Well Said, Zach Brown

I’ve walked nineteen of the twenty arrondissements – I’ll do my last one today. My feet and legs are worn out, as is my spirit.

I miss home.

Yesterday morning as I walked across town to pick up some laundry, I plugged in my earplugs to hear Zach Brown on iTunes. One of my favorites, “Chicken Fried,” was first up.

“Well, I was raised up
Beneath the shade of a Georgia pine
And that’s home you know
Sweet tea, pecan pie and homemade wine
Where the peaches grow…”

“…It’s funny how it’s the little things in life
That mean the most
Not where you live or what you drive
Or the price tag on your clothes
There’s no dollar sign on a piece of mind
This I’ve come to know.”

“…I thank God for my life
And for the stars and stripes
May freedom forever fly
Let it ring…”

american flog reflected on glass Grants' Tomb in NYC

Photo by MicheleStapleton.com

How true his words. I have met some of the nicest people in the world while here in Paris. They have been very kind to help me navigate everything from their streets to repairing a washing machine.

Yes, Paris is truly magical, simply magnificent. But there’s no place like home.

14 Comments
  • joleen
    Posted at 05:53h, 24 September

    Each time I see that I have received an email from you, I wait for a quiet moment to open it because I want to fully enjoy the adventure of the day.

  • lisaweldon
    Posted at 06:56h, 24 September

    Oh, do we ever have any quiet moments anymore? Just now finished reading the NAHS email about principal candidates. The noise of my daily routine is already seeping back into my life. That’s why we all need a get-away, a time to reflect, re-energize and re-focus . . . no matter where it is. This trip, and last year’s NYC trip, have been so good for me.

  • Jodi Dybowski
    Posted at 07:08h, 24 September

    we miss you too!! Keep on inspiring us all, but bring yourself home for some sweet tea and tell me more about the adventures!

  • Michele Stapleton
    Posted at 07:19h, 24 September

    You miss that fried chicken now, but when you get back home you’re going to miss the pâtisseries on every corner. 🙂 Travel safe!

    • lisaweldon
      Posted at 06:04h, 26 September

      My big fat rear end won’t miss those hot chocolate croissants and Nutella crepes!

  • Constance Trover
    Posted at 08:49h, 24 September

    Lisa, now you have made me “ugly cry”! Thank God for the USA and for friends like you! Travel safe, be happy, and get back here for some southern cooking and a cold fosty pulled out of a cooler of ice! 🙂

  • Joanna
    Posted at 08:54h, 24 September

    We’ll welcome you home, Lisa. Be safe.

  • Jane K.
    Posted at 09:16h, 24 September

    You may have missed home, but home has missed you too! Can’t wait to see you! Your adventures inspire us all.

  • Annie Gillespie
    Posted at 10:25h, 24 September

    Safe travels and want to hear about the rest of your trip after I came home. It was good to be back home, though I so much enjoyed sharing a week and a half of experiences w/you and Michele. BTW, regarding your visit to Pere Lechaise cemetary, did they gentleman who you met at the Crematorium have longish dark hair? If so, I think he is the guy that stop me and took me to Marcel Marceau’s grave site. Very knowledgable. He wanted to show me more graves (I think he wanted to hire him as a guide), but I was on a mission to fin Jim Morrison’s grave which took forever. Can’t wait to catch up. Take care, Buddy, and be safe.

  • Sally
    Posted at 22:09h, 24 September

    Oh I can’t believe it’s over. I’ve had so much fun reading your posts. What am I going to do now?!?!

  • Leila
    Posted at 12:18h, 25 September

    I agree we all need distance at times from the treadmill we often have in our everyday lives, but after a while, there is no place like Home! I,too, will miss your wonderful posts but be glad to have you back!

  • Janis Miller
    Posted at 10:59h, 01 October

    Love the little man in the Pere Lachaise cemetary story. Reminds me of when Athalie and I were in Rome going to see the Coliseum. Two gladiators tried to pick us up and needless to say – we were flattered. Oh those Roman men! Our bubble burst though when they wanted 10Euros for taking a picture with us. Oh well, we were femme fatales for a moment.

    Can’t wait to hear more about all of your adventures – soon.

  • Grown and Flown
    Posted at 13:03h, 09 October

    I cannot imagine having walked all over NYC and Paris. What an amazing set of cities to explore and an incredible adventure. I’m sure you are happy being home in Atlanta where you can put your feet up until your next excursion.

    • lisaweldon
      Posted at 13:33h, 09 October

      I am happy to be home, although I’d go back to NYC in a heartbeat – loved Paris, but they talk funny there.