{1789 - Bastille Day and the French Revolution}

July 14th of 1789 was the storming of the Bastille, in Paris, France, the political crisis lead to a revolt. This revolt was also the beginning of the French Revolution. Since then it has been annually celebrated as Bastille Day on July 14th. This was also the French period for The Netherlands. It belonged to France from 1795 till 1813, first as a vassal state and from 1810 as part of France. Thus it really did affect us as a nation and also Limburg, as a Province where my ancestors and I grew up, in the very south. So many Dutch were drafted to fight for Napoleon. Pierre, was the elder brother of my paternal great-great-great Grandfather and he died at the age of 19, serving Napoleon. Below you will find a link to a previous post: {March 2, 1809 and My French Connection} 

For years, Le Jacquard Français has celebrated Bastille Day on July 14, here in the USA.

For their customers they served French wine and cheese and we were also gifted with a beautiful all cotton tea towel from Le Jacquard Français. Unfortunately, due to the economy this no longer is being celebrated.

The store in Atlanta, Georgia has been closed; one less French Connection for me...

But there is an Yves Delorme outlet in Chattanooga, TN and that is only 4 hours away.

You can also order on line at the Yves Delorme Online Outlet (click link) or call in at one of the stores listed: Yves Delorme Locations (click link).

Starting on July 14, in celebration of Bastille Day they are having a hefty 20% off!

Just ordered our 100% Egyptian Cotton Batiste twin comforters in Caribbean Light 14 oz goose down.

We have one on our bed for the summer and it makes you dream like being on a cloud. As light as a feather...

1789 RF 

RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE

Did you know:

The terms right and left tribes from the time of the French Revolution, the Christian monarchist conservatives sat to the right of the King, the SAT to the left of the King vellingen progression The political reference right and left, derived from the time of the French Revolution, the Christian monarchist conservatives sat to the right of the King, the progressives sat to the left of the King. 14 JUILIET July 14

REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE

French Republic

LIBERTÉ - Liberty

ÉGALITÉ - Equality

FRATERNITÉ - Fraternity (Brotherhood)

Santé to La France!

Related link:
{March 2, 1809 and My French Connection} | previous post by me

{THANK YOU Readers from all 171 Countries Visiting!}

Today I want to extend a big 'THANK YOU Readers' from all 171 Countries visiting my blog. To the loyal readers and to all those that once in a while stop by. On July 10, 2011 I did put the Flag Counter on and as of now there are 171 flags in just one year time. 

On July 4, it was Lesotho that joined as Newest Country and becoming number 171.

Reaching out to the world in all its Continents is quite something for this time and age.

A quarter of a million pageviews have traveled the miles across cyber space...

Visitors from the southern hemisphere where there is mid-winter right now.

The northern hemisphere with summer to some degree. More so for some, than others.

Here in the South East it is WARM during summer, we are at the latitude of Morocco, so that does explain some.

On July 1st we had a HOT day, measured in Real Feel temperature.

The entire month of July and August will be hot here.

But we prefer heat above cold.

What is your favorite?

This was the Real Feal of 45°C (113°F) at 13:38 o'clock.

But even at 16:19 o'clock on the last day of June we reached 44°C (111.2°F)...

Are you in a HOT-SPOT too?

Wishing you a great summer and hope you stay safe of any wild fires or other natural disaster.

Once again, THANK YOU!

{'Ravy', my Toyota RAV4 is 15 today!}

My 'Cute Ute' has another birthday! You can find a link below photos, about last year's post with lots of info and photos. But today 'Ravy', my Toyota RAV4 turned 15! Still love him and keep him. Such a loyal Mini SUV, so why ditch him? As written about in a magazine in 1998, for being a small, spunky, head-turner - to me that's still valid. The New Car Test Drive in 1996 called it: The new king of the minis. It's a shame that they discontinued making the 2-door since 2000. Even now, with high gas prices it would be even more relevant for having a car with such good fuel economy. 

The Chicago Sun Times wrote: Toyota's new, hot-selling RAV4 small sport/utility vehicle is terribly cute, practical and more affordable than larger sport/utilities. AMEN to that!

Ravy looks still cute and is in excellent condition. Always being loved, even though he worked hard for us... When this 2-door launched, it became hugely popular in France. 

That's me on July 13, 1997 after Ravy's first 1,000 miles. This is at the Philadelphia Franklin Mill's Outlet Mall. We parked, and funny enough, there were two RAV4 4-doors parked as well; Ravy's big brothers...

Here we are at the Delaware river in Philadelphia, with the Benjamin Franklin bridge in the back.

Ravy did bring us all the way to Pennsylvania, from Georgia, to visit also Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Our second visit, but now as Americans and it meant a lot.

Visiting the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Pieter in front of the Liberty Bell...

Me in front of the Liberty Bell...

Oh, Ravy hauled many a load with this cute trailer that Pieter himself has put together. He ordered it from Northern Tool + Equipment and added the upper part himself.

I still love Ravy today...  together we age!

Related link:
'Ravy', My Toyota RAV4 is 14 today! | previous post by me