The rooster is a symbol of France. Of gallic pride. The rugby players of the French national team will harbor the rooster as a sign on their jersey during the 2023 rugby world cup this Fall. There is even a sports apparel company called “Le Coq Sportif”, which is the…

Postcard from Provence — The Crypt. I looked up at the dark grey cliffs, rising up to 6,000 feet against the cotton candy sky. I tried to wrap my brains around the story my Mom had just shared with me. How could my Mom, at the age of 15, have…

“It’s only a 170 meter climb”, the guide said. Around 500 feet above the mountain pass. Technically, that was true. Ten minutes later, it struck me as slightly misleading. Pamela and I were climbing to the fortress of Montségur. The castle of Montségur was, in 1244 A.D., the last stronghold…