Eight Months in Provence: A Junior Year Abroad 30 Years Late

By Diane Covington-Carter

For thirty years, Diane Covington-Carter dreamed of living in France and immersing herself in the country and language that spoke to her heart and soul.

At age fifty, she set off to fulfill that yearning.

Journey along with her as she discovers missing pieces of her own personal puzzle that could only emerge in French, in France. And the deep reservoirs of courage and strength that have come with living a half-century.

Covington-Carter learns that it is never too late to fulfill a long cherished dream and that, with the gifts of wisdom and maturity, that dream can become even more powerful from the waiting.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diane Covington-Carter
• Release date: Feb 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9780991044665

Diane Covington-Carter

Diane Covington-Carter calls herself a "late-bloomer baby-boomer" since she has accomplished so many interesting things when most people are considered "over the hill." In her late forties, she bought a run down apple farm in the foothills of the Sierras and took on restoring it and taking care of it, all on her own. At age fifty, she moved to France for eight months to do her "Junior Year Abroad Thirty Years Late" and had a fabulous time. At sixty she fell in love with the man of her dreams, and they now live together on the apple farm and also in New Zealand, when they are not traveling around the world to other exotic and interesting places. She has published three books, with more on the way and is a very active travel writer. She is a great believer in the power of clearing out the past so that you can create a magical life, and her life is a testament to that belief. If you have dreams that you have put on the back burner and are ready to dust them off, send her an email at her website, www.dianecovingtoncarter.com. It is never too late to bloom. It is never too late to fly.

Book preview

Diane Covington-Carter

Eight Months in Provence

A Junior Year Abroad 30 Years Late

Marshall & McClintic Publishing

200 Coyote Street #1122, Nevada City, CA 95959

MarshallMcClinticPublishing.com

Copyright © 2018 Diane Covington-Carter

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by electronic or mechanical means, including photocopy, recording, information storage and retrieval system, or digital media without written permission from the Publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Diane Covington-Carter’s back cover photo

by Kial James, Nevada City, CA

This book is set in Adobe® Garamond Type Text.

Printed in the United States of America

First Edition: June 2016

Smashwords Version

ISBN-13: 978-0-9910446-6-5

Some reader’s comments about

Eight Months in Provence:

I did not want this book to end! Diane's tone is full of warmth and gratitude as she shares a variety of experiences, of the culture, the country, and its hidden gems. I admired her resourcefulness as she experienced life as a local and, more importantly, as a woman who continues to trust in moment! This book inspired me to dust off my own buried dreams and to remember Diane's example: it is never too late! --Kristin Espinasse, author  Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love and Language from the South of France

I just finished reading Eight Months in Provence. After a battle with cancer, depression and other issues I had given up my dreams. This book has given me hope. I plan to read the sections I have highlighted daily. Thank you. God bless you, your family and friends. You have blessed me greatly.

As a passionate Francophile, I felt as though I were following Diane’s footsteps throughout her story. A very warm sincere book, yet light-hearted with humorous moments. Her story is definitely an inspiration for women and men of any age to take the challenge and make their dreams a reality.

Amazing intimate and endearing! I am so thankful to have been allowed along this adventure! Felt like it was my tour abroad.

A charming read about the author's sojourn in France for eight months as compensation for her inability to have taken the journey when she was nineteen. The book is about introspection, fulfillment, and encouragement. An inspiring story.

Great book! The author describes this lovely soul-fulfilling journey with wit, tenderness, enthusiasm and great honesty, with herself and with the reader. Ms. Covington-Carter opens the door to courage, trust and freedom on many levels and along the way we get to see, feel, hear, taste and touch her beloved France. I laughed. I cried. I had goose bumps. I was entertained and then safely delivered to a new place in my own soul.

Ms. Covington-Carter's memoir is a joy to experience. Her tales are evocative if you've been somewhere special and long for it. Even if you've never been to that place, her book is worth your time. She took me back to feelings I had while in France. It rings so true.

I loved this book. Makes me want to go live in France!

Loved reading every word, her experience was one I wanted. I will read more of her books she makes you feel like you are there!

A delightful gem. Inspirational reading for anyone feeling that dreams have been lost to time.

It’s never too late to be what you might have been…

George Eliot wrote that line in Middlemarch. Diane Covington-Cook demonstrated it in Eight Months in Provence. Her courage to follow her dream to live alone in France when she was 51 changed her life and empowered her to become the person she was meant to be. She is a true inspiration!

I truly enjoyed this story! This is a story of courage, adventure, complete immersion in French culture, friendship and self-discovery. I absolutely loved it!

Having been in Aix for a month last year, I wish I had read this book first. It made me want to go back and live there. Diane introduces you to many of the places in Aix and surrounding area while she acclimates to the area, makes friends, and becomes fluent in the language. All the while she is rediscovering who she really is and becoming a stronger person. I highly recommend this book, At 75, I am wishing I could follow in her footsteps.

This book is written from the heart and in all authenticity. It is a page turner. I know I am reading a good book when I cannot wait to pick it up again and go traveling within it's pages. Curl up with your favorite hot drink and fly away to Provence with this excellent book and its author.

An absolutely fabulous read. I loaned it to a friend who read it as I did, in one day, and raved about it as well. Thank you.

Wonderful feel good book, that shows you it's never too late to fulfill yours dreams.

I thoroughly enjoyed this account of life in Provence. I was completely drawn in by the longing and desire of the author to be immersed in the French culture and language. I never got to do the year abroad either, but this account was so full of hope that, perhaps, un jour, I might be able to take the plunge also. A happy read! Merci!

One of my favorite reads of the year. What a soulful, light adventure. Loved the rhythm of the life, and self-discovery that the author created and experienced. Her apartment sounds like a dream. This is a lovely book for those who would like to live in a culture for more than a few weeks, and create a different life for themselves. Very charming and a delight.

What a wonderful and amazing journey. So enjoyable to read and travel along with Diane. Her passion and devotion to live her dream is revealed through daily trials and triumphs and in her appreciation of all things French, especially the language.

A personal travel book! A delightful real story of a woman finding herself and fulfilling her dreams. With added benefit of lovely descriptions of life in Provence.

A very charming book that should appeal to anyone with a dream no matter your age.

The book was engaging and inspiring. As a 50 year old, I admired the author's courage to live her long held dream. Well written and entertaining.

Loved this book so much. How brave and exciting at the same time.

The writer skillfully recreates her life in France, evoking sights and insight, physical and personal, on her journey. The images of France are vivid and meaningful–red geraniums on a windowsill, a long wool coat, thick hot chocolate. Her inner journey is also inspiring and thought provoking. The memoir is beautifully written and so honest. I had already read her reunion with Gilbert and am delighted to have a third book to go to now! Highly recommend.

A wonderful adventure into a new world that kept me wanting more!

A great read! The author tells a lively and revealing tale about self realization...the hard stuff AND the rewards! Rewards win!

Just finished this book, and I really just jumped into it. Diane spoke to my heart as most Francophiles can relate. Her story is so inspiring to me and she took me on her journey every single day. Forthright and frank, I feel like we are friends already I look forward to reading her other stories.

Delightful account of time savored in France from a 51-year-old woman who loved everything French. As a lover of all things French myself, I felt like I was living vicariously with Diane. The bits of French she shared that she picked up, her fears about the unknown and all the obstacles she overcame were interesting to read. I also appreciated her transparency about her feelings regarding her mom as well as how she grew to stand up for herself in important relationships whether personal or professional.

One of the best, make you feel good books I have read in a while.

I read Eights Months in Provence on a vacation. This book can touch so many different emotions. I was laughing even after I read the amazing book. It had me inspired and coming home with new eyes.

Lovely book, it put me in Aix en Provence, I could hear the street conversations, smell the bakery and feel the peace in the town’s church. The author's honesty about her struggles with language and culture is refreshing for it's authenticity. For anyone who ever wanted to live in a foreign country, and especially if that was France, this is a great read.

I really enjoyed this wonderful book! Reading this beautifully written book was like living vicariously the adventures I had dreamed of having. I also loved that the author included so many French phrases that I still remember!

This is a book to be read as an inspiration no matter what your life-dream may be. Life unfolds as probable futures–what actually happens depends on the choices you make.

As a lover of all things Provençal and having lived in the South of France for years as a teenager, I eagerly awaited getting this book and I wasn't disappointed. I savored every word and had to keep myself from devouring it in one sitting. I will be rereading it again and traveling vicariously with her until I can go back. She describes in perfect detail life in the South. If you love France and have a yearning in your soul, then definitely read this book.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Le rêve: The dream

Le départ: The departure

La vraie vie: Real life

L’arrivée: The arrival

Croire en soi: Believe in yourself

Gilbert Desclos, mon frère Français:

Gilbert Desclos, my French brother

Suivre les points: Following the dots

Aix-En-Provence

Ma nouvelle amie Maïté:

My new friend Maïté

Chez moi en France: At home in France

Le réveillon et le nouveau millénaire

New Year’s Eve and the new millennium

Janvier: January

Février, la vie å Aix: February, life in Aix

La vie en Provence et le Spa:

Life in Provence and the Spa

La visite de ma mère: My mother’s visit

Mars: March

Ma soeur Sharon: My sister Sharon

Avril, le printemps: April, springtime

Pâques: Easter

Mai: May

La visite d’Ellie: Doucement

The visit of Ellie: Gently

Juin: June

Le retour: The return

L'épilogue: Epilogue

Acknowledgements

Author's Note

About the Author

Prologue

May, 1999, Aix-en-Provence, France

I wandered through the winding cobblestone streets of the vieille ville, the old town, of Aix-en-Provence, thrilled to be visiting a place that had jumped out of guide books at me for years, reaching for my attention. The ancient town, in the south of France, was founded by the Romans because of its source, or spring, and over fifty fountains flowed, bubbled and splashed on different corners of the village.

For two days I followed the maze-like streets, delightfully lost. When I’d find myself back at La Place de la Mairie, the central plaza of the old town, it felt like arriving in the center of a labyrinth. I’d recognize the large fountain and the thirteenth-century clock tower and experience a sense of calm. Ah yes, here I am again.

On my last evening in Aix, the soft glow of twilight reflected off the tall French doors and windows of the seventeenth century buildings around the plaza, with their black wrought iron balconies and white shutters. The merry splashing of the fountain mixed with the chatter of French and the laughter of children as they chased each other nearby. The clock tower bells rang out the hour, as they had for over seven centuries. Eight o’clock.

How wondrous to be in a place that had not changed for hundreds of years. If these cobblestones could talk, oh the tales they could tell.

I sat down at an outdoor café and ordered a glass of rosé wine, a specialty of the region. A soft spring breeze rustled the new spring leaves on the giant platane trees around the plaza.

As I sipped the light, chilled wine, a deep sense of contentment washed over me. The words of American writer Willa Cather, in her essay from her travels in France in the early 20th century came to mind.

One cannot divine or forecast the conditions that will make happiness; one only stumbles upon them by chance, in a lucky hour, at the world’s end somewhere, and holds fast to the days, as to fortune or fame.

I wanted to hold fast to these past two days and the sense of my own ‘lucky hour.’

This is where I’ll stay when I come to live in France, I thought. It feels right. I can trust that.

Le rêve: The dream

Fall 1999

You have to be friendly with the uncertainty in yourself.

Louis B. Jones, author

I’m going to France for eight months, to do my ‘junior year abroad, thirty years late,’" I’d say to people as I prepared for my trip. It surprised me how many greeted my statement with wonder, excitement, even glee. One woman gasped, took my hand and looked into my eyes.

Please know that you’re doing this for all women, she said.

Others however, were not so encouraging. One relative had these harsh words to say.

What do you think you are doing, going off for eight months like that?

I listened, caught my breath and then spoke up to her.

What dreams have you let die that you have to criticize me for wanting to fulfill mine? She had no answer to that and seemed as stunned as I was from my response. I felt proud of myself for being that bold,