Just a short note today to say that I have found the secret route to the heart of the population of Nantes. Yesterday, I went running with Mimi in the jogger for the first time since we've been here (and yes, Anna, I did give her a lollipop, and she did wait until we started running to eat it). I had the scary Tipomme with me, but instead of giving me dirty looks or picking up their children and their dogs to protect them from my poisoned presence, everyone I passed had a huge smile, or even congratulated me on my courage and my perseverance. Runners stopped to see us pass, old ladies who normally mutter after me with disapproval looked at me with eyes shining with love... Nothing happened that wouldn't be routine in Bellingham, but for here, it was the height of public success. And here I'd been dreading it fearing I wasn't in good enough shape anymore. Well, I think it's going to become a daily affair. Only once they get used to us, they won't be so nice anymore, but we can hope it lasts a few weeks still.