One more shot of Alsatian architecture:
Just for kicks, we drove a few miles over the border into German into the closest town we could find, which turned out to be Kork. A couple photos later, and back to France!
On our way back to Weitbruch, we stopped by the Council of Europe. While we couldn't go in, we took a few photos here. We are not so many years removed from a divisive and troubled history in Europe, one our grandparents still recall. Sharon is reading a book on our trip called "Sarah's Key", which is about the days in 1942 when the French police, under German control, took the Jews out of Paris. I am always amazed by how fine the line is between civil society and atrocity.
We stopped back in Weitbruch to say our goodbyes. Philippe loaded us up with homemade jams and jellies (and an oversized zucchini from the garden), and we spent more time with Jean discussing his well-received book recounting his journey through caring for Janine through nearly two decades of Alzheimer's... it's only available in French and German now but is called "La Plume de Silence". Jean explained the underpinning of the title -- Janine's decent into silence, and the fact that Jean could only write in the silent hours of the evening, hence the quill (plume) of silence. He has a lot of art that touches on the subject as well. It is clear that Jean's mission in life is Janine.
This clock in the living room is pretty cool -- according to my dad, it's about three hundred years old (and still keeps great time!).
Here is Thierry saying his goodbyes to Janine. One never knows, of course, when it may be the last.
Wyatt in the garden, collecting apples for the trip.
Us by the Weitbruch sign on the way out of town. Hopefully I'll be back before another 15 years pass!
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