Comments on your Comments

One of the things I don't like about Blogger is that your comments (and my replies) get lost and probably unread. So, I thought I'd excerpt and answer a few of you.

Celine said:

hi, I have been looking at the pics on your website and have been trying to figure out where in chalabre you live. Do you live on the same side as madame berland, near to the bakers? Cant tell too well from the pics!!

We are just a few doors down from the bakery, which is terrible during the summer. We sleep with the windows open and around 5 am, the smell of the croissants and bread baking drives us all crazy! It explains why the dogs wake up so early I think.

AAB wrote:

Randy
With your international readership, why don't you list you silver info in a blog posting? Someone may be interested. Even If they are in the US, you could bring it to California and ship out from there.

Actually, posting it here isn't a bad idea. Anyone interested can write to me at: possumguardian-silver@yahoo.com.

I'm selling 2 sets of Oneida/Community plate that date from the late 40s or early 50s. The patterns are CORONATION and MORNING STAR. Both are services for 12 with 12 extra teaspoons and various serving pieces (details on request) and both come with wooden storage chests. The other set is ROYAL DANISH by International and is sterling. It's a luncheon service for 8 with 8 extra teaspoons, 8 butter spreaders and 2 serving spoons.

However, I would have to ship them UPS or FedEx from France, as the logistics of taking something like that to the States with us is too complicated. We obviously can't bring it as carry on, given the security climate ("Really, Officer, it's just a bunch of knives and pointy forks!") and putting it in our checked luggage strikes me as a recipe to no longer have ANY silver when we arrive.

If anyone is interested, or knows someone who is, just let me know.

As to our ongoing search for a visa for Mom --

mnemosyne asked:

Nice to know it's not just our home-grown U.S. gov offices that are sometimes inept and don't think things through.
Do you have someone on the ground in LA who could go into the consulate there on your behalf, ask questions of people there face to face?

And we ARE lucky enough to have wonderful friends in L.A. who have offered to do this for us. The new location is supposed to open today, and Diane or Evan will head over there to try to secure us an appointment while we're there. Failing that, bless their wonderful souls, they have offered to take any appointment they can get, then drive out to Hemet, pick up Mom, take her for the interview and drive her back home! I don't think we'll ever be able to thank them enough.

Finally, Lori wrote:

I'm sorry you are having all these troubles Randy. It reminds me of when I applied for my VISA - same consulate - way back 7 and a half years ago. They never answered the phone then either. I remember driving all the way to the Consulate - from San Diego to show up for an interview appt. that I was informed of via snail mail. I was never able to reach them via telephone to confirm the appt or confirm exactly where I was to go upon arrival. They just never answered the phone.

Thanks Lori. It's good to know it's not just us, I suppose. Frankly, JM and I tried to contact the U.S. Consulate in Marseille after we moved and we never received any response from them either. Do you suppose this is what they mean by "diplomatic immunity?"

Ciao for now.

Randy