It is a beautiful day with sunshine, a cool breeze, and white clouds on the horizon. It’s impossible that it’s the last day of February already. The pink and white apple blossoms are beginning to bloom throughout the Loire Valley and while it seems suspiciously early, we are admiring them nonetheless.

Despite the beautiful day, the mood around the Manoir is dark as we woke to news that the US and Israel bombed Iran in the early morning hours. It feels a bit like living within a novel at the moment. Every place we visit is steeped deeply in history, chronicling centuries of historical people and events. Each place adds a different snapshot of history loudly painted onto the walls and grounds we walk. The majority of humanity always serves as canvas onto which famous people and events are painted. I feel like canvas today.

With worry on our hearts, we decided an outing would help our moods. We drove east to Tours. We found a bustling Saturday farmers market that spilled onto the sidewalks outside Halle de Tours, a famous local marketplace. The produce from Saturday markets is always bright, flavorful, and fresh. At every vendor stand, people form patient lines waiting their turn to pick their goods. No one is rude and everyone waits their turn.

Quietly in awe, we explored Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours. It is one of the largest French cathedrals I have seen outside of Paris. The towers are over 200 feet high with massive Flamboyant style buttresses and spires. It was built between 1170 and 1547. The intricate stained glass windows are from the 1300s. Breathtaking, holy, and sacred.

May God hear our prayers.