina]

That was a lovely thank-you message that Gus sent upon receipt of the key - a true gentleman who writes from the heart. And I love Gus' comment above, describing how he and Paulette became an item during Mass!It does sound like that relationship was meant to be!
Un grand merci also, Kristen, for giving us the thrice-weekly words!

Gina
Southampton, ON; Cda